89 SHO 5 spd for $600 - thoughts?

[SmokyMtnDrifter]

Hello everyone. I am an ex-Yamaha service rep from back when the SHO came out - so great respect for the engine and concept.

I found a Burgandy over gray leather 5spd today for $600. Body is not damaged in any way, good glass, windows and moon roof all work. Heard engine run but cannot drive. Fuel pump just recently quit working. Has been off the road since 2005.

Interior is shot - leather is bad and smells moldy. Showing 79k miles but suspect it is 179k. Car comes with Aerostar 5speed transmission with bell housing (another $250) for engine conversion to another car (Miata with dry sump set-up). The car is in good enough shape to put the SHO back on the road though.

$600 - good or bad you think? If I purchase you will see me around the forum for sure putting this jewel back together. If I don't, appreciate everyone's input on the front end.

Thanks!
J

 

[kevinspann]

Low ball. You can find a nicer one for not much more money.

 

[mrecoolgar]

Bring it back to life.
If it's rust free then it's worthy.

 

[lowc]

welcome! and x2 on bringing it back to life

 

[JRA2000TL]

Join the club! I picked up the same car...a red/gray 89; rust free, good body, CA car, glass is decent except a small chip in the windshield, and it ran/drove and had working a/c. Like this one, my interior is shot too. Picked it up from a local enthusiast I found out lived right around the corner for me. I paid $300 for it! I got the bug to restore it since my 95 MTX is in decent shape. Now with a new paint job and tons of parts (doing a front 60k), I'm over $2k into it!

Here are some before and after pics that might motivate you to bring it back to life.
(Sorry...before pics are at night right after I drove it home...you get the idea though, been repainted partially, keyed, clearcoat peeling, etc.)

My paint job in the after pics was a $700 paint job using PPG JAU factory currant red single stage in the Shopline (lower cost) paint line.

AFTER!

 

[krek]

If you don't want the Aerostar setup I have a great friend in Hickory who definitely does.

 

[SmokyMtnDrifter]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Probably go spend more time looking her over tomorrow. Sure wish I could drive it to tell more. I know he paid $600 for it - but he let it sit several years (cranking it every couple of weeks) allowing it to slip little further down hill. Couple specific replies below.
JT

JRA2000TA - That is the exact set-up. Your pictures have just about pushed me off the fence. Looks great!!!

krek - I will keep that in mind for your friend. The gentleman is getting ready to pick engine up for his Jenson Healey so sure he would probably sell it separate from the car.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Do what I did...see if you can talk him down. Explain that the car is "so far gone" that it's crusher worthy and would cost an immense amount of time and $ to get the car to daily driver status. ****, I even told the seller I wanted to pass on the 89 b/c it was so rough, but he wanted to get rid of it so bad, he asked what would I offer. I told him I called the salvage yard and they'd pay $200 but since it ran, drove, and had working a/c I'd give him $300 but no more. He took it.

 

[sperold]

Get it, sell of the aerostar stuff, and put it back on the road. I don't think $600 is too much but try to get it for less, as it will be expensive to put in top notch shape.
There are lots of interiors available on this forum and they are not expensive.
See if the AC works and run the diagnostics for it ( in the car ) to see if the blend door works. If it doesn't, that is a good bargaining chip, as you have to monkey with the dash and nearly take it out to get that thing replaced.
Fairly soon, plan on a clutch, plugs, wires, and valve cover gaskets (involves taking the intake off) and maybe a waterpump and crank sensor sooner or later.
But look at it this way, at least your asset is not dropping $25,000.00 in 3 years.... yours will be, more or less, going up instead.

 

[SmokyMtnDrifter]

Off to negotiate little bit. Thanks for insight!!

 

[SHOhopefull]

Do what I did...see if you can talk him down. Explain that the car is "so far gone" that it's crusher worthy and would cost an immense amount of time and $ to get the car to daily driver status. ****, I even told the seller I wanted to pass on the 89 b/c it was so rough, but he wanted to get rid of it so bad, he asked what would I offer. I told him I called the salvage yard and they'd pay $200 but since it ran, drove, and had working a/c I'd give him $300 but no more. He took it.

And shocked me when he did it too LOL! I kept thinking, there no way that guy will go that low, but he did! And like the one you're looking at, Jeremy's interior was pretty rank!

Which reminds me... Jeremy, when you get it running, we need to meet up somewhere so I can take a look at it!

 

[JRA2000TL]

So, did you pick it up? If so...pics please.