Just found this 82 on craigslist and would like to get the C3 guys opinion on if it could be a good deal or not.
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/3445729495.html

 

i would pass, that needs too much work. look for something in the $8,000- $10,000 range

 

"needs adjusted for high altitude"

The car is fuel injected - it does that (should do that) automatically.... personally, I'd pass

 

i dont think the price is to far off.if you can find the head light parts used at a fair price ,the brakes can be fixed cheap enough you could have a driver for less than 5000.

 

Price seems decent, but it's had a rough life. I would check the area around that missing headlight closely. Looks like it's been hit there. Will need a new front bumper. Check the frame and birdcage for rust.

 

C3 headlight assemblies don't simply fall off the car. In fact, they're a cast iron PITA to weasel, coax and cajole out of the hole especially if the radiator and A/C condenser are still in place.

The hood fits really poorly. There is some evident "sag" on the headlight panel... tough to say why without actually seeing the car. The front bumper fits incredibly poorly. Why are there no photos of the car from the rear? Glass t-tops cost about $1k to replace. It needs possibly 2-3 thousand dollars worth of interior replacement. Who knows what all is wrong mechanically besides needing brakes... no test drive for sure!

If the tires are more than 5-6 years old they need replacement regardless of the tread wear... they dry rot and if they fail can destroy many thousands of dollars in fiberglass, and ruin your day as well.

Mileage? Clear title? Rust? Other "issues" yet to be revealed? Do you love it? Do you have a place warm and secure enough to bring it back this winter while the snow flies? Tools? Compressor? Budget?

That's a lot to absorb, but I think you get an idea that the purchase of a project is perhaps more complex than you thought and encompasses more than just the askng price of the car.

 

Weather it's a basket case or not depends on your skills/tools/resources/determination. A lot of guys on this board paid more for a worse car (including me). $3k is a pretty low starting point. You can repair that bumper cover for $20 if funds don't allow for a replacement right away. Yeah it needs some interior parts, but on the low end you could cover the steering wheel and clean up the other parts. This is one where you'll want to really look it over well.

Sometimes the most fun vehicle to drive is the one you have the least in and don't have to worry about bumps, bruises or scratches. It can be a liberating feeling. I have a Jeep Cherokee I paid $500 for that I get more satisfaction out of than my Land Rover.

 

Worth the money if you want a project. The seller has an essentially unmolested 82. Not in great shape, but not gone, either.

Something heavy has argued with the hood surround on the driver's side. Whatever it was broke the headlight support and bent the header bar.

 

I built up one in much worst condition and I had a whole lot of nay sayers along the way, but I eventually ended up with a gem.

It will cost you more than you budget for...if you intend on doing it right. I paid $5000 for mine, originally, and put in $13K more. I will not get all that back if I was to sell it, but that was not the original plan. I wanted to restore the old gal to her glory and I had the time, money and talent to do so.

There are better models out there and there are worst models out there. It depends on what your intentions are, I suppose. From what I have seen of the pictures it seems to be all there, damaged, but all there; which means you could aim for original restoration. I tried to stay true to that goal, but ended up changing the paint scheme (only) and I am pleased with the end result and so were those at the 3 shows I have entered.

As far as the crossfire injection you will have more against it, then for it. Personally, mine is fine and running a smooth as a Swiss watch (slight exaggeration), but I understand how it works and can make the adjustments, if necessary. Most who don't like the CFI just don't understand its technology (or lack thereof depending upon you point of view). It doesn't have the HP to brag to your buddies about, but I cruise down the highway at posted speed with no problem and hold my own when a VW Jetta or Nissan Altima challenges me at the stoplights.

She is a beautifully designed body style and, as with any machine, can be made to work as designed and be very dependable with routine maintenance. I am embedding a link to my photobucket, which displays my rebuild process.

If you elect to go forward, I am available for advice on your project. Good luck!

http://s1087.beta.photobucket.com/

 

I'd get it for the 3 grand and put about 10 into it and you have a great car for 13.

 

If it spent most of it's life in Texas, the bones on this one might be better than some of the restorations currently underway on the forum. If I could find one up north like this for 3 grand.....I'd probably jump. Good Luck.

 

BUT read up on the crossfire injection first, then decide if you want to ditch it or keep it. I would toss it personally. 3k is not bad at all

 

Not that bad for a relatively unmolested 82.
As stated above you know where to look for dammage.
For something under $8k you might end up with a decent 82 in need of paint.
Birdcage and frame rust would be the only things to scare me away from that one.
It needs a new front bumper, while thats off the headlight and header bar can be addressed, Looks like the hood is just sitting there possibly not bolted on the hinges.
It hit something with the front end, but looks repairable.

 

there are a couple 1982 s in the orlando florida area on craigslist under 5 grand in much better condition, anything under 3 grand is probably worth buying in parts alone.

 

i passed on a 1961 roadster back in 1982, it had just been painted and had a 350 in it. was only missing door pannels.....$6500. been kicking myself ever since

 

Can some one run the license plate through carfax?

 

Unless you can hear it run stay away from it. Idle should be a steady 550 rpm in drive when warm. Anything else and you could be in for a lot off adjusting. Even running I wouldn't pay that.

Jim

 

"Clear Texas title in hand. mileage is over 100k. exempt on title."
What does exempt on title mean? Is this clear title in his name or is it the title that was signed over to him by the PO? I've run into that bs game by sellers many times.

I'd grab it just to make a fun car, not restore or worry about resale value if there are no rust issues.

 

any car over 10 yrs old is exempt from mileage on title, numbers are there they just no longer mean anything

 

oh ok, got it.