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First, look in the glove box and see if the warranty card is there, and see if the old owner's name/address is on it - sometimes you can find out, and call the person, and they may tell you more about the car.
Second, at 75k miles, I'd have the dealer do some preventive work on it before I accepted the deal. They have the room on the price, I'd bet. With that many miles on it for a 2003, they're probably having trouble selling it, unless the price is rock bottom - which it likely won't be if it's at a dealer.
First, new shocks all around. You'll need them soon anyway most likely, so if you can get them now, for no money, go for it.
Second, check the owner's manual for scheduled service requirements - and make sure they have done all the things on the list - probably including fuel filter, trans fluid and filter change, differential fluid change.
Third, new windshield wiper blades.
Fourth, new battery if the one in the car is original.
Then add some things that aren't important to you that would cost them money, so you have negotiation room.
Then, have them throw in free oil changes, tire balance/rotations, for as long as you can bargain for - perhaps a 100,000 mile service also.
Alot of times stealerships will go with these things because they want you to be accustomed to bringing your car to their shop for service - and the oil changes etc. don't cost them anything hardly.
See if you can get them to throw in a couple of remote keyfobs - those things go out over time. They probably have a bunch in a box somewhere.
I would write down your offer and hand it to them - so everything is very clear and they can't welsh on stuff.
For instance, I bought a car that was from Oklahoma - and as a condition of my offer, I had them change the top of the dashboard - where the sun hits - and now 5 years later, its still nice and new and not curling up - were it not for the change, it would be horrible by now.
If they want to sell the car, they'll make concessions - and the ones that don't cost them much dough will be attractive to them, and save you significant bucks in the future.
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