Don't know what the owner considered a "peanuts" offer, but I wouldn't offer more than $4000. For $8900 it would have to be super-primo condition, like perfect paint. All things mentioned sound like they could be easy fixes. If so, the owner should fix them. Otherwise, some could be killers like an engine with low compression. The seller may have information which you don't, which puts you in a poorer negotiating position. It could cost you much to obtain that info, all for a speculative buy. At a minimum, perform the simple blow-by test (watch air puffing from oil-fill hole, see youtubes). Even better is to agree on a price (in writing), w/ you paying after a compression check at a garage or drop the deal if <*** psig in all cylinders (say 380 psig).

I often see people first advertise high on craigslist, because free so aim for the moon and hope to snag a sucker. You often see the same car months later in ebay auction sell for 1/4 the cl price.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans