1980 FIAT SPIDER 2000

[AnthonyCasta]

Hi all ... I'm new to this form ... Wanted to get everyones advise ...

I looked at one of these this weekend ... The guy is selling for $600.00 not running ... He tells me that it needs a fuel pump and he doesn't have the time or space .. He was in the middle of moving out of state ... Verified with the moving van! ... It will need interior seats and a paint job, their is minor surface rust, no accidents or dents... Then minor cosmetic restoration from there .. The top is new! ...

The registration is expried a year and will cost an additional $150 - $200 to bring current, this is why he is selling so low!

Please advise .... Tony

[rlux4]

Without pictures, exterior and engine bay, it would be hard to say. Let's take worst-case scenario: engine is shot and tranny is gone. You could be looking at 3-4 thousand for those two. Would be nice to know if the engine would run with a fuel pump. Then you could check the tranny. If the engine is good and the tranny is bad, you'd have about 2,000 into it by the time you got it going. Then, how are the brakes? The suspension parts? If 2,000 is all you got into it to get it on the road, not a bad deal. If the engine and tranny are good, very good deal in my opinion. (For what it's worth) If you look for a car that runs good and looks good (not perfect, just good) you would probably be looking at pretty close to $3,000. Good luck, Ron.

[So Cal Mark]

well, since you're not out to make a new friend of the seller, you've got him in a tough spot. Obviously he's not taking the car with him. I'd low-ball him with an offer of $200 and hope you get lucky with a good engine and tranny.

[AnthonyCasta]

Thx for the reply .... Below is the link to the completed listing ... it didn't see for 900 ......

I looked at it and it seems to be straight ... Title is clear ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0204524041

Thx again ... tony

[So Cal Mark]

the right fuel pump for that car is over $200, you can get a universal one for about $80 but buying any non-running car is a a gamble. I'd still make a low offer and work up to your limit. It does look pretty straight. If you decide not to buy it, I might take a look

[pope]

If your name it Tony...then you are the right guy to fix that car again!!!!!!!!!

[mbouse]

How much are you willing to put into it in total?

the difference between his asking price, and the price of a parts car that is stripped and sold in pieces is roughly $400.00.

does the engine turn over, and just not run....or is it seized up? are the tires cracked and sagging?

don't let him pressure you into something like a snap decision. there are plenty of other examples out there.

since it doesn't run, offer him $500, and if you later find you cannot getter running....know that you can piece meal part the car out for more than what you put into it.

[AnthonyCasta]

Tires and brakes are new within 6 months ....

I haven't had a chance to actually try to turn it over, it had a dead battery .... However, before I actually seal the deal I would make sure that it turns over ...

Is there anything else I should look for?

[mbouse]

the only real killer for a Spider is rust. shock towers should be carefully inspected, as should the floor pans. If you are rust free, you are scott-free (where did that term come from?).

everything else can be replaced. And at $600 entry fee, you are about as low as you can get for a vehicle worthy of a restore project.

[Danno]

scott-free (where did that term come from?).

Let me make it clear that this is a cut and paste, because I don't know stuff like this off the top of my head:

First off, let's set the record straight on the expression itself -- it's actually "scot-free." And contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with Dred Scott or the Scottish.

Sceot is the Old English for "a tax." Scot and lot was a medieval muncipal tax levied on residents. Someone who managed to avoid paying this medieval tax got off "scot free."

Eventually, the word evolved to describe getting away without any kind of punishment, fiscal or otherwise. Kids who fake fevers get out of school scot-free. Cagey adults escape jury duty scot-free. And dogs with remorseful eyes get off scot-free from just about any wrongdoing.

(ps, this could be complete BS, i dunno)

[So Cal Mark]

thanks for that, I like to learn something everyday. And I had thought it meant to not use tissue

[mdrburchette]

You crack me up, Mark!

[So Cal Mark]

at least I'm good for something