Convertible Quest, Part 2

January 19, 2003

I came home yesterday enthusiastic but troubled about the '65 Monza convertible I inspected. A part of me expected the Virtual Vairs crowd to say, of course, go for it, more Corvairs always a good thing.

Instead, what I got was a lot of sober advice. One of the comments off-list from John Cole was a query as to how I "felt" about the car, not emotionally, but instead, in terms of the overall soundness of the vehicle. I have to say that if it were not for the rocker panel issue, I would have purchased the car yesterday. But in light of VV comments, I took a much more aggressive position on price, reasoning that I should not buy the car without an ample value reserve for body work.

I called the seller tonight and offered him $2,000. I told him I understood that the car might get more than that from a less informed buyer, but that from what I saw -- the damaged rockers and the car not running -- I could not offer more than that. I told him that I would consider $2,500 if the car was in running condition and after a test drive I was satisfied that there were no major mechanical issues.

The seller understood where I was coming from. He is selling this car on behalf of his parents, so there are two people he has to talk to before he can reject my offer. I told him that I understood if they did not want to accept my offer, and that if they turn me down he should keep my number in case they change their minds.

I'll hear back from him tomorrow and post a follow-up here.

 

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