Howdy!
My '03 Sentra SE-R Spec V sat in a parking lot for about 6 months in Tampa, FL and somehow (flash flood at some point?) got a lot of rust damage. The engine is fine, the car runs, but the mechanic says it needs a new alternator, AC compressor and belt, and the whole rear brake assembly needs to be replaced for the car to be driveable again. He says about $1800 minimum to get it driving again, close to $3k to "do it right".
A mechanic in the shop has offered to buy it off me but hasn't made an offer yet.
I'm a little worried about getting ripped off--what would be a fair price to ask for the car?
How hard do you think it would be to sell as-is if it doesn't work out with this guy?
Body is in good shape, engine in good shape, no after-market modifications, good history, 140k-ish miles. I've owned it since 23k and kept it in good running order as my daily up to the time it sat unused for those 7 months.
Appreciate any advice ya'll can give. Thanks much!
Need advice about 03 se-r spec v
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frapjap
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'07 Subaru Legacy - Location: South Coast Massachusetts
Re: Need advice about 03 se-r spec v
Welcome to NICO!
Thats a real pickle. I'd be worried that if the car was in so much water that the alternator got wet, theres a good chance water entered the engine through the exhaust, too. Drain your oil and see what it looks like- the engine may not be as awesome anymore. You may be alright considering it takes a lot to flood the entire exhaust manifold, but worth looking into.
Out of curiosity- how is it that the rear brakes need replacing but not the front? If they were both under water, they should both be affected. Does the car roll? Stop? Drive alright other than the battery dying due to not being charged? Hell, do you even want to keep it? If you're handy with a wrench, you might want to take a crack at repairing it yourself. We have a great Factory Sercive Manual section for any repairs- theres a link in my signature.
If you aren't keeping it, I'd start at the 3k they want to repair it and probably wouldn't take much less than $2,800.
Thats a real pickle. I'd be worried that if the car was in so much water that the alternator got wet, theres a good chance water entered the engine through the exhaust, too. Drain your oil and see what it looks like- the engine may not be as awesome anymore. You may be alright considering it takes a lot to flood the entire exhaust manifold, but worth looking into.
Out of curiosity- how is it that the rear brakes need replacing but not the front? If they were both under water, they should both be affected. Does the car roll? Stop? Drive alright other than the battery dying due to not being charged? Hell, do you even want to keep it? If you're handy with a wrench, you might want to take a crack at repairing it yourself. We have a great Factory Sercive Manual section for any repairs- theres a link in my signature.
If you aren't keeping it, I'd start at the 3k they want to repair it and probably wouldn't take much less than $2,800.
Re: Need advice about 03 se-r spec v
In my opinion, they are trying to rip you off.
Changing the alternator and compressor is easy on the B15. The alternator is right there on top and the compressor is behind the splash shield.
Also, why does the rear brakes need changing? What is not useless. So honestly, with around $500 and some work, the car can be back on the road IF those are all the things wrong with it.
I would change ALL of the fluids and check to see if they are contaminated in any way, especially the oil as mentioned before.
But if you are trying to sell, I would ask for $4500 and if they argue, just show them the price of an alternator and compressor and tell them that labour is free because they are doing it themselves.
Keep in mind that you're contradicting yourself a little. You said that due to the flash flood, there is now and I quote "got a lot of rust damage" but then you go on to say "Body is in good shape". It has to be one or the other.
Changing the alternator and compressor is easy on the B15. The alternator is right there on top and the compressor is behind the splash shield.
Also, why does the rear brakes need changing? What is not useless. So honestly, with around $500 and some work, the car can be back on the road IF those are all the things wrong with it.
I would change ALL of the fluids and check to see if they are contaminated in any way, especially the oil as mentioned before.
But if you are trying to sell, I would ask for $4500 and if they argue, just show them the price of an alternator and compressor and tell them that labour is free because they are doing it themselves.
Keep in mind that you're contradicting yourself a little. You said that due to the flash flood, there is now and I quote "got a lot of rust damage" but then you go on to say "Body is in good shape". It has to be one or the other.
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