I had a professional appraiser look at a 71 Mali Coupe with that is several states away from me and need some opinions to help make the buy/not to buy decision. It has a 350 w/12 bolt posi. Fresh looking paint. Appraiser even said it was very nicely done. I have seen pics too. Seller asking 7500.
Appraiser did metal tests and says he found some bondo/or fiberglass around support frame for front bumper, (I noticed in picture bumper was very slightly higher on one side than the other, & could support be something other than metal?)Does this mean small fender bender or just wrongly reattached bumper?
He also said he found some bondo/fiberglass around wheel wells lower areas, and behind wheels. He said he wasn't sure if it was actually bondo as usually you can tell by looking, and said it did not look like bondo usually does?? Does that mean its fiberglass or other metal? Does lead pass a magnet test? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif
There was small spot of rust on rear bumper, front bumper chrome has some peeling. Interior is in very good condition.
Gauges for oil and water are added on after market below dash, but dash dummy lights did not work at all.
He said that around the headlights,he got a zero metal reading, is it possible they are fiberglas replacements?
Trunk was in very good condition but I am told the speckle finish was not as smooth of a finish as he usually sees.
Lastly, the thing that scared me the most was the appraiser said the VIN badge was upside down and looked like it had been "disturbed", but that it did match the number on the title. What problems am I setting myself up for with that when I go to register it in my state. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif
The guy I am buying it from only had it a couple of months and does not know much other than he was told it was a ground up resto. I believe he is being completely honest but I always thought that in a good resto, metal was cut out and replaced with metal.
I really appreciate any help!
THANKYOU!!!!!!

Few certified appraisers will recommend against buying a car for fear of being sued. But it sounds like this one is trying to drop you some hints. The fender extensions which house the headlights are some sort of pot metal I think, and are not magnetic.
This car sounds a little rough from your description, even with the new paint job. Keep in mind that the fresh paint could be hiding some major body damage. It sounds like the quarters will need to be replaced. The rust will come back eventually and the bondo will begin to bubble.
The interior being in good shape is a positive, but I would want to peel the carpet back and look at the floors, given the amount of rust already detected.
The bumper is what scares me. How could any of the support structure be anything but steel? I'd need to inspect the car for myself to get a grasp of what he's talking about on that one.
From what you've given us, $7500 sounds a bit on the high side. A properly restored, well done non SS small block Malibu will usually fetch less than $10,000, or right at that amount. But the average for a good, clean plain Jane Malibu in restored condition is around $8000 to $9500.

It sounds like this car will need some rust surgery in the future, and the appraiser is trying to remain neutral.

I think if you have a feeling taht this may be a bad buy. Any rust that was patched with Bondo (aka fiberglass) is always going to come back, only a matter of time. Its a sign of cheap restoration. The headlight extensions are a pot metal, not magnetic.

Makes you wonder why the guy is selling after a few months, I am always suspicious of persons selling cars they recently purchased. Did he do or have the body work done and is trying to make a $$ of a car he bought cheap?

Keep looking.

I appreciate everyone's help - Seller told me that he bought a dune buggy and now car has to go - Appraiser did tell me there was a buggy in the garage - so I don't think seller is being dishonest - but I do think he got car way cheaper than he is selling it to me. I still have to talk to appraiser's home office but I am getting feeling I should not buy car if resto is not of quality I would expect for what I am paying. How do I tell seller this without insulting him?
Lastly, no one addressed VIN plate being upside down and looking "disturbed". Isn't that kind of scary to anyone?
The people on this website are the reason I will continue to look for a good condition Malibu (Can't afford an SS). I would consider it an honor to be a member of a "Team" of such nice people.
If anyone knows of a quality resto or original Malibu that I should consider - please e-mail me as I am a serious buyer. My e-mail is mrandmrsracenut@worldnet.att.net

You really don't owe the seller any explanation. It's your money, and the decision to buy is yours. You could tell him that you have other cars to look at and you'll inform him if you decide to buy his car. At this point, he may drop his price drastically, or he might try rushing you because he has other buyers interested. Or, you could inform him that you've simply decided to hold off on buying a car for now.
I don't know what to say about the VIN tag. These cars will rust around the bottom of the windshield sometimes, and the VIN tag has to come out to get at the rust. I don't if this was the case here though.

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 06-10-2001).]