Looking at buying a vert.Need opinions

[iandrew89]

I have seen this vert parked here for sale for some time now and I stopped to look at it as I do need another car to use to drive to work. The exterior looks really clean. Owner says it had a repaint last year which I believe as it looks like it did. Looks like slight rust coming thru toward the bottom on the driver quarter. Don't know if body work was iffy or if its fresh or what. interior is really clean no cracks on dash everything is intact. Rip on driver side seat and whole in driver side carpeting but no biggie. Top looks to be in really good shape as does the back window. There must be a leak somewhere tho cuz if you look in the back window where the top would sit there was a little water in there. It has 166k on it. Says the motor for the top does not work so you have to let it down manually. I do not know how it runs as the battery was dead when I met up with the owner. Here are a few pics. He is asking 3500. It is a middle aged guy selling not a kid. it was his wifes car for years. blue book says in excellent shape its worth around 2300. I'd like to get estimates on what you guys think its worth if the motor is in good running shape and if it is not in a good running shape. Sorry for length on to the pics

[1SickSilvia]

I think it looks ok for its age, but it needs to be running for it to be even worth the black book price.

[biggie]

If running well, they will sell for a little higher than book value. I'd say $2600 or so, due to probably a couple hundred in repairs to fix/replace top pump.

[94_240sx]

$3500 is too high for sure. $2600 sounds fair.

[iandrew89]

Ok n what would be a good price to try to negotiate down to if say the motor is running bad and a price if it don't run at all? He is getting battery charged and I'm meeting with him Saturday morning so I want to be prepared. Thanks for the help.

[biggie]

If bad motor and not fixable, Vert shell should be $1400 at the very most. If just running rough, still looking at $2000 or so.

[iandrew89]

Ok thnx man exactly what I needed to know. Hopefully by next week I own a vert.

[cmkelly]

Worse case engines are easy to come by. Good luck!

[iandrew89]

Test drove it on Saturday. Drove and shifted really well. Everything seemed ok until I got to my buddies house and pulled out of his driveway. Behold orange coolant everywhere. Popped the hood and it was bubbling out of the top by the foam piece. And the power steering fluid leaks. I offered him 2000 in cash. He said he would let me know. I called him back Tuesday n asked if he thought over my offer n he told me no that he thinks its worth at least 2900. Told him I can't budge on my offer if he changes his mibd in a couple days to let me know. It's been sitting there for a long time now n he said only two ppl have looked at it the whole time n none of the other ppl could come up with the cash. So we will see.

[biggie]

If its overheating could be either needing to be bleed properly or a blown HG. Either way he shouldn't be trying to sell it for that high until its fixed.

[iandrew89]

I think it needs bled properly it did overheating in only like 5 blocks tho. It didn't hit all the way hot but it was moving upwards prolly lil over 3/4 the way up. But it was smoking and bubbling from the foam pad between the radiator n support.

[biggie]

That sounds like there's a hole in the rad or something as well.

[s13coupe1991]

if the headgasket isnt already blown, its in the making. offer him $1500 lol