Purhase advice on 96 SE7

[joirhone]

Looking at a 96 SE7 for purchase. 170k. Here are the issues:

1. Paint oxidizing on hood and roof;
2. Rear A/C does not work;
3. Front dash delaminiating at windshield;
4. Needs new tires

Everything else seems to be fine -- no oil leaks, but slight power steering fluid leak (have to refill once a year accoding to seller).

Seller is asking $2500 -- I would love feedback on the price and what it would cost to repair the items above.

Thanks!!!

[jhmover]

I'd look elswhere or offer like $1K for it. If it has this much wrong with it and it's in what sounds like crappy condtion, who knows what else will turn up needing repairs. To quote you "everything else SEEMs fine", keyword is SEEMS.

Also, does he have service records to show what's been done service wise and if anything major has ever been replaced like the trans or engine?

By the time you do all that I'd make a guess that if you have to take it to a shop for all this you could easily spend $2k and it wouldn't surprise me if it was a lot more.

So if you pay $2500 then dump another 2k (at least probably) into it, then you now have a $4500 dollar truck. I'd be willing to bet you could find a lot better Disco with less miles for $4500 bucks if you shop around.

Unless you're an excellent mechanic with a paint booth I'd walk.

[joirhone]

He does have all the service records and transmission was replaced last year. This will be my second vehicle for just running around town (want to stop racking up the miles on the new Infiniti), so $3000 is around what I want to pay but want to get something that is not going to break down tomorrow

[Rebelman]

I bought a 96 se7 with 163000 miles on it for around 5000 and just had to do oil change and grease job. Just put set of big blue springs on to get 2" higher and put 265/75r16 Buckshot Mudders on recently. Unless you know the motor has something wrong with it and there are not popping sounds, etc under the vehicle that might mean replacing the transfer case or four wheel system, I would guess you would be lucky to get a better deal. You just never know what a used vehicle has gone through as far as the treatment by past owners? As far as the power steering, I had to replace the pressure side hose because it was leaking or spraying out at cracks in the hose near the motor. Leaks are normal for LRS I understand. The roof tops leak water after a while and I just put sealant all around. I do not use the sunroofs. I checked on the suggested price range for this vehicle and as much as 7500 for this model in great condition is possible. However, I would say most would be in the 3000 to 5000 range.