Thinking about bidding on this car...any comments?

spy007

Here it is...81 elky
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2479615720

I called this guy on the phone and had a nice chat. I think the hood looks disgusting but he's throwing another one in with it. A stock hood wont fit with his weiand intake. All the int needs is dash and carpet. He has been trying to sell it for 3 months at $4500 which is what he thinks it is worth, but as you can see the auction has a buy it now of $2500. should I wait till the end or snatch it up soon because of the price? It seems like a low price to me for a car with no mechanical problems.

I'm torn over which car to buy but I think this is the one. My other choice was a 65 elky,(http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2475040951) the guy will sell for $2500 but I would need to take a 9hr greyhound trip for $50 and drive it home, the 81 is only about 2 hrs from me.

any comments??

daves77 · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 2:51 pm Post subject:

Go for the one you really want. I few hours on a Greyhound or nothing compaired to the number of greasy hours in the shop.

Daves77

dwindham · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject:

I agree I'd go for the one you like best. A few hour trip vs regretting your choice isnt worth it. I got lucky and found my 74 within 20-30 miles from my house.

leichler · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 3:35 pm Post subject:

Your question is like the wife asking "Does this dress make me look fat?" There's no right answer. You gotta go with your heart if not your brain. Either choice will be wrong the first time you bust a knuckle or have trouble getting a part. I've got two 5th gens, an 80 and an 83. One is for parades only, the other is a daily driver. I'd love to have the 65 if I didn't have the others. One of the ones you are contemplating could make a great daily and right away, the other would be loads of fun after you get the inside fixed and stop at a gas station. Both are from reasonably low rust areas. They use very little or no salt in Boise and Portland. The condition of the frame and floor pans might make a difference.

You makes your choices and you takes your chances! Cool

_________________
Ike
'80 El Camino (sold)
'04 Silverado
'05 Impala

razor376 · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 1:32 am Post subject: 81

For the 81 did you get the VIN# cause it is not posted with ad ? you could find it is a salvage tittle that would not be good cause it already looks to need enough work as it is.

spy007 · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 12:01 am Post subject:

Well, I'm now the proud owner of the 81 el camino, I won the auction at $2001.00. I was going to buy it outright for 2500 but I am worried that it won't pass DEQ up here in portland. I figure 2000 is an affordable investment for me, and if it wont pass my only option is to work on it for a year and a half and in 2006 I will be DEQ exempt in Vancouver, Washington where I will be living soon. Anyway, I'm driving down to get it in the morning so I will post my findings tomorrow.

_________________
-AC
1976 El Camino Classic - Rebuilt HO 305
1981 El Camino - sold

elcamino74guy · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 4:50 am Post subject:

The scoop is a bit much but it looks really great. I wish I lived in a state with rolling exemption. AZ makes me go through emission hell every year with a damned idle and loaded test. We used to have a rolling exemption but that went away a while ago.

Warning to anyone who may get transferred out here. If you're in Tucson or Phoenix or any surrounding cities you are gonna end up having to deal with our emissions crap if your car is newer than a 66.

Out here we're "special" too. We don't get to go to the local mechanic shop to get tested and certified. We have "official" testing stations that you get to sit in a long line at and watch your engine overheat. Then some moron gets to drive your car at 80MPH and then pump your gas pedal so they can get your carb to load up. Don't work so well with fuel injection but they try anyway.

I don't mind saving the planet but my car is like 30 years old and gets all of 4000 miles a year. Oh yeah, and it passes their stupid test too. My bitch is that its always such a production. They go for the quick fix out here so they like to pick on the old cars with their stupid emissions rules. NEver mind that the brown cloud is made by everyone in their damn Kia's and civics on the freeway waiting in rush hour. Oh yeah and if your car is a 2000 or newer they don't test you cause they figure you don't pollute. So my advice is to get rich and buy a brand new SUV that gets 5 mpg and never have the thrill of emissions testing.

That and the stupid diesel gravel trucks puking black smoke that keep breaking my windshields with their uncovered loads.

K, I'm done now..

Very Happy

_________________
74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007

2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!

spy007 · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 11:53 am Post subject:

Yeah...here in Portland its any car 75 or newer has to be tested. That really pissed me off when I got my 76, especially when I found out it will never change! I didn't have cat's at the time, and didn't want them. That's why I'm moving to Vancouver Washington asap. This whole state is too liberal for me and especially the city of Portland. I'm also really pissed off that I'm one of the lucky few that gets to pay the only "county" income tax west of the mississippi, in addition to the state and federal income tax. Anyway, in Vancouver only cars 80 and newer have to get tested currently, and they're rolling it every 2 years.

spy007 · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 6:22 pm Post subject:

Well, I brought the car home yesterday, and I love it! I went into it expecting the car to be slightly worse than it was described, so I wasn't dissapointed with it. I think I got more than my money's worth for $2000. It needs work, but thats what I'm looking for...a car that I can make my own through the work I put into it. The 2 hour drive home was great...it is very fun to drive, and definately the fastest car I've experienced. The hood will be the first to go since it came with another cowl hood. anyone want it? Anyway, I better get out there and play with it some more before I run out of daylight!
_________________
-AC
1976 El Camino Classic - Rebuilt HO 305
1981 El Camino - sold

JimmyZ · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:48 pm Post subject: