Should I buy?

[Prafeston]

Aren't too many Festivas in the yards around me, but WTFestiva told me about a couple at a yard in town, but one was picked to death and already sent to the scrapper...the dang yard owner didn't even mention the other one even after I was asking about it cause I knew there was two. As I was leaving I saw the dang thing sitting right in the front couple rows...not sure how I missed it on the way in. So I turned around and headed back. Couldn't find the owner, but called the number and talked with him about it. He wasn't willing to part it out cause it was running when he bought it. Though it looks like it's been sitting for awhile. Quite a bit of grass growing around it, but over all it looked decent. Did notice some rusting in the front part of the rear drivers side wheel well. What got me going ga ga for it though was the interior. It's an 88 LX with orange tach, seats with headrests, split rear seat, and power windows. The seats all looked great and that's one of the biggest complaints I have about my car is the crappy torn/ripped seats. The guy mentioned he bought it for $600. I didn't really talk asking price or anything. I'd like to go out there and take another look at it with a little more attention to detail. The guy mentioned it had been sitting awhile and would probably need a fuel pump and some exhaust work. He does have a clear title...though I'll need to find out if he's been keeping up with the property taxes on it...highly unlikely. What would be a good price on this thing...I'm guessing he wouldn't want to go much under $600...or even at all. I'd have to talk him into it probably.

[Festevil3]

If it runs and drives (or not much work to run and drive) 600 usd is not that bad

[Prafeston]

Ohhhhh...and by power windows, I meant power mirrors. I always get that messed up. Stupid brain!

And yeah 600 sounds descent. I paid 700 for mine and drove it 100 miles home. It did need brakes, horn, and windshield to pass inspection though.

[Bert]

Beauty is entirely in the eye of the beholder. To you this car is a dream and to most other people it's just a 20 year old piece of junk. Don't get starry-eyed, tell him you're quite interested but have a limited budget and then ask him to keep you abreast of other offers he's getting. Often times within a month it'll be yours for a lesser price especially if you tell him it's 'cash on the barrel' Non driveable and non-safetied and non-e-tested vehicles are generally valued only for scrap.
I just spent the past 4 months waiting to maybe-experiment with a stand alone 1.6 turbo diesel (potential Festy project) but the owner initially wanted $1400 for the lo-mile rusty car. I did exactly as I counselled you to do, made my offer and politely waited. It was offered to me for $300 last week. Engine ran fine and everything when I went for a look and by that time the owner was just keen to get it out of there (ie didn't feel ripped off). I felt a little sheepish (having waited all that time) then having to tell her I was no longer interested either after I got a measuring tape out to check clearances in and around the engine and transmission.
There are many more clean Festy parts out there, it's all a question of patience.

[sc72]

Ohhhhh...and by power windows, I meant power mirrors. I always get that messed up. Stupid brain!

And yeah 600 sounds descent. I paid 700 for mine and drove it 100 miles home. It did need brakes, horn, and windshield to pass inspection though.

Rafe what color is it.

[Prafeston]

Red

[sc72]

Red ok i'm still looking for a nice 92/3 KJ Blue deck lid. Good luck getting that car bought.

[Prafeston]

Red ok i'm still looking for a nice 92/3 KJ Blue deck lid. Good luck getting that car bought.

That you were looking for two KJ Blue Doors? Deck lid is the rear hatch? hood? I got the hatch off the nice KJ Blue in KC...sorry if you needed it...cause I'm about to paint it Cayman Green Met.

[Prafeston]

Finally going to look at this car again today. Will take some pics and try to get a price from the owner.

[Prafeston]

1988 LX Seats with Headrest, Split Rear, Orange Tach cluster, Power Mirrors, Rear Wiper, Extended shifter console. Been sitting awhile. Odo reads 195k. Seller is asking 600 and will deliver to my house for no charge.

[KingFish]

If I had the money, I would just for the interior.

[Prafeston]

There was a pretty big stain on the back seat. Festiva Fred is saying the rust in the rear wheel wells probably makes it a parts car. I'd swap out almost all of the interior. Seats, belts, carpet, door cards...maybe even doors, rear plastic trim. rear belts...I like the lap belts on the early models over the shoulder straps. I'd also snag the grill...maybe hood. Tach cluster. Power mirrors. It's got a lot to offer, but I paid 700 for my car and was able to drive it a 100 miles home. So 600 just doesn't sound like a good deal.

[Mercilesslee]

Mention the rust and offer him near scrap price. Wait it out like another member said and it will probably yours. How long ago do you think he paid 600$ and not many people would give it a second glance.

[Prafeston]

1-3 years I'd say. Judging by the growth around the car. I offered him 300. He said he wants to get 600 or he'll just let it sit there. I asked if he'd take anything less. Even 500 and he said now. Finally talked him into at least trailering it to my house for 600. That was the best i could do. I'm gonna go back tomorrow maybe and give him a car with my name and number and tell him to call me when he's ready to sell it closer to 400.

[Twistiva]

Prafeston -

Yeah, all that rust pretty much rules it out as a driver...parts car only.

I've got a red 88LX parts car that I swear is that car's brother.....every single option this one has, so does mine, including the option that's missing; the rear wiper.

If you ever buy it, let me know because I'd probably buy some parts off of it that you don't need.