I have had a few FC's in my day, but I have always had a love for the FB. I am currentley in a situation were I have a vehicle that I have to cut my losses on and sell it super cheap(bad motor). I don't really have money set aside to buy a vehicle, and I am not going to take out a loan....
I have seen FB's for well under 2K dollars....and although I should buy something practical, I am tempted by the fruit. What should I look for when buying a cheaper fb. I know a good amount about cars, so I would like to know what to look for in specific regarding FB's(areas that tend to rust, sagging doors, etc..).
Thanks guys,
Barry

 

Sorry someone delete on of these threads.

 

One of the first places to rust is towards the front top inside the rear fender wells. Also check the rear floorboards behind where the back of the seats mount. I have found both in my car but it was $500 and runs great.

 

i got mine for $600 and runs good and theres not but a few spots of rust which i sanded and bondoed out

 

Yeah, For 1k that should buy a nice 1st gen. look around the rear hatch drain holes and sunroof drain holes for rust. you've had a rotory before so you should know about the engine. running smooth wise. have to drive it first, you know. it also would be good to know the history. maybe. if your like me and just about every other 12a 1st gen owner, the 12a runs out of power, so maybe look towards a GSL-SE. good luck

 

i got my SA for 800, no rust, runs well.

 

I got mine for 500 bucks. Just needed a good tune up and the intake o rings replaced. You have to keep looking. Thats what i did to get mine. I am still looking for another 1st gen to grab.

 

I bought my 84 GSL off a failed eBay auctioneer (dead-beat bidder) for $1000. I emailed her during the auction and told her I would meet the top bid if the high-bidder chickened out. That's exactly what happened. Pestering eBayers works pretty well. I had several other sellers ask me if I would buy their cars!

The car had a new (cheap) paintjob, a great interior, working air, and a straight body with minimal rust (no rust in the wheelwells).

People say they get RX's for $50, $100, $300, etc, etc, but as the years pass it's getting harder and harder to find 1st Gen's in decent shape. My first two 7's cost me $300 each, but they were basket-cases.

 

got my 83 S for $1150, and its still going strong. I've modded plenty of stuff, but I haven't *had* to do much to it. Pretty good rust wise, but like everyone said, wheel wells, rain channel at the bottom of the hatch, all places to look. Good luck

 

Very possible. My '82 was $900. It was in great condition though, and had 78,000 miles. I've put more than that into it but didn't have to. I could've just bought and driven it like it was. Only rust on it was from small dents along the wheel well, which I fixed in 20 minutes. The plus side is FB's are a little more simple than FC's, and as long as your motor doesn't blow theres a lot of guys here that know what they're talking about when it comes to FB's and can help if you need it.

I have a 2001 Jeep that I'm still making payments on that has more down time than my FB has had. Just check it over real well and get a feeling for the condition.

 

I know someone selling a silver 82 gsl (auto though) for $900 98k... pretty great shape, has a dent on header pannel and the bumper is torn..

 

yeah i got my gsl-se for 900$ in tennessee, absolutley no rust, original everything... wich kinda sux cause i have to change everything out, but had 120k on it and all factory receipts from when it was in the shop, best of all i bought it from an old man so i knew it wasnt ragged out, the original clutch is still in it and it sometimes grabs 3rd gear...mmmm

 

my S and SE were both 900 bucks each.. the S was a junkyard restore by a friend of mine while the SE was completely stock and in good shape.. minus the struts giving out, but i have some adjustables to fix that.