1997 Pre-purchase value estimate
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Senior User
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From: Johnson City, TN
1997 Pre-purchase value estimate
I test drove a 1997 extended van with the 3.0 V6, 2wd, pwr win/door/mirrors, automatic and 66,400 miles. The price is $5500, they are not wanting to negotiate at all. The van drove very nice, the interior and exterior are in like new condition.
Should I buy this van or keep looking? I'm in WA state.
I'm looking for a family vehicle for trips that is reliable and inexpensive.
What do you all think??
Tony
Should I buy this van or keep looking? I'm in WA state.
I'm looking for a family vehicle for trips that is reliable and inexpensive.
What do you all think??
Tony
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 758
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From: Northern PA
Kelly Blue Book says the van is worth 4850 retail, and around 3300 private party, and that's in excellent condition. The van is worth buying.
I probably wouldn't pay top dollar unless it was perfect, you wanted it badly, and it needed NO work of any kind done to it. But, they don't make these vans any more, and you don't find good ones falling out of the sky.
Everyone is willing to negotiate. It's just a matter of how much they really want to sell it. Unless you think somebody else is gonna buy it out from under you, offer them less and let them sit on it for a while.
I probably wouldn't pay top dollar unless it was perfect, you wanted it badly, and it needed NO work of any kind done to it. But, they don't make these vans any more, and you don't find good ones falling out of the sky.
Everyone is willing to negotiate. It's just a matter of how much they really want to sell it. Unless you think somebody else is gonna buy it out from under you, offer them less and let them sit on it for a while.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
Tony:
That's a sky-high price, even for an Aerostar
If they are unwilling to negotiate, go elsewhere. Just because the van has low mileage doesn't mean it has no problem. If those were stop-and-go city driving, that's even tougher on the van.
That's a sky-high price, even for an Aerostar
If they are unwilling to negotiate, go elsewhere. Just because the van has low mileage doesn't mean it has no problem. If those were stop-and-go city driving, that's even tougher on the van.
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From: Johnson City, TN
I think I left a couple of things off of the description, because on Kbb.com with zip code 98366, it shows $5500 for retail.
It has rear air, privacy glass, it's a sport (I think...I could be wrong). It also has a Bruno brand, (kinda of a small crane looking thing) mounted in the back. I was going to take that out and sell it on ebay.
Also the last piece of the puzzle is that it's a consignment sale, it's on a car lot but being sold for another guy.
Anyway, I was thinking of slapping a DVD player in the ceiling and voila! Family trip mobile.
I just wish that he would accept $4500.
Tony
It has rear air, privacy glass, it's a sport (I think...I could be wrong). It also has a Bruno brand, (kinda of a small crane looking thing) mounted in the back. I was going to take that out and sell it on ebay.
Also the last piece of the puzzle is that it's a consignment sale, it's on a car lot but being sold for another guy.
Anyway, I was thinking of slapping a DVD player in the ceiling and voila! Family trip mobile.
I just wish that he would accept $4500.
Tony
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Washington state
$3,500 tops and that's with new tires and a 1 year total warranty
this is a basic Aero, not an Eddie Bauer 4L ext AWD
there are millions of used vehicles out there for sale, private and on lots, last three years have been the wildest new car buying binge in America history
they will come down in March when that Aero does NOT move, soccer moms want newer safer? rigs, Aeros usually only appeal to men
Tell him all that is wrong with the rig, small engine, weak transmission, scratches in paint, Ford quit making parts, the only reason it's on his lot is that the owner could NOT trade it in...new car dealer would only low ball the trade in value because Aero's are hard to sell....
....Offer him $2500 in March and walk away, he'll call or it will rust away on his overpriced lot. All "consignment" lots take offers and pass them on to the seller.
he has to sell it or go broke, you have other options and millions of vehicles to choose from
this is a basic Aero, not an Eddie Bauer 4L ext AWD
there are millions of used vehicles out there for sale, private and on lots, last three years have been the wildest new car buying binge in America history
they will come down in March when that Aero does NOT move, soccer moms want newer safer? rigs, Aeros usually only appeal to men
Tell him all that is wrong with the rig, small engine, weak transmission, scratches in paint, Ford quit making parts, the only reason it's on his lot is that the owner could NOT trade it in...new car dealer would only low ball the trade in value because Aero's are hard to sell....
....Offer him $2500 in March and walk away, he'll call or it will rust away on his overpriced lot. All "consignment" lots take offers and pass them on to the seller.
he has to sell it or go broke, you have other options and millions of vehicles to choose from
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Nov 26, 2005 at 09:42 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Miami
The highest sale price recently on e-bay for an Aero was $5,995. A 97 3.0 XLT 2WD with 46K miles. Next was a 95 3.0 XLT with 81K miles at $2,999. A 96 with similar miles to yours (item # 4588504663) didn't sell at $3,350.
I agree with 96_4wdr that $3500 is about tops for this one, plus his other comments.
Good luck!
I agree with 96_4wdr that $3500 is about tops for this one, plus his other comments.
Good luck!
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From: Northern PA
Tony, everyone here has given you some good thoughts. It's a good van, but I agree with everyone else; it's not worth 5500. Just cause that's what KBB says, doesn't make it reality.
They either want to sell it or they don't. You can always find another vehicle, can they find a buyer for that price? Offer them less and leave your phone number so they can call you when it doesn't sell for 5500.
Depending upon how desperate they are when they call you back, offer them even less for making you wait.
They either want to sell it or they don't. You can always find another vehicle, can they find a buyer for that price? Offer them less and leave your phone number so they can call you when it doesn't sell for 5500.
Depending upon how desperate they are when they call you back, offer them even less for making you wait.
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by Tony1790
, it's a sport (I think...I could be wrong).
It also has a Bruno brand, (kinda of a small crane looking thing) mounted in the back. I was going to take that out and sell it on ebay.
They are asking WAY too much for it. I picked up a '97 AWD EXT loaded X-Government vehicle with 55k mi on it for about $6,000 last summer. I did have to drive 1,000 miles to pick it up, but it has been worth it.
I would keep on looking, check out sites like get auto and autotrader.
Or call up the state and ask when they auction off vehicles.