[A 3-D Event]

Hi, I'm new here so bear with me if I ask silly questions. I really like Buick Reatta's they are so classy!
I have been in search for one. I found a White 1990 Coupe with red/burgundy interior last weekend and need help in making a non-insulting, yet reasonable offer. It is in great shape. Stored inside, non smoked in and the interior looks new, no stains in carpet or fade. The engine cranked right up for not being driven much for the last few years. Very clean engine too. The only known problems is the intermitten electronic dash/console. A leak in the windshield gasket and a small rust spot resulting from the leak on the roof. Paint is in good to excellent shape except for the spot on roof near windshield. It has 130,000 miles.
What do you think? The guy that has it doesn't have it listed and is not in a yank to get rid of it either. Doesn't need money either. He said to make an offer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

[PTC Bob]

I'll offer my opinion....With the issues you mentioned, I'd say between $3,000 to $4k. He may not part with it for that but, that's what I would offer...there are plenty of Reatta's for sale...just need to keep looking at this site and places like E-Bay(be careful). Most of the folks on this site are going to be extremely helpful and straight with you!

[wwebb]

In the last year, I paid 1400.00 for an 88 with about 90K miles (I now have over 100k), it had been in storage for 4-years and needed rotors/pads/struts/tuneup/tires/headlight motor rebuild kit/window motor and, without paying outside labor, and carefully buying those items off of Ebay (except tires/rotors/pads), they totaled about 1K.

You could show him this Ebay SOLD listing and discuss what it may cost to repair some of the deferred mainteance items and make a corresponding offer.

[Barney Eaton]

A 130K Reatta in excellant shape would range from 3-5K

A windshield leak might be of concern, you might get it fixed for $50, or if they need to pull the windshield and repair the problem (and crack the windshield) you could be looking at $1500 +

The electronics can be fixed for $100-300

If the car has set and the tires are 4-5 years old, you will want new tires.

I would offer $3,000 and maybe pay $4000 max only if you really want it.

[A 3-D Event]

Thanks for the reply. I figured I'd start out at about $2800 and see where it goes. I don't want to spend more than $3500. So if he wants more I'll just keep looking.
Plus I want my car guy to go with me and scope it all out. It would be nice to know what things we need to look out for. Any other hints? [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

[A 3-D Event]

The guy that owns it now got it from his departed father. His dad drove it daily and the rubber is new. It may be setting in a garage but it is taken out for a spin now and again and his brother inlaw in a cert GM mechanic. His brother in law offered $2200 and he declined and said he'd have to have at least $2700. I figured the $2800 would be a good start, he can alway counter?

[PTC Bob]

Sounds like you are on the right track...Good Luck!

[KDirk]

Christa,

Welcome to the board! I just bought a 1991 white over red coupe last weekend. Love the car already. Mine has 93,400 on it and was as clean as I could possibly hope for in a 17 year old car. Absolutely no rust, no leaks, no interior damage/stains/etc. Also had almost new windshield and tires.

I paid $4966+some fees, and this was at a large dealership's used lot, so I would say the one you are looking at should fetch somewhere between $3k-4400 tops based on what you've described here. Also, if it is a private seller, there is not the inherent dealer mark-up, so this makes some difference.

Given that there is some (minor) rust and the cluster is flaky, I would try to stay under $4200. The cluster isn't too expensive to fix/replace. Repair places online charge less than $200 to rebuild the 90/91 gauges, and used ones are usually available on ebay for $100 or less, but they may also be faulty so be careful.

Paint work is another issue. Once the rust starts, you need to fix it right, and quickly or it'll spread like fire in Orange County in August. The rust would worry more than anything else you pointed out.

Hope you find the one that works for you, I held out almost a year to get my prize Reatta, so have patience if possible. As said above, there are a fair number for sale so jumping on the first one that shows up may not be the best bet.

Regards,

KDirk