F/S 1986 ASC McLaren convertible ****SOLD****SOLD****SOLD***

[Tom S.]

The seller has now offered me a package deal on his 1981 Corvette and 1984 Avanti that would include a payout. He is really getting desperate to make a deal. It is looking more and more like my purchase of a McLaren will have to be placed on the backburner, and I will have to be happy with my plain ol' 1985 Capri for a while.

No offence but my Ranger could out drag and out handle the Vette, you're talking an extreme low point in Vettedom in '81. As for the Avanti, does anybody actually buy those anymore, I thought people just gave them away to be rid of them.

Get the McLaren, you'll get more respect from the Ford guys than you ever will from Chevy guys in that Vette.

[75coug]

No offence but my Ranger could out drag and out handle the Vette, you're talking an extreme low point in Vettedom in '81. As for the Avanti, does anybody actually buy those anymore, I thought people just gave them away to be rid of them.

Get the McLaren, you'll get more respect from the Ford guys than you ever will from Chevy guys in that Vette.

No offense taken, Tom. I am not worried about the performance of the Corvette, as I have newer cars to drive if I need a speed fix. I always thought that the C3 Corvettes were good looking cars, and still feel that way.

While the Avanti's look is unique, they have a very dedicated following. In fact, they typically sell for more money than a comparable McLaren of the same vintage. Is that "right"? Maybe not, but it's the way it is.

With regard to the Ford guys v. Chevy guys thing, I don't worry much about respect any more. I simply buy and drive what I like. I used to be a hardcore Ford guy (Mercury, really), but after getting mistreated by their dealers for the millionth time, my loyalties melted away.

In the end, this decision will come down to three things:

(1) Location. These cars are local, and the McLaren is not. This has all to do with both the cost of acquiring a vehicle and being able to personally inspect it. The Corvette and Avanti have also both passed my county's strict emissions test, and I am sure that I would have to spend a pretty penny in order to get the McLaren to pass.

(2) Knowledge of prior owner(s). I know nothing about the McLaren or what has kind of upkeep it has received over the years, while I know a lot about the other cars. The owner has been an acquaintance for ten years, and I have been aware of them and their history for a long time.

(3) Price/resale. I can get the Corvette and Avanti for a fair amount less than the prices of similar cars on ebay and other internet sales sites. Then, if I fall on economic hard times, I can unload them without taking a big loss.

In summary, if all things were equal, I would go with the McLaren, but alas, all things are not equal. I still haven't pulled the trigger, however, and will let you guys know what happens.

[Sandy]

BUY THE AVANTI !!!!!

[75coug]

I secured an estimate from DAS to take the '86 from Long Island to Dallas. Door to door, the cost for transportation in an uncovered trailer is $997. Terminal to terminal, which would mean that both the seller and I would have to drive the car to/from a terminal approximately 45 miles away, is $781.

Equally disconcerting is the length of time that it would take for the car to get here. Get this: Pick up October 29 and deliver November 11. Two weeks on an uncovered trailer? Geez, I don't know about that.

[lightning95sc]

Take the package deal. If you need a speed fix from either car in the future you can modernize 'em with an LS1 swap. As for respect from either camp, I'm quite sure nobody could argue with the beauty in the lines of either car AND the uniqueness of the Avanti. In the end analysis its like you said...... drive what you like. You'll be happier.(I always refer to my signature quote)

[Tom S.]

I secured an estimate from DAS to take the '86 from Long Island to Dallas. Door to door, the cost for transportation in an uncovered trailer is $997. Terminal to terminal, which would mean that both the seller and I would have to drive the car to/from a terminal approximately 45 miles away, is $781.

Equally disconcerting is the length of time that it would take for the car to get here. Get this: Pick up October 29 and deliver November 11. Two weeks on an uncovered trailer? Geez, I don't know about that.

DAS has towing companies pick up cars in an area and store them until there are enough to make it worthwile for a semi to make the trip. It's kind of slow this time of year and that too might be a reason for the delay.

[RARE-ASC]

I guess, ultimately, I failed to insight enough enthusiasm for our cars into Peter to convince him to keep this really nice example, over his longing for a 70's Corvette. Guys, if she goes to e-bay, we all know her ultimate fate, anybody want to save her? The wear & tear she's had in the past 18 years will equal that which she'll get in her 1st 18 months to her new e-bayer

OH NO I HOPE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO MINE LOOKS LIKE I HAVE A GOOD BUYER HE SAID HE WOULD ONLY SUNDAY DRIVE HER! SANDY YOU ARE ONE UNIQUE GUY WE THINK A LOT ALIKE I GUESS SINCE WE ARE BOUTH CAR GUYS!