Laf12

About 2 weeks ago I saw this old, beat up SA at a local garage and I stopped and asked them what they were doing with it and they said the owner had brought it to them to get some work done but unfortunately passed away. The car was left there for over 30 days so they were just going to have it towed. I offered them $600 but they said it wouldn't be worth it to them to sell it for less than a thousand because of the paperwork involved. They told to ask the tow company about buying it because they know how to do the paperwork better. It got towed away and is currently sitting in a scrap yard. I went down and looked at it but they can't sell it until they get the paperwork completed. I've been looking for a project car or awhile and this seems like a good candidate. I don't know anything about the car really. It's in pretty bad condition, the interior is rough, as is the paint. I haven't had the chance to look under the hood, but all I know about the engine is that it isn't running. The taillights and I think every plastic piece on the exterior is cracked. I wanted to ask here first to see what other opinions people had. What should I pay for it? Is it worth it?

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

Without a title, it's only worth it's parts. Parting one out can be a pain unless you have a place to store it inside.

If your thinks of building it back, it's not really worth a lot even with a title because of the in-opt motor and bad interior. Just think about it, IF the all the motor parts are within spec, a rebuild is going to cost $1000 if you do it yourself. I say $250.

NISxMO

I agree with Kansas in the sense of the value of the car not being worth the repairs.

Where i disagree is with that train of thought the majority of our cars in this generation would not even be on the forum let alone on the road. Are you going to make money off this car once you rebuild it. Never. Will you have a car becoming fewer and further between to enjoy and admire your work in the end. Definitely. Its all up to what you want to put into it.

If the shell is rust free then i say thats all your really paying for anyway, the rest can be brought back to life later with as little or as much money as you want to spend. You could even sell the engine for parts and swap a 13b or something into it inexpensively as well. Up to you but good luck with your decision 👍

Laf12

The conflicting thoughts I have about it are, is the experience and fun of rebuilding or partially re build this car worth more than the money, or should I try to make a couple bucks of it(if I can). When I looked at it closer I knew it would be hard to make any money on it. It seems to be a very complete car, just that a lot of the little stuff is broken.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

I see the potential in this car. Its Sonic Bronze Metallic. That's pretty rare right there. It has the original exhaust and original steel wheels and overall appears to be a rust free unmolested California car. That car is well worth saving in my opinion. If you can get a title, DO IT!

Listen, you'll never make money on this car. What you will have is an ultra rare colored SA that is rust free and unmolested. It will take a lot to bring the car back, but look at the potential it has, not entirely what the car is now. I personally would ****** that car right up.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

I'm about as sentimental as they come to SA's, but have decided that you just can't save them all. The car is worth rescuing from the scrap but you should keep your eyes wide open. This is an S model too, which makes the whole thing a little more challenging. I think your gut has already provided you the answer.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Its a great parts car but it would probably be easier/more rewarding to get one in better shape
for a few more bucks. Alot of the parts you mentioned that are broken are almost nonobtanium
these days, so it would make it that much harder bringing it back.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

I am with Banzai-
Its a Beater, as we all agree. So the problems you see are just the BEGINNING of the issues it will have once you dive in. As others say, finding correct parts (especially interior trim for the Sonic Bronze cars) will be damn near impossible, never mind finding GOOD condition trim. Unless you are a bit of a mechanical and body-work genius, ANY cleaner SA you find in better condition will put you way ahead of the game.

And you are already a step behind in buying an "S" model. These are "rarer" for a reason: these were Dealer Bait (cheapest price) to get buyers in to upgrade to the MUCH more popular "GS" which is far better equipped (the 5 speed alone being the biggest plus) car. And as a result, actually much easier find these days (selling ratio of easily 10-t-1 over the S model). And personally, the whole ownership, driving experience is "Yuge!" (thanks Donald) with the factory sunroof option.

There are STILL a lot of good SAs available out there. It would be worth the wait to find a cleaner one to start with, IMHO. I had to go to San Diego to find mine, and I live in Alaska! (yep, drove it home!)
Regardless, best of luck. Lots of help here to get you on the road.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Is that a technical term?