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Need help with buying 1971 Chevy Nova
Hey guys heres the issue. I am going to be taking a 7 hour round trip to look at this 1971 Nova that I will be buying for about $5K. Here is what I know so far about the vehicle...
- 355 Engine
- 650 Double Pumped
- Edelbrock Intake
- 3500 Stall Converter
- 350 Turbo Trans + Shift Kit
- Automatic Car
- 4 Cor Radiator
- Enginer "Runs"
- Needs a new starter and battery (Out of car)
- Rebuilt Crank
- GT Steering
- Bucket Seats
- Some interior new
- 2 1/2 in. Cowl Hood
- Garage kept for 5 years
- Aftermarket Fan
- Aftermarket Valve Covers
- Brakes need bleeding
- Transmission Cooler
- New trunk pan
- Traction Bars
So guys I wanted to know one major thing and another pretty major thing. 1 is the price fair? It really is a gorgeous car and looks soooooo clean, but like I said going to see it in person in a few days.
Second is I did some reasearch. The new starter will be about $150 and battery is about $300. He says these are the only issues, I am more than happy to spend that to get the car up and running, but what should I do to check out the car, it was garage kept so I doubt the engine is seized up, but what should I check, and/or do to look over the car and check to see if the only issue really are those two parts. I hear people saying see if you can manually crank the engine? How is that done, and what other things should I check on the car. Thanks guys.
Comments
I would be leery of a car that has an engine that's been "rebuilt", but isn't currently running. For $5,000, you'd think the guy would at least put a battery and starter in it, to prove that it runs. It would make me wonder if he's hiding something.
Sounds like a project that someone gave up on mid-stream. It might be okay, but it could also be a "Frankencar". You're rolling the dice on this one, a $5,000 bet. Can you afford to lose?
Also, a 3500 stall converter is not going to be a very nice street car to drive.
If the car was running well and "turn-key", he could get more money for it, so why hasn't he done it?
Lots of red flags are being waived at you!
I agree with our Moderator! If only a little work is needed why hasn't the seller done the work and had a running car to sell? If the brakes only need "bleeding" why hasn't this been done?
I would run the other way.
Alright thanks for the feedback guys, I was kind of weary about this as well but it seems pretty solid and it costs about 500$ for a decent satart + battery, maybe he just doesnt have the money. But how can I check the car out to make sure hes not pulling my chain? Like what else should I look for to steer clear of?
The guy is hiding problems, that's why he's not fixing the car. He could find a starter motor online for $29 on eBay (I just looked) and a cheap battery for peanuts. He could bleed the brakes in 1/2 hour.
If this were a clean, fully functional '71 Nova street rod he could get $12,000. So why is he taking a $7500 loss instead of doing a few hours work and spending $100 bucks?
personally, I'd show up with a starter and battery and take care of it right there in his driveway before forking over any real money. Hell, borrow the battery out of your car and it would only cost you the price of a starter to find out. Cheap insurance, IMHO.
I really despise any ad claiming a car would run with a "cheap and easy fix." As Shifty said, it makes no damned sense for a seller not to take care of it if that is really the case, which means the only logical conclusion is that it is a lie. The only time I have even CONSIDERED selling a car that wasn't running or wasn't running right is when I felt that fixing one problem would likely lead to the discovery of another problem (ie, I replace that starter and battery only to find out the head gasket is bad).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Gavinw. Please heed the advice of Shifty and the others. In the words of Kenny Rogers "(You've got to) know when to walk away, know when to run". Run away from this one. The seller is either a moron or a crook, and you don't want to bet your money on which.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
What @bhill2 (and others) have said. Undone "simple fix" is HUGE RED FLAG. These are common cars, I'd keep looking.
Alright guys thanks Ill call him tommorow and tell him if he gets a starter, and battery in it, and the car runs, drives and is good to go, then I will venture up to look at it otherwise Im just walking thanks guys.