I think this may be a good deal depending on finding a missing part I posted in another thread but here is the info ...87 4+3 red with I guess charcoal interior .53,000 original miles

The Bad- 1) The carpet , door panels and seat covers need to be replaced along with all the door and window rubber seals.
2) It had a wing and ground effects kit and was removed for whatever reason and now it has holes.
3) Has an oil leak which I'm pretty sure is the valve cover gaskets, and the driver's side mirror is loose and wobbly.

The Good- 1) Car runs really well and everything works
2) Underside is clean and suspension feels tight.

He won't take less than $3,500 The missing rocker panels is my main concern

What do you guys think? Good or bad deal?

 

Pretty cheap. If you just want to put in some work to make a nice driver, not a bad deal. Kinda depends on if you can afford to spend like double for a nice car.

Everyone is gonna tell you to just spend more and get a nicer car. If you can do that, it's not a bad way to go. If not, this isnt bad either.

 

Yeah I can spend double the problem is finding one close that I like. Shipping is getting expensive. I figured with the price I can have a new interior and the miles are pretty low. it's just weathered from sitting outside. Windows aren't tinted. Thanks for the advice!

 

You are nuts! For a couple grand more you can get a car with no paint or hole in the body problems and a presentable interior.
The interior and weatherstrip will cost you $2500 alone and the body work a lot more than that. You'll invested much more than the car would be worth

 

I agree. The holes in the body alone make it a bad deal. They may not bother you, but you won't be able to sell it down the road with the holes in it. You'd either have to have the holes patched and filled which means a paint job (so much for your decent paint), or you need to source replacements body parts that use the same holes or cover the existing holes. Then paint the parts, installation...

It sounds cheap, but unless you put a bunch of money into it, it will always be a cheap half-*** car. If that's what you want, fine. But as others have said, there are a lot of much better cars out there for not that much more money. You'll most likely have to put money into any car you buy, but you should always start with the best car you can find for the money. This doesn't sound like it. Think about it: even if he gave it to you free, you're taking on a lot of work and expense to make it a decent car. Is that what you want? Again, if it is, great, just look at it for what it is.

 

After looking more closely at the car in person I over exaggerated a tad. I only need one door panel and a rear carpet set one seat cover . I found a used door panel and the rocker panels .

I was kinda concerned about finding those lower rocker panels but they are cheap and and i found them in the red for 100 for both

My dear friend who painted my viper said go ahead and buy it he can fix the holes on the bottom and spray the lower half for 500. The rear wing holes I can plug until I find a used wing for now . It's the small thin low profile one which I like any way. No holes on the front fascia. The rest of the car is excellent and low miles from what else I have looked at. Tires are brand new and will have to due for now.

Thanks for the advice I will have about $2,000 in it putting it at around $5,300. I have been looking for a year and have found nothing I really liked. It's hard to find a manual and the interior combination that I like (Red/ black or Black/ black) of the few cars I found they have much higher mileage and are very far away.

Flying long distances , paying for car inspections or driving long distances adds up in expense and time consuming. I don't buy cars sight unseen anymore.



At a minimum I was looking at $1,200 to ship a car. There just aren't any close that like. A few nice automatics but really high miles or overpriced. Considered a ZR1 but prices are dropping it seems and I was looking for an 80 C3 4 speed but they were too far away or an undesirable color.

Pic car other than some bird crap and dirt It presents well.

 

Good luck with that

 

As long as you are happy with the car that is all that matters. I have been into cars for almost as long as I have been alive, and I have never bought a car to make money on it. This whole hobby is irrational, just go out and drive and enjoy it.

 

Looks good!

 

https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1985...s-trunion.html
For wobbly mirror but press with a towel or gloves on. Do not get cut.

 

I'm 53 and have had many cars . I've made some and lost some money but cars are not an investment to me. I see guys buy new cars all the time and lose 30 40 % in a few years and sometimes upside down on trades.

I just wanted a manual c4 , Never had one.Had an 85 and 89 auto and enjoyed them but kept settling for I find automatics boring after a short time.There are not manuals around here (St.Louis) that are for sale. They few that were were way overpriced or not my taste.

 

Patience is always key when looking for the perfect Corvette. They made quite a few of these over the years, so there is always another one out there. The price doesn't seem bad for the year, but it always turns out to cost more than you think. If you decide to go with it, keep us posted on the progress

 

I have an 89 auto convertible, I would really love to find an 89 6MN. Something about that Atari dash.

 

Yes I know. Corvette parts are way less expensive than Viper parts. The only thing I don't do is paint and transmissions. I can do everything else including rebuilding engines.

The market prices are just all over the map depending on where one lives. This car would not be suitable for anyone to buy that would have to pay to fix everything and I get that. This car sold a year ago for $8,000 lol. I'm amazed at what people want around here for 100,000+ mileage cars. I found several automatics ragged out for twice as much and few manuals within driving distance. More cars out west West but to ship was at least half of what I'm paying for this car. There is no way I'm driving a car that far with no knowledge and risk breaking down.

It seems these cars are at the bottom now and won't get any cheaper for manuals but who knows? With only 63,000 verified original miles I think I could do worse.
Thanks for the advice, appreciate it

 

I'll find out today. My youngest has autoshop next semester, at least I have free labor on changing all the fluids which I can do myself but I think I'll let him do it . He is wanting this car for himself.

 

I had a 86 manual for about a month and a half. Got it to the point where I could drive it, I think maybe all of 4 times. Was about to have a clutch put in and then had a guy offer me $$$ because he wanted a project for him and his son. I too have seen a few since then but like you observed, lots of $$$ for beat to death cars.

 

I fixed it in about 15 minutes. There were 3 bracket screws under the motor that were about to fall out. Popped out the glass, unscrewed the motor. Puts some lock tight on them just in case and screwed everything back together. Finally something easily fixed.

The car is just surprisingly nice for what i paid imo. I drove it 2 hours back. Suspension is tight and everything worked, ac, heater etc.except for one thing. The overdrive did not kick on. The light comes on the dash but no engagement. I didn't go over 55 at about 2500 rpms in fourth.

After more examination i only need one rubber seal instead of the whole car.

 

Car is coming along nicely . Got some almost new 9.5 and 11 Replica wheels. I'm at $4,700 now...

 

 

No not yet. Changed all the fluids and I had to chase down some gremlins. Code 36, fuel pump and OD relay connection replacement, battery replacement . I have only driven it twice Multiple small things kept failing one after another. The OD light now comes on in between shifts but no engagement. Weather has been bad and really cold.

Going to try the 2nd gear bypass next and see if I get engagement. If that is not it the solenoid or pressure switch will have to be looked at.