86' K5 $1500 yay or nay?

[inscape]

I just looked at an 86 K5, 305ci auto. It was in a shop and full of stuff so I didn't get a great look at it, however it appeared to be mainly stock and one spot of rust on the body which didn't appear to go through. The windshield also had a crack, but it hasn't spread yet. I may offer $1250, I wish it was a 350, but that can always be changed in the future. I'm going to check it out again on Monday. This is it: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222946936&dealer_id=563216&car_year=1986&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=CHEV&transmission=&model=BLAZER&distance=25&make2=&address=98372&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=1991&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=0

I just bought an 07 Colorado a few months ago and I'm trying not to go over my head here, but it seems like an awesome deal that I shouldn't pass up even if I let it set at my parents house while I save money to fix it up. Any thoughts?

 

[Copasetic]

If you can swing it I say go for it. Look it over real good first before you offer any cash though. Good luck!

 

[Thunder]

Looks like a good Blazer. Wave 1200 in their face. I bet they take it. It prolly has a 700R4 trans. Make sure it shifts good, check the flluid to see if it is burnt. Look at the carb to see if it has a computer controled carb. They can be a hassle to get running right when they go bad.

 

[FormulaGT]

Looks like a deal to me. If it runs and drives and most everything seems to work I would grab it. Seems pretty straight in the photos in unmolested stock form.
Look over it real good for any collision damage and try to get a carfax report from someone on the forum or buy one.
Let us know how it goes. Good Luck!

 

[inscape]

I took a look at it, one small spot of rust, one small dent in rear quarter and a small dent in rear bumper. Small spot of surface rust on hood, and he had a bunch of stuff in the back so i'm not sure how good the interior is. The fuel filler neck in the back is rusted he says, not sure of the floor pans. It looks decent underside. The engine smokes and idles high, It has true dual exhaust and unknown headers, no cat however. Electric rear window works from the inside but not outside. I thought 86's had a serpetine belt, this does not. The A/C belt is missing, compressor pulley turns freely though. It has an aftermarket cruise control, don't know if it works, i'd rip it out anyway. The tabs are expired.

There was part of a tow strap wedged in a front leaf spring, if it was yanked out of a ditch or towed this way could it have caused damage? He also said something about the tranny not shifting right, not sure what he meant exactly, the tranny fluid was pink. He also stated the 4x4 worked. Since the tabs were expired I only drove it around the lot, the P/S belt or pump was squeling a lot, and the brakes did not feel real strong. The guy said he'd take $1,100, might get him down to $1,000. I don't know a whole lot about engines and what not, so I don't know how much I could fix myself. I'd probably need it towed to my parents, should only cost about $100 to tow it I think. So what do you guys think?

 

[gumneck]

Since he dropped already pretty fast, I'd put $900 in his grill and see what happened.

Sounds like the list of problems are already substantial. Why pay for something that is not right in the first place.

 

[vortec]

There was part of a tow strap wedged in a front leaf spring, if it was yanked out of a ditch or towed this way could it have caused damage

yes. but these beasts are tough. really tough. make sure the shackle isn't bent, etc.

tranny not shifting right

could mean a lot of things. worn out engine, clogged tranny filter, low fluid, etc. my not be a big deal. mine shifts much better now that i have my engine better in tune.

tags were expired

that bit me in the a$$. had to cheat to pass mine on the old engine.

the P/S belt or pump was squeling a lot

,

tightening the belts up is really easy (and free, of course)

and the brakes did not feel real strong

they won't. i love my chevy trucks, but neither of them has firm pedal feel or incredible stopping distance.


as far as the engine goes, get it, run it as hard as you want, get a 350 after you snap a rod .

 

[Thunder]

So how big of a project do you want? How much money do you have? Do you have understanding parents that will enjoy having a tore apart truck in their driveway?
Engine smokes=rebuild
Tranny does not shift right, Fluid pink. = The trans quit shifting right so the guy changed the fluid hoping it would help. Must not have worked so figgure on a tranny rebuild soon. If you cant do the engine/tranny it yourself Figgure around 5K+ to pay someone to do both. Then you might to be able to drive it to find out what else is wrong.
Also
Beings it is full of junk or "stuff". The owner must not trust it enough to drive it and is using it as a storage shed.
I usually steer a wide coruse around trucks that have acheived the Stoage Shed status.........Unless there is a D60 and a 14FF underneath all that "Stuff"
Offer him 600.

 

[vortec]

shop around if your engine and tranny go. by rebuilding it yourself or going to a decent-priced shop, you can get either or both for a reasonable amount. the key in that case is to do the installation yourself. that saves plenty. don't look for the cheapest shop. there's probably a reason. but, don't think that more cost automatically means better product. i didn't have or room to rebuild my 350, so i bought a reman and installed it myself. it was affordable and i've been very happy with it.