Mods: please move if it belongs to a different section

I'm currently looking at an '05 Rio (kudos to the pre-purchase FAQ!), and had a few questions that I could pick you folks' brain on, along with hopefully running into the previous owner on this board.

- Did it belong to someone here? VIN ends in *7833, has an silver amp (non-brand name) in the passenger side trunk. Aftermarket alarm with some speaker/mic along the dash.
- The car has ~20K miles, but the engine bay looks like a mess. Rusty bolts attaching the exhaust manifold and front suspension top hats, watermarks in the exposed area block areas, dead leaves in the bay.
Beyond poor maintenance, anything else I should read from that?
- 9 VIN tags are attached. The one on the rear bumper has been painted over. Anything else to look at to assess further damage?

I'm definitely going to get a pre-purchase inspection by a local mechanic, but wanted to get this board's thoughts on the above, and perhaps an opinion of whether or not the car's worth (in $) pursuing.

Thx in advance for your time.

 

What state is the car located in and how much are they asking for it?

FYI your thread may get moved to the "Is it worth it" thread.

 

Pics, please?! Rusted bolts up north aren't unheard of.....but i'm sure we'ld all be glad to look!

 

Thanks for the quick responses, guys/gals. Unfortunately, I failed to snap pics.

Seller's asking for $18K.

The car's in California, and according to AutoCheck, it's been (or at least registered) in California for it's entire lifetime with the exception of it spending 3 months in "Pacific SW region," which could also mean California. That said, would it be safe to assume that the suspension and exhaust had been worked on; e.g. coilovers & headers, respectively.

 

$18k might be a fair price for a 110% mint 2005 with 20k miles. I'd want an 06+ if I was spending $18k.

These are midwest numbers, CA might be different.

 

Sounds like the car has been repaired or repainted at one point. Does carfax show any accident? You might want to pass on this one and find a better one imo

 

i agree if the engine bay look that baad just think about how everything else was taken care of. Avoid it. for that kind of money you ca find one in mint condition with the same or even less miles!

 

The thing that sucks about buying a used car is that even the best inspection can not uncover the previous owneres abuse and lack of maintenance. Often the previous owneres problems surface after you buy the car. Now the fact that you know the car has been poorly maintained and you want to spend 18K boggles my mind. Post up some pictures of the car.

 

You need to check Kelly blue book. Kia and Hyundai resale value at 5 years is around 23 percent . The money you are talking about will get you a Fit or a base Civic. WTF man?

 

For that price I could have bought MY06 with 25k miles, plus a K&N FIPK or started a fund for some mods. Mine has never been wrecked, and does not have 9 different VINS. However I am in Texas, so it could just be that much cheaper. MY05's were going for ~15k here when I bought MY06 in Dec 2009. Maybe the price is higher because of summer?