What's this Manta really worth?

[CDN OpelNut]

This Manta is currently on E-Bay and is not too far from me. (darn you Manta owners at Carlisle for sparking my interest!)

I think the asking price is high but there is an offer option. What is a good number for this car. Sorry if the owner is on the forum - just seems high to me.....

Opel : Manta - (eBay.ca item 170223456158 end time 04-Jun-08 02:37:49 EDT)

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by CDN OpelNut This Manta is currently on E-Bay and is not too far from me. (darn you Manta owners at Carlisle for sparking my interest!) I think the asking price is high but there is an offer option. What is a good number for this car. Sorry if the owner is on the forum - just seems high to me..... Opel : Manta - (eBay.ca item 170223456158 end time 04-Jun-08 02:37:49 EDT)

I agree with you, it's sorta steep. The minor rust looks like major in a couple of areas, it will need a right front fender at the least and I would want a closer peek at this honey before spending MY money to buy it. On the plus side it is an unmolested car that appears to be quite complete and the interior work looks very good. You know what they say in the car business, you can always come down on the price a lot easier than going up

[scrapman]

Have to agree. Five grand is on the high side. got mine from ebay for 2 grand. rebuilt engine, tranny and no rust. This one looks like it needs some serious work on the body. The inside and engine do look pretty good but I think you need to get a visual before paying that price.

Rick

[opelwasp]

$4800??? Dream on! Manta's always sell less than a comparable GT. I'd never pay that for that car.

[timemachine]

Originally Posted by opelwasp $4800??? Dream on! Manta's always sell less than a comparable GT. I'd never pay that for that car.

You have to see it up close or have someone else help you out in order to know what it is. That kind of money demands a pretty clean and ready to go car. Lots of inaccurate descriptions and dreamers out there are selling cars that are messed up on close inspection. But a straight and rust free Manta could be an instant autocross project, much cheaper yet competitive with a period BMW or other vintage car. This might or might not be one.

Yes, GTs draw higher prices, but to drive a Manta is to know it is a much better performer if you can avoid the fatal rust spots. In that sense, there's no such thing as a comparable GT and Manta. GTs are just Kadetts with less room and the same old leaf suspension that requires big investments to even put them on the same track with a Manta. As a disclaimer, I do own a GT with few regrets, because there are also lots of affordable GTs to mess around with.

Drive what you love, but don't be dissing Mantas.

Jim

[MantAscona]

I think we've found our new Manta spokesperson...... Big Jim is takin' it to the streets!

Duane

[Bill Hoffmann]

I would check or ask for photos of the frame rails/front jack points, which are the most critical rust prone areas. Also, the battery tray which, if ignored, leads to problems in the fuse box. It looks to be well maintained otherwise.

Bill

[Gordy]

I have a rust free 74 Manta with a working sunroof I would sell for a lot less than that. Plus it has a fresh hi-comp 1.9 with a sprint exhaust and has never had rust.

[Aardvaark]

This Fleabay Manta seems priced pretty high for what it is as other have said.
Some of us in the last year or so have bought much nicer Mantas and Asconas for quite a bit less that I'm aware of. I'd advise you to keep looking at others.

And Jim. Some of us other Manta owners are behind your comments. Think I'll stand about 1/2 a block behind.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Aardvaark And Jim. Some of us other Manta owners are behind your comments. Think I'll stand about 1/2 a block behind.

Don't you mean 1/2 a lap ahead...of the nearest GT?

[heimue]

Mantas rock!
I never was a Manta guy, until I had one. But - I still love the Kadetts most.

Dieter

[Rionart]

Hey Corey,
As others have said, battery box and front chassis rails are critical.
It looks like the L/H fender has been painted in the past, find out why, you might have a crinkled inner fender...
Definately worth a look, and a good solid starter Manta, but you must get under it before you part with a penny...I'd go in at around $2500 and walk away at $3k.
Just my 2c worth...
Rob.

[timemachine]

Originally Posted by MantAscona I think we've found our new Manta spokesperson...... Big Jim is takin' it to the streets! Duane

All the guys are right about the rust spots and you might want to look at Gordy's car. If you wait around you'll find a better deal but it's always cheaper in the end to buy the most solid and ready to go car up front and not get into the business of big repairs before you ever get to enjoy it.

I do show respect for all my GT driving friends and their nice cars and pretty soon I'll start breaking knuckles on my first GT after four or five Mantas. We'll see how that goes. But I admit to being a little touchy when GT drivers go around dissing my trusty Mantas. This happened a couple of weeks ago when someone said Mantas are ugly compared to GTs. As I said then, these same people probably think anorexic fashion show models are sexy. Mantas don't have to show their ribs to prove they're hot, plus they've got room for a little junk in the trunk.

Jim

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by timemachine Mantas don't have to show their ribs to prove they're hot, plus they've got room for a little junk in the trunk. Jim

Or in the case of Sportwagons, you can haul a LOT, including a$$

[opelwasp]

Originally Posted by timemachine Drive what you love, but don't be dissing Mantas. Jim

I'm not dissing, I own 2 Manta's myself. I'll be putting the 2.4L in the Wasp into my 74 green Manta; while I do a full rebuild on the Wasp.

I love the way they handle. My next trick will be fitting the Manta front suspension into my GT.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by opelwasp I'm not dissing, I own 2 Manta's myself. I'll be putting the 2.4L in the Wasp into my 74 green Manta; while I do a full rebuild on the Wasp. I love the way they handle. My next trick will be fitting the Manta front suspension into my GT.

What about the rear axle and rear suspension geometry? (GT's rear geometry is worse than a Manta's).

The Manta front suspension is a LOT wider than a GT's too. It could be done, but you'll either need fender flares or FWD wheels with the correct offset to fit it.

Bob

[75 wagon]

WORD that brother !!

Originally Posted by BQS4 Or in the case of Sportwagons, you can haul a LOT, including a$$

[opelwasp]

Originally Posted by RallyBob What about the rear axle and rear suspension geometry? (GT's rear geometry is worse than a Manta's). The Manta front suspension is a LOT wider than a GT's too. It could be done, but you'll either need fender flares or FWD wheels with the correct offset to fit it. Bob

Yes Bob that is the idea. I'd like to swap both front and rear. It would make more wheel choices available. I think I would weld some brackets onto the GT's frame and mount shocks vertically instead of that stupid angle. I am also looking the option of mounting the shocks into the spring buckets.

[timemachine]

Originally Posted by RallyBob What about the rear axle and rear suspension geometry? (GT's rear geometry is worse than a Manta's). The Manta front suspension is a LOT wider than a GT's too. It could be done, but you'll either need fender flares or FWD wheels with the correct offset to fit it. Bob

Originally Posted by opelwasp Yes Bob that is the idea. I'd like to swap both front and rear. It would make more wheel choices available. I think I would weld some brackets onto the GT's frame and mount shocks vertically instead of that stupid angle. I am also looking the option of mounting the shocks into the spring buckets.

Opelwasp,

There's nothing like torch and welder to spark innovation, but your goal reminds me very much of Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous short story. a parable about beauty's perfection and human folly.

If you don't have the patience to read "The Birthmark," the story ends thusly: "The momentary circumstance was too strong for him; he failed to look beyond the shadowy scope of time, and, living once for all in eternity, to find the perfect future in the present."

Why tackle so much geometry when you can simply drive a Manta? It might be easier to weld GT parts on a Manta frame, which would present many problems of its own. With respect to my GT owner friendss, it's often said that love needs no explanation, though many of us agree that we started with the wrong choice.

Jim

[Nathan Acree]

Originally Posted by timemachine Opelwasp, Why tackle so much geometry when you can simply drive a Manta? It might be easier to weld GT parts on a Manta frame, which would present many problems of its own. With respect to my GT owner friendss, it's often said that love needs no explanation, though many of us agree that we started with the wrong choice. Jim

What do you hope to accomplish with this belligerent attitude? You "fringe" Opel drivers should be glad GT's are so popular because they create the demand for Opel parts. I hightly doubt that Opel Manta Source or OpelManta.com would survive.

Sheesh, I get tired of these attitudes- they are all just cars after all. If you don't like what someone is doing with their own car then STFU and don't look.


-Nathan Acree
Albuquerque New Mexico

[BQS4]

I think what was a little fun, is starting to turn ugly. I think the thread should be closed, till everyone calms down. There is nothing that has been posted that I don't agree with. I PERSONALLY have driven just about every type of Opel imported to the US. My opinion is, I LOVE ALL Opels. Yes, I do currently drive my 75 Sportwagon, which I love the HELL out of, but, I have a rust free GT stashed in my garage awaiting a proper restoration. What you personally do with YOUR car or cars is your business, and I'm happy for each and every one of ya. Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress. As it was discussed a while back, don't belittle one's GT/Manta/Ascona/Kadett/ or whatever type Opel they have, or what they have in it, I truly like seeing imagination at work, we all should. So, please, let's calm down and enjoy what we each have and enjoy it to the fullest. Drive em, shine em, show em, build em, race em, just have fun with em.!!

[Nathan Acree]

If it was meant as poking fun then thats fine. The tone seemed pretty harsh to me. I like GT's and Mantas, but to have someone say don't diss Mantas and then turn around and act like GT owners are clods who don't understand handling is not that funny.

Some like the style of the GT, some prefer the handling of the GTs and Asconas- fine. Different cars for different purposes.

-Nathan Acree
Albuquerque New Mexico

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Nathan Acree If it was meant as poking fun then thats fine. The tone seemed pretty harsh to me. I like GT's and Mantas, but to have someone say don't diss Mantas and then turn around and act like GT owners are clods who don't understand handling is not that funny. Some like the style of the GT, some prefer the handling of the GTs and Asconas- fine. Different cars for different purposes. -Nathan Acree Albuquerque New Mexico

Knowing Jim, he was just playing around. Tone is always hard to 'read' when it comes to the internet, and easily misinterpreted.

As for me, I tend to make a LOT of remarks about the GT's, most are VERY playfully worded, some are not. I'm sure some people think I hate GT's, this is not the case. I love taking cheap shots at friends who own GT's however... A bit of 'sibling rivalry' if you will.

I'm aware of each car's shortcomings, and embrace them for what they are. I'm rallying an Ascona, road racing a Manta, and will be building a GT for Bonneville. Each suited perfectly for the task IMO!

Bob

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by Nathan Acree If it was meant as poking fun then thats fine. The tone seemed pretty harsh to me. I like GT's and Mantas, but to have someone say don't diss Mantas and then turn around and act like GT owners are clods who don't understand handling is not that funny. Some like the style of the GT, some prefer the handling of the GTs and Asconas- fine. Different cars for different purposes. -Nathan Acree Albuquerque New Mexico

Nathan;
Your point is well taken, and said well. To each their own likes, Opel-wise. I have fond memories of a Kadett Wagon, that was our first Opel, in that me and my 5 sisters took our driving tests in it. My real draw to Opels was indeed the sexy lines of the GT, but, the more I got into Opels, and that means ALL models, even with their individual bad/good points, the more I loved ALL Opels. Interchangeability is the key word. Handling is what YOU make it. Back when I drove my GT(s), even in stock form, I could out-drive most around, as I knew the limits of what the GT could do. Same with the Kadett, or the Manta/Ascona. I never could afford all the nice springs, shocks, swaybars, etc, so, I learned to drive it stock, and I did it well. I don't mean that I raced, like in SCCA, or whatever, I'm talking street race, no "pinks" just the right to smile at the guy in your review mirror. But, that was my youth, I'm not proud of some of the "races" I did, some I was, but, in any stock Opel, I could out drive most, so handling was not an issue for me. But, 30+ years later, I can afford a few things, but, I appreciate the Opel(s) I do have and wish I could have appreciated the ones I had more. So, again, drive em, shine em, race em, show em, HAVE FUN!!!

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by Nathan Acree If it was meant as poking fun then thats fine. The tone seemed pretty harsh to me.

It's one thing to hear an opinion about GTs vs. Mantas, but hearing Nathanial Hawthorne quoted really set me off. Keep that poetic crap to yourself, Jim.

-Bill (long time Manta owner and more recent GT driving clod)