Its an 11 almost 12 year old car! Of course the undersides are going to be a bit rusty and look like they have some time on them. If you want new buy new, its an old car it isn't new.

If its the model you want, and is clean I say offer him $9k and see where that gets you. The car sounds pretty nice, why lose it over a few bucks.

Just because its a northern car doesn't mean its really rusty. Get it up on a lift and check it out, it is probably fine.

If you really want a nice example, they are all in CA. Look there.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200