I've had 124s with 250k that are in excellent condition inside and out, I've had 124s with lower miles that need everything.

Realize that it's a 16year-old car. If it's been in the warm climates, it could need many rubber and plastic parts from vacuum-lines to suspension bushings, if a cold-climate car likely less of those but more corrosion. Warm coastal and it needs everything.

If you look around the car and see signs of wear: shiny steering wheel and shifter, logos worn off of the wiper stalk, seat worn, armrest in tough shape, this likely tells you that it has had mixed to city miles. If the seat and steering wheel look pristine, other controls and wear points in excellent shape, it has likely been a higway car and has much less wear in other parts. Ditto for maintenance items, if anything it needs was replaced, good. If many things are loose, broken, worn, or generally need attention it is as likely that more important things are also neglected (which you and your checkbook will chase for years).

The highway car has spent most of its life in high gear putting out around 20hp to run down the highway, few shifts, few turns, few braking events, few engine starts, few door openings etc. per mile. The city car has put out 75-140hp almost every time it leaves a light, lots of stops and starts, lots of engine start and hot/cold cycles, a lot more hours on the engine and at a much higher power output.

The highway car would be a steal at this price if well maintained, the city car that is neglected? Walk away. You'll have to appraise its use and condition to determine its value.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff