I couldn't find the allegedly weekly purchase advice megathread, so here we go:
At a car show yesterday, a guy had (as the title describes) this.
Runs and drives (that's how he got it there).
Odometer and A/C don't work, and rear power locks struggle to unlock (not a big deal, old solenoids, my FJ62 has the same issue).
He wants 2500, and it comes with a parts car.
Has both color-matched center hubcaps and original alloy wheels, and the donor gauge cluster has a working odometer. Also has a rigid plastic snap-on dash cover. Seats are all in good shape, and (not that it matters), it still has the original first aud kit. Seller claims the fuel injection seals were replaced in the last year.
I have the guy's number, and I'm tempted to reach out to get under it for real and see how bad the rust really is. Considering we're in the midwest, and based on what I can see, this car hasn't been out every winter. If it had, it would be way worse, way farther up the body. All rust pics are from the right side, because the left had none visible externally.
The only big thing leading me towards *not* getting it is I don't have indoor space (that's already taken by my '89 FJ62) to work on it and store it through midwestern winters. I'd also like to landscape some space on my property to keep vegetation down where I'd put the parts car, which isn't cheap.
From research I've done, I've seen similar condition and model year 280SEs go for 5-mid 6s.
My mechanical aptitude:
I pulled the FA20 from my daily, a 2017 WRX, to do clutch, flywheel, and spark plugs, with help. I do brakes and oil changes myself on all my vehicles. I've rebuilt the carburetor on my family's 1921 Ford Model TT, and I used to work on robots and industrial electronics professionally.
I've always had a thing for older German cars. I have a basic understanding of German too, and have some friends in Germany as well if parts sourcing gets that bad. Would this be a good first foray, or is it a potential nightmare I should pass on?
If you've read this far, thank you.