Am I off base with this offer?

[johnt325ix]

This car is an 84 325e. 5sp 234,000 miles. Owner doesn't know when odometer stopped working. Has no idea when the last timing belt was done. Needs a Last week someone backed into it. Rest of the car is OK for New England. Less rust then most. Check the picture for the damage. Guy wants 1000 firm. I offered 600. He didn't even counter. Is it me?
Thanks for looking.

John

[Red88]

Well, until the timing belt snaps I would say you are a little off base.

[johnt325ix]

Sorry. Needs Power steering rack, clutch slave, Drivers seat and front brakes.

[Ether-D]

$750

[Poorboyz]

I personally wouldn't give the guy more than $500 for it.

[JasonC]

I'd say your offer was high, $400-$500 is all that I would go.

[86325LSD]

pay the e30 toll. there was time that was a 500 dollar car.

It's very easy to say what its 'worth' but harder to buy one.

pay the toll...my advice.

[flyboyx]

it isn't a car i would buy, but it probably really is worth 1k. the big issue really is rust in your area. if it doesn't have it, that alone makes it worthwhile. after all, it does run and drive. that kind of money won't go very far anymore in the e30 world.

[Dj Buttchug]

if it holds idle, runs decent and stops @ a stop sign I feel its worth 1k

Rust brings the price down depending on how bad it is

[rcsoundn1]

It has been harder to find these for a logical price.

[ANDRÜ]

Deals can still be had. As a last resort, 1k probably is reasonable, but point out to the guy that it needs work. Tell him how hard it is to find a clean fender in NE

[rturbo 930]

pay the e30 toll. there was time that was a 500 dollar car.

It's very easy to say what its 'worth' but harder to buy one.

pay the toll...my advice.

Yep.

In hindsight, I definitely paid too much for my car. But even if I did, would I have been able to find another one in the same shape for less? And how long would it take me to find it? How much farther would I have to travel to get it? My spent a lot of its life in NC, and has absolutely NO rust whatsoever, which was my #1 dealbreaker, so that alone was a major selling point. It also happened to be an IS in the right color combo. But IMO, the real question is, which would you enjoy more? The car that you may have paid slightly too much for, or having a few extra hundred in your pocket?

That being said, I think $1000 may be a bit much for that car, depending how much rust there is.

[mr2peak]

Pay more and get a car in better condition. It's going to cost too much to get it back together, and it doesn't sound like the owner will work with you on a "decent price".

Pass.

[Liquidity]

Needs a hood and fender. Car is worth $1,000 as long as you can test drive it. If that slave cylinder is completely blown and the car is undrivable, I wouldn't buy it.

[TobyB]

Yeah, the E30 toll has gotten odd. What was free 3 years ago is now a $2500 car,
and $2500 cars are almost basket cases around here these days...

t