So I have an opportunity to buy a 1988 AE.. Its body and paintwork are excellent (the owner owns a body shop) It has a brand new set of Pirelli tires on it. Full racing beat exhaust and an aftermarket turbo running 13psi. He only wants 2500. Now it sounds like a deal but the interior is in pretty bad shape. The driver side handle is missing.. the interior passenger side panel is off or missing. The car has 120k on it and it has not been driven for about a year. So it would probably need a rebuild and he said it needed new primary injectors. what do you guys think? It also has brand new KYB shocks on it.

 

Tell him its just a TII with cool paint and some badges.. Then offer him about 1500.

 

I'd much rather buy a car with good paint/body and think that such a car commands somewhat of a premium.
New tires and shocks are a bonus.

Dunno about where you live, but here paintwork would set you back around $5K at a minimum, which makes any mechanical repair needed pale in comparison.

Personally, I don't value the "special edition" aspect too much, but any RX with excellent paint would be worth at least $2500 in my book.

 

I agree with this... A good paint job is the hardest part to get right with a "hobbiest grade" work shop. Spend a little more now on a "shell" with a good body/paint and you will save in the long run (unless you have some crazy body kit or paint color in mind)

Edit: The interior of this car may be an issue since it was the only S4 with a black interior. I don't know if the s5 pieces will match but that would be something to look into before buying. If not, it may be difficult/ expensive to get the interior put back together with the correct parts. Try to talk him down on price... I'm still kicking myself for not buying a running, driving, complete 10AE I came across a few years ago for $1500.

 

Buy it. You will never spend money on anything that will give you more fun.

 

Racing beat exhaust, new tires and new shocks. Buy it, even if the interior needs some tlc, you have a great car to start with.

 

Get it...

 

True. If it's the full RB exhaust, it cost half the price of the car. AGX's are around $300, and guesstimating on tires they're $500. So think of $2000 of the cars price as the expense of all those goodies

 

It's probably worth it even if it needs a rebuild, but you should determine the engine (and tranny) condition before committing to buy. Check the compression and for bubbles in the coolant, it may still be driveable. When was it rebuild last?

 

It has never been rebuilt. I am glad that everyone so far think its a good idea. My fiance hates the idea but will actually let me get it. Which is amazing because she absolutely hates my current FC. I am supposed to see it sometime this weekend. If I do I am going to take pictures etc and I'll post them.