Am I Gettin Scammed on This Fiat Deal?

[FiatFox]

Hi. My boyfriend and I are seriously considering buying a '77 Fiat Spider from this guy. He wants $400 for it. Before we went to see it, the man made it seem as though it was in really great condition. Though, when we finally got there, I was less than impressed. He lets it sit outside with a bunch of junk parked in high grass. The paint job is shot and there is rust in a lot of places. The interior is all ripped and we would have to replace the canvas top. The dashboard is cracked. But the kicker is the car doesn't even start. He offered it at the low price of 400 if we tow it out of there, put a new coil in it, get it rewired, get it inspected, put a plate on it, ect... I really knew nothing about Spiders but thought they were beautiful cars. But now after reading up on their value, I think we are maybe getting scammed with such a high price for a car that seems to need to much work. I would appreciate if anyone could give me imput on what a clunker like this would really be worth. Thanks.

[ICF]

Since there is no trade involved and this is just another straight up purchase, yes, $400 is out of the question.

If you really want a spider, buy a better, albeit more expensive one. You will be money ahead in no time. You might want a parts car: offer the current seller $100- no more.

-Jerry Lee Phillips

North Texas

[So Cal Mark]

I wouldn't pay more than $100 either

[124cso]

If you can only afford a car like that, o.k. but be prepared for CONTINUAL repair & maintenance bills.

Or forget the heap of C*** and go spend $2-3000 on a nice runner that you can drive ( without wondering how you'll get home when it breaks down again) that has hopefully been maintained. Remember that when cars get old SOME people just drive them & don't do oil & filter changes or keep antifreeze/inhibitor in the water or change cam belts.
Those are the things that kill engines. Looked after, a fiat twin cam should do 200,000 miles o.k. Mine did !

[Spyderbuddy]

carefull people,hint:
if it does not run, parts car-maybe 100.
if it runs but smokes(goes down the road on its own power) 300.
got good paint (minior problems) 800.
i myself did not pay for mine i got it out of a ladys garage because she didn't want it in the way anymore. did not run
i've got right at 3000 in mine and it's still a piece of junk (floors rotted out but that's all the rust) engine needed head work trans needed rebuilting and front had to be rebuilt before driving, the brakes had to be redone and seats replaced

[Gerard Del Monte]

"Deals" are relative. If you are a wrench head, buying a real fixer maybe the financially preferred ( and fun ) way to go. If you aren't, then it pays to buy the best possible condition car at whatever the market (and you) will bear. It's a truism that people never get back out of the car what they put in, so even if you spend several thousands of dollars for a restored or partially restored car, it's better than you sinking twice that into a fixer. Just do your research before you buy - it's prudent to be prudent!