Looking at 2007 Yaris - 170,000 miles. What to look for?

[coastal]

I'm looking at a 2007 Toyota Yaris manual hatchback that has 170,000 miles. It's near the coast. Anything I should look for in particular? Seller is asking $5,000, and it's been up on craigslist for over a month now. From the looks of it these cars seem pretty reliable. What should I expect to spend as the car reaches the 200,000 mark?

Anything I should look for in particular when checking it out/test driving? Is this price reasonable? Any advice appreciated. Apologies if this post is redundant, I tried looking for beta in the FAQ and search bar.

[bairjo]

Check Water pump & Control arm bolt. See threads on this topic. Also get the maintenance records showing that everything was done as required.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bairjo

Also get the maintenance records showing that everything was done as required.

^^^^^ This.

Especially at that mileage level.

[WeeYari]

Get the price dropped by a grand.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

Get the price dropped by a grand.

^^^^^ This too.

If the owner is stubborn, that's probably why it's been sitting on Craigslist for a month.

[SKurj]

$5000 with 170k miles... too much

It looks like a base model, any AC? Manual or Auto any toys at all?

If its certified I'd offer $4k..

[coastal]

Manual with A/C. Test drove it, very clean. Clutch/tranny felt solid, same with motor. Everything still completely stock, nothing replaced according to owner. Owner wouldn't budge below $5000..

Roughly how many miles until these 07s need new clutch/radiator/transmission/other?

[UberSilver]

Look in the oil filler hole, for varnish/burnt oil. Smell the trans dipstick for any burnt or brown oil.

The car is most likely good for another 75k miles, without much issue.

If the engine/tranny go out, $2000. for both is the going rate.


Coming from a Land Cruiser, my Yaris will save me $3000. per year on gas, given that, the Yaris your looking at will be payed for if you get 3 years out of it.

me being a cheapazs, I'd only pay $4000. for a Yaris with 170k. I payed $6000. for mine with 80k, a couple of months ago.

[UberSilver]

Originally Posted by coastal

Manual with A/C. Test drove it, very clean. Clutch/tranny felt solid, same with motor. Everything still completely stock, nothing replaced according to owner. Owner wouldn't budge below $5000..

Roughly how many miles until these 07s need new clutch/radiator/transmission/other?

All depends on the PO. Could go to 300k without a new clutch. If your a poor shifter? it may need a clutch by the end of the year.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by coastal

Manual with A/C. Test drove it, very clean. Clutch/tranny felt solid, same with motor. Everything still completely stock, nothing replaced according to owner. Owner wouldn't budge below $5000..

Roughly how many miles until these 07s need new clutch/radiator/transmission/other?

UberSilver is right, it depends on the driver. Some people have burned out their clutches in under 100,000 miles. On the other hand, I have 240,000 + miles on my Yaris and am on the original clutch, radiator, transmission, brakes, water pump, etc. Other than routine servicing, I've only had to replace the front wheel bearings at 110,000 miles and the alternator at 159,000 miles. IIRC, members Contraband831 and TheSin are both original owners who have more miles on their cars than I do, and have manual transmissions with the original clutch. Member trini_per4mance didn't replace his original clutch until 448,000 miles and as of one month ago he has 490,000 miles on his Yaris and still has the original radiator. You can take a look at trini's thread entitled 'Finally, 450,000 miles on my 07 Yaris in 5 years' -- he updates the first post on that thread with a text edit after he does a repair. The only things he replaced before 400,000 miles were the shocks and struts at 153,000 and the alternator at 323,000 miles (I imagine the shocks and struts were a want and not an absolute need).

If 'your seller' doesn't need the money, and has plenty of room to park it, that may sap any motivation to lower the price. I'm assuming he is the original owner. If so, did he buy it in California and stay a resident during the 'life' of the Yaris? In other words, has it gone through an entire snowy winter? If so, that might help create a wedge on the price.