Help, this shouldn't be that hard

[Stutzdriver]

I sold another collector car last July and have parked the money in the bank. I have been looking for an 84/85/86 3.2 Coupe ot Targa since. I have looked at several cars and walked away and I have seriously considered several more. Some of these have been snapped up while I was attempting to arrange a PPI or while I was making arrangements to travel to look at the car. Some others I have considered have had VERY unrealistic prices and the owners won't budge, some have sold for my original offer or below?

This shouldn't be too difficult, I have some color restrictions (both by me and my wife) but I am pretty flexible otherwise. Current market looks like $12K is the sweetspot for a good car that needs some TLC? I have the ability and facilities to do just about anything in my shop except full repaint and upholstery repair (but I have a Porsche interior specialist friend)

Travel to see something isn't too much of a problem but I won't spend the big $ for airfare tomorrow. I am currently thinking of limiting my search to 500 mi form Cleveland, OH just so I can react quickly.

Just missed another one today, I have been leaving messages for the owner for 5 days (2-3 per day), he didn't react and the car was sold by a broker yesterday ( just talked to the broker on the phone).

Not really wanting to do the eBay thing but I peruse here, Cars.com, Autotrader.com, Collectorcartrader.com, etc everyday. Any other sources anyone can suggest?

This has been really frustrating! I was hoping to have a car to work on over the winter but that dosen't look like it might happen.

Thanks for reading my rant!

[Christien]

$12K is the "sweet spot" for a "good" 3.2 that "needs some TLC"? I haven't been looking closely at the market for the last few months, but I think $12K is about $10K short of the mark, and I suspect that may be why you're having difficulties. I suppose "good" and "needs some TLC" are rather vague terms, but I would think a $12K 3.2 would need a rebuild. IMHO, that's more than "TLC".

I don't mean to sound overly harsh, but I don't think that's a reasonable budget.

edit: just did a quick search on the rennlist classifieds, there were maybe 10 cars in your model year range, the cheapest of which was $14K. Most were in the low to mid 20s, except for the screwball who wants $65K for an 87 slantnose.

[jlandreth]

I agree.I have an 85 coupe with 36k,and every service record since new.My car isn't for sale but I've had several offers in the 22-23k range. Maybe prices in other parts of the country are lower, but if you don't buy a good one,you can quickly spend lots of cash making it right.

[Macroni]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=431963

Be patient the car will show!

[racer]

I know I've been seeing an '84 Blue targa from Maine on the boards recently in the $12-13K range that sounds like what you are looking for. Wish I could find a link for you. EIther here or on rennlist.. can't remember...

[Stutzdriver]

Racer,

PM sent on this car