Hi everyone,
I’m currently living in Brisbane since moving country and looking to buy my first car over here. I've found a marketplace listing for a 2011 Mazda 2 (automatic) with low mileage and only 2 owners.
The seller is moving back to Korea soon and wants a quick sale. They originally listed it at $7,300 but dropped it to $6,900 in the description. I think I can negotiate them down to $6,500 AUD.
It comes with a Queensland Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) valid until December, and registration is paid all the way up to January 2027.
The seller explicitly states that the air conditioning "runs but does not cool properly." They claim the previous owner estimated it's a $500 fix, but from what I've read online, if it's a dead compressor or a major leak, it could easily run me anywhere from $150 to $1,500+ to fix properly but not 100% sure as I'm not versed in cars.
What do you guys think?
Is $6,500 AUD a fair price for this model with very low km but non-functioning AC?
Should I walk away, or walk in with a mobile mechanic to an inspection/ pressure test the AC?
Anyone who has owned this gen Mazda 2 how common are AC failures, and what did it cost you to fix?
Appreciate any advice or insight!