5 replies to this topic

[stock85]

 

Well, the time has come to part ways with the 1500S.  It was my grandmother's first and only car, and it's been in our family since new, so you can kind of consider it a one owner.

 

The good:

 

110,000 miles

Garaged up until 2008/71k, covered outdoor parking after that

All original manuals, documents, service records, still serviced at same dealer where purchased

Working factory A/C

Working factory cooling fans, only gets slightly over halfway on a 2000' climb, immediately drops to normal when it levels out

2 year old tires with 90-95% tread

Immaculate interior, front seats covered since new, rear seat never used, slides and reclines

Turn-key car, needs nothing, runs like it's fuel injected

Zero structural rust

 

The mods (few and far between):

 

IPF H4 headlight conversion

Energy Suspension shifter bushings

Window tint (excellent condition, perfect clarity, no scratches or bubbles)

Later model AM/FM/CD with a USA Spec iPod interface (factory blank plate comes with car)

Switched to CRX front calipers for better pad selection (still have original calipers)

Added factory parcel shelf, with rear speakers (aftermarket)

Red center tail light piece (still have original black piece)

 

The bad:

 

Has been in a couple accidents over the years, always repaired at body shops

Some orange peel on D/S rear quarter panel

Not original hatch, has been painted

One body shop re-attached front lip with sheet metal screws, although some original thread clips still present

One mounting ear on steering rack broken, some shifting of rack

Various dings and scratches, worst  on P/S front fender from where it clipped a pole (what broke the rack mount)

Some surface rust on aforementioned fender

 

 

 

After my grandmother died, my dad used it for a year to commute until he retired.  Then I used it for a couple years to commute.  I was laid off for a year, and my new job provides a company vehicle to commute in, so I really have no use for it anymore.  Also, I'm 6'5", and I really don't fit it.  The family just wants to see it go to a good home, but I'd still like honest opinions on what people think it's worth.  The car is in Northern California if anyone wants to make an offer on it.

 

[RARECRX]

Well sounds good... But then the bad is pretty bad , repaired quarter panels and replaced back hatch is scary damage to "collectors", accidents, broken rack mount. No matter if it was at the bodyshop, not all bodyshops are "good"  . 

 

Although it has low miles and is a good example the bads are very bads.  It is not what a "collector" is looking for

 

A fine low mileage example without the bads should fetch about $3000+ on e-bay all depending. 

 

I would slice that around half. IMO $2,200 OBO . That's as honest as I can be . 

[kess]

Thats a tough one. I would try to fix the rack and then put it on Ebay with a reserve.

[Vicious]

An accident is an accident no matter how well it was repaired by a body shop or joe smoe. That's what's really going to bring down the value.

[crxmobber]

Thats a tough one. I would try to fix the rack and then put it on Ebay with a reserve.

i agree with this from a collector standpoint. The title is clean correct? no accidents showing on the vehicle history? the fact that it has a different hatch isnt too much concern as there are no vin numbers on older body parts. The car would really need to be evaluated in person, but if it has orange peel that is a sign of a low budget repair. i would really be concerned with how much bondo was under that paint. but really that value of your car is what someone is willing to pay since you will not really find a kbb price for it. but 2200 sounds fair

[stock85]

i agree with this from a collector standpoint. The title is clean correct? no accidents showing on the vehicle history? the fact that it has a different hatch isnt too much concern as there are no vin numbers on older body parts. The car would really need to be evaluated in person, but if it has orange peel that is a sign of a low budget repair. i would really be concerned with how much bondo was under that paint. but really that value of your car is what someone is willing to pay since you will not really find a kbb price for it. but 2200 sounds fair

 

 

From what I can tell, it's more of a paint quality issue than necessarily a bunch of body filler.  I've pulled the plastic back and looked inside, and the body lines still look straight.  Tapping on the metal doesn't sound hugely different side to side either.  I suspect it was more of a nasty scratch or the like, and they just didn't do a super great job blending the paint.  Of course I'd rather it be perfect, but I do understand, since that NH-92M Gray is a ridiculously touchy color, even in the touch up paint.

 

The conundrum I always had when I thought I might keep it was what to do with it.  The outside isn't quite clean enough to be a show car (close, but not quite), and the engine and interior are WAY too clean to swap/rip out for performance.  It's a fantastic little car, and a blast to drive.  I just don't fit it.