Buying a '75 1.8, Approximate Value? Options

[BMartin914]

I recently came across a 75 1.8 for sale. The only problem is that the car is several hundred miles away.
I have correspoded with the owner and plan to see the car in a few weeks.

The owner describes the car as being in "very good condition." The car supposedly has very little/no
structural rust, battery tray rust, long. rust, etc. The car does have one very visible spot of rust
on the pass side rear qtr panel. Rust through caused by a loose piece of sealing foam. The car also has
the typical 1st gear synchro problems -- tough to get into 1st when stopped, shifts fine when shifted
slowly.

I am trying to feel out the value of this car. I am thinking $2500-2800. What would others offer for a car in
similar condition?

I have a couple of pics that i will post to give folks some idea of the car.

[brant]

BMartin914

The seller is right in 1 of the 5 or so areas that the cars rust.... ie: yes sometimes the seals allow water to leak into the passenger compartment and the water sits under the seats and rust the floor pan... However this is not necessary a seal as much as it is attributed to how the rear window is glued in...

So thats one item, problem is that its (in my opinion) the lesser of the evil rust areas.. The more common items are below the batter tray where there is absolutely no seal to replace. The engine lid is open for air flow, and the bottom of this area is also exposed to the road, so it doesn't matter what "seals" the guy replaces it either is rusty or is not. More a matter of how the charging system worked in the past, the amount of rain the car was exposed to, and how meticulously the owners have serviced the battery area.

Another big (structural) rust area is the longitudinals. Again, this is not a matter of rubber seals. They are intentionally open to facilitate drainage. Problem is that the road wheels tend to pack dirt up into this area. If All of the previous owners bothered to remove the rocker panels annually and clean the dirt out then the car is likely pretty good.. but otherwise the dirt up there can turn to mud and hold moisture against this frame.. then the structural integrity is compromised. In a climate like NM it may be dry enough that cumulated dirt, never got damp and didn't rust... but its hard to say. removing the rockers is kinda a pain in the but, and not a service item that the average joe would get done by grease monkey.....

let me get my directions out and email you tomorrow or later today.
brant