This might be the one

[irowiki]

Says he spent $800 rebuilding the engine including the bottom, and after that redid the clutch, installed a weber carb, has 200k on the body. Only selling it because he doesn't have to commute an hour to work anymore!

Has ac, doesn't work.

We'll probably go out this weekend! What do you guys think about the price?

http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/4021066821.html

[dlb]

the exterior looks a little rough. i can understand asking that much for it after doing so much work on it but considering the peeling paint and dents, i'd say the price is a bit high. i would take a look and as long as there were no obvious probs with the trans or engine, i would probably offer 1500 and maybe go as high as 1700 if he really seemed to have done a good job on all the work.

[TominMO]

If I wanted it and he didn't take $1700, I'd say just buy it anyway! Are you really gonna pass up a good, probably rust-free, car for a $300 difference?

[rer233]

Looks like a complete repaint- car used to be gold. Guess i'm just an original paint bigot ('cept of course on a beater- then it doesn't matter.)

[Mad_Marx]

Looks like it's all there, could be worth the money if the work was done proper and the seller can show proof (receipts/photos/etc). I think it's a fair price, but I've been known to pay too much for just about everything :/

[irowiki]

We're going out Thursday to see it. More than anything I want to kick the tires, look it all over, and drive it around (and see how it compares to my 1st gen).

He seems to be the sort that does his own work!

Says he serviced the transmission when he rebuilt the engine, claims the Weber works really well even in the cold. Going to ask him if he's ever replaced any cv axles, and how far gone the AC system is.

[Petros]

Could be worth it. the NM sun would have done in that factory gold paint and clear coat, so you can expect to live with it that way, or a complete repaint. If it has has no wrecks (the sub frame is straight), and the brakes, CV axles, and all of the suspension parts are good, and there are no problems with the trans, $1500-1700 would be good buy, $2000 on the high side but still not out of line.

Brakes and suspension repairs are not too difficult and parts are cheap enough, but if it needs a lot than it all adds up and $2k would be high. Typically when I have gone in to fix one thing on the superstition when the owner swears all it needs is a new boot, or all joint, I will find half of the bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, boots, CV axles, and bearings area also shot. Again, not a that big a deal, but I would not want to have to do all of that on a car I just spent $2k on. That would bring the value down to much less. Take a large pry bar, a jack and jack stands and put it up in the air, get under the car and push/pull on every joint and part. Pull a rear wheel and brake drum, hand rotate the axles to feel the rear bearing, pull the boots back on the rear wheel cylinders and look for leaks, inspect the thickness of the front brake pads and rear shoes.

None of these are show stoppers, you just want to know what you are getting before you fork over the money. It also puts you in a stronger negotiating position. A rear brake job is about $450, you can replace everything yourself for about $150, which is your bargaining range, or you can negotiate for the seller to fix it at full price if he baulks at lowering the price.

If you give a little each way, you usually end up with a happy seller and a good deal for you.

[irowiki]

I guess it wasn't meant to be the one, he sold it, even knowing I was driving out there tomorrow. Oh well!