value of non running 330Cic

[cmcfaul@aol.com]

A friend has a 2001 330 Cic (Convertable) that has been sitting in the garage for 4 years. apparently it would start then stall. But that was 4 years ago. She asked if I wanted to buy it. Blue book says its worth about $7k in good shape (with working engine).

What does the group think it's worth.

I would have to have it towed to my house~ $150

Is the gas and anyting it touches going to be gummed up? (whats the shelf life of gas these days?).

Any other concerns?

Hoping it is just a sensor, fuel filter, or somthing basic I can fix myself but its a gamble at the end of the day.

Thanks

Chris

[Potomac-Greg]

It is a gamble. If it has a decent operating history (e.g. it was running fine before it was garaged, and it was not garaged because it was broken) I'd go as high as $4.5K. It's hard to imagine the fix is more than $2,500.

Other concerns? Yes. Just about ANYTHING could be botched. You can't tell if you can't drive it.

[roundel]

Worth?

Sounds like a crap shoot. Certainly the fuel will be shot. Even 1 year will make the fuel crap. I have had to drain small motors that has gas left in them for a year.

Does it throw a CEL? Might be worth it to visit the car with a OBDII reader to see what faults it throws. Harbour Freight sells OBDII readers for $35!

Tires are also very suspect if allowed to sit that long.

As it sits, it is nearly worthless because the value of the car will probably be about what it will cost to get it running again.

[Jazzbass]

$500

[BlackTalon]

A non-working car is basically worth what the tub is worth, unless you know what is needed to fix it.

If it really has not run in 4 years expect to be spending time and $ on gaskets, hoses, pumps, etc. And a lot of it will not be known until after you get it running and start driving it.

I would think it a $2,500 car, and would hesistate to go higher.

[ausgeflippt951]

I would think it a $2,500 car, and would hesistate to go higher.

I'd struggle to go even that high. I'd offer a grand. At that price, there's probably some local shop who would be willing to buy it up from you if you are unable to get it working yourself.

Definitely will want to replace the gas + fuel filter, at the very least. You can probably get the rest of the fuel system R&R'd with some simple cleaning/flushing.

With as sophisticated as today's cars are, the chances of a no-run issue being something simple/mechanical certainly decreases. Which makes it more troublesome for the home mechanic. :roll:

[turbohugh]

Starts and dies?

I would definitely take a chance on it if its been kept inside and all the glass bodywork is intact.

You can have a problem as simple as a bad MAS to Intake hose or disconnected MAS. THe fact that the motor is intact mechanically would lead to a guess that the issue is electronic and/or rather simple.

Take a chance, but I wouldnt offer more than 1200 or so (tell her -hey babe it needs a new engine) or something.

[cmcfaul@aol.com]

Apparently before it was stored it ran fine but would stall when stopped. It's a beautiful car. White with black top. Everything in nice shape. Always garaged. If my offer is accepted I am thinking I can borrow a code reader and hook it up to see what it says is wrong (after a full flush and new gas).

Is it likely to be this easy to find the first problem...stalling?

Thanks

Chris

[Richard Curtis]

Chris: I think my code scanner will work for you although it's pretty basic. Only gives you the code number; doesn't tell you what the code is for. But you can find codes online. I'll be happy to help.

[Carrera51]

If you can get it for for $2K or less, then I think it would be worth it since you said $7K is book value for a running car. Since it will probably take some money for you to get it running, it has to be a good deal to make it worth your while.

[turbohugh]

U can get a bluetooth ODBII code reader for about 15 bucks on Ebay. Get the ELM compatible model.
If you have an Iphone or Android fone/table my favorite app is Torque. Its a codereading app, and will connect to the bluetooth reader (using your telephone/tablet's bluetooth).

I still think if you can get it under 2k its a deal. Stalling may be a stupid vacuum leak,and folks with lots of $$ sometimes just replace things rather than fixing .. (sounds like someone with a bit of $$ that would park a 330 like that..) So yes their rejects your treasure!

[VaSteve]

U can get a bluetooth ODBII code reader for about 15 bucks on Ebay. Get the ELM compatible model.


My student this weekend was working on some sort of OBDII/blutooth/iphone interface to log track data without wires all over the car. Kinda a neat idea.

[Dr K]

It seems there is only 1 OBDII bluetooth reader compatible with the iPhone - $99 (6x as expensive as the rest!) and the "decent" software is another $50. Anybody know of another solution for those of us who no longer have Android phones?

[smdubovsky]

Anybody know of another solution for those of us who no longer have Android phones?

Yeah, Buy an android phone off ebay.

[Trak Ratt]

It seems there is only 1 OBDII bluetooth reader compatible with the iPhone - $99 (6x as expensive as the rest!) and the "decent" software is another $50. Anybody know of another solution for those of us who no longer have Android phones?Don't see where $99 vs $45 should be a deal breaker boy-o!

[AznDrgn]

I agree with most everyone else, it's worth what the tub is worth. To determine that I normally call up a reputable shop or two and ask them what it would cost to install a new motor in the car and deduct that from whatever I see them selling for on Craigslist / Ebay.

[cmcfaul@aol.com]

I think Advanced Auto offers them on a loan basis.

Its a mute point for me right now as I offered $4500 for the car and they have not accepted it. Looks like they will just hold on to it until the next tuition bill.

Chris

[William Miller]

Seems like if he's a friend then maybe split the cost of any diagnostics or a PPI
If the results are good enough, buy it..
If not, he knows what he's got.
win / win ?