Sitting in the weeds....

[Ex Lion Tamer]

Okay, here's an interesting one.

Pulled through the local gas station/auto shop a few weeks ago for the routine gas and go. I glanced over into the bushes to see the sun reflecting off of a metallic window trim. Intrigued by the familiar curves, I further investigated to see a sorry E30 sitting in the middle of 6 foot high bushes like an idle garden fixture.

Having not noticed it before, I continue about my daily business thinking it was just stashed there as cars tend to move in and out of the body shop on a regular basis.

Fast forward to this past week, and I have found myself pulling over to the side of the road every time I pass to make sure its still there... I think she's calling to me. Over the past few weeks the brush has grown considerably and it's difficult to even tell there's a car sitting in there. However, I did some investigating today and dove into the weeds to check the status of said car. It looks she's a 1988 due to the tame diving boards, but I or E is still in the air as I couldn't navigate around the car (it's a jungle in there). Upholstery is solid while roof, hood, and bumpers have no surface rust from a quick look over. One issue is that the hood is popped, but not up. Thus, it looks like this E30 has the Gardener's Delight aftermarket setup, with brush growing up the engine bay and out over the windshield.

Here's the situation... I'm thinking about walking in, minimal cash in hand, and offering to pay a small price (if car is available) and to have it towed back to my house assuming she's in poor shape. Pictures will hopefully be provided tomorrow for your consideration.

For those of you who have found yourself in a similar situation: am I off my rocker or is there some potential in the ones that got away... into the weeds.

[deutschman]

get it! if the car is not worth fix you can always use it as a parts car. its worth it as long as you don't buy it for to much. just tell them you will give them $500 and save them the trouble of having it sit in their yard. you both leave happy.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

get it! if the car is not worth fix you can always use it as a parts car. its worth it as long as you don't buy it for to much. just tell them you will give them $500 and save them the trouble of having it sit in their yard. you both leave happy.

Precisely what I was thinking... I could make a day of it! Make some sandwiches, bring a weedwhacker, do some mulching, and come home with an E30, haha. I'm hoping they don't have any value/vested interest in it so I can swing it as cheap as possible.

[deutschman]

just make it out like you are doing them a favor by taking it off their hands. thats what i would do.

[88e30is]

Sounds like fun. Lets see some pictures.

[TwoJ's]

Just make sure that the body is in good shape. Having experienced intensive body work, I will never again buy a car that is not straight as an arrow. It really is a bitch to fix, and cars look shitty if they aren't clean.

[pporcaro]

Let's put it this way, If you don't do it, I'm going to barrow a tow truck and come grab it myself since CT is not that far from me

[E30SPDFRK]

Offer way less than $500. The gas station probably wants it out of there as much as you do. You would be doing them a favor.

[FL318is]

Why not start low and offer $200.00?

[FredK]

I bet you that the trunk is full of water and rust and every single weld stud meant for a fuel line / brake hardline bracket will crumble like feta cheese when you try to remove it, and the sunroof when moved will shed 1.5 lbs of rust into the cabin and sunroof tracks.

The hood, roof, and trunk don't rust that easily unless the car is extensively winter driven. The bottoms of the fenders, the trunk, the rear wheel houses, the floors, the rockers--these are the problem areas.

I would offer near scrap value for the car, then go from there.

[learningcurve86]

Offer way less than $500. The gas station probably wants it out of there as much as you do. You would be doing them a favor.

with grass growing around it like that... they probably forget it the 8 months out of the year that the grass isn't taken down by snow.

[dannyyisntt]

I bet you that the trunk is full of water and rust and every single weld stud meant for a fuel line / brake hardline bracket will crumble like feta cheese when you try to remove it, and the sunroof when moved will shed 1.5 lbs of rust into the cabin and sunroof tracks.

The hood, roof, and trunk don't rust that easily unless the car is extensively winter driven. The bottoms of the fenders, the trunk, the rear wheel houses, the floors, the rockers--these are the problem areas.

I would offer near scrap value for the car, then go from there.

why do you gotta be a downer, man? lol.
I bought my e30 in a similar situation, so i say go for it! When you do the work and put another derelict e30 back on the road again, the feeling is priceless.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

It really would be a crime to NOT investigate it. They could simply tell me "no, we're keeping it there because the rust and leaking transmission fluid keeps the skunks away" or "hell, i don't know... take it away for free" or somewhere in between.

I'm running out to get some cleaning supplies (the wagon needs a good detailing) and I will snap some pics for your enjoyment.

[e30Rob]

Screw it man i say go for it. If the weeds are seriously that high then chances are they dont give two shits about the car to begin with hence you could prolly get it for close to free to 300 smackers. Regardless make sure you take pics of the jungle prior to removale for commediac value

[JasonC]

I bet you that the trunk is full of water and rust and every single weld stud meant for a fuel line / brake hardline bracket will crumble like feta cheese when you try to remove it, and the sunroof when moved will shed 1.5 lbs of rust into the cabin and sunroof tracks.

The hood, roof, and trunk don't rust that easily unless the car is extensively winter driven. The bottoms of the fenders, the trunk, the rear wheel houses, the floors, the rockers--these are the problem areas.

I would offer near scrap value for the car, then go from there.

I agree with FredK. And put in bold the most important part.