What do you guys think of this '79 4 speed Malibu?

[chazman]

I'm thinking about this car.

Has 137K miles. Has some rust. Owner says one frame rail is rusted. Lots of oil leaks, (owner says engine is factory blue), needs clutch, exhaust, etc. Owner has no history, has only owned it 8 months. The car is not local, so I'm trying to see if a friend in it's area can go see it. Guy is asking $4500, which I think is high.

What do you guys think?

 

[G-Body_Vet]

It has potential but he wouldn't get $4500 from me. There's clean g-bodies for $4500. I hate that these car shows on tv are driving the prices up. All of these junk peddlers think they're sitting on a goldmine.

-high miles
-bad clutch
-shitty engine
-shitty interior...seats, cracked dash, carpet, glove box, dash bezel cut with a gauge in it, headliner probably shot
-BAD FRAME RAIL
-SS emblems make the car look retarded

I'd be confident that the brakes, brake lines, fuel lines and exhaust are in bad shape too. Be prepared to spend more money on a neglected car. I hate to rant but I'm being honest.

 

[chazman]

I agree. This car doesn't seem like a creampuff, but he wants creampuff money for it. Also, pics can be decieving, but it looks like it's had some body work.

 

[tc1959]

I wouldn't give him $1000 for it the interior is fragged also on top of the list of other obvious problems.

 

[Longroof79]

I agree with you guys. It sounds like an exorbitantly overpriced parts car. I've seen nicer cars out there in that price range or less. He's obviously been smokin' too much ganja.
Keep walking and don't look back.

 

[classic gbody]

$4500 is way too much for a car that needs to be restored and by no means a good driver. Also consider replacing the frame since the rear rails are rotted as well as floors, trunk, fuel and brake lines. It has potential only because it is a factory bucket/console/4 speed. Keep your options open because there are cleaner factory 4 speeds out there at the same price that are way nicer. Offer him $1500. Just an FYI, I own 2 factory 4 speed G-Bodies and plaid less than $3,000 each and they are much nicer than that Malibu.

 

[chazman]

Thanks guys. I'll keep looking. I knew that, just had to hear it from someone else. :wink:

 

[1SlowBu]

I agree with everyone and I'll add the "SS" emblems look cheesy.

 

[bourbon]

Check these 2 out that are on the Chicago Craigslist:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3741857923.html
$4000

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3741789756.html
$4950

Both look infinitely better and are around the same price

 

[G-Body_Vet]

To the OP, I suggest looking for cars outside of the city. I paid $1200 for my car in Wisconsin a few years ago and it's very clean underneath. Everything in the Chicago area is overpriced, not to mention the beating a city car takes and the salt damage from our crappy winters. Those 2 cars above aren't priced too terribly bad, but I usually see Malibu's around here in the $6500 range and there's nothing special about them. You'll find better deals in Indiana, Wisconsin, and the far surrounding burbs.