Is this worth it before I go back to Iraq?

[97Snake1668]

Hey all!
I have been out of the classic game for a while now and I am ready to jump back in. I found a 69 Coupe in the area that seems to be in pretty good shape. I did notice that there is one small rust bubble in the back of the passenger side wheel well (typical), the battery tray is swiss cheese, and the cowl might have rust through into the passenger side (didnt have water to test my theory). It has a 302 (that runs good he said) with auto tranny that just recently started leaking. The guy said that he noticed it leaking really bad and didnt want to test the waters and just had it towed to his condo. He isnt sure where it is leaking from but he said that it was between the bellhousing and the case. It is going to need some things like new springs, seals, hood brackets, bumpers due to dents, battery tray, a really good cut and buff on the 9 month old paint job.
He is asking $4000 and the add said it was firm. What does everyone think? I am possibly going to call him and offer $3500 and see what he says. So if he takes $3500 do you all think it is worth it? I will have to get the tranny fixed and some serious cleaning on it but I am ready to jump back in. The one big thing here is that I am leaving to go back to Iraq in just over a month. I have been looking for a good project to start when I get home. I would like to get it running well enough to be my daily driver till I leave and then just start getting parts for it while I am over there. When I get home it can be a free for all of new parts and fun.
So let me know what everyone thinks and if I should call him back tomorrow. Thanks in advance and it is good to be back.

Semper Fi,
Kris

 

[2nd Mustang]

First, keep your head down!

Secondly, I've never been a fan of 69-70 coupes. Somehow, the body lines just don't seem right, but that's just my thoughts as I have a 67 coupe.

Thirdly, San Diego is a rust magnet being so close to the ocean.

Take care over there.

 

[97Snake1668]

First, keep your head down!

Secondly, I've never been a fan of 69-70 coupes. Somehow, the body lines just don't seem right, but that's just my thoughts as I have a 67 coupe.

Thirdly, San Diego is a rust magnet being so close to the ocean.

Take care over there.

I did look it over pretty well. There was no rust through the floor boards or in the wheel wells except for the one spot. I too havent been a big fan of the 69-70 coupes until I started really thinking about redoing one. I have redone two 68's (one coupe and one fastback). I was thinking about branching out and doing a little bit bigger car and giving it a little more attitude. I think with the right stance, wheels, ect I think a 69 could look pretty mean.

Any other thoughts on the price of the car? Is it at least a good deal? Anyone, anyone.....

Thanks!
Kris

 

[RUSTYNUT]

Seems a bit on the high side for a car that needs some expensve repairs. In the PNW area that would be about half that price. With some of the big auctions showing a real drop in muscle car prices, there may some good deals in the next few months as the people buying up cars for profit start liqiudating. It cost the same to do those repairs on a more valuable or cooler car.
What MOS and division you with? If the tours are still six months to a year , you will have some time to look. Remember to let the bad guys die for there country!

 

[latamud]

My opinion, save your money and wait until you get back. You'll have that much more to put towards anything you want when you get back. If you buy this car, you will go nuts not being able to work on it.

Or, get it and have something to think about while you are over there.

I went stir crazy thinking about working on my car. Heck, I'm TDY/TAD now and going stir crazy wanting to work on it.

 

[2nd Mustang]

My opinion, save your money and wait until you get back. You'll have that much more to put towards anything you want when you get back. If you buy this car, you will go nuts not being able to work on it.

Or, get it and have something to think about while you are over there.

I went stir crazy thinking about working on my car. Heck, I'm TDY/TAD now and going stir crazy wanting to work on it.

Ditto. I looked at other "project" cars around $5K before I bought my 67 coupe. For a couple thousand more, I got a turn key car with everything I wanted in a toy. In six years of ownership, I've replaced two clutches, a battery, every brake component and the carb, all the while being able to drive it, even to work.

When I was on active duty during the Vietnam thing, my friend stationed state side took care of my 65 coupe. Luckily for me he was another wrench turner, even if it was a 69 Charger.

Give um he!!

 

[kirbyalaska]

If it is only a 9 month old paint job, it should not be bubbling. What else is hiding under there?

 

[12sec67]

If it is only a 9 month old paint job, it should not be bubbling. What else is hiding under there?

KIRB's right- 9 months after a paint, there must be a problem.

 

[pabear89]

Best bet is to pass on this one and save a few more bucks while your away.
There is too much wrong with it for the price and seems like the paint is hidding more flaws than you can see.

 

[shelby69]

I have a 69 coupe that I've had for the last 25 yrs. Personally I love the look of the 69 front end. Take a flash light and check the shock towers real well, inside and out. I'd also check the torque box and front frame. I had tons of trouble with the front end on mine. Good luck, and be safe.

 

[krash kendall]

Good things come to those who wait....

 

[Rusty66coupe]

I personally do not see "new paint" as a selling point when I read an ad.

When translated what that says to me is something along the lines of "I had the cheapest place in town throw a quickie coat of paint on it to hide heaven only knows what...."

 

[qballenko]

I would hold out. There are a lot of good options in SD. Plus you will be coming back from Icrap with more money in your pocket. I waited till I got back and found that it was worth the wait.


Secondly stay safe over there.

 

[NeoConMan]

I'll play along here.
New paint = old problems.

Thank you for your service, God bless you and your loved ones.

Give 'em HELL over there!

 

[StangDreamin']

Mark me down as +25 on the "Save your money 'til you get back" train.

Daughter's boyfriend (they're both Regular Army) did his second 15 months playin' in the sand, came back 10 months ago;
became my son-in-law,
finished rebuilding his 94 Cobra,
modded-up my daughter's 96 'vert (made it a "Cobra" under the hood and suspension),
and is now building a third Mustang (95) strictly for quarter-mile runs at the track.

Oh, and after they got married, the kids started buying baby furniture and clothes; too....

HD pay is good that way.

 

[qballenko]

too bad they stopped giving the extra $1000 a month for extending past 12 months.

 

[StangDreamin']

That's a paid option?

The Green Machine just told AJ that he wasn't getting on anything larger than a Blackhawk for 15 months. Period.

 

[qballenko]

When Sec. Gates originally extended it to 15 months, anyone who was currently in country at that time was authorized the extra 1000 per month(Which I enjoyed). However if you deployed under a 15 month order they didn't receive the extra pay because the Army said they were under the order and were not extended. 172nd Stryker got screwed out of it though. Personally I think they should have extended that incentive pay. Instead the Army decided that 3 extra days of R&R during the rotation would be sufficient. 3 days verse 3000 extra dollars.

 

[Cobra6]

wait until you get back

Stay alert - stay alive.
Piling on.............
Make it back and there should be plenty of deals on project cars with the economy slow - then you can ****** up a deal.

 

[97Snake1668]

Well I didnt get the 70. I kept looking and stumbled across a SOLID 1968 Coupe! There is only one spot of rust on this whole car and it is right under the carb on the hood because the guy started himself a little fire. I went and looked at it today and there is no rust on the body in any of the normal spots. The floor pans are original and solid, no bubbles, no rust on the body panels. The 289 engine was reworked about 5 years ago along with C-4. The interior is shot but I was planning on changing it all out anyway. He is asking $2500 for it and it totally seems worth it to me. I miss my old 68 and now is my chance to redo another one with a little bit more money in my pocket then I did when I was a Cpl. My wife is a total supporter of it too which makes it even better. The good thing about it is that I can now start ordering parts for when I get home and just go crazy on it as soon as I return. Might even have the wife get it into paint before I return! Anyway, as soon as I get her I will post some pics. Sorry to dissapoint all those that told me to wait but I really think when you find a diamond in the rough you have to jump on it.

Semper Fi,
Kris