Ask for the service history to see what maintenance has been done over the years. These are solid cars when taken care of properly.

 

timing belts need to be done every 90k so if that wasn't done, you should be able to knock out $1k from the price, which is somewhat steep for a 96.
at that price point, it should be spotless with an immaculate track record.

 

4200 seems a bit high. I bought my 97 w/ 253k for 2700 back in 10/15. I say it should be worth 3-3500. If it doesn't have a maintenance history, I would keep looking.

I bought mine with a "supposed" timing belt change 50k ago, and ended up having to do TB/WP cam and crank seals 2k miles after purchase since the crank seal blew coating the TB in oil, costing me about $650-700 since i trusted that guy that sold it to me. But he did the strut rod bushings, radiator, tint, new tires, alternator and filters just before I got it so that was a lot of preventative maint. I didn't have to do.

Also the gold model is just the badges, literally 5 pieces of plastic that do nothing other than date the car more I think. They did make a Coach edition which came with some matte silver, champagne colored badges which I added to my car and the fancy Coach emblem



The only options were Nakamichi stereo, 6 disc changer, traction control, air ride and heated seats for that year.

 

Seems a bit high. No such thing as a 'gold' model but could have gold emblems instead of silver. I know mine does. Not much info to go on to make a decision. Maintenance history, owner history, garaged, general condition of interior and exterior paint, accidents?
And that year does not have the wood steering wheel or the plastic headlights, nor the hidden radio antenna..