Buyer's Advice - 1968 1600

[Bradley82]

So it's been a while. You may remember I had bought a taiga 02 a little more than a year and a half ago. I think I've come a long way since then, and wound up driving a 1972 triumph spitfire for a while. Thinking of getting back behind the wheel of some bavarian beauty. And so....

...the hunt for my 2008 California Melee Car begins!

I'm heading out the door in a little bit to check out this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/710840366.html

The interior looks pretty shabby, and he sent me a few pictures of rusted out trim. Obviously I'll check the usual suspects for additional deeper rust/bondo.

Here's his response to my inquiry via email:

here is some more info about the car it is registered as a 68 1600. the motor and trans are out of a 72 2002.i think the original color was red. it has a few electrical problems:

the tailights do not work but the blinkers and brake lights do.

the wipers do not work, could be a switch, the motor or a bad wire

the speedometer does not work, the tach, fuel and temp intermittently either all work fine, or all do not work at all.

i am not going to put anymore time in this car because i am trying to finish my 72 2002, so i have not looked into any of these issues at all. could be simple or not.but i have been driving it everyday for two plus weeks with no issues other than the sunset.

Assuming everything else checks out, what do you think a reasonable offer would be? I'm assuming the electrical/speedo problems are relatively easy fixes...I'd probably have to spend a decent chunk of money on the interior alone, carpet kits, recaros, etc.

Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks!

Bradley in Santa Cruz

[THE1ST3]

If I were on the West Coast, considering what's available, I would NEVER buy a rusted 2002 (unless it was some uber rare model). 1600's do not seem to be that rare out there. Why not wait for a rust-free example and save yourself a (certain) headache?

[Bradley82]

Ah, but there's the rub.

My budget outright for a car is 2K tops. Not to mention any repairs/upgrades I may want to make. I may have to compromise a bit in some cases.

[Muskrat]

Word to the wise: You'll probably spend more money on repairs than you will buying a good condition car.

[c.d.iesel]

keep saving$$$ and dreaming

[jerry]

black plates....

YUMMY

i like, very much. but without the original motor i'd value it less.

$700-1000 depending on amount of rust. with a better interior and original motor i'd spend up to $1200

good luck on your search

[Mike Self]

it has a later 1 piece dash, and appears to have a later steering wheel and squarelight nose, altho it's hard to tell in the picture.

Check very carefully for rust in all the usual places--black primer can hide a lotta bondo and rust--altho the black plate indicates it's spent its life in California (on the beach, perhaps?)

cheers

mike