[Vadik09]

Hello guys,
I am here because like many of us - I am crazy about the W126s. My weakness is 560 SEC
I'd like to ask your opinion on this one that I have found and planning to buy. It is a project for sure - because it has some flaws. I just want to make sure I don't over pay for what it is.
It has been more then a year since I started researching the yay's and the nay's when buying.
I will post pictures and what I have discovered one my firs time checking the car.
Thank you all IN ADVANCE!
So... the things that you all need to keep in mind:
1. the car has been sitting in someone's barn for 2 years. It is an import from Japan - so an Euro version.
2. the battery is dead
3. the belts are all old and one of them (I believe from the AC or generator) is ripped to pieces.
4. the back brakes were stuck when I first tried to drive it...
5. the headliner is falling in the back
6. there is no rust under the arches nor under the back window (where everyone's suggesting to check) but I did find some rust in the spare tire compartment (you'll see in the picture)
7. interior - I would give a 6 out of 10
8. the fan doesn't blow (i am not too sure if it's because of the belt that is toasted)
9. the sun roof is working but making some noises
10. the left passenger window is working but is making some noises while going up and down
11. the front seat at some point started to move/change position on its own. (the seller said it is from sticky/old buttons not very keen on believing that)
12. THE ENGINE IS LIKE NEW - SMOOTH! NO NOISES. IT STARTED FROM SECOND TRY ON THE NEW BATTERY. 83000K
NO CLICK/CLACKS WHATSOEVER.
13. The transmission - when changing from Park to R it acts violent/its rough (I can feel a push when it changes in R)
14. I have noticed corrosion on the aluminum parts... is that bad?
15. the exterior is in 8 out of 10 condition

Test drive - the acceleration was nice. The changing in gears seemed smooth

Well, I think that's it. It is definitely a car that need some TLC and some investment.
The seller wants $4700 US
What is a reasonable price to offer (after my walk around and telling him all these small problems he mentioned that he would be open to offers)

 

[Vadik09]

More pics

Attached you'll find more

 

[bflobob8]

WAY too much for that car. You can find much better examples for equal or less money in my opinion. It seems to have rust in some very odd places, is it possible that it was submerged in water at some point? I can't even imagine what would make the inside of the fuel door look like that.

 

[torrem3]

I would say if you could look on the carpeting over it I had similar stains on the tires.

If not check the rubber grommet around the antenna mast base I thought it was my rear windshield letting it in while it was the mast, later I found a leak in under the windshield also( go figure) but that leaked elsewhere, From what you are describing you are paying $6000 for a good pair of bumpers euro lights and a delightful engine, everything else would need to be "worked on" expect at least 3-7k on these cars when they sit, moisture and sitting fluids do a heck of a number on any of these cars, they are meant to be driven. Sitting... Seals don't get moistened and fluids decompose becoming hazardous to a cars internals.

I'd say move on and find another car patience will yield a better sample. Maybe higher miles but surely proper care. If you are feeling daring, check the front spring perches for any rust as the windshield water drain has tubes that spray that area a little more than it should. Look at the brake and fuel lines on the left and hydraulic SLS system on the right for any leaks and the fuel pump assembly for any rust. If everything looks good, shoot in the leg and ask 3700/4000... 2 years of life are missing in that car and with out plentiful records its a bit of a gamble

 

[TexFinn]

Not sure what the market is like where you live (based on the info and pics, I'm assuming Canada, maybe...), but 6000 for a SEC in that condition is just INSANE! Euro or not.

IMO, even 3000 would be on the high side.

 

[ColoRich]

WAY too much for that car. You can find much better examples for equal or less money in my opinion. It seems to have rust in some very odd places, is it possible that it was submerged in water at some point? I can't even imagine what would make the inside of the fuel door look like that.

EXACTLY what I was thinking about the odd rust locations.

Make sure it wasn't a Katrina car.

 

[tusabes]

83000 kilomerers is under 50,000 miles
I'd use some black rust converting spray on the rusty parts , detail that trunk out with a new spare tire and flip it for $15k on ebay

It's spent some years outside sitting , that's why it had all that corrosion . Probably some water leaked into spare tire area

 

[Vadik09]

I would say if you could look on the carpeting over it I had similar stains on the tires.

If not check the rubber grommet around the antenna mast base I thought it was my rear windshield letting it in while it was the mast, later I found a leak in under the windshield also( go figure) but that leaked elsewhere, From what you are describing you are paying $6000 for a good pair of bumpers euro lights and a delightful engine, everything else would need to be "worked on" expect at least 3-7k on these cars when they sit, moisture and sitting fluids do a heck of a number on any of these cars, they are meant to be driven. Sitting... Seals don't get moistened and fluids decompose becoming hazardous to a cars internals.

I'd say move on and find another car patience will yield a better sample. Maybe higher miles but surely proper care. If you are feeling daring, check the front spring perches for any rust as the windshield water drain has tubes that spray that area a little more than it should. Look at the brake and fuel lines on the left and hydraulic SLS system on the right for any leaks and the fuel pump assembly for any rust. If everything looks good, shoot in the leg and ask 3700/4000... 2 years of life are missing in that car and with out plentiful records its a bit of a gamble

This car is located in Canada and it would be $4700 US. The market here is not as saturated as is in US - we don't really have many appearing on market.
It is a Japan import, they have the papers but no repair history book.
It definitely needs a lot of work and $$$
I wander if offering him $2000 US would be insulting... obviously after checking all the other little things.
I will go have another look and more pics.

THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS!

 

[xlimodriver]

This car is located in Canada and it would be $4700 US.

I wander if offering him $2000 US would be insulting...

If you were anywhere within a couple of hundred kilometres from me I could take a gander at the SEC for you.
$4700 US was about what I paid for my Euro 2 years ago, but then the Canadian dollar was almost par with the US.

Don't be afraid to insult the dude, it's called negotiation. The rich yuppie I bought mine off of had it listed for $9500 Cdn so I just kept "insulting" him until I got it for under $5 Grand.

 

[bflobob8]

With it being a Euro and such low miles on the motor I would say it is a good candidate for someone who knows these cars inside out and does all the work themselves. That being said if you aren't a pretty damn good mechanic that thing will eat you alive in parts and labor especially without any junkyards around.
Tranny on the way out, headliner, glitchy electronics equals $$$$$. Like Tusabes said, offer $2k, add a little elbow grease to clean it up and flip it on EBAY. Then go get yourself one ready to drive.

 

[bondavi]

With the tranny behaving like you describe, sounds like the car has the dreaded 1500rpm high idle? ABS light on as well? Check the OVP for that.

 

[torrem3]

I paid 2k for mine and well... My thread will show how much cars not being kept up need attention I dropped 5-7k possibly on the car. I have to look at my bills, mind you 25k miles was dropped on the car in the year and 3 months I've owned it. So it hasn't gone to waste.

 

[V12StealthHunter]

Agree with Torrem3.

I'm all for restoring old cars but unless you're ready to spend about $10k in the next 5 years I would not touch this car. But then again a perfect gen2 560sec euro coupe for $15k doesn't sound bad to me

 

[Vadik09]

THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS GUYS!
I am ready to spend $$$ on this car and make it a beauty. I just don't want to pay too much at the beginning because I know it's gonna eat my $$$ down the road.

 

[tusabes]

WhEther you pay $4700 usd or $2000 usd, that's going to be the smallest part of the investment

It's a nice low mileage car but will require lots of labor . As long as you do it yourself most issues are matters of time and hours available to you

 

[xlimodriver]

From what I see from the photos most of the problems are cosmetic. The OP states that the car runs and drives well and the tranny shifts normally when driving. What I find odd is the engine compartment and engine are spotless, as if the engine has been removed and rebuilt??????

As for......

the dreaded 1500rpm high idle? ABS light on

I fixed my high idle with a light tap with a wrench on the top of the ICU and my electrical gremlins including ABS flashing, radio shutting off etc, by installing a new ignition switch and key tumbler for less than $150 total.

If the car is anywhere in Eastern Ontario I would still want to check it out.

 

[Vadik09]

From what I see from the photos most of the problems are cosmetic. The OP states that the car runs and drives well and the tranny shifts normally when driving. What I find odd is the engine compartment and engine are spotless, as if the engine has been removed and rebuilt??????

As for......
I fixed my high idle with a light tap with a wrench on the top of the ICU and my electrical gremlins including ABS flashing, radio shutting off etc, by installing a new ignition switch and key tumbler for less than $150 total.

If the car is anywhere in Eastern Ontario I would still want to check it out.

Oh... ok. How can I check if the engine was rebuilt? I guess I could get a carfax report at least and see if something comes up there.

 

[Vadik09]

@ColoRich
OK... I will do a check and make sure it's not a flooded one. There was no smell in the car - that's all I remember so far

 

[Vadik09]

Agree with Torrem3.

I'm all for restoring old cars but unless you're ready to spend about $10k in the next 5 years I would not touch this car. But then again a perfect gen2 560sec euro coupe for $15k doesn't sound bad to me

:grin I am so ready can't wait to get started.

 

[TexFinn]

Highly doubt CarFax will show anything about a Japanese import car.