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I think $9k is about right, if not high. I purchased an 84 with a crossfire that sat for 5-6 years in storage before I bought it. With only 42,000 miles on it, after about 18 months the engine was leaking from just about everywhere it could, and so was the transmission. Sitting kills a car. As stated earlier you may need to bleed the brakes, change antifreeze, tune up, plug wires, etc. The car is the car is thirty years old.
After I got everything sorted out the cross fire ran solid and dependable for the next 14 years before I sold it. I don't think you can buy a car this old without expecting some issues, like tires, worn suspension from sitting, not to mention all those sensors that are on that engine.
Bottom line, I think $9 K is generous. Best of luck either way.
I agree with most. If this is a person you respect and will see often, then I would say you would feel guilty each time you see the person. Especially if you feel guilty now just considering it.
Do a little more research on how much similar cars are going for. Then make the 9K offer with the given info. If it is all you have, they have all the information they need, and they still sell...it was their decision. They can always say no.
Pray for guidance if you are still uneasy about our advice.
Consider this as well, when have car dealerships or any other merchandise pawn shop ever given exactly what something is worth? They have to make money on it, so they will offer lower than what it is worth so they can sell it to someone else. (this is not what you intend to do I assume, but it is how offers and counter offers come to be)
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
FWIW I sold my 82 with 29K miles on the clock for $15K last month. I put in a new interior, suspension, tires, and a bunch of other cosmetic stuff. My car had been sitting for a while as well so it needed some love before I got the kind of money I did.
Suggest they put it on Ebay. Then bid. Most won't pay max for that year site unseen. You have the advantage of having seen it and no shipping. But tell them you will give them 9k now if they don't want the hassle of selling it.
I don't believe you should feel guilty about offering 9K. I realize she has that attachment because it was her son's car, but someone else will come along and try to get it for the lowest price possible.
She know's you, she see's you regularly and in her heart that might mean more to her knowing the car is in good hand's and will be taken care of.
If 9K is all you have and you really want the car talk to her honestly about how you feel, i'm sure she would understand and appreciate the kindness you present about your own feeling's about the possible purchase.
All she can say is no, but 9K seem's like a fair market offer, good luck with making a decision about this.
Last Sunday I was sharing my week end with some of the ladies from my church, as the president of my club. we adopted a head start center and had a gift giving celebration for the 68 children at the center.
I was sharing that event, when one of the ladies mentioned that they have 1982 corvette in their garage. their son owns but pass away, now the grand son does not want it. I looked at last night, the car looks like it just left the show room with 31K. the finish on this was silky smooth. so I did some looking around on the net, some are around the 15-25K with a lot more miles.
I have 9K ready to get this, but feel guilty for offering that much knowing they can get more. How would you feel offering much less for knowing it is worth more? thank you.
I'd feel fine offering whatever I felt I could get the car for. I really doubt I'll be judged in the afterlife for something like a car. If she doesn't want to sell for my offer, fine by me.
Last edited by SH-60B; Dec 27, 2011 at 04:27 PM.
Reason: sorry...don't believe in Jesus....
Remember.....It's 31 or so years old. It has spent most of it's life parked. There are many seals, hoses, etc. that are well past their useful life expectancy. Because it may have low miles doesn't mean it doesn't need some serious work to correct them.