Barn Find, 85 200sx Turbo, should I buy.

[Big Red 200SX]

85 200sx Turbo with 46,000 miles.
Interior is ok just needs a good cleaning, the paint is shot but there is no rust on the car.
This is a one owner car, I talked to his dad and he said that he bought the car new when he turned 16
but now he is going through a divorce and she wants half of the value, (she got the poor guys house now wants his car, what a B!?<H).
Anyways he is asking $5000 O.B.O.
Should I buy or just walk away.

[Bubba1]

85 200sx Turbo with 46,000 miles.
Interior is ok just needs a good cleaning, the paint is shot but there is no rust on the car.
This is a one owner car, I talked to his dad and he said that he bought the car new when he turned 16
but now he is going through a divorce and she wants half of the value, (she got the poor guys house now wants his car, what a B!?<H).
Anyways he is asking $5000 O.B.O.
Should I buy or just walk away.

You didn;t mention how many years it's been sitting. I can only assume it's not running, so it'll be more difficult to determine what it needs to get back on the road. It could be that it was parked because it needed something major. Based on the bad paint, it sounds like it spent a good part of it's life outdoors. Sounds like a fixer upper, despite the low miles.

$5000 seems very pricey for a 26 yr old non-running non-collectible that has been sitting for an extended period. It's great that it's a one owner car, but the fact it was owned by a 16 yr old implies a harder life than average.

To me, if he really wants to get back at his ex wife, he'll sell it to you for $100 and hand the biotch $50. If the car checks out mechanically (I suggest having a mechanic check it overfor you) and if it has little or no rust, I'd suggest offering $1500. just my $.02

[Big Red 200SX]

Sorry for the lack of info, it has been sitting since 91 but it does run and pretty good I might add.
Supposedly they would start it and let it run for a few minutes every other month.
One more quick thing, it has the original tires on it still, they kept it on blocks.
Never been driven in the winter

[PapaSmurf2k3]

5 grand is indeed steep.

[Dattebayo]

$5000 is absolutely nuts, this guy must be smoking something strong.

The car is worth at MOST $1200. I know, I've owned a few S12 200sx cars.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

$5,000 would be steep for a mint condition. Mileage isn't everything.

[Dattebayo]

I still can't believe you would can even consider $5000 and even ask us like it's worth it. You said yourself the paint is bad and it's been sitting since 91!!!

What other USDM Japanese import car from 1985 would you pay that much for?

[Bubba1]

I still can't believe you would can even consider $5000 and even ask us like it's worth it. You said yourself the paint is bad and it's been sitting since 91!!!

What other USDM Japanese import car from 1985 would you pay that much for?

Barn finds are exciting and can quickly turn into an emotional purchase if you're not careful, so I wouldn't flame him. Remember he's asking for advice.

A couple of other thoughts. About the tires. Being original is not necessarily a good thing. Think about it. They're 26 years old. If they're not dryrotted, at 46,000 miles, they're likely due to be replaced soon. Better add in the cost to replace them almost immediately.

The car has been on blocks for 20 years yet it has been started and run for a couple minutes every other month. I would assume that the gas in that tank is 20 yrs old, and the last oil change was no later than 1991, probably before that. (That's not good either).

this is why I suggest having a mechanic give it a once over before pulling the trigger. If it is solid well maintained example, they can be fun cars to own.

Good luck

[Mr1der]

mother of god. Run from that. RUUUUUN.

you can get an SR swapped 240 for less....that's running!

[Dattebayo]

I wasn't flaming at all. I believe it is an open and shut case of "hell no", and I'm simply puzzled as to why he had to ask unless $5k is chump change for this guy.

200sx is far from a classic, and even the turbo version is slow. It's a no-brainer!

[Big Red 200SX]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I went back to the car today and decided against it, I guess I was looking for the diamond in the rough.
He did drop it down to $3500 though.

@Dattebayo;
The reason why I started this post is because I know nothing about import cars and thought I would ask people like "YOU" for advice.
I'm happy for you that this is an open and shut case, it wasnt for me.

[Dattebayo]

Well don't take it personally, ok. It's good that you ask because it seems that you could get taken advantage of easily.

[Big Red 200SX]

No problem, thanks again.

[spec-u-later]

Too much. Unless it's important to you because most likely no one else will care about this bit of history.

[themadscientist]

Only if the turbo motor under the hood was an FJ. Respectfully tell the guy it's not worth that much. Explain how much work it will take to get a car that has sat that long back to running drivable condition and that it's only worth about $1000. Leave your number and genuinely wish him luck on the sale, but to think of you as a plan b at the amount stated. You leave the ball in his court and have burned no bridges.

[skydragoness]

Only if the turbo motor under the hood was an FJ. Respectfully tell the guy it's not worth that much. Explain how much work it will take to get a car that has sat that long back to running drivable condition and that it's only worth about $1000. Leave your number and genuinely wish him luck on the sale, but to think of you as a plan b at the amount stated. You leave the ball in his court and have burned no bridges.

THIS

(A tactic a friend of mine uses and always works for him)

[hbpignosePA]

lol wut