Need help from people who know about older/classic cars?
Ang asked:
Mom and I are looking to surprise dad for Christmas with an El Camino. He's always wanted one and had a hard time finding one in mint condition. I found one, but don't know what kind of questions I should ask the seller about it, or what to look for.. it's an 81 with 90k original miles and i didn't see barely any rust. But what else should i look for or ask the seller? Thanks for any help!!
Oh and the man is asking $5500. How does that sound?
Decoder
Mom and I are looking to surprise dad for Christmas with an El Camino. He's always wanted one and had a hard time finding one in mint condition. I found one, but don't know what kind of questions I should ask the seller about it, or what to look for.. it's an 81 with 90k original miles and i didn't see barely any rust. But what else should i look for or ask the seller? Thanks for any help!!
Oh and the man is asking $5500. How does that sound?
Decoder
Tags: Classic Cars, Older Cars, Rust
classic car
Ask him if you can take in for a mechanic to check it out. Will cost you about $100. If the car checks out price sounds fair but over $500 less.
BMW X6 Pilot
If you’re not sure what you’re looking for you should take it to your mechanic or atleast a reputable shop and have them check it over for you.
ponycar fan
Snap it up, throw on some 13″ daytons, Some candy paint, and his car club plaque and you`re good!
FerrariFan
Hate to say this but the ’60′s and ’70′s were the peak for this car. When the emmision control stuff happened after “72, there was a sharp decline in the car and your dad will probably be nice but not be happy.
classic car
if he is asking 5500 you can probably get it for 5000 thats about average if it is in great shape,that one probably has a 305 engine in it those were really good engines i would just ask if it uses any oil which if it was took care of those motors will last forever and they were good on gas the only flaws i seen on those cars were the door hinges drop if they get some wear on them and they get leaky valve cover gaskets if they are factory which those may have been replaced,and another flaw in chevy was a noisy speed ometer for that year but once again only minor flaws nothing major so check those things thats all i can think of
Muscle Car Man
I myself have 3 vintage cars. He is going to get hooked on old cars when you guys get him started. Usually, like me , we never know what we would take for our cars. Sometimes rust could be in places you can not see it. I have a &4 ranchero FORD. There were only 580 thousand Ranchero made from 1957 to 1979 , oarts are harder to get. I live in California and I look in the Auto Trader and find the newer El Caminos for $1500.00 all day long. Out here Some of the bigger car shows will not let an 81 participate in the shows. They have to be built in 73 or before. It is a good car to start with because ther were so many built. My wife would not even let me park my Ranchero near the house when I got it. Now she loves it and even likes to drive it. I would try to find an older El Camino. The price is not right. I picked up a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL for $4500.00 about 4 weeks ago. Good question. Look on E_bay. Does he want to work on it himself? do not take all the fun away from him. Let him drive it and do work on it himself like I do. Some how let me know what youdo. e-mail address frankm1412 @yahoo.com
Hybrids
that sounds high to me…78-81 have a stronger following than the 82-87 but i still like my 84. unless it was a 305/stick shift car i dont see anything like the 5k asking price. if you’re able take it to a mechanic for a check out for sure.
only prob areas i have seen at the lower edge of the rear window, you know front of bed at the bottom of the glass. mine is rusting there behind that trim that finishes the bottom of the glass to the bed. or check the frame rails behind the back tires, from the spring area back to the bumper. common rust area too. also check the bottom of the doors on the inside of the door, under the door panel bottom area.
heres a few pics of my 84 400/th350/12 bolt toy in progress.
classic car
my answer is disorganized but youll get it.
1) what year is it?
lower the price as low as possible. 5,500 is too much for an 90k miler. i say buy it for 4k becuz my “95″ civic is 5k
2) is the tires still fine?
3) oil change?
4) mile per gallon?
5) name of the car and then look it up on the net to see if its worth it.
6) look for more cars and compare theres lots out there.
7) test drive the car before u buy it.
9) the most important part does your dad look cool in it?