flipper

thanks, guys. very very helpful!

anyone have any further thoughts about possible visible flaws or price? be very helpful to get a few :-)

well, okay, thanks, but ... what flaws do you see? anything that i could use to negotiate with? and if 10k might be low -- what might be ok and what might be high? update: haggerty's offers this for the 2002: excellent: 18,800 good: 10,700 fair: 7,400 autotrans: - 25% if excellent is concourse, then my potential 2002 is between g and ex, or 14,750. now, take away 25% for auto trans, and you get $11,062. not that i think he'll let it go for that, but does that sound about right for this particular car?

also, as to the miles, judging from the looks of the stickers, i'd say 68k miles might be right. i mean, the stickers look pristine to me, for what that's worth. uhm. could the paint, in fact, be original? sheesh. how insane would that be, especially in as intact as it seems to me. could not find a single bubble or funky looking area. then again, the original owner could have had it done at some point. if the price is right, i'll be able to talk to him and see what's what.

ha! yup. far outside of ca. here's a few more shots. even though i didn't take the spare out, in the close up shots you can sorta tell it looks clean.

or maybe i should ask him now what it's going to take and if he names an astronomical number, then i can back away and not go through the minor hassle of driving to his place, taking pix and all that. so: before seeing or after? i just wish he'd named a price in the first place.

Mark: thanks for the price advice and the negotiating advice. according to the owner, it's 70K original miles. i guess what i'll go do is have a look at it, take some pictures, post them here, see what ya'll say, then email him and ask him what you said, what'll it take for you to let it go. if it's close, okay. if we agree on a price, i'll then take it somewhere other than his repair shop for an independent PPI. but ... what do i do if he's adamant about me naming a price first? he seems like a very nice guy, so we'll see.

well, i did find this, but i obviously need more ...

yes, yes, i know, you need pictures. and i will try to get some. but in the meantime ... it's a '76 automatic, 70k miles on it. and let's assume it's in stellar condition. i saw it and it's sparkling. new rebuilt engine. no rust. always kept inside. the owner also owns and runs a pretty high end european auto repair place, so although it looks like he's put a crapton of money into the car, it's not like he paid retail. how i came across the vehicle, i just saw him driving it around and asked if it was for sale. he said he hadn't been thinking of selling it but that money talks ... i assume by that he means a/ he's not going to name a price and b/ he's going to want a lot (as who wouldn't?). i don't need the car. it's not my dream year. but even so and nonetheless. i gather that autos are worth less than manuals, and i'd rather drive a manual, but i have a disease that's weakened my legs to the point that i can no longer drive a stick. they've been that way since i last owned a 2002, about 10 years ago. i loved the car, but i could no longer drive it. and then this thing comes along ..... anyway, what'd you imagine the top-end range for a 2002 like this one might be. and if i decide to go drive it, i will take pix and post them then. thanks!!!! and no i wouldn't be buying to flip it. flipper is my screen name 'cause of the old tv show, that's all.

(nt)