Buying a high mileage car just to get a hardtop...

[2002Z3]

There’s a 2.5 Z3 with something like 150K on the clock near me for $3500. It has a hard top though. I am thinking of buying it, harvesting the top, then selling it for about $2500. Maybe even $3000. Getting a hardtop and mounting kit for $1000 seems like a no brainer. I’ll have to pay license tax, but it’s not so bad. Why am I not doing it then? I fear I will just keep the extra car!

In CA I never really needed a hardtop, but up in WA it would be nice to have. For $3500, I could preserve my nice cream puff garage queen and beat the living booty out of the 2.5.

Decisions... Thanks for reading my random thoughts...

[Vintage42]

There’s a 2.5 Z3 with something like 150K on the clock near me... has a hard top... thinking of buying it, harvesting the top... For $3500, I could preserve my nice cream puff garage queen and beat the living booty out of the 2.5...

If you don't immediately sell the car, it might be the most expensive top you could have bought ;-)

[2002Z3]

Yep, I hear that I’ve been on the fence for about 2 weeks now. Something tells me that if this car isn’t selling, that there is something terribly wrong with it. Maybe I’ll call and try to get the top alone.

[fasteddie313]

I could preserve my nice cream puff garage queen and beat the living booty out of the 2.5

And still part it out when you break it. Or if you go straight to parting it maybe you won't have to register it and all that $$..

Something tells me that if this car isn’t selling, that there is something terribly wrong with it. Maybe I’ll call and try to get the top alone.

Maybe you will be able to really beat him down on price.
Usually the longer something has been listed and not sold, the more you can negotiate it down..

[Tigershark48]

The price conjurs up images of the undercarriage dragging on the ground that Randy posted.

[scenturion]

I've done it with a Miata before. Go for it.

[magnetchief]

I did exactly this.
$3,500 for a 98 2.8 with 68,000 miles.

Not in the best condition. But ran fine.

Purchased, removed hardtop and mounts.
Fitted to my M, sold the 2.8 for $3,500 all within a week.


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[2002Z3]

Thanks all for your views. I feel extremely lucky and thankful to have the chance to even do this at all. If I don’t do it, no worries and if I do, I may come out ahead. As usual, I will probably overthink it and not act, then the car will be gone. I’ve been causally shopping for a hardtop since 2004 and never pulled the lever. Maybe it’s time to do so. I may take a look at it tomorrow. The car has the sports package, heated seats, and is black on black. Other members here near Seattle may want to get it. More power to you if you snake it up before me If I do look at it and not get it, I will post my opinion of the condition. It may have popped welds and/or lots of gremlins.