I've got an '88 Eagle that I bought for $1,500 that has some issues.
1) Currently doesn't run, overheated, head is probably warped. It starts and idles but one cylinder isn't firing and it's backfiring out of the carb. Probably an easy fix, I just don't have time.
2) Steering column needs to be replaced. Can jiggle it up and down, side to side. Has locked on me during a turn once.
3) Paint is peeling, various dings, pretty typical stuff.
4) Wood grain is faded and looks awful.
THE GOOD:
1) Brand new Goodyear Wranglers. Rub a little bit in the back when offroading.
2) Brand new fuel pump.
3) Brand new radiator and hoses.
4) Interior is complete and in surprisingly good shape. Typical headliner sag.
5) Rear is locked, car is a beast off road.
Tires, of course, were $400. Radiator was somewhere around $200 if I remember correctly.
tougeagle has seen the car, maybe he'd know the answer to this question. Not really sure what to do with it, I want to fix it but I have so many other priorities, like my Javelin, that I'm not sure I can spare the cash to get it where I want it. Just wondering what would be fair to list it at given these issues.
Dan
To add to my question: Would it be worth MORE if I started bodywork on it? i.e. tried to sell it primered rather than as it sits, after fixing dings and whatnot?
IMHO, it would be worth more if the mechanical issues were fixed. A driveable car usually sells itself better ;)
(although I guess that if it was driveable you wouldn't be selling it anymore)...
As a buyer, I wouldn't worry about body issues (as long as they don't involve a rotten frame or bad rust in vital spots), while I'd worry A LOT about a seized (or going to seize) engine. Sometimes I spent way too much money on driveable rust buckets, but I never bought a non-moving car, unless it was a very very (I mean really) good deal.
To be perfectly honest, since the car doesn't run and with the lower control arm and steering issue, I wouldn't give more than a few hundred for it if I were an interested buyer. There is a junkyard up there with some eagles in the yard, who could sell you a good running 258 that comps out around 120something psi. I've been to that yard before. They'd probably sell you a near complete engine for 300 bucks. They have six eagles in the yard, more than enough to grab a few other parts as well. I know you don't want to put any additional money into it, but if it doesn't run, it will sell, if at all, for far less than you paid for it. It's called 4x4 offroad used parts, or something like that, it's on the north end of town.