[VintageMusclecar]

The more I think about this, the more I doubt I'll try to buy it back. I don't want to quote the exact price he gave me, but let's just say for comparison's sake that last year there was a beautiful, original survivor `67 SS396 Chevelle for sale here on sYc, and (I believe) it was numbers-matching and unmolested. That one was avertised for roughly $2K more than what this guy wants for my old car...a car that's not #'s matching, and definitely not unmolested.

(FWIW, if I would have had the funds when that car was advertised here, I would now own that car)

The dealers "reasoning"...

"With a little bodywork and paint, I can get $30K+ out of that (my old) car."

Remember, this isn't a numbers-matching car.

If it's anything like he described it, it'll need 2 full quarters at roughly $600 a pop, labor to install them properly--I'll guess around $2-3K for that, re-chromed bumpers at around $750+ to re-do the originals, plus whatever peripheral issues need to be addressed, and if he intends on getting serious $$$ like he's talking, a $2K paint job ain't gonna cut it. Better make that $5000-$7500 minimum.

There's $10K + that I can pick off right off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more to do than that.

And it's still not a #'s matching car.

While it is my first car, and the sentimental attachment is HUGE, I'm just not willing to get screwed like that to get the car back. I've almost always gotten the short end of the stick on deals like this, and it's just not worth it anymore.

I don't mind someone making a fair profit at my expense, but I strongly advise against insulting me, and even moreso, trying to screw me.

At any rate...I have a pretty good idea of what to expect when/IF he sends me pics, and I might make the 8 hour road trip (round-trip) to go see it in person if the pics are even remotely promising. I'll take "X" amount of $$$ with me, and if my initial assessment is accurate, I'll consider making him an offer. A realistic one that's NOT an insult to either one of us. I know exactly what these cars are (and aren't!) worth. I won't bother leaving my contact info. It'll be a one-time offer on my part. If he bites, I've realized a dream. If not, I guess it was never meant to be and I'll just have to move on.

I'm already beginning to regret finding this car.