Is this a good 96 cruiser to buy?

[youtubemechanic]

so ive been conflicted trying to figure out if this is a good cruiser to buy.

Its got 300k on it and has maintenance records going all the way back to 96 and has surface some surface rust. Nothing bubbling up on the paint. most is under the car but its not corrosive rust that's eating through anything. interior is in great condition. its not triple locked. has ARB bumper. He's also a super cool genuine dude so i dont feel like he's hiding anything or being sus.

He's asking 13.3k.

Idk what a fair price for a rig like this would be because the market seems to be all over the place. ranging from $9k all the way to $30k on average.

heres the description of the car
"
Pavement princess…
No, it is not a triple locker model.
Much sought after straight front axle.
4.5 liter in line 6 cylinder engine.
We have always run premium fuel.
Leather interior, A/C, PW, PDL, Cruise Control,
3rd row seating, running boards and back up camera.
Interior is in excellent condition with only a couple “common” small tears in the driver seat.
Absolutely no rust.

ARB bumper.

Older after market Kenwood AM/FM CD player with USB input and charger.

Very solid and reliable vehicle.
3 peak snow and ice all terrain tires 80% after 2 years.

We have had her for about 8 years now.
Ready for a trip across town or a cross country trip.
Roof clear coat/paint is faded.
Some paint on the hood let go, peeled off.

Receipts going all the way back to new in 1996.
Bought new in California. We purchased her from an older couple in Oregon.
Recent:
Gaskets
Starter
Radiator
Tires
Brakes
Belts
Alternator
Battery
Power steering pump
Catalytic converters
Wiring harness

Mobile 5w30 full synthetic oil always.
Has a few dings and scratches…
$15,200 obo

 

[Rusty Marlin]

No. 300K, with rust and missing paint for $15K+?

Not sure what he's smoking, but I wish he'd share.

 

[KYLXFJ]

No. 300K, with rust and missing paint for $15K+?

Not sure what he's smoking, but I wish he'd share.

This.

 

[youtubemechanic]

No. 300K, with rust and missing paint for $15K+?

Not sure what he's smoking, but I wish he'd share.

thanks for the response dude

the rust isnt the salt level corrosive rust. its just surface rust. which still id prefer no rust.

what would be a good price to pay for a rig like this?

 

[tmxmotorsports]

No. 300K, with rust and missing paint for $15K+?

Not sure what he's smoking, but I wish he'd share.

It's in Oregon depends on what you're talking about smoking but they do have some good stuff.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

thanks for the response dude

the rust isnt the salt level corrosive rust. its just surface rust. which still id prefer no rust.

what would be a good price to pay for a rig like this?

Not 15k

 

[youtubemechanic]

Not 15k

hes willing to let it go for $13.3k

you think $10k and under is a better deal?

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Hard to day man have you actually seen it in person and drove it touched it looked under the hood all that stuff pictures ain't s***.

 

[youtubemechanic]

Hard to day man have you actually seen it in person and drove it touched it looked under the hood all that stuff pictures ain't s***.

i did. i just seen it in person and theres a decent amount of surface rust under the car as well as certain things like the PHH not having a known history of being changed over the past 8 years and things like that. my intuition told me to walk away from the deal but i needed more opinions.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Head gasket been replaced? What's the radiator look like? Saw new radiator. No oil leaks but does it consume oil.?

 

[BuzzAZ]

I wouldn’t touch a rusty vehicle but I’m from AZ so I’m spoiled in that regard. If the rust isn’t alarming to you, then offer something that gives you room to address your mechanical/maintenance concerns. I think with 300k+ miles a rebuild has to be on your radar.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I wouldn’t touch a rusty vehicle but I’m from AZ so I’m spoiled in that regard. If the rust isn’t alarming to you, then offer something that gives you room to address your mechanical/maintenance concerns. I think with 300k+ miles a rebuild has to be on your radar.

I'm not in Arizona I agree with the 300k engine that's a big pocket item there are multiple threads here recently showing what those cost could be. Look it up
All the advice in the world here.
It comes down to one thing it's your money

 

[youtubemechanic]

I'm not in Arizona I agree with the 300k engine that's a big pocket item there are multiple threads here recently showing what those cost could be. Look it up
All the advice in the world here.
It comes down to one thing it's your money

I'm not in Arizona I agree with the 300k engine that's a big pocket item there are multiple threads here recently showing what those cost could be. Look it up
All the advice in the world here.
It comes down to one thing it's your money

yea i ended up passing on it completely. i think i will up my budget, be patient, and keep looking. ideally id want something with 250k miles max

 

[manofthewoods]

yea i ended up passing on it completely. i think i will up my budget, be patient, and keep looking. ideally id want something with 250k miles max

Might i suggest writing down your intended use case.
It's all about what YOU want (or need).

As an example my use case is/was unusual.
I didn't need anything. But, I wanted a new old beast to take me and my bird dogs hunting in Montana without worry. Little off road, but plenty of beat up ranch roads. I wanted a no rust high mileage vehicle, because I had been itching to to a major rebuild to get the vehicle back to "new."
$15k (in Covid dollars) and nearly that amount in OEM parts. So, all told nearly 30 grand for a beast that you can't get off the showroom (LC 250 included).
I love my 80

 

[Tennessee80]

Keep looking, boss! There are LOTS of cruisers out there as long as you are willing to travel a bit.

 

[ebbs15]

i did. i just seen it in person and theres a decent amount of surface rust under the car as well as certain things like the PHH not having a known history of being changed over the past 8 years and things like that. my intuition told me to walk away from the deal but i needed more opinions.

honestly if you have that feeling, trust it. I've never had a situation where i had a bad feeling and ignored it and it turned out for the best. I always end up regretting it

 

[EWheeler]

yea i ended up passing on it completely. i think i will up my budget, be patient, and keep looking. ideally id want something with 250k miles max

Do you live in Los Angeles, or somewhere else?

 

[youtubemechanic]

Do you live in Los Angeles, or somewhere else?

i live in los angeles

 

[youtubemechanic]

honestly if you have that feeling, trust it. I've never had a situation where i had a bad feeling and ignored it and it turned out for the best. I always end up regretting it

yea man im now learning to always follow that feeling as well lmfao. every single time i ignore that feeling i get ****ed in some way. thos situation was a bit more confusibg because like i said i have no idea what a “good” cruiser is within my budget.

 

[youtubemechanic]

Keep looking, boss! There are LOTS of cruisers out there as long as you are willing to travel a bit.

thank you brother will do! appreciate you!