Advice Before Purchasing
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
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1980 G Wagon
Advice Before Purchasing
Good morning all,
A friend of mine is selling his 1980 G-Wagen, which he was able to get for 300 buck from another friend who was just going to call a junk yard to come and pick it up. I am thinking about buying it but I am really concerned about the rust. I would try to work on it myself but had never tackled this much rust before. Mechanically wise it is solid and starts right up. 2.5 Diesel with 4 speed manual transmission. My friend wants 3K for it which i think is absurd but I do see how much these go for in good condition (this one is far from fair). What are your thoughts? run or if he takes $1,500 for it should i take it?
Thanks for the help in advance.
A friend of mine is selling his 1980 G-Wagen, which he was able to get for 300 buck from another friend who was just going to call a junk yard to come and pick it up. I am thinking about buying it but I am really concerned about the rust. I would try to work on it myself but had never tackled this much rust before. Mechanically wise it is solid and starts right up. 2.5 Diesel with 4 speed manual transmission. My friend wants 3K for it which i think is absurd but I do see how much these go for in good condition (this one is far from fair). What are your thoughts? run or if he takes $1,500 for it should i take it?
Thanks for the help in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 459
Likes: 301
From: Plano, Texas
2012 G550 - Capri Blue Metallic
That's a lot of rust! How many miles on it?
It depends on what you plan on doing with it. If you're looking for a daily driver, get ready to spend a LOT of time, effort and $$$ to get it back up to speed. Even good condition older models can create a large hole in your wallet.
If you're just looking for a long-term hobby to play around with, or an off-road toy to take out and figure you can Frankenstein it back together when it breaks, for a low price it may be worth a look if the mechanicals are good.
It depends on what you plan on doing with it. If you're looking for a daily driver, get ready to spend a LOT of time, effort and $$$ to get it back up to speed. Even good condition older models can create a large hole in your wallet.
If you're just looking for a long-term hobby to play around with, or an off-road toy to take out and figure you can Frankenstein it back together when it breaks, for a low price it may be worth a look if the mechanicals are good.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
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1980 G Wagon
So my long term goal would definitely be an off-road toy. I would try to work on it during my free time but i don't think i would go as far as restoring it to a show room condition. My goal would be to just have fun with it but i'm not sure it's worth the "fun" for 3K. I don't want to offend the guy but he wants 3k after getting lucky and getting the thing for 300 bucks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Yes, that is a lot of rust. But it is a diesel and a cabriolet both of which are desirable.
I would post your information and questions here: https://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/vie....php?f=18?f=18 That forum caters more toward older G's, so there is a lot more knowledge to be had there.
I would post your information and questions here: https://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/vie....php?f=18?f=18 That forum caters more toward older G's, so there is a lot more knowledge to be had there.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 764
Likes: 313
From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
If this guy got it for $300 and is trying to pawn it off to you for $3,000 I wouldn't be questioning the truck, I'd be questioning your friendship.
Pass.
It's going to be 10-15k to get it in decent condition and then you'll still be upside down.
Look for a 10-20k version and some new buddies.
Good luck w both.
Pass.
It's going to be 10-15k to get it in decent condition and then you'll still be upside down.
Look for a 10-20k version and some new buddies.
Good luck w both.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1980 G Wagon
Yes, that is a lot of rust. But it is a diesel and a cabriolet both of which are desirable.
I would post your information and questions here: https://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/vie....php?f=18?f=18 That forum caters more toward older G's, so there is a lot more knowledge to be had there.
I would post your information and questions here: https://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/vie....php?f=18?f=18 That forum caters more toward older G's, so there is a lot more knowledge to be had there.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 66
Likes: 33
2017 G550
If this guy got it for $300 and is trying to pawn it off to you for $3,000 I wouldn't be questioning the truck, I'd be questioning your friendship.
Pass.
It's going to be 10-15k to get it in decent condition and then you'll still be upside down.
Look for a 10-20k version and some new buddies.
Good luck w both.
Pass.
It's going to be 10-15k to get it in decent condition and then you'll still be upside down.
Look for a 10-20k version and some new buddies.
Good luck w both.
If he thinks he can get $3000 for it, and you expect him to give it to you for $1500, I would question your friendship. After all, I don't go around giving friends $1500 checks just for being my friend.
That's why I never do business with friends or family.
But that doesn't seem to be the way the OP is dealing with it. As long as both parties treat it like a business deal, completely impersonal, as it seems they are in this case, then they should be fine. Make an offer, make a counter offer, if it comes out to a deal, everybody is happy, and if it doesn't, no big deal.
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