Would you buy this car ?

[Deschodt]

Newbie here... I've read the books, and been looking for a few months. I've passed on a couple cars, and found a 70 280 SL california coupe on ebay not too far from home.
At the last minute, I decided not to play the Ebay "snipe" game and let it go... Of course, I'm now getting a valid 2nd chance offer from the seller...






Here's my dilemma... I think I can live with the fact that it's a california coupe. I like the looks of the car with the hard top, and would go topless only locally anyway.
I like the fact that there is a small backseat, it's probably not the safest, but I could take the young ones around the block or short distances, kinda cool...

I can't quite establish if the california coupe should be discounted a lot or not. It's a 4 speed, pictures look good, I have 24h to decide whether I want it at $21000. Plus tax.
It's 3h from home so of course I'd go inspect it and have to setup some sort of towing / storage /one way rental.... it's a bit of a pain in my a$$ to be honest, I'd much rather buy a local car I can inspect before deciding, but it looks like a good deal if it checks out...  Is it ?  
I realize you cannot answer accurately without more pictures (ebay), more info etc... just asking for a gut feel from people better educated than me on the market. Or maybe somebody knows the car !!! it's in FL..

[Khurram Darugar]

I would say the value of a convertible is around $5k so you would compare this to a convertible in the region of 26k
Somebody let this car go at 21k (not a lot for a decent driver). 
I would take a real good look at the floor/sills, rear chassis rails.
I driven more than 3 hrs for parts!  For a whole car i would say that good going 
Good Luck

Kay

[Deschodt]

I would say the value of a convertible is around $5k so you would compare this to a convertible in the region of 26k
Somebody let this car go at 21k (not a lot for a decent driver). 
I would take a real good look at the floor/sills, rear chassis rails.
I driven more than 3 hrs for parts!  For a whole car i would say that good going 
Good Luck

Kay

Thank you !  I let it go, because there is no way I could set up a decent inspection in time. I've bought a couple of "turds" over the years when doing long-distance. I resolved not to make that mistake again... I'll be reading up some more and keep an eye open for local cars. If anybody is interested that car will be relisted on ebay shortly, according to the seller.

[Jordan]

A 3 hr drive to look at a car is nothing if it is something you are really in search of.  I drove 8 hrs to look at the 230sl I eventually bought, in a different country, and have often driven 3 or 4 hours just to look at cars I was somewhat interested in seeing.  Last fall when my wife and I were in Florida, I drove 3.5 hrs to look at a car.  My wife stayed behind to lay on the beach. 

You could have always given the guy (or gal) a deposit once you decided you liked the car and would buy it conditional on an inspection within a certain period of time, much like buying a house.  If the seller isn't game for something like that then it is best to walk away as he is probably hiding something.  Don't be afraid to do a little travelling in your search and good luck.

[Deschodt]

A 3 hr drive to look at a car is nothing if it is something you are really in search of.  I drove 8 hrs to look at the 230sl I eventually bought

Oh, I know... I imported a Porsche 356A from Vancouver island to FL (Ferry, Drive, Truck), I think that takes the cake distance wise ;-)

In this case though, it was an ebay Buy it now "second chance" offer. Valid for 24h only. Since I have a job, there was no time to go look at it (6h roundtrip) before the offer expired. And I'm not one to click "buy it now" and later flake out. I'd want it inspected first, on a lift. The seller did not take the hint and said he will relist it instead, which somehow comforts me in my decision.

Hopefully I'll find one closer to home, I've got time... I like more "period" colors anyway ;-)

[thelews]

You didn't miss anything.

[Deschodt]

You didn't miss anything.

Good to hear, but could you expand on why ? ;-)  Price, condition ? I'm trying to educate myself at this point !

[thelews]

Good to hear, but could you expand on why ? ;-)  Price, condition ? I'm trying to educate myself at this point !

I couldn't really expand much based on two pictures, but, to me, a Calif Coupe is a negative.  You're always dealing with something most people don't want and losing the freedom to drive a convertible at will (and they look funny).  The two rear speakers through the trunk wall tell me more "modification" may be involved. 

All the talk of rarity aside, most 113ers don't want the CaCoupe.  Just like all the BS about 250 SL rarity (my model), it doesn't pan out in the market.  The 280 SL gets the highest buck, even though it has lesser qualities compared to the early 250 SL and even the 230 SL, depending on one's perspective.  Doesn't matter, the market is what it is and CaCoupes are often rejected.  That can change, but...

Plenty of 113s around for sale.  If the deal doesn't go smoothly and comfortably for you, then, you didn't miss anything.  There's always another one, and another, and another......

[badali]

I would agree with john on most points but I would have looked at it anyway just for the experience.  I have driven many hours to look at cars that there was a slim chance I would buy just in case it turned out it was a real nice car.  I never felt like it was a waist of time just because I have a good time when I'm looking...  I'm sure that if you really wanted the car you would not have to make a decision in 24 hours and could also haggle over the price and buy it in person off ebay.

[douglas dees]

I agree with John. California coupes have limited uses especially if the weather turns or it is cold outside and the resale value limits you to warm areas . I would never buy a car unless someone inspected it and $21k is not cheap.
My thoughts
Doug Dees

[Deschodt]

I would never buy a car unless someone inspected it and $21k is not cheap.

Thanks all, you're making me feel better about skipping it... AndI learned my lesson about inspection on other cars, believe me. (although sometimes even that's not enough, my "inspector" missed the fact that an early 911 I bought was made out of 2 cars welded together)

On the price though, I gotta say "really"

I've been looking for about 5 months now, passed on a car with fender and floor rust at $18K, and have not seen *any* decent car under $30K ever since. So I thought 21 was cheap-to-fair.

I guess I'm not looking in the right places ;-)  

[ctm14]

Hi,

  I echo the comments on CA coupes.  I am sitting in our vacation home in Seaside FL and see how the weather can be down here, definitely not ideal for the CA coupe. I live full time in San Diego CA and wouldn't want one even with what can be argued as the best weather. Lastly I have seen this car on eBay several times so many others are passing also.

Good luck

[DaveB]

The body and panel gaps look ok. Maybe you could request photos: sills, rails, floors from the underside as per Kay's message, inner front fender spot welds, wheel wells, headlight eyebrows, trunk floor, body number, aluminium panel numbers. I think they would tell you a lot, if he's prepared to do it, he doesn't sound very accomodating so far. Does the +tax bit mean it's a dealer car?

But then again you could hold out for a 230
(or '67 250)

[66andBlue]

The car is listed again:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320678940386

[Rolland]

I would also agree with the comments on a CA Coupe and here's why.  I've sort of lived that with mine as the soft top has needed to be replaced due to mice damage near the plastic window before I owned it (though it would keep rain off my head).  The frame also had some issues that developed which is being repaired before the new soft top is installed.  Before mine went to the shop to be redone, I really would only drive it on days I pretty much knew would not rain (we just finished March with 29 of 31 days with rain here in Oregon).  I'm really looking forward to a few months down the road when everything is back together and I'm driving it again.

Rolland

[66andBlue]

Car sold for $22.6K .. but I wonder if and when it will show up again.

[Deschodt]

I could have gotten it $1600 cheaper ;-)  No regrets on passing though, I guess everybody's happy.

Now, on the flip side, I'm getting desperate... I'm trying to squeeze a Pagoda in my garage before the wife gives birth to baby #2. If you've got a decent-to-nice car for sale in FL (preferably not red or automatic), please let me know ;-) 

 

[thelews]

Tobacco Brown 280 w/stick.  Will be in the $40s