[LWJ]

Linter,

Your question was answered in another post in the Marketplace forum. It was regarding a 79 SC. Post was started by SNAFU.

Yes. 10k will buy a fine car. In the NE, you might have a little rust to consider. I live in Oregon so that is not so much of an issue here.

As to mechanical skill. You don't need any. But then you will need a fatter checkbook or a tolerance for a crappy driving car. I try to do much of this myself as it is rewarding. These are 30 year old cars. Stuff does go wrong and they will have deferred maintenance.

Two pieces of wisdom regarding these cars:

1) It has been said that they are all 20k cars. I believe it.
2) Owners have been said to be racers or polishers. I sort of believe this. The "polishers" will have pretty cars that can be mechanically neglected. The "racers" can have less pretty cars that have better mechanicals. Your pick, but I personally would stay away from a "polishers" car unless the mechanicals were great.

Good luck. In this economy you can make it work. My SC cost me $10,500. Tires were $500. PPI was $450. Tools (to date) were maybe $250? but I already had a bunch. Misc parts were maybe $500? Oil/trans fluid was $130? There are other costs as well. I have had the car for 6 months. Driven it daily. It is solid, sexy, and reliable.

Hope this helps.

Larry