Hello everyone! I am new to this site. I have come across a 380 SL from 83’. It has new brakes (rotors, calipers, pads, non rigid lines etc.) New tires and a new battery. It needs some clear coat on a quarter panel, the wood looks pretty rough and the soft top may need to be replaced as well as the exhaust (Not too bad since I was an exhaust a little louder than factory). The seats are also in bad shape but have covers on them. The guy wants $5000. Is that price reasonable? I am a teenager and this would be my first car but I would get something soon after that would be my daily when I need to commute more. I have some mechanical experience but not a ton, would taking this on as a project car be a mistake?

 

This car will cost you many times the purchase price to restore. Are you bankrolled sufficiently to do that? Do you have the time, tools and facilities to do the work?

 

I’ve got a garage with common tools, I’m prepared to buy other tools. I also have neighbors that have restored cars and have garages suited for it. I like the idea of restoring it to be my own but I don’t want to restore it if it will cost more than a sorted example. I don’t want to get more than $8,500 into it, I have more but at that price there is other cars I’d rather have. I bet I could get the car itself for $3500, is that budget reasonable?

 

These cars are not a Chevy or Ford. Not even a Porsche. I had an 83 and it was a permanent project. Never could get it completely caught up. I put 100k on it and loved every minute, but, these cars are very complicated and can be expensive.
That said, there is no car I personally like more and I have many other cars.
If the compression is good and no major oil leaks and NOTHING has been modified and it starts quickly with no rattles at start up, does not smoke too much, you will at least have a driver! Immediately change all oils, grease and fluids no matter when they say it was done. Engine, trans, rear end, power steering, brake fluid, coolant. Send out engine oil, rear end oil, transmission fluid and coolant samples for testing.
Use only Mercedes coolant, power steering fluid and transmission fluid.
You will love driving this car, it is a treasure, it just expects a lot out of you too!
This site and the Mercedes Classic folks are great resources so there is good support available but be ready to put in a lot of hours.
I now have an 88 560 that I found with 23k miles. Can't live without one of these cars!

QUOTE=Hiscedes;8392641]I’ve got a garage with common tools, I’m prepared to buy other tools. I also have neighbors that have restored cars and have garages suited for it. I like the idea of restoring it to be my own but I don’t want to restore it if it will cost more than a sorted example. I don’t want to get more than $8,500 into it, I have more but at that price there is other cars I’d rather have. I bet I could get the car itself for $3500, is that budget reasonable?[/QUOTE]