http://tampa.craigslist.org/car/629175564.html


Basically I found this car. I went to take a look at it since it is right around the corner from where I live. Anyway, beneath the hood it is perfect and everything looks brand new. The interior and exterior however are in pretty bad shape. The molding beneath the hatch window looks rusted through (You can almost stick your finger through) but there is minimal rust else ware . The molding around the T-tops is pretty bad as well. The door handles need to be replaced/re-attached. The hood does not latch down and kind of wobbles when you lift it up. There are scrapes across the body and the rear bumper is starting to come loose.

HOWEVER, the car runs absolutely perfect and has less than 2k miles on the new engine. Is it worth how much she is asking? And how much do you think it would cost to have all those minor details I mentioned fixed?

Also I'm new to this place so thanks for your help! If I do get this car I think I'll be sticking around for a while.

Edit - Also, this may seem a little bit weird but apparently the girl is selling the car because it was her boyfriends and he is in jail for quite a while. She says that his signature is on the title and she has power of attorney. Is this enough to legally sign the car over to me if I do buy it?

 

First I have to ask, how do you know the engire really has less than 2K on it?

Seems like everybody and their brother claims that their engines have either insanely low miles or have been rebuild, but are still selling their car for a real low price.
My rule of thumb is, unless I have some real proof of a rebuild, the engine isn’t rebuilt.

If you don’t have proof of a rebuild and based on everything else you told me, I would say it’s not worth it.

If the engine is rebuilt, but the body is still junk, I would still say its not worth it.
Minor surface rust is one thing, but holes through the body are something else.
Make sure to look under the car and look at the Strut towers for Rust.

Right now, I am leaning more towards the not pile.

 

I'm from the area (StPete/Clearwater) and $3000 is too much to pay for an 86, looks to be a sport coupe. If the engine and trans are truthfully new, then maybe 2k-2500. You can find 3rdgen (Z28s and IROCS) fairly often for the 3k price range.

Look carefully in the following places: lower rockers and lower front fenders right in front of the doors, bottom edges of the doors, bottom edges of the rear fenders bothe before and after the tires. Look closely at the A pillars and the roof line all around the t tops, look for signs of water damage around the headliner and seats, and in the trunk well.

IMO you are better off getting a solid body and decent interior car that needs a little mechanical TLC than a car that needs a lot of body work.

IF and I mean IF the only rust is on the rear deck where the glass attaches to the spoiler, then that piece can easily be replaced with a u pull it special. There are 2 LKQ u pull it yards in Pinellas and a couple in Hillsborough.

 

paying way too much..i just bought my 84 in jan with the body and interior completely restored and motor had just over 100,000 paid only 1000 bucks and another 300 for a rebuilt motor to slap in...1300 total