I have always been a fan of the 3rd gen SE's. This guy I work with is selling his. It is a loaded 1992 SE 5sp with like 230k. This car needs alot of TLC. It is still running, and according to him running strong. The thing is that it needs alot of work. It needs paint, interior (all of the leather seats are ripped), and I would imagine an engine and tranny rebuild or replacement. It also has a large exaust leak at the bank 1 manifold (which is meaningless to me because I would want to install headers on this anyway, when the motor goes back in). There isnt any body rot and I dont think it has ever been hit hard. I guess he just did a brake job, including replacing the master cylinder. He wants a grand for it. Should I jump on it and take care of its problems, or should I try to find one with less miles (preferably 120k or less), and in much better condition? I am not a mechanic and I work alot, so alot of the major things I would have to have done. These cars are just getting harder and harder to come by.

 

IMO Get him to drop the price further, or look for a different car like you said.

And the exhaust leak is a common problem on these cars, which will require someone to drill and tap new exhaust studs. The parts are not expensive but the labor involved can run a little high.

 

the price is indeed alittle unfair, when i bought my 94 max gxe i paid 1600us.(NY)
it came with 120K and its been one year and now its about 142k. I only took it in once to the machanic shop..but that was the first week after buying it..i wanted to get a tune up and change plugs...but since then i never did anything with it ..well ofcourse the regular oil change.

currently my car is running good expect for some small minor problems like:
needs new struts. exaust leak..and thats about it

the car is in 100% factory excellent condition..only a few stratch on bumper..but not even noticable from far!!

all that for 1600 ..

 

You would be better off buying one in better condition with lower miles for a couple thousand more. It sounds like that car is an Internetautomart $300 special.

With that many miles, it will need a JDM engine or rebuild (over $1k for sure, probably another $1k to install if you don't do it yourself) and you will pay several hundred for better interior, over $1k for paint. That doesn't include any suspension parts that need to be replaced because of old age.

You will easily be into the car for $3k-$4k and that would be to get it back to stock condition.

Oh, there are no headers for a VE. You would have to replace the broken manifold studs.

 

Thanks for all of the input guys. That was what I figured.

 

Check the classifieds...If I recall, there is a nice one for $500 in New Jersey.

 

I'll keep my eyes open in the classified forum. Thanx.

 

if u cant find one on here try www.craigslist.org. just click on CT or any close location and search away

 

there was VE5 for sale in chicago for $1500 with alot less miles

 

oh, and chris for the record I paid $50 for my 237k VE5 with decent leather

 

sure thing

 

it aint worth it bro

 

Do you guys think it still isnt worth it if I got it for $700? Even at that price, with the amount of work needed, I think its still questionable.

 

i have one in my driveway with 2-3 yr old paint, in great condition, new leather, a 30k jdm engine, rebuilt 5sp and wheels and tires with less than 2k.

over 20k invested and his bottom line i think is 6500. you would spend that on and engine and trans rebuild, plus the cost of the car alone.

 

How about mine for 3 grand and the day you get it you
can drive around proud of it? It seems like a 5-7 hundred
dollar car to me, so if he came down to 5 bills and if it runs good with no tranny issues I'd say go for it. If not I know of several cars here that
have been well taken care of that are forsale. thanks gl

 

Thanks guys. I have to think about it.