I wouldn't get too upset about the price of the car. If someone on the
list had told you your car was worth nearly $5K then you might not of
thought twice about it. True, that if you try and sell it in the next
few months without fixing anything then you could stand to lose some
money, but if you were planning to keep the car for a while, it will
all wash out in the end. I just think frustration can destroy a love
for a car. =)
Take my case for example. I purchased a 74' for $3500 (plus I traded
an 87 Astro with some engine problems) So I figure around $4000. (I
also have the a car loan. It was interesting that my bank loaned me
money for a car that noone had ever heard of (or seen). But I single
handedly took a running vehicle with a cheap but complete interior, and,
semi-working air doors and turned it into a non-running vehicle without
working doors and no interior to speak of. I look back at the last 6
months and try to identify where I went wrong, then I realize that I
didn't go wrong. I guess what I am saying is that if you bought the car
for the sole purpose of a daily driver, although some people have had
sucess, a 74 AMC or 75 Ford would not be my first choice for
reliability, rust prevention, etc. etc.
I wouldn't go to court, because the car is rare, there might be some
opinion involved in the value of a car. If they sold you a 83 Ford
Escort for $22K I could see a case, but this isn't quite cut and dry
enough to risk your time and money in court. Just my opinion. (Scott
picks up soap box and puts it away)
About building your own car, I'm game! I have dreamed of doing
something like that for a long time. Trying to identify what
chassis/engine would be the best place to start. I am currently trying
to convince my friend that his beat up Volkswagen Bug doesn't really
need a body right now. I've never had the opportunity to cut and weld,
and in my biased opinion, no better place to learn the delicate art of
welding than on a VW.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Godly Krew [mailto:GodlyKrew@aol.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 1998 1:32 AM
> To: bricklin@autox.team.net
> Subject: Rust
>
>
> the rust on VIN 1758 looks pretty bad...
> with the plenum covers removed, the driver's side opening
> looks like it has
> flakes on the inside. The underside of the chassis looks
> about the same as
> the plenum.
>
> I'm really confused now that John gave me the $750-1,500 figure....
> I THINK I GOT RIPPED OFF!!!!!!!
> I paid $6950 for the car, $650 for tax/licence at the DMV,
> $1100 for a new
> cooling system (re-cored radiator, all new hoses). The
> carpet is in need of
> replacement,
> and so are the seats. The dash is fine, except for the wierd
> problem where
> the tach reads 7000 rpm at freeway speeds (55mph) and the
> loose connection
> behind the gas guage. The horns need replacement, the
> driver's side door has
> lots of stress cracks and has started to come unglued, the
> air door system is
> missing the electric compressor, the vacuum pump does not
> work, and i'm
> currently using a different air tank than the ones the vendors sell.
>
> I'm really starting to get steamed about how much money my
> parents and I have
> been spending to get ripped off, which is not limited to the
> bricklin. If my
> car is only worth $1,500, then I need to know which appraiser
> would accurately
> give a value to my bricklin. From there, it looks like I'll
> have to take the
> guys who sold me the car to court for selling a $1,500 car
> for $6950. If
> only I knew where to start....
>
> Don't the lawyers get all the money anyway?
> I don't wanna wait a year or two to get my money back, either....
>
> Now the idea of building my own car sounds like the best option.
> the only problems are a lack of money, a garage, and the know
> how to do it.
> I know what I want, I just donno how to put it together =(
>
> Ideas, anyone?
>
> Riley Marquis III
> VIN 1758
>
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