1985 Custom Cruiser

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3252725263...AAOSwAY1i053K&LH_ItemCondition=3000|1000|2500

 

Do you guys think this is a 9k original miles car?

 

I'm going to say I have my doubts as to it being a 9k car. The driver's seat isn't collapsed on the outer edge at all and the velvet on the driver's side door isn't worn from arm wear, so at least it has that going for it. But I can't quite see the pedals well enough to assess the wear on them, but they seem to look a bit more worn than they should be if it were truly that mileage. But then again, the pictures are a little soft, so who knows. I'd also like to see better pictures of some of the high wear touch surfaces in the interior like the steering wheel, door handles, switches, etc., as well as under the fuel door to look for wear.

However, one thing that caught my eye is that the carpeting looks like it has more mileage and staining on it than a 9k car would have. However, the biggest red flag for me is the carpeted side panels in the cargo area in particular are relatively worn and shaggy looking. Unless this car was used as some sort of semi-active storage unit at some point during its life then they shouldn't be that worn.

 

No. If it were he would have made a big deal about it in the ad. The engine bay is too dirty.

 

My thoughts exactly. I didn’t catch the worn carpet in the cargo area, but the driver seat side bolster is much dirtier than it should be for a 9000 mile car. Also, when I zoomed up on some of the pictures the woodgrain is faded on top of the wheel arches. So, if it did have only 9000 miles on it it did spend a good amount of time outside in a garage. Did anyone else catch the homemade rear bumper filler solution?

 

Outside of the garage

 

Pedals are too worn for 9000 miles and the digits on the odometer aren't lined up well either, I'd venture 109k gently cared for miles.

 

I'm not sure what you're seeing. The engine bay actually looks pretty clean.

I saw the fading/weathering on the woodgrain, but even if this was a 9k car that doesn't describe how this car was stored for all of its 37 years. If it was stored outside for any length of time that would happen, regardless of mileage, so I gave that a "pass'. I also saw the bumper fillers (they're in the front too), but I gave that a "pass" as well because if it was not stored and/or maintained properly - again, regardless of mileage - those typically crumble anyway.

However, speaking of improper storage, when I first looked at the listing I didn't scroll down and I didn't see the added pics below. One thing I noticed that tells me this car wasn't stored that well for all 37 years of its life is that there is visible rust and pitting on the turning signal and shifter stalks. Anytime you see that on the inside of a car that tells me it wasn't stored under the best conditions, and in addition to the weathering of the woodgrain, as well as the cracked steering wheel, it tells me this car was likely stored outside for a length of time during its life.

I agree about the dirt on the driver's side bolster. I didn't catch that either.

 

That's what I think too.

 

I think in this case, without any doubt, the wagon has 109,000 miles. If it were only 9,000 ORIGINAL miles, the seller would be playing up that factor in the ad text. Instead, he's neither confirming or denying, so it will be up to the viewers to decide. A CarFax or somesuch report will show the truth.

I wouldn't say 109,000 is a lot of miles, but you would still be buying a nice wagon with a pretty gutless engine...... Might make a bit more power than my '81 Safari that had the same engine, but not by much.

 

It looks like they did a quick used car shiny engine bay detail. I'm looking at the overflow tank, A/C compressor, bracket that the alternator attaches to. All the stuff that would take actual effort to clean and make look new was not touched.

Also looks like the heater core might need to be replaced since there isn't anything connected to it.

 

Oh, it's not pristine by any respects, but it's still cleaner than most 109k cars (that's what I'm gonna say it is) and at least an effort was made. With most 109k cars the seller doesn't even make an effort. Overall though, I think $15,495 is way too much for this car. That'd be borderline well bought at 9k miles, but not with that kind of wear and mileage.

 

I was speaking to the question of whether it was a 9k mile car or not.

 

Sold. "Best off accepted." Would love to know what the offer was.