1992 420SE - $1500 - buy or pass?

[86560sel]

Hey guys. I am thinking of getting a local '92 420SE off of dads friend. I know the general issues that usually plague the W140, but wondering how good this model is? Its a short wheelbase V8 model, which I dont see many of. Something happened to the engine (not sure what) and some guy paid some money "down" on it, then started working on it, put some new parts on, and started to put together and then never came back and its been months. The car still needs to be finished, not sure what the issue was or the details of what needs to be completed. He said he is likely going to sell it, because its went beyond the time the guy had to pay for it and its like he has vanished. Other than the issue I mentioned, its in great shape and everything works. He said he would take $1500 for it. Body and interior are in fine shape. No rust, nice paint, etc and the car is beautiful. Is it worth $1500.? I know that evap cores and wiring harness issues are problems on these cars (especially a 1992 model, lol), but think my dad said all of this had already been addressed. Buy it or pass? Thanks!

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[oldsinner111]

I'd put new harness in and keep it.

[deanyel]

It's probably a 400SE, which was one year only, and the only V8 SWB 140 in the U.S. It's all about the engine - if it's bad it's an essentially worthless parts car. You wouldn't want to buy such a car without hearing the engine run. The circumstances surrounding the engine sound a bit suspicious.

[86560sel]

Originally Posted by deanyel

It's probably a 400SE, which was one year only, and the only V8 SWB 140 in the U.S. It's all about the engine - if it's bad it's an essentially worthless parts car. You wouldn't want to buy such a car without hearing the engine run. The circumstances surrounding the engine sound a bit suspicious.

Thanks! Your correct, its a 400SE, thats what I meant to put.

He said he was driving the car one day on the freeway and noticed it steaming and coolant was coming from the exhaust, which signals to me a blown headgasket. He said the guy working on it said it wasnt the headgasket causing it, but he put a new one on it anyway. He said the engine is still currently "tore" down to the heads. Maybe the guy seen more extensive damage or something, which is why he bailed on the deal?

Oh well, it was nice dreaming about owning a W140 for a few days anyway. Before I put that much effort and money into a W140, I would rather wait for a LWB model, as I prefer the long wheelbase models.

Been wanting to trade my 95 Town Car for one, but no one interested, hard to even find a W140 around here, but ironically there is a car lot next to the store that belongs to the guy with the W140 I am referring to, they often get W140's on the lot, but very $$$$.

[oldsinner111]

I buy my cars from cars.com

[CharlyE500]

I would check in the craiglist to find good deals. Personally i would pass for 92 W140 even for $1500. You don't know how much will cost you to fix it in 1 year only.