Car ? - 2007 Nissan Sentra with 50k miles for $9k?

So, about to get a car. I found a showroom dealer selling a trade-in 2007 Sentra 2.0 with 50k miles for $7k - add dealer fees, tax and license/registration and it comes to around $9k.

Carfax is clean. First owner was a car rental - had the car for 15,000 miles (so I don't think it's that big of an issue). Next owner was private - bought from Nissan dealership. Shows the car had normal inspections done, no accident or salvage history. I asked the dealer to change the tires and battery, and they will run a full inspection (as they are an authorized dealer they have to before selling the car).

Both used and new car prices are ridiculous lately. Any opinions on this?

Side point. Not really looking at a lease as I will be driving around 5,000 miles tops per year. Don't want to buy new as that I would do in a few years when I need a family car. This car is more of a good economy type car with good MPG, and get me from point A to point B without breaking the bank in both price and maintenance.

wan't get near the woman in that as i do in my bmw x5 babemagnet

Should be fine. Sentras are typically reliable cars with decent fuel economy.

What's wrong with your existing car? You said that used car prices were ridiculous lately and the only way to combat that is to keep your current vehicle. How does this price compare to other similar cars for sale?

Quote from zzyzzx : What's wrong with your existing car? You said that used car prices were ridiculous lately and the only way to combat that is to keep your current vehicle. How does this price compare to other similar cars for sale?

No car currently. Hence, I need a car

It's actually pretty low compared to others. Looking at Civics, Corollas or whatnot, 2007s with 50,000 miles were around $10K+.

KBB and Edmund's lists the car at $9,500 private party. My major worry is the original owner being a car rental.

Quote from qwertyaas : No car currently. Hence, I need a car It's actually pretty low compared to others. Looking at Civics, Corollas or whatnot, 2007s with 50,000 miles were around $10K+. KBB and Edmund's lists the car at $9,500 private party. My major worry is the original owner being a car rental.

Most likely this type of vehicle was used for people who needed a small car with good gas for trips with lots of highway miles. I'd say its likely fine. Now if it were a mustang and a previous rental car I'd avoid because people likely rented it to abuse it. But a Sentra? not too much fun to be had there from a joy riders perspective, I think you will be fine.

Why does only driving 5k miles a year rule out a lease?

I would have a certified ASE mechanic look at the car before buying it. And have you pulled a CarFax report yet? I would get the full report too.

You can thank Cash for Clunkers for current car prices.

Quote from Frogstar : Why does only driving 5k miles a year rule out a lease?

5,000 is a high end for me. I doubt it would even be that high.

Quote from Mad Scientist : I would have a certified ASE mechanic look at the car before buying it. And have you pulled a CarFax report yet? I would get the full report too.

Carfax was pulled. No incidents, accidents, salvage. Comes up clean. My worry is the car rental having the car as first owner now.

Quote from qwertyaas : No car currently. Hence, I need a car It's actually pretty low compared to others. Looking at Civics, Corollas or whatnot, 2007s with 50,000 miles were around $10K+. KBB and Edmund's lists the car at $9,500 private party. My major worry is the original owner being a car rental.

How does the price compare to other similar Nissans?

2007 Sentra with 50k miles for only $7000? That seems awfully cheap or am I missing something?

Quote from sumthn : 2007 Sentra with 50k miles for only $7000? That seems awfully cheap or am I missing something?

Asked a few people I know in cars, they said if it's a trade-in for a non-related company (Hyundai dealer got a Nissan as trade-in), they try to flip it as quick as possible. It's sitting parked in the street now as they don't have room in the lot for it.

Quote from qwertyaas : Asked a few people I know in cars, they said if it's a trade-in for a non-related company (Hyundai dealer got a Nissan as trade-in), they try to flip it as quick as possible. It's sitting parked in the street now as they don't have room in the lot for it.

Interesting, this may be a decent deal but i'm a little skeptical. I'm currently in the process of getting a used car as well and I'm in a similar situation (possibly buying a trade-in from a non-related company). However, the price of the car is higher than the KBB. And in my area most cars of the type are priced similarly. I'm wondering why the dealer is willing to sell for roughly 2k less than its value. You figure after putting their own repairs and such into the car and getting commission the car would be priced at least within 1k of the KBB since they know they should be able to get at least the KBB for it.

Makes me wonder if their isn't anything wrong with it and they are pricing quite low so they can quickly pawn it off on someone. I might be wrong but I would definitely make sure a mechanic checks it out or make a deal with dealership to be able to return it if anything is discovered within a few days or a month. Also as a dealer once told me a carfax is nice but not everything that goes on with the car is reported, I learned that the hard way with my current car. Clean car fax and a bunch of repairs.