Having just been through this recently, offer him what you think its
worth, no matter what the price. Explain why you only think it's worth X
amount.
Keep looking while he mulls over your offer, if he doesn't take it.
There are plenty of other Bs out there, expecially Rubber Bumper Bs if that
is your desire. I found a great '73 for a great price after many months of
searching about 3 hours away from my house. Don't get fixated on one and buy
it, but look at and drive others. That's the only way you can make sure you
have found THE ONE.
Search the internet and AutoTraders to give you an idea of prices.
If you have any more questions about "the search" feel free to ask me.
Hope this helps and Good Luck!
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: Jellyby@aol.com <Jellyby@aol.com>
To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Thursday, February 12, 1998 2:16 PM
Subject: test drive
>for those of you who have been keeping up with my ongoing evaluation the 77
>MGB I want to buy, here's the latest and probably last installment. I took
>the car for a test drive, and it runs well. The engine is strong, OD
works,
>transmission seems solid, clutch is not loose and engages easily. Hell,
the
>first three gears are easier to work than my every day car. It didn't pop
out
>of gear @ high RPMs, suspension took bumps pretty well. The ride was a
little
>bumpy, and I asked about it; the guy said it was probably flat spots in the
>tires from sitting (that's about what it felt like, too; it felt like it
was
>occurring on all four tires and was not a sharp bumping such as when a
wheel
>is bent). Steering was pretty good, too; not loose and very few
corrections
>necessary. Brakes probably need adjustment. Speedo is a bit unsteady and
the
>guy found the gas guage to be non-functioning, too.
> Took it to my mechanic, and here's what he found. Signals/Hazards not
>functioning (which the guy said had happened that morning and would be
fixed
>before purchase), fan for defroster and 1 license plate light not
functioning.
>Passenger's side headlight needs adjustment. Left front Kingpin needs
>replacement and Right front steering boot needs to be tightened. Found no
>problems with the underbody (made sure he checked the rocker panels,
chassis
>rails, etc.). Overall rating: Fair.
> Here's my problem: The guy wants $2500 OBO for it and I KNOW it's not
worth
>that. I think that, were the gas guage, signals/hazards, kingpin, and
>steering boot problems to be repaired, the value of the car maxs out at
$1500
>(list price for the car in good condition). But take into account the
>interior needing to be refinished, minimal rust repair/body work, a new
top,
>and a fresh coat of paint, I think a few hundred dollars need to be knocked
>off. But I don't know what a fair offer is; I almost feel that $1000 is
too
>much...
>
>What do you think?
>Sean McComber
>Falls Church, VA
>
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