8 hour round-trip to view a 75 Delta 88 convertible with 45,000 showing on odometer and painted " Canyon Copper". Here's the deal:
Good
- low miles
- engine strong (350)
Bad
- Several deep scratches (thru paint), bubbling paint rear lower passenger quarter ( behind wheel), rocker trim and rear window trim
- driver/passenger seat cracked
- two pronounced dents if passenger front quarter ( paint not damaged)
- holes in carpet passenger front/back
- bumper fillers need replacing
- edge of doors dinged from misallignment
- air/heat inoperable
- convert top has hole where broken latch poked through, both latches broken ( likely from locking them before putting top down). Didn't test top
- rear bumper flaking and some deep scratches on front bumper.
- trunk rusty with one thru hole
- rear passenger break line was leaking like Niagara
- and finally....horror of horrors.... Fitted with set of ( decent shape) Buick Riviera Rally wheels !

Guy advertised it for $8000. I offered him $3500 ( yeah, I have *****). Knowing what this car would realistically bring in the shape I would want the car to be in ( and the $ needed to get it to that point), I thought this was fair. The guy was shocked but I explained how/why I offered what I offered. Obviously, no deal. I told myself as I drove home, " It's gonna be a long, cold winter".

Some pics added that don't really show the flaws but give you idea of car. So what you think ?

 

!

 

Don't know how much work you want to put into one, but this was just advertised here locally.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/2706539002.html

 

Nothing about having *****, just playing it smart. With full size verts being rare, some owners think they'll get buyers by the grove. But judging from the misaligned hood and fenders, doesn't look so good on that alone. Also, the worn seats and carpet makes you wonder about the 45K mi showing on the clock.

 

Well, I know pics can be misleading. From the ones you posted the car actually looks to be in really nice shape. None of the items you've listed as 'bad' - except for the top - are really that bad IMO. Scratches/dents are to be expected on a car this old. Leaking brake line? Easy enough to bend a new one and install. Carpet can always be replaced relatively cheap. Pronounced dents with no broken paint? New processes now allow these to be removed without repainting the car or damaging existing paint.
Heat/AC - well that's an issue for sure that would be a negotiator... But on a vert? You're going to have the top down most of the time.
I would have insisted on checking the top to see if it worked though.

8K is pricey if you're looking for a fixer upper, but 3500 seems real low ball for a car that appears to be in decent shape with low mileage. Isn't there some room to meet in the middle? By doing most of the work yourself, it would probably be easy to put this car into the shape you wanted.

You mentioned rust through in the trunk. How much? If it's there these cars also had a real history of rust in the door jamb, front and rear fenders as well. If those areas look good, it might be isolated rust. Did you check under the car for frame integrity and body rust there?

I don't know, if it was me looking for a Delta vert I'd take a second look at the car, and ask about flexibility in the negotiations. For example: if the brake line is leaking bad, I would say it would have to be repaired first to make it roadworthy - a condition of sale. Rust issues - lower the price a bit. Same with the front seat cover - the reupholster cost could be a price lowering point in your favor - same with hole in roof fabric etc. The Buick wheels are a non issue IMO. Sell 'em on a Buick forum.

Anyway, you're the one who really has to decide whether you want it and for what price. These comments are just my opinion based on what I've seen in pics, $$$ available, and what I know a good car guy can do for his ride. I truly hope you find what you're looking for. Sometimes both sides have to make compromises to end up with a win/win situaton though.

 

Well, at least you're getting a lot of exercise!

 

I think your offer was more than fair. That's a lot of problems for a supposed low milage car. Even if you are capable of fixing the problems the cost factor of fixing them should be based on what a professional would charge. Personal preference here, but if I was looking for one of these, I think I would look for a 455. That's a big car for a low compression 350.

 

You didn't mention the Buick wheels and the mud flaps (I hate these things).