IM Roadster for Sale - Toronto

Just found this on the web, no affiliation:

www.bramclassauto.com/showvehicle.php?action=show&id=495

Is that the Roadster or a Speedster. The dark photos are throwing me off. I think its a Raodster although its labelled as a Cabriolet.

-Jeff

That is an IM Roadster D........"Cabriolet" has painted area framing in the windshield instead of the polished aluminium. Looks like a nice car and a good value if the engine is running properly?

Chance of a lifetime sounds like a stretch to me. I'm going to show a little of my bias here, but buying from a used car dealer would not be my first choice. The facts that the car has been named incorrectly and that the car has a 1600cc engine are turnoffs for me. It may be a really nice car, but I think that there are better ones out there. A few cars have changed hands within the SOC fraternity, and to me that is the ideal way to go if possible. Troy's midnight blue IM comes to mind. I wouldn't have minded taking a shot at that one if I was in the market.
my two kroner
John H

John makes some good points. I have personally inspected this car, if anyone needs questions answered.

My consultation fee is quite low, as are my morals.

Bob
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Chance of a Lifetime" is only a fairly accurate statement if the potential buyer is a Mayfly. The last time I heard that "Chance of a Lifetime" crap, it was when Kurt Russell was playing a used car salesman in a comedy movie about used car salesman. You could find this exact car, at a better price, regularly on the net.

I paid less than that for the same car, (a/c and all) with far fewer miles. By the way, I don't really mind the 1600cc engine in my IM, but that's very personal. Don't pay that much, and try to buy a car from someone who is not hawking everything from Accura's to Yugo's.

Good posts......I agree completely except about the price.........first of all IM's with certain options don't really come up that often and for less then 25k unless they are the old pan style. Which isn't necessarily bad if you need a used nice car in the lower price point. I know nothing about this car specifically, but since one of our members has looked at it and didn't seem to excited to tell anyone about it I'm guessing its a classic example of the pictures don't show the whole story.

Herb am I missing something your registry doesn't say IM. Did you recently purchase an IM or are you talking about one you owned previously????????

My feeling on the car in Toronto is consistent with the group. The 1600 doesn't bother me. The lack of accurate info on the car does. The price seems mid-range but I'd rather pay more and buy from the owner who knew the car. That being said $25K canadian for an IM is still good. I was suprised by the high mileage... What kind of lifespan do 1600 IM's usually have?

I guess the other issue is the last time I emailed Henry he mentioned it was a real hassle to sell a car within Canada, that the transport canada folks were giving him grief and as a result most new production was for export or... if I'm not mistaken, sale in BC only. Am I off base on this?

-Jeff

Jeff

IM cannot sell in Canada, beyond British Columbia. Henry sells mainly to the U.S., Japan, and B.C.

As for the silver 1600 IM in Toronto, I can say that it runs very well, but is not really as 'pristine' as the ad says. More details can be provided privately. I didn't think that 22,000 km. was that high of mileage - that's around 13K miles? A 1600 engine such as this with dual carbs should last a long time - it's not being stressed at all. This car also has a vinyl interior, not leather as the ad says. It is a nice looking, well constructed IM, but needs a little TLC.

As for the price, that's the right range for a used IM in Canada, with those specifications and year of manufacture. I just noticed the price has been dropped from $30 Cdn. to $25 Cdn, which makes it more appealing.

As for who is selling the car, I believe Bramhall is acting as an agent in this case. I have met the owner, and he is an older gentleman who has neither the time nor the werewithal to sell the car himself.

Jeff - where are you located? Email me if you want more info on the car. I tried it out and checked it over thoroughly before it was advertised by Bramhall.

If the engine runs good........I'm guessing it will last way longer then the new owners willingness to settle for the lessor hp. It doesn't really surprise me that the car isn't in as good of shape as the pictures indicate, pictures are just not as reliable of an indicator as having someone look at the car.

If you are a Canadian looking for a car. Buy it in the US with the exchange on the USD where it is. This is the time to do it. Better selection and great rates. But....make sure you can get the thing plated when you get home. A hassle but with time, prozac and alcohol can be done.

Unless of course you are looking at a new IM.....those things rock!

Yes, as long as you can get it across the border from the U.S. to Canada. 'Kit cars' must be 15 years old to be imported to Canada.

Steve,
My registry is the Envemo, because the site doesn't seem to accommodate multiple registries. But, if you look at the "photos of car" link, you can see the Envemo (cream car) and the IM (black car). Now, if one of these builders would only build a Coupe. (Hint: Henry or Carey -- if you are listening)

Robert, I know that your morals are low, but I've heard you have very high standards...you just never reach them.
Ron

Herb,

Give Steve a call at SAW and let him know your thoughts on buying a Coupe. He considers one-offs of all kinds and I think he would consider a coupe for you.

Bob - I'm from Halifax but I'm living in the West Indies. Even given your comments on the car, at $25KCAD (although the USD dollar that I'm making right now keeps buying less and less CAD), the car doesn't seem too unreasonable. But it is only a 1600 and not leather, it does say it has air. My issue is that re-import when/if I go back to Canada. I wonder how he got that '96 titled in Ontario?

I also would like a lighter coloured interior, given the sun/heat situation I face here. The exterior would be fine but I think I'd roast on the interior.

-Jeff

Jeff:

It's not that difficult to get an IM titled in Ontario, and newly registered 'kit cars' no longer have to meet emission standards. There are a few Vintage speedsters, etc. running around also, but they are registered as a VW based on the year of the pan. It's getting them into Canada that can be the hassle.

They are asking 25K; you could probably get it for less. Spend a few dollars on changing/adding/fixing whatever you want, and you have a great tube frame 1996 IM Roadster. For this neck of the woods, that's not a bad price (I had considered doing that myself).

It is tempting to buy it and throw tan sheepskins over the seats. Given that winter is fast approaching I wonder how much more flexibility there is in the price.

Of course Steve's cream/tan car is very very nice and heh as a hardtop which appeals to me... Lots to consider.

Overall were there any 'gotchas' you saw on the car that you thougth required immediate attention?

-Jeff

Jeff:

Nothing immediate. It will need a little body repair at the front, where a too tight 'bra' caused some cracking just behind the bumper on the driver's side. The car really needs a good detailing and minor fixing up. Carpets could be cleaned, etc. and there are some paint chips/scratches. The brakes aren't that great for freeway driving, nor is the accelleration of the 1600 engine, which otherwise sounded and ran great. Nice clean engine and compartment. A good car for around town and back road driving - not what I wanted, though.

Top and interior are presentable. A small burn on the passenger side carpet from a hot lightbulb. Seats are in very good condition, as is the fabric top. It hasn't seen the greatest care, but has been serviced regularly, from the records I saw. Comes with a 'custom made' vinyl tonneau that could be replaced.

That's how I saw the car. A good, solid tube-frame Roadster that would need some TLC and potential upgrading, but could certainly be used as is, if the car is spec'd out the way you want.

Hmmm... Sounds tempting. Given that I'm on an island that is a bit hard on cars, a low spec car that needs a bit of TLC would be good. I would definitely want to sort the tonneau issue and sheepskins would give me cooler seats. Sounds like everything else I could live with...

Any idea how motivated the seller might be? I think you mentioned it was already lowered in price once.

-Jeff

I think he would be motivated. Make an offer and see what happens. The tonneau can be used as is. I just didn't like the looks of it. Kill a couple of sheep, and there you go...

I'm considering it. I really like Steve's car too though... And then there is the small issue of selling it to my wife, I've been working on that. :) She's having a hard time dropping that kind of money when you can get a used Boxster (which she likes) for similar dough.

-Jeff