lurker ready to buy a Speedster in California

Sorry to make my first post here in the classifieds but I have wanted a Speedster ever since I saw my first one in Kit Car back in 1994. I'm not too picky about mileage; just want a clean classic looking model that I can rack up some miles on myself (maybe something like Robby's beautiful car but with a minor flaw or three).

The main caveat is I need something I can get on the road for $15,000 or less. I know this is pretty low end for an enthusiast's car, but we all have to start somewhere. I have been keeping an eye out on Craigslist, and even, Lord help me, Ebay; but I have a feeling the real gem is hidden here somewhere.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

I realize that the car isn't in California, but Lambros' car is going for $14,500, and it is really sweet looking. Check out his post in this forum.

I did notice it; and I wouldn't mind doing a fly & drive for the "perfect" car. I would love to find something like that for the price but I think travel expenses and registering it in CA would put me way over budget. Plus if I get a red car I think I will have to paint it... navy blue maybe? Probably silver or black.

Thanks for the heads up though. I read all the ads for the last couple of months and sent a few emails out. I'm sure I would have more options at this price during the winter; it doesn't matter to me since I would drive it year round.

Stephan
My speedster will be for sale Starting at Paso Robles, I will be asking 16K firm, and I am NOT motivated to sell it....see my files for pic's and specs......
Ask anyone on the west coast as to its ability to make long trips.
Current mileage is about 8,500 miles on drivetrain, I'd have to see the odometer to be exact....

BYE VINCE

Ah that's the problem with such a great car; no one really wants to sell. Vince, your car looks awesome.

Stephan, you have come to the right place my new friend... This site will not only educate you, but also get you ready for the fab-u-lus life of owning a Speedie... It took me over 16 months to find one that meant my standards and pricing... But once I pulled the trigger there was NO looking back, and I love it more today than when I bought it over a year ago on the 21st of March. See some days you NEVER forget... Now I gotta tell Ya Vince is right.... his ride is sweet, but I do not know how long it would take to get the smell of "Brut" out of the drivers seat... More than fair price too. Well good luck and well see you on board here soon I hope...

Speedster "D"

David, for the right price I'll make it smell like the Mustang Ranch, and I don't mean the horses....

FOCK ILL BUY IT VINCE
SENDING CASH TONIGHT

Stephan
if you ever buy one look me up...I seem to be the only one in this neck of the woods with no one to 'cruise' with...I did see one pull into Canyon Lake last month and spotted a Spyder pulling out of a housing track in Murrieta but no idea who...been rebuilding for the past year and should be back on the road in a month or so..
Frank

Frank H - check the Events Post.

David and Frank: Thanks a ton for the warm welcome; I can't wait to be an official "sppedsterowner".

Grab your cash and figure out where to borrow another $8K and head for Eagle's Nest, Oregon. Buy Bruce's speedster.Worry-free and priced right.

I don't hold much faith in speedsters around $15K and I consider myself extremely lucky as I bought mine as an unknown and unresearched eBay entity a number of years ago. I wouldn't do that again knowing what I know now!

I know! The more I look the more I wish I had at least another $5k. There's a turbo in the OC craigslist for $22k! http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/294531727.html

I really need to get lucky and find a nice reliable one in my budget. I just feel like I have waited so long already that it won't even happen if I keep waiting--something always comes up.

I am going to be engaged any day now (just waiting for the ring to be finished); and after that who knows when I will have any extra money.

you get more miles out of the car than the ring!

"I don't hold much faith in speedsters around $15K"
based on what Paul said above, the price on mine just went up to 20K

I don't hold much faith in Speedsters over $10K.

Stephan, get the car before you get engaged.... You'll never get tried of driving the car nor will it ever brother you to sell itself! ..Vince can you bottle that aroma for me and bring it to Paso... LOL...

Speedster "D"

P.S. 15K for Speedie.. Please.... I paid less for mine and have not had a single problem... You just better now what and how to look for what you want.. I've seen plenty of cars that are a great value for 15K

Hey Vince,
I didn't mean to offend anyone, but watching what comes up for sale, mostly on eBay, sorting out resellers and so forth, it just seems pretty dicey under $20K. Who knows who built 'em, how they've been driven, why so many are low mileage.

Look at what Antunes experienced with a next to new one 'ka-blooey!'
I think he had less than a 1000 miles on his and he knew the car's history from day one.

No Vince you have a proven entity (even if it is white). Bruce W. has a proven entity too, just less miles on it, I guess if I had a point, that'd be it, aside from pissing folks off with white cars, LOL!

Not a good Friday in Benicia,
P

If you think about the risks too long you wind up looking at Boxters. I saw several under 15,000 just today.

David: Thanks! I hope I find a speedster as nice as yours--love the color combo.

As far as the engagement goes; I just feel lucky to have found a girl that I actually *want* to marry. Didn't think it would ever happen after my messy divorce.

OK, nevermind, 16K will still work....
Paul, no offense taken. Opinions are like A$$holes, ETC....
Your car should remain as is, there is a buyer, if you can wait.
Bruce has one that is for a different buyer, and mine still a different one....3 cars that are different in many ways.....
There's a sucker, I mean buyer for all of us.......

Stephan, thanks for the comment... I Abs-soul-loot-lee love that car, and it's been fun too... every freaking day driving it! And good luck to you too, it's kinda like when you finally find your speedie and your looking at the owner back it out of the garage and you say under your breath.. OMG..SWEEEEEETT... Just like her wanting to marry YOU! .. :-)

Good luck....

Speedster "D"

All Right------Stephen if you got some time and are fairly handy you can find a great speedster in your price range. In the fear of never being able to sell my speedster here I'll tell you my story. Bought a CMC in Aug. She was in shambles. Had it color sanded, redid the interior, and added my own touches. Here are the results.

CMC in Shambles-$5500
Costs to fix her-$4000
Total Investment-$9500

Being a happy Speedster Owner and Being one of the Guys-PRICELESS

PS-no offence Ester and Angela.

Darren, if that car runs and drives as good as it looks, I think you got the deal of the century! Nice car.

Darren... I agree with Lane, I'm sure your car didn't look anything like it looks today but you for the amount of money you paid for it and the amount of money you put into it...you got a sweet deal!!~Esther

Do you have any "before" pics, Darren?

No, unfortutantly my camera was broken when I brought the car home. I couldnt wait to get working so pics never got taken. What I can say is it was a complete car. It was built in 1990 and not a thing was done to it since. Looked like it sat outside for a few years too. She is no show winner(never will be) but its a great driver. Runs and drives great.....reminds me of the bug I had in high school. Slight step up 10 years later.

D

Stephan, here's a 'before and after' for you.
You could spend $16K on a CMC that's on its last legs, then dump thousands and thousands of dollars and lots of R&D into it and have it turn out looking like crap 'cuz you can no longer afford a decent paint job ...
:

Stephan, Darren's story, although cool is probably far and few between, I haven't seen to many of these things for sale in the range he discribes.....you should consider all options.....

This one is only $11,500:

https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=11228

I did the CMC transformation too. I paid a few more bucks than
Darren however. Fixing them up is half the fun for me. A quick before and after:

Also, the inside (this was a real mess to begin with):

Nice job, Kurt! I hadn't seen those side-by-sides before.

Stephan, that's the difference between a car you don't pay a lot for and one that's sorted out, in my humble opinion. Someone puts it together on a budget in their garage, decides they're in over their head and then sells it to you, the guy who anticipates a fun and exciting trip through the mess.
Mine looked pretty similar in most respects to Kurt's -- odd gauges that didn't look right, wires and loose stuff ... shoddy workmanship compared to what he wound up doing by anybody's measure. You can bet he's bled and poured sweat into that revision.
It's not cheap to do, but it's fun if you're crafty. And you get a great deal of satisfaction being able to tell people you had something to do with the way it came out. See Lane's thread about his car's door trim pieces -- he's tickled to death that he fashioned something very nice out of cast-aside lumber chunks.
And he should be -- but you won't find that in the average inexpensive eBay car.
If you decide to buy one on eBay, I'd sure go back and read Vince's thread regarding his new low-light Ghia. Lots of things to consider and look for ... and ask to see the car if you can get to it.
We can help with the stuff to be particular about.

Stephen,
I was an ebay buyer. I bought mine site unseen on ebay last april for $8500, flew down and drove it home. My car was alot like Darren and Kurts cars, old, faded and in need of some serious TLC. In the past year (1 year friday to be exact) I've spent thousands to get it to where I want. It's not really the way I'd intended to do it but in hindsight I'm glad it turned out this way. I originally was going to have JPS build me a car and I was going to drive it across country, which I'm sure would have been awesome, but I instead of had a different "awesome" experience. I have done just about everything that could be done to a speedster (new interior, gauges, engine rebuild, paint, top, suspension, the list goes on) not always because it needed to be done but because I wanted it done. I've also put many personal touches on my car that make it mine, small details that set it apart from others. But the most important part is that I've learned soooo much about my car, how it works and how it's made. Not to mention the friends I've made along the way. This kind of ties into another thread (how it looks, feels, smells), I'm glad I did it the way I did, I don't think I would have nearly the same amount of pride in my car had someone else done it for me. I love getting my hands dirty (even if they're only getting dirty passing tools to my new friend/mechanic Steve) because I'm learning about my car. As stated already, there are different strokes for different folks. The one thing for sure is you'll love it no matter how you get it!

Oh, and Stephen Lamros' (see his profile) car is for sale and it's in your price range. It's a beautiful car!!! I say this because I have an interest in it as well and he sent me a DVD of it. You should check it out!



I see someone already mentioned Lambros' car, sorry.

Kurt and cory our cars are like brothers......same old POS's turned to well better POS's or something like that. I will have to say I got a steal on my car. Helps to be handy on these cars. If I could add the labor hours I bet I would be close to a Vintage build. But then again I can look at my car and remember the day she came home, man was it a mess. Now shes at least a decent car and I'm happy.

D

Stephan,

Found this speedster in Yorba Linda, CA on Ebay today. I due not have any interest in this vehicle.
Item number: 110113208602
If anyone interested, I could check it out for you. I live local to this buyer. Drop me an Email at gqspeedster@yahoo.com

Gabe

I would not mind doing a partial restoration at all; but I don't really have the space for it. Plus, I will probably need to drive it to work everyday. Does anybody else do that with a speedster?

That black one is 3K more than mine......