[Jay H]

O.K., I'm on board now. I'm sorry that I misunderstood you.

I agree that $21k is pushing G-50 territory and you probably won't get your money back out of the '84 if you buy it at $18k, then sink $3k into it if you intend to flip it in a few years.

However, IF you REALLY like the car and it's THE car for you and you intend to keep the car quite awhile, dropping $21k into a very nice, mid mileage 3.2 is not the worst thing. You'd have a fresh transmission that will probably last another 100,000 miles. You would never need trans work again if you rebuild it correctly.

If you are sitting on the fence about the car's cosmetic and mechanical condition (other than the known trans problem), then keep looking. If you are just loving this thing and must have it (I've been at that point on cars) and he ain't budgin' at $18k, then plop a cashiers check made out to him for $17k right on his kitchen table. Money talks.

I paid $12k for my '84 with 90k on the clock. I've got $20k into the car now after a year and a half just fixing regular stuff and putting a clutch in it...and it came with full records and completely serviced. They all cost money...

Jay