is this car even worth $1300?

[RBBaby]

guess what? Yup, I need more help deciding on a car :D

this time It runs well, Im just not sure what to offer the guy for it. Its a black 89 hatch with 150k miles on it, power everything and a sunroof.

there are 3 main mechanical problems:
1. Passenger Side Power Window (Lift cable is tangled around pulley)
2. Factory Car Stereo (does not function, perhaps a fuse on the back of the unit?)
3. Rear Window Wiper Off Switch (once the rear wiper is turned on, car must be shut off in order to turn the wiper off)

and one main body problem:
there is a small area of damage along the floor rail beneath the passenger side door. In icy conditions, the car was slid against a curb, which has caused an area of sheet metal damage(essentially a long tear) approximately 12-18 inches long along the edge of the floor rail. There is some paint scratching upon the door from the same incident, but no denting of the door, and it opens and closes without impairment.


he is asking 2k OBO, and I think I'm going to offer him 1300... does that sound fair?

[Flybert]

I think it all depends on your location whether that car is worth $1300. I would off him $1000 and see where you can go from there.

[West]

Sounds like it needs work, 150k is allot for a SOHC, make sure the timing chain has been done. It will cost you about $400 just to fix the various problems with it besides the body work. For $900 its an ok deal. IMO I would spend 2-4k for a 240 and not worry about the headaches. I bought a 89 Coupe for $1500 and parted it out a year later because it was a POS.

[DuffMan]

I wouldnt worry about the floor rail damage too much because those things are paper thin and dont do much for the structure of the car anyways.

Just make sure you repaint the damaged area with something to prevent rust.

1300 doesnt sound too bad if it runs strong, but I wouldnt expect it to neccesarily be reliable without work.

[RBBaby]

I offered him 1300, since im going to be doing an rb swap anyways. It was owned by this dudes mother, so I dont think the timing chain has been replaced, but I want to replace it myself anyways, I need the experience. When I go see the car, I will lower my offer a bit, because from what you guys say, 1300 is probably a bit much. unfortunately, in the email he sent me, he sortof implied that alot of people were interested, so I might have to pay 1300.

[s13er]

There is always a lot of people interested so I wouldnt worry about that part, half the time its people who dont have any money and nothing better to do with there time but dream. You might want to check out what the person is like that is selling it. Yes he says it belonged to his mother but from where the damage is and how you said it happened he might just be someone that tried to drift moms car and ran up onto a curb. I guess what im saying is make sure its not ragged out. And good luck.

Matt

[Bill Roberts]

Run a CARFAX. What if it is hot?

[zero.counter]

$1K, 150k miles, the other 3 issues are trivial but the tear may cost eother some fiberglass patching or a weld/sand.
SOHC, man that alone would make me offer less, but its your decision. Think about it.

[RBBaby]

I posted in the carfax thread.

and I dont really care about the engine, Im not going to be drag racing it with that engine. look at my name.

[FRpilot]

in my book, $1000 is about right for any old car that runs. $1200-1300 should be fine. it might be worth $1500, but as you mentioned, there are problems with the car. what i would worry about most in the frame. make sure it is straight and not rusted. basically, you are paying for a shell and a car to run for a bit.

[RBBaby]

someone please check the carfax thread, its in OT... pleeeasssee