Here's an SE I'm considering buying, but it's 500 miles away. The seller sent me some photos. Good news, it's awesome looking inside & out & garage kept. Runs.
Bad news, 190K, some rust in the bins. He was asking around 4K, its been for sale for a while. That price is way too much I think.
What do you all think I should offer him?
Thanks!

 

Got any pics of the rest of the car? Can't make an acurate judgement from this.

 

MW,
I got a "mint" 85 SE, 98k in Birmingham a couple of years ago for 3K. I currently have the car in storage (still had the original floor mats). Shortly thereafter, I got a very beat up 85 SE in Louisville for $900. I totally re-did the car for I'm sure more than the 4K they're asking of you. It too, had 161K on the odo, but was owned for the most part by some lady. Neglected definitely, abused, probably never. The car looks and runs great now, but I'd be really hard pressed to ask someone 4K for it. And yes, it has rust in the bins too.

jeryj

 

I goofed, trying again...the GOOD news...

 

Now the BAD

 

Hummm..... that's not tooooo too bad.... it's fixable with a bit of grinding and/or fiberglassing.... and if the car actually looks like that, I'd go for it for sure.

Jeff

 

Oh, I didn't notice that you asked for a price range...

I'd offer him no more than $2500-3000..... that's the absolute most...

Jeff

 

What would y'all offer him as far as 'pictures of dead presidents'?

 

Oop, posted late..thanks for the price opinion. Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

Here's another shot..
Got some of the inside, too, but too big a file.
Inside looks immaculate.

 

I would not recomend glassing it!! Do it right with metal. My car has the same problems in the wheel wells.

 

Thing is, if it's not all the way through, treating it with rust-remover and fiberglass will prevent it from rusting any further... I glassed the insides of my wheel wells, and they're fine; no rust, cracking, etc, yet.

Jeff

 

not bad at all. Any body shop can chop out the cancer and graft in new metal, and it's only small bits.

A shame about the targa band, but that's a straight & shiny body

 

I kinda like the targa band look, but, to each his own... I'm not going to try to force my opinion upon you

Jeff

 

yea, thats fixable, my car is just slightly better than that, and I plan to glass it. 2500 would the highest I'd offer personally.

 

MW,

That car is in Autotrader right now for $3500. Just an FYI.

jeryj

 

Hmm..autotrader, how 'bout that.
Anyway, the targa band..was that an option or an add-on? I think I like it...

 

my 2 cents.. i would never pay 4k for a first gen, maybe 3.. but definately not 4. the rust in the wheel wells, and the 190k miles on the car, im guessing (hoping) its not the original motor. but i guess if it wasnt dogged.. i dont know, i wouldnt pay that much. it is a very clean car, on the outside. i just couldnt see paying that much for that. i would probably offer about 2k for it.. 2000-2500.

 

It was an add-on, like the rest of the Targa-7 body kit thingy... I have one if you wanna buy it

Jeff

 

$4K is a lot of cabbage for any car with 190K. It does look good, and the engine could last another 100K, but it isn't likely. You're looking at another $1500 or so for a rebuilt mill. Is it worth $5500+ to you?

I'd offer $2K at most, but keep in mind he's going to want to walk you up from whatever you offer.

 

Yeah down here in FL thats a $1500.-$2000 car

He must be giving you a free pair for surgical gloves and a bottle of vasaline for that $4k.

 

ditto to everyone else. i wouldn't pay over 2.5k and would shoot for 2k.

 

Well, I thought I'd add in my opinions..

I bought a MINT 110k mine -SE this summer for 3500, and felt like I got a pretty good deal.

My old one had the storage bin rust, oxidized paint and very little other problems and I sold it for 2k. (also and -SE, 16x,xxx)

Seeing as teh rust isn't too bad, at leats not from what the picture shows, it's still gonna cost you a few hundred bucks in time & effort, and the fact that it has 190k I wouldn't really go much above 2500.

If you really want an -SE, it's a way to get into one for cheaper. If you really want a *nice* -SE I'd keep shopping.

BTW; winter is the absolute BEST time to buy a sportscar cheap. Worst to sell obviousl....

 

Umm... hows the compression? Every first gen I've seen rusts out in the same spot everyone but mine!!!! hahahaha I paid 1200 for my GS with 85,000mi and it has not a touch of rust. The advantage of buying cars from Montana- since they don't use road salt cars never rust.

 

I'd keep looking or get him to come way down. I just bought a 85 SE out of the US for $3800 (US) - 51,000k in mint condition (no rust), same color as the one your looking at with leather, no scratches, dings, and the interior is like new - car is basically show room condition. Patience....