Fair price for 03 LSB/Cin 6 speed 1 ownwer 180k

[LSB4Me]

Still a hard pass. No way I'm spending that much on a 183,000 mile car with:

1. Interior seats = shot
2. Suspension = shot
3. All rubber = shot
4. Rod bearings
5. VANOS
6. RACP
7. Clutch/PP likely shot
8. Head Gasket (getting there).
9. NYC car, driven in winter? H.E. double hockey sticks no.

Unless some of the above was handled you all nuts

This list should be strictly adhered to. With a few exceptions, it’s what my 04LSB needed/got when I bought it a few years ago with 130k on the clock. If you’re paying for labor like I did, figure parts and labor of 25k.

FWIW, I was prepared to walk if the prior owner didn’t take what I offered, which was very close to what has been suggested here.

My $0.02: LSB is one of the few colors worth the headache. But it is just a color and you should buy the best condition your budget allows. They made a lot of these.

[Nate047]

There is a 0% chance that is a good buy at $18k. People in New York think everything they own is solid gold lol. But that thing is a turd dude, you're entering a world of pain.

Source - I bought a cheap E46 M3 from New York and it has been a never ending source of agony with brief interjections of enjoyment.

Look on Autotempest for a west coast or southern car. For $28-30k you can get a WAY BETTER CAR

[dukeofchen]

This list should be strictly adhered to. With a few exceptions, it’s what my 04LSB needed/got when I bought it a few years ago with 130k on the clock. If you’re paying for labor like I did, figure parts and labor of 25k.

FWIW, I was prepared to walk if the prior owner didn’t take what I offered, which was very close to what has been suggested here.

My $0.02: LSB is one of the few colors worth the headache. But it is just a color and you should buy the best condition your budget allows. They made a lot of these.

Same boat, I couldn't pass on an LCI LSB / Black Nappa all those years ago, but it definitely hadn't gotten the love it deserved.

The last 10 years / 60k miles have been hellish at times, but it's been a labor of love and DIY'ing everything except VANOS / rod bearings has been an experience for someone who had never performed an oil change when I bought it. Gotta enjoy the journey I guess 😂

But if OP is not game for the work / labor cost he should definitely walk away.

[EthanolTurbo]

There is a 0% chance that is a good buy at $18k. People in New York think everything they own is solid gold lol. But that thing is a turd dude, you're entering a world of pain.

Source - I bought a cheap E46 M3 from New York and it has been a never ending source of agony with brief interjections of enjoyment.

Look on Autotempest for a west coast or southern car. For $28-30k you can get a WAY BETTER CAR

Agreed. Cars from New York and New Jersey are absolute garbage. So much rust and so many rusted bolts.

[LSB4Me]

Agreed. Cars from New York and New Jersey are absolute garbage. So much rust and so many rusted bolts.

Ouch. NY/NJ cars are rough, that’s for sure.

OP: If you’re still looking, I would advise you to buy the car in the best condition that you can find within your budget—color be damned. Otherwise, get your checkbook ready. If these things aren’t maintained, they can be incredibly needy. I have a 5-inch binder filled with records and receipts to prove it.

[JokerElite]

Agreed. Cars from New York and New Jersey are absolute garbage. So much rust and so many rusted bolts.

Same for New England I'd imagine. But being a NJer I want to add that it depends on usage. If it was a southern car and is garaged and not driven during winter, that's a different story.

[Feakara]

The car was driven in the winter. I’m going to have a ppi done next week to check everything underneath.

[Maxima SE]

10k to refurbish that car is not realistic. You’ll spent 10k just on the big 3 with everything else accessible while you’re in there. 20-25k is more realistic. Specially with today’s parts prices. All the little items you haven't even thought of will add up quickly. Take a look at prices for OEM exhaust hangers, window seals and windshield cowl, headlight level link and etc. these are all small pieces here and there that will need to be replaced one by one. prepare to replace every nut and bolt on the suspension too.

[bimmerfan08]

The car was driven in the winter. I’m going to have a ppi done next week to check everything underneath.

Get the PPI done and see what comes back in addition to the obvious. Cars like these turn into expensive purchases fast.

[u2usual]

Curious what the results of the PPI are and was it through the dealership?

[Nate047]

Honestly a PPI is only as useful as the shop who performs it. I had a PPI done by a reputable shop in New York, but when the car showed up ant my house it had TONS of problems that they should have easily seen and told me about.

[Feakara]

Curious what the results of the PPI are and was it through the dealership?

I am having it done at the end of the month.

[Deen HK]

Honestly a PPI is only as useful as the shop who performs it. I had a PPI done by a reputable shop in New York, but when the car showed up ant my house it had TONS of problems that they should have easily seen and told me about.

Reiterating this. Had a shop do one for my 911 and they failed to mention 75% of the things it needed

[Feakara]

Making an appointment.

[Feakara]

Will get some pics