need some advise

[Javi802]

so theres an 89 coupe on here for sale, it has a 98 ka24de engine swap, straight body and, what the seller says, a bad clutch. Guy is the original owner, has clean title. Went and looked at it for a second time (First time i overlooked so much)

Looking at it today i noticed there was also coolant leak, appeared to be under the water pump, but it could be something else, who knows, i don't own the car so i can't mess with it and find out. There was also what looked to be fluid leaking from the transmission (not near the engine, more towards the driveshaft.) The pop-up lights went up but not down. And last, a leak, there was water in the trunk (in the spare tire area.It had rained not too long ago)

He wants $2800 for it. With all the problems i listed, is the car by any means worth that much?

I know that its all personal preference, if i were wealthy id buy the car for that much just for the hell of it even if its not worth that much, but I'm not, and seemingly small problems can be much more. I do not have the money to be fixing everything.

I really want a coupe, and i really want one with a dual cam.
I don't know what to do

[S13_RB25]

Its not worth $2800! I don't where you live but i'd keep searching or try to get him to lower the price down, and i mean down! Also don't forget to check for rust too!

[Javi802]

i have checked for rust, none that i have seen.
Checked the trunk and the engine bay, both were clear of rust. I did however see a rot hole on the exhaust tip (the big box type. Whatever its called? ), but i could get a new exhaust system.

I have been looking but nothing good is in my area. I really want a coupe too. Not many around my parts.

Can all the problems i listed be symptoms of more serious problems that would cost me a whole lot?
If not then ill buy this car, but definitely not for the $2800 he's wanting. What would you offer if it were you?

[S13_RB25]

Well from the problems you described in you OP. The biggest problem looks to be the clutch. For the water pump leak, just make sure its at the water pump not from somewhere else. For leak on trans, could be the rear seal going or could be one of the bolts, that holds the gear linkage i guess thats what its called, could be lose and needs to be tightened. As for the leaky hatch/trunk they have write ups on here how to fix that or you can just buy a used one from the classifieds!

[HellaFlushSR20s13]

Well if I were in ur shoes I'd offer 1500 because its gonna be a b**** to fix the transmission having to drop it and all, plus theres no guarantee that it's just a leak, it might be indicative of another problem, and taking it in to get the transmission serviced is gonna be expensive. The leaking water near water pump could be a seal which won't be hard to fix but still if u were to take it to a shop it would cost a lot. The headlights could be a relay but if it's a bum motor ur gonna spend a little bit to fix... I guess the main point is that it would cost a lot (if I had to guess possibly a g) in my opinion to fix all that at a shop, even though I wouldn't go to a shop and do it myself, it's still a good bartering chip. Then there's the issue of even if it was in tip top shape there's no way A 22 year old car with however many miles is worth almost 3gs

Edit: I also didn't think about all the other stuff that was broken, I focused on the stuff that would worry me. Seriously DONT spend 2800 on it. I got my first s13 SE coupe with all the add ons from a dealer back in 04 for 3200 and it was in tip top shape

[Javi802]

yeah I'm not buying it if he still wants $2800 for it. And for all the problems that are wrong with it id fix (not by myself, of course.) Not gonna deal with a shop.

So do y'all think offering him no more than $2000 is still too much?

Say the lowest he'd go is $2400 and all the parts to fix it added up to, say, $1000.. no labor cost (because wouldn't take to a shop)
total $3500
(i always round up and use google to find prices of new parts, so i may have actually went over what it might actually cost due to the fact i may be able to find used parts)

am i getting in over my head?

Id just hate to pass this car up and find out someone who bought it easily fixed it and ended up being a badass car.. Im also afraid i won't find a coupe lol

[Javi802]

Edited

[S13_RB25]

It ain't worth it, even $2000, with all the problems! Trust me, increase your search parameter and you'll be sure to find something!

[Javi802]

thanks for the tips s13. Guess he'll either sell it to me for what its worth, or rip off somebody else.

Now i just gotta find one in good condition

[HellaFlushSR20s13]

Dude fo real u will find a better condition one for 2gs talk him down, blue book it and bring that to him and research how much it will cost u to fix the problems and subtract that from blue book value and offer him that and explain to him how u arrived at the new number but I wouldn't. Buy it even for 2gs, got a lot of problems and not worth it