I want to buy a Fiat

[bobbo52]

I am looking at buying a 1971 124. It needs some work to restore the interior and it has a little surface rust on the rear quarters, and needs a new top, but it comes with a real nice hard top, and needs wheels. The saler wants $1700 and i was wondering if thats a good price for it or not. please let me know what you think. Thanks and ahve a great day.

[katsi]

Oh boy! First off, on the surface I would say that is a BAD PRICE And here is why. You mentioned surface rust - you did not check the important parts. Here is where you need to check - forget about interior, engine and wheels, you need a body to hold those together.
1) Rust
Check the shock towers in the front - if they are rusty walk away
Check the rear shock towers in the trunk - walk away if rusted
Check where the steering box bolts to the fire wall - walk away if rusted
Check floor pans - I already know they are rusted out
Check for rust on the transmission hump from underneith - walk away if rusted
Check for where the rear rods (somebody help me with what they are called) they bolt to the rear crossmember (that peice of metal running right along the rear floor board) look for where they connect - walk away if rusted.
Check the crossmember - the bar that the engine sits on - jack it up and wiggle it and make sure the engine does not plop on the ground with the rest of the car that is bolted to it. If it clinks a little - that is also bad
After all this, gauge on how much work you are willing to put in her.
You will also have to become an expert on the wiring of this car - no big deal, we all are now but we weren't in the beginning.

All in all, that's a lot for a car with no top and bad wheels. Chances are the rest of the car is bad too. I purchased a driver for 1,200.00. And I THOUGHT it was rust free. I got about 4000.00 into her now. So, think about it befor you pick your beauty - my first spider went to the scrap yard and that is how I learned so much about the rusty parts.

In fact, that picture to the left was taken the day after I purchased my current spider and I drove her home about 75 miles.

Good luck

[bobbo52]

Thanks for the tips. I am having the car brought to me to put it up on stands so i can check the rest of the underbody for rust.

[spidernut]

In California, you can't find anything that runs for under $2,000 regardless of make or model. Check it over carefully for everything that was already mentioned.

[vandor]

In California, you can't find anything that runs for under $2,000 regardless of make or model. Check it over carefully for everything that was already mentioned.

You can if it won't pass smog

[fiat218]

In California, you can't find anything that runs for under $2,000 regardless of make or model. Check it over carefully for everything that was already mentioned.

lol i got one,1500. still sits in vegas but it getting moved slowly

[fiat218]

I am looking at buying a 1971 124. It needs some work to restore the interior and it has a little surface rust on the rear quarters, and needs a new top, but it comes with a real nice hard top, and needs wheels. The saler wants $1700 and i was wondering if thats a good price for it or not. please let me know what you think. Thanks and ahve a great day.

i will sell my 72, 5000.00
white in color runs like a top,quick,peppy, no rust