Ok if you guys remember I was looking to buy a 2nd hand ralliart. I've tested driven a few since last time and I would like the community's opinion on the true value, or the value i should offer on this ralliart.

The one I visited today was a 2006 White Ralliart
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...184363186.html

This guy is selling for $9000, when i talked to him about mods and such he said he doesn't know anything about cars, and he purchased this car as it was today with the mods. Actually he told me there weren't any mods over the phone . He said hes selling cause he lost his license and the car has been sitting there for a few months.

Visited it today and this is what i found

Pros:
What looks to be a replica Evo 8 Wing
Injen CAI
Looks like a 2.5" After Market exhaust, not sure if its just the muffler, or even just a tip but didn't get to take a good look at it.
Interior is fairly clean
Not smoked in
Rear Tint, starting to turn purple
Most of the electrical seems to be in good working condition
Low Mileage 65,000km

Now the fun part...
Cons:
He told me over the phone that there was a hit and run accident which he never fixed, on the driver side back door/ quarter panel. When I took a quick look at it... IT HAS RUST!!!!!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3124016_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3288604_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2481757_n.jpg
Also...
Rusted Battery Terminals
The car took a good 4-5 slow clicks of ignition till it started (starter? or just cause its been sitting for too long?)
Clicking noise during turns (CV Joint??)
Have to press clutch fairly deep to change gear
Brakes are WEAK, a bit of clicking when trying to stop semi hard.
There are some black oil look a like formed on parts of the underside of the hood.
Looks like the alternator is really dirty (brown), even a bit of rusting
He doesn't have the remote for the keyless entry, since it was in his house which burned down....
Handbrake, it comes up to about 70 degrees... never took note on how high the other ones went...
some dings and scratches here and there.

Thats all I can remember/ recorded.

I know the biggest issue would be the rust, I can't tell how far it has spread since I've never worked as a bodyman or Mechanic, so my knowledge is limited.

What do you guys think? Is this car a lost cause? How much would you guys think (estimate) it would cost to have all these items addressed? Is it even worth my time and money to take it to a body shop to confirm my findings?

Really appreciate it!

 

well as a rule of thumb for me when i buy a used car, i would have checked and actually changed that kind stuff out anyways,.....

as for the rust, i thought it was like really really bad like panels were caving in and rust was taking over the car like most DSM up north with all the salt, but i mean your going to have to get a body shop to clean that up anyways, they will take care of the rust. its just a small spot right there.
i would always change out the brakes, no matter what kind of condition they would be told to be in, and do a bleed job while your at it. cv joints are a pain, but youll have to do them anyways,and having to do them right off the bat is nice. you wont have to worry about them in the near future. battery terminals can be cleaned or even switched out. and tint can be removed and replaced cheap. i would also just do an oil change, and a minor tune up.

if you say the car has low miles, interior isnt all banged up, motor runs fine with no knock, i wouldnt see this being a bad investment. i mean DO look around for options. but this wouldnt be much work to do to get it straight.

thats just my 2 cents
-Flip

 

I wouldn't pay 9k for it. Think about the money it will cost to at least fix the panel. Then put away money for possibly new brakes, new battery and whatever else. You could probably get something better for 9k and "savings"

 

Yeah I am thinking about bargaining a better price for me with all these problems. Much below 9000 due to the damage.

What I also wanted to know is if anybody can give me an estimate on how much would it would cost to fix the panels. $1000? $2000?

Question about knock, under what conditions will I get that? Something to do with poor engine maintenance? or over due motor oil?

 

I would offer less, for everything that needs fixing. Most of It is relatively small stuff except for the body work. I would take those pictures to a body shop and see if they could give u a quote or something and go back to bargain with that quote. Knocking can come from improper maintenance care or neglect.

 

I'd keep looking. Looks like you have some work and $$ in front of you with that car. However, if you could talk him down 1500 - 2000, it might work. anything less than that I'd walk away.

You know you have body work to do, brake work, most likely a new battery and probably a few odds and ends.

 

i know you couldnt buy this RA, seeing as its about 2600 miles away, but this should provide a good benchmark.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2181382221.html

i bought my RA for 5k, and after driving it for 10 minutes i wished i could have found a 5spd. but i have a feeling that the car in the ad wouldnt have lasted to 200k like mine

(and i am aware that the USD is, in fact, different from the Canadian dollar.)

 

Not so much anymore...

1 Canadian dollar = 0.9996 US dollars

 

I just bought my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart last week for $6k down in Minneapolis. It's a 5-speed, with a CAI, & the S&S package. 99k miles on it. It has a new timing belt & water pump. The stereo doesn't work now because of a bad amp (I already ordered a replacement), and the sunroof doesn't go back right now (but I think I found the answer in a different thread, I'll tackle that when it gets warmer outside). It looks completely new, inside & out. All in all, I think I got a pretty good deal.

 

OP, not for 9k. As previously mentioned, talk him way down or keep looking. Considering all those damn mods, potential problems, body damage, and the rust - seems like this ra was/has been abused and is not worth the cash and headache.

 

Unless you're mechanically capable of fixing everything yourself, walk away.

 

My RA is in pretty good shape, not abused, and has healthy mods done to it without the goofy wing. Not sure I could get close to 9K for it and I have all maintenance receipts.

 

good point mys. what i meant was that everything is stupid expensive up north from what i've heard.

 

I talked him down to 7500, and I plan to take it to a local shop to take a look at the underside of the car and to get an expert's advice.

I know some people don't like the evo wing, but I do like it. The otter thing is that I have a thing for white cars, and everything else that's for sale here are either red or grey with pretty high mileage for the same price. Some are even ridiculously enough to sell for 11-13k ...

 

It is relatively cheap for the low mileage, but based on the first post it seems like there is so much **** that car will need down the line.