1990 300TE--may buy. YOU name the price
 

I am considering this car with 184k miles on it. It does come with a stack of receipts and some immediate and near term needs. Let's go over it and give me an idea what a decent to bargain price might be.

Needs

1. Front end alignment. Figure tie rod ends and steering shock
2. Distributor cover and wire holder
3. Front Shock mounts
4. Top timing cover horseshoe gasket
5. Piece of rear trim on tailgate
6. Front door power seat do-dads

Near term
1. Water pump
2. Top roof paint faded
3. Motor mounts
4. Some wood cracked

For piece of mind
1. Valve stem seals
2. All fluids drained and exchanged
3. Distributor cap and rotor

Down the road

1. Front and rear shocks/struts

The biggies are tranny and evaporator...both done in the last two years.

The typical front seat bolster wear through on the leather.
Interior and exterior are clean with good rubber.

I have a price in mind, but you guys tell me what you think. I can do everything except the alignment. I have some parts, but some I would have to buy or get from the boneyard.

This car would be a spare for me. Now what would you pay?

$1250-$2000

(Bargain-Tops)

I agree with the 1-2K. anything over that is risky

$2k is fair I'd say. All of the maintenance you listed is pretty easy. You can knock out the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, timing seal and VC paint in an afternoon, easily. Motor mounts are easy enough, WP is kind of a pain on the M103 but not TOO bad. You could easily get all the maintenance listed done in a weekend and have a nice car.

I just picked one up that needed alittle love for $1800

the game changed again... i just talked to the mechanic that did the evaporator..

he said his recommendation to the previous owner was to do the headgasket, valve guides and stem seals.

1200 car.

I'd say much closer to the <1K mark with head gasket, valve stem, etc, needs

you are right....

that puts it in parts car territory.... unfortunately.

Lee

Yeah. Looks like one I'd pass on. If it had 100K instead of nearly 200K, I'd say go for it. I bought my car for $1250 at 120K with most of those problems.