Looking for advice on used car purchase

[Sirbin2000]

I found a 95 tercel for sale $1200 obo with one owner and 93k miles. It looks and sounds great from what he says. he's even OK with having it inspected by a mechanic prior to purchase which is very important to me. The only thing is him and I are very busy and are having a tough time working out a time when I can go see it so I can't really get a mechanic to set an appointment. Is it absolutely recommended to get a pre purchase inspection? I really don't want to buy this without one, I wish I could do it myself but I don't have the confidence that I know exactly what to look for. Any advice would be appreciated, if I can't figure out what to do I'm just going to have to pass on this one.

[MikeCStig]

When you look at a car that is old enough to legally purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, yes get it inspected. It's a 21 year old car. The mileage may be low, but it's age may show if you start driving it daily. Bringing a mechanic to inspect a used car is always a good idea if you can arrange it.
As for the car itself, I personally wouldn't get a tercel because I find them boring. However, you do get that legendary Toyota reliability and damn good fuel mileage without having to buy the loathsome abomination known as the prius. If it checks out mechanically I'd say go for it.

[Sirbin2000]

That's what I'm looking for, reliability and gas mileage, it's for my girlfriend not me so I'm not worried about anything else. I just hope I can get a mechanic to be able to come with on short notice, otherwise I'm gonna pass.