TR7 on Craigslist - Is it worth it?

[Matthew_Baker]

I saw an ad in the local Craigslist for a TR7:
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4276437836.html

The outside looks pretty clean other than some rust in the trunk. The owner sent me additional photos and the interior needs some upholstery work and a door panel for the passenger side. I'm not familiar with these cars at all but thought that it might be a good project since the car is fairly complete. What do you all think? Is it worth $1500 for the condition it is in? Also - where is the best source to find/order parts?

[scarface031]

I think its a pretty good deal! I would try and make an estimate on how much work needs to be done. Maybe you could possibly go and see it. I would check out how the wiring is done, because that is a good indicator on how it was taken care of.

[silverseven]

I'd think with some cash and guts to bargain you could pick this car up for under a grand, so definitely a good deal. Like he mentioned in the ad the car is worth it's value in parts alone.

To properly judge the vehicle we would need much more details and pics , I'd suggest taking a friend and go look at the car!
if your mechanically inclined ,this could be a nice project.


Ron.

[john 215]

Hi Matthew,

[:D] WELCOME TO THE BEST TR7 / 8 FORUM IN THE WORLD EVER [8D]

Looks from the photo, shame only one, a reasonable buy. I would want to check out for other corrosion elsewhere, if there are holes in the boot floor there maybe others. Mechanical problems listed are not a huge problem, shame you cant drive her due to the brakes and flat battery you cant test electric with his battery but you can use that as a bargaining point. If you can get to see her then take pictures of any ' problem ' area's and post them here if you want anymore advice. Advice viewing though rather buying blind though, always a risky thing to do, don't be put of by trim problems though most is available new.

Good luck

Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

[FI Spyder]

With cash in hand you should be able to get it for less than $1,500. He's dreaming about it being worth $8,000 to $10,000 when done. You generally get half of what you put into them, that's why these cars are owned by drivers and not collectors. In the case of my own Yellow TCT with 30,000 miles and no rust other than spare wheel well and right rear sill, the owner started at $1,200 and I picked it up for $100 after he had no offers after two years. I know of a rust free running coupe that went for $1,500 last year. New tires and top will be less than $1,000 mind you that's all sellers fluff. As the old saying goes they are worth what some one is willing to pay for them. A really nicely sorted car will get $4,000 even if you just spent $8,000 on it. There is an upward price pressure as people start to realize these are really nice cars that are a fraction of the price of their contemporaries.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[Peter Nuss]

From his ad, I'd say the price is way out of line. You're in CA, those cars are all over the place out there. Last year I picked up a TR8 missing some parts for $150 in Los Angeles. The body on it was much better than this car is described. I'd start the nego's at $500. I've bought TR7's like this for $200. Now, I had to travel to get them, but, that's not a $1500 by any means.

TR8

[windy one]

Provided it is rust free, I'd offer a G-note and see what happens. *$1000.00

Johnny

[Workshop Help]

There are more than a few problems here.
1. Since you and the car are in California, making the car legal thru your states CARB will be difficult.
2. As a self proclaimed project car, it's sellable value is much diminished. I see a dent in the right 1/4 panel arch that is not easy to properly fix. You say there is rust in the trunk. The interior is damaged. The brakes are locked up. The engine will need resurrection to an unknown degree. He hints at transmission and clutch issues.
3. All in all, I would stick my neck out for no more than $100.00. And then, only if the title is valid for transfer to you.

There is an old adage in the old car game. It intones, buy the car in the best condition you can find that the seller spent the money and work on. It's worth it to spend a little more so you don't go in the hole so deep with your efforts you won't ever see the light of day.

Sometimes, trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear winds up with it still being just an expensive sow's ear.

Mildred Hargis

[FI Spyder]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Mildred</i>


1. Since you and the car are in California, making the car legal thru your states CARB will be difficult.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

But not impossible. I don't know the in's and outs there but Monica's 1980 Spider is an out of state carbed model and she's had it for some time. Don't know if she's had any extra ordinary hoops to make it legal.

The rest may be just disassembly, clean up, assembly much like my Spider that had 86,000 miles at the time (most rubber parts were replaced). The key is no rust which can be had on a California car like mine.

To answer the rest of Matthew's question of parts availability, there are a number of places in the states like Victoria British, British Parts Northwest, Roadster Factory, Wedgeparts, Moss Motors and others. There are some in Canada like MacGregor British Car Parts and Moss dealers, and in the UK, the specialists like Robsport and S&S Prep. and big ones like Moss UK and Rimmers. These are only some.

As far as expertise there's plenty here (you need a factory manual downloadable or you can buy a book version), it's the kind of car you work on yourself as if you pay someone to do the work it will never be reflected in the value of the car. You will never see a TR7/8 be renovated on one of those TV car shows were they quickly restore it and sell it for profit.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[whitenviro]

I lean closer to Mildred's opinion on this one. There are plenty of these cars available, so if you are really interested, just keep an eye on Craigslist and others will show up that are probably better cars than this at a reasonable cost. But pay the extra to get a car that is as good as you can afford.

You can use a Craigslist search site like Searchtempest.com to look all around the country to find other cars that might be a bit better. Here are some other CA cars:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/ctd/4296602984.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4298461694.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/4271561820.html



[/img]
1980 Pageant Blue DHC with removable hardtop.

[FI Spyder]

Yes I've seen those, the silver 1980 looks the most interesting as the others have issues. It looks like it was a 30th anniversary issue as it has TR8 wheel, beauty rings and the radio looks close to right but no luggage rack and has a Spider grey carpet. Not a Spider as it would have alloys not the 30th wheels. Mind you it could have been customized/changed over the years. I wonder if it is FI or if it's an earlier '80 built in 1979. As it's running you could run it to get a better handle on what it needs.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT