I'm not going to get into CL cars but you would not be lowballing him with any figure above $7,000. It may be too low for him but it is not insulting or lowballing for a 12 year old model car with 6 figures on the odometer. The money he has invested has no bearing on you. That was his situation, not yours, so don't pay for it. He states new tires, new paint. I sure would look into that. It would not do you any good if the tires are Chinese and the paint job cost $500 at the local 'el cheapo' paint joint. On the other hand, if he put on quality brand name rubber and spent several grand on the paint job, that certainly could help, along with all the receipts of repairs.