Opinions on price for FD purchase
 

Hey guys, not sure if this is the correct place for this if not please move.

I am looking to purchase an FD. Little background I'm a supra owner, I've had my 95 Turbo for almost 10 years now. My dad also had a few FC's when I was a kid. Also I was in the service with a good friend who had a 93 that we rebuild the rotary in so i am familiar with them.

I am looking at a 94 montego blue touring car with 79K miles clear title. Original owner.
I followed the buyers guide and checked the car over pretty good. I like that's its a one owner though he doesn't have many service records. The motor/ turbos seems strong with no smoke, although there is on oil leak on the left had side. Fluids looked good didn't see any oil in antifreeze or vice versa. No fifth gear grind from the transmission.

The rear suspension needs pillow ball bushings. They clunking is pretty loud. The moonroof motor is bad. The passenger window motor is bad. The exterior has peeling clear and one prominent dent on the pass door. Also passenger door mirror has been screwed and epoxied back on.

The interior looks good though, the best part of the car in my opinion.

Given this I am worried about purchasing the car then having to turn around and rebuild the motor. With 79K original miles on that motor, although it seems to be running well with good compression ~85 psi on both, I am a bit hesitant.

Given this I would greatly appreciate some opinions on how trusting you'd be of the original motor with that mileage and also where you would price the car. Asking price is 11K. I want to make a fair offer but also don't want to get stuck dumping thousands more into it right after I buy. Just for reference my supra makes PLENTY of power. I will not be modifying this car.

Thanks

Purchasing an FD is pretty tough. You never want to jump on the first one you find. At 79k, I would say its is most likely overdue for a lot of scheduled maintenance. This would include the Fuel Pulsation Dampener, Fuel Filter, OMP nozzles, Plugs and wires, and I could probably take a good guess that the AST looks pretty ugly. Factor all this into your asking price. Has the car been smogged recently? These aren't the cleanest burning motors :P

FWIW, I just purchased a 1993 base model with 62k, all original [down to the radio], one owner, and its been wonderfully kept. I spent a chunk more this asking price, and I STILL anticipate roughly $2500 in parts that I will be installing immediately upon my return home.

Thank you for your service!

Matt

79k miles on original engine will require a rebuild soon. 11k seems like a fair price, but would anticipate investing $2-4k on a rebuild.

Hope that my input helps in some way. I am new to these cars, bought mine in Nov. 129k, used (or rebuilt motor) at 89k. Was stored for years and then resurrected in Sept/Oct, the month before I bought it. It came with $4000 plus in parts/labor receipts. That being said, I am $2200 into parts myself already, just in maintenance and upkeep. Cooling, clutch, susp., etc. My VR paint needs help but its still a 20 footer. My opinion, unless you get a lot of paperwork with receipts, it sounds like an $8-9k car at best.

Thanks for the responses guys.

I offered $8500 and told him my reasoning that if I buy for 11 and have to turn around and put 3 into it then I'd be in the price range of buying a lot nicer car. I think that's a more than fair number so I guess we will see. I'd love to have an FD, but it being my 3rd car I definitely don't NEED it, Lol.