I like to think the car was already a basket case, rather than a low mileage time capsule or something. It's so expensive (relative to their value) to recommission such cars, that they'll just rot away unless someone wants a labor of love.
The same thing happens in the other direction, the stancebro crowd seems to like old MB sedans, maybe because they are stylish, relatively cheap, and I think can easily be adapted to air suspension. Not my cup of tea, but it beats the car rotting away behind a barn (or in a leaky garage) or being sent to the scrapyard:
I suspect it's on air suspension - which existed on the highline model fintails and 108/109s, I suspect it's a relatively easy conversion. On a factory air suspension car, they only look like that when broken
Only comparable the insurance company could find was 25K (which my friend knows is more than his car is/was worth), so it got the nod. Wreck apparently damaged a tie rod, and the car has a couple other issues that will be dealt with while it is being repaired.
Only comparable the insurance company could find was 25K (which my friend knows is more than his car is/was worth), so it got the nod. Wreck apparently damaged a tie rod, and the car has a couple other issues that will be dealt with while it is being repaired.
That does look worse than the original pictures. I know it won’t be the same for your friend but glad it will be repaired and not sentenced to the scrap yard. It is a sharp looking coupe.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Although an imperfect car, it is likely still nicer than 90%+ of survivors. As real structural damage appears minimal, he got lucky - I am sure this would have easily totaled his 2008 E-class.
Here are some projects, making your car look newer than it really is. Many of these have surfaced in Mexico - de-finned fintails, likely to more resemble a W108. Never seen one in person:
I was thinking maybe the cars had rear end damage, but most of the work appears to be fairly well done - I think a modernization when the fins suddenly looked very dated.
I've also seen this kind of thing in the past, this is a hard no for me:
This appeared in another forum I follow. 1988 model, apparently 12K miles (believable per the pics), asking price 5K. Assuming it has been maintained and has no needs, something like this seems like a fair deal (as I bet there could be negotiation) on a special interest car - 80s and 90s stuff is starting to get some love, this car is well over 30 years old now, and very few survived like this:
The Beretta that I test drove in '89 didn't have digitalis but that was ok with me. My test car had a V6 but I don't recall if it was a "GT." Probably not because I recall the sticker being just under $13K. Can't save everything but always wonder why some cars like that get saved. Some things from 1988 still command a lot of interest though.
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
I think the wheels and trunk rack do the most harm to how that Beretta looks. Still, 5K is the new 3K, and these are the cars that late Xer/older millennials will remember from their youth.
price is reasonable, for something I wanted back in my younger days but couldn't afford or did not work logistically. Now that I can afford a toy/collectible, I am more concerned about finding a good one than paying a few $k extra. $3k vs. $5k for someone very rare, or at least in good condition, is fine even if "the book" says I overpaid. Different story if talking about some BaT unit going for $30k when market was pretty much below 10k.
I wouldn't go as far as love, but 5K is the new 3K, and 80s/90s nostalgia is a big thing now. For 4K or so it could be a worthy hobby car for someone with fond memories, perhaps.
Finally caught a break in the weather, and took the old dear out for a spin. I think the car was idle for 9 or 10 weeks. I was a little concerned, as there was some cold weather in that time, and the car is in an unheated garage, I had my jumper pack with me, but it wasn't needed - car fired up on the first turn of the key like it had been parked yesterday. Well into a new year now,, some things are comfortable with the passage of time:
Potential maintenance this year - maybe some suspension/driveline maintenance, maybe brakes, fluids, etc.
I think the drier climate won't hurt. Once the weather is more uniformly dry, I'll probably end up driving it a lot for weekend errands and drives on the back roads/rural highways/ Only drawback around here is some rough roads in the city proper.
I haven't contacted any yet, but I have one in mind - listed as a MB specialist, and also old cars in general. They have a google review from someone who was on a road trip in a 62 Studebaker that developed an ignition issue, and were able to get it back on the road - a good sign. I'll be visiting them in the next month or two, I'll just drive the fintail there and see what happens.
I like the Z, but yes, would have to be converted to a manual.
Texas, I think there is an issue with marketplace forcing pricing to be what they think it should, so people post odd asking prices and just list the real price in the text. But I am not positive on the exact details.
Comments
That is a nice looking Alfa. Even in a weak color.
And the red VW bus, why is the front end sitting so high? Usually that means the engine is out, but I know that isn't the case here!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
VW bus is LS swapped, JK.
2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum / 2019 Volvo S60 T6 Inscription
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/09/twin-turbo-ls-powered-vw-microbus-is-no-hippie-van-video/
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
Now I feel guilty for not driving the car lately, but mother nature is not cooperative.
Here's something else that popped up in social media, quite a project:
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
The same thing happens in the other direction, the stancebro crowd seems to like old MB sedans, maybe because they are stylish, relatively cheap, and I think can easily be adapted to air suspension. Not my cup of tea, but it beats the car rotting away behind a barn (or in a leaky garage) or being sent to the scrapyard:
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
A drift fintail would also need an engine swap or similar mods, these cars are not known for their rubber burning and traction breaking ability.
Only comparable the insurance company could find was 25K (which my friend knows is more than his car is/was worth), so it got the nod. Wreck apparently damaged a tie rod, and the car has a couple other issues that will be dealt with while it is being repaired.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum / 2019 Volvo S60 T6 Inscription
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I've also seen this kind of thing in the past, this is a hard no for me:
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum / 2019 Volvo S60 T6 Inscription
The sequel was just released yesterday or today, I believe.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum / 2019 Volvo S60 T6 Inscription
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
There is love for THIS???
Potential maintenance this year - maybe some suspension/driveline maintenance, maybe brakes, fluids, etc.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/702404957049404/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined Despite those filler panels, might be kind of clean. Price is still nuts but maybe for less for a Caddy guy?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/125688276119312/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined A Reatta that the owner is actually into
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1587739571419271/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined Always liked the color scheme of the 10th anniversary TA and 400 4 sp, but safe to say he is wanting big money here
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1055185891657272/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined Dart convertible is a cool alternative MOPAR. This is a full resto, but he is not out of his mind pricewise
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3264659553649702/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined Used to belong to Jon Voight
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/874407843401212/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined
Any chance this isn't an iron duke
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/903644720370984/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined Chrysler had some designs that were bonkers
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3377044639064394/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined These Zs have gotten up there. This looks nice but is crying for a stick
K-Car woody makes me think Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, the "Gran Detroit Farm and Country Turbo".
Texas, I think there is an issue with marketplace forcing pricing to be what they think it should, so people post odd asking prices and just list the real price in the text. But I am not positive on the exact details.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.