Author Topic: buying my dad's acura  (Read 3116 times)

G. Thomas

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 77
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Colorado
buying my dad's acura
« on: September 07, 2017, 01:04:58 PM »
I'm looking for advice on if I should and how much to offer my dad for his car.  I just returned back from a year trip and don't have a car. 

His car is a 2005 Acura MDX, not the touring model. Is has 320,000 miles, mostly highway.  He has owned it from new and it has been rock solid. We live in a desert climate so no rusting. It has been garaged. It's been to the same quality mechanic since '05.  Brand new tires.  Agreed to take it into the shop as a buyer's inspection and pay for any finds. He is buying a newer RDX.

Consumer reports rates it as a good used buy and retails around $6,800
CarMax doesn't have cars dating back to '05
Autotrader doesn't have anything to compare the 300k+ mileage but ranges $3k to $6k
Kelly BB has is for about $3,900

I think he would sell to me for $3,000.  Would you take the deal or find something else?

marielle

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 860
  • Age: 30
  • Location: South Carolina
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2017, 01:13:32 PM »
I wouldn't buy it because I don't need an SUV and the gas mileage isn't very good. Plus I can get a car for $3k that has half the miles of that car and good gas mileage, just may not be a luxury brand.

SimpleSpartan

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 101
  • Location: Washington
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2017, 01:15:44 PM »
I'd offer 1,500 maybeeee 2,000. That's a lot of miles even for an Acura (Honda).
Plus shitty gas mileage, definitetly not mustachian.

I'd get a reliable four cylinder sedan/hatchback under 100k miles for 7-8k

frugaliknowit

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1686
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2017, 01:35:22 PM »
Are you trying to squeeze 400,000 out of it?
Really, that's a lot of miles!!

RWD

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6526
  • Location: Arizona
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2017, 01:36:07 PM »
Found these in economy cars in Colorado. All for the same price or cheaper, with less miles.
2007 Nissan Versa, 184k miles, $3k
2007 Subaru Impreza, 153k miles, $2.6k
2005 Ford Focus, 152k miles, $3k

I think $3k for the MDX is a decent deal, but not a "family favor" kind of deal. You'd be unlikely to flip it for any profit. At 15/21 mpg city/hwy I would definitely consider something else.

Finallyunderstand

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 151
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2017, 01:44:30 PM »
if you absolutely want it, tell him you'll take it off his hands for trade in value plus the tax savings he would have.  I can't imagine any dealer would offer him more than $1000 for it with those miles. 

As others have mentioned, gas mileage is not great.  How often do you hear of 300k+ miles on a car and then also hear it being described as "rock solid"?

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2017, 01:49:39 PM »
320,000 is a lot.  I bought a seven-year-old high mileage car once at 250,000 and it got me to 261,000 and change before dying on a roadtrip 150 miles from home.  I wouldn't expect a ton out of it.  I also only paid a grand for my 250,000 car.  I wouldn't pay triple for a car with even more miles no matter how "nice" it is.

Normally when buying a car, I "pencil it out" as lasting to 200k, with maybe one or two major hiccups between 150k and 200k.  More is icing, not "planned."

It'd be a gamble, and doing your dad a favor.  And as others have pointed out, it's an SUV with gas mileage to match, so unless you have a specific need for that it's also sub-optimal from a running costs perspective.  You're not getting a "deal" unless it's free.

MountainFlower

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 282
  • Location: Colorado Mountains
Re: buying my dad's acura
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2017, 03:32:00 PM »
That is not a deal.  We just sold our 2002 MDX with 245K miles for $980.  They have transmission problems, so I would run from that car.