Hello everyone. Wondering if I can get some opinions about whether I am getting good deal or not. I have the oppurtunity to buy a 1986 Monte carlo ss with T-tops. The car still has the original 305 with 44,000 miles on it, and everything on it is stock, except for the rims. The car starts right up and drives perfect. Now the bad, or not. The car needs a paint job but has already been primed so it is ready to go. It also needs all new weather stripping. My buddy also said the motor was high output, I dont know if all the motors were like this or not, but anyways the price for the car is 1,500.00. Is this a good deal, and could this car with a paint job and some very minor interior work be worth money down the road.? Thank you for your opinions!!

That sounds like a good price if the car is in the condition you say it is in. The minor drawback could be the price of the weatherstripping. A decent paint job shouldn't set you back too much, especially if you get the car for that price. These montes are becoming rarer with each passing year, and your car should increase in value with a good paint job, and you keep it in good shape.

Thanks for the help ventureowner, the car has no rust whatsoever. I just was wondering if I got it painted a different color than the original if it would decrease in value? Anyways have a lot of plans for this car. Thank you!

I just was wondering if I got it painted a different color than the original if it would decrease in value? Anyways have a lot of plans for this car. Thank you!
It shouldn't. In fact, I have seen some paint jobs actually increase the value of the car. It depends on a lot of factors, some being how well the paint job is performed, the choice of color(s), if any graphics are added, and one of the most important one: buyer preference. Two people can look at the same car for sale, and one may like the way the car is painted and be willing to buy it, while the other may be totally opposite, and hate it and walk away. In my 20+ years of buying and selling cars privately, I have realized one big factor: A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. So doing as much as you can to make the car appealing to a wide range of buyers is to your advantage, that is if you plan on selling the car.

I would say that is a good deal, esp with little to no rust. Those cars rule, as for the weatherstripping, its only expensive if you get the OEM.
Aftermarket is much cheaper, and whats the difference?
As for paint, paint it whatever you want.
These cars won't be worth too much unless they are 100% original, never driven type stuff. Not rare enough yet.