I know someone selling a 1984 733i with 7,200 orig miles. Car is a two owner is gray with tan lthr. Here are the only issues:

low miles but paint is still fading from what time it spent outside

one tear in drivers bolster

wood next too automatic shifter is damaged a little

a/c drain pan?? needs to be replaced

one power window not working.

Car was owned by doctors wife that never drove all, but 3months

Car is otherwise clean drives great and everything else works! No dents, accidents, repaints, or rust.

What do you guys think it is worth (not what I should offer).

Not much.
How many times in 21 years has the oil been changed? Once? Twice? What does 20 year old oil look like? Gum.
When you drive it all that stickyness is not a good thing and also "use it or lose it" comes to mind. Seals are not getting lubed, main bearings have to be shot from the weight of the crank sitting there, internal rust from not getting lubed. Buy it for $1k and you will be unhappy very shortly is my guess.

I agree completely; I have had the best luck with cars that have been daily drivers. I'd rather buy a car that's been driven several miles a day than one that's sat for weeks or months at a time. Sitting outside is even worse.

If you can find one that's been well-maintained and driven regularly, I bet you'll find an even better deal and a more reliable car. Good luck. Got pictures of the car in question?

No pics. I was just thinking about buying it and keeping as an investment in a way. I figure I get it 100% drive it one day a week and in ten years would have a 30 year old 7 series with around 20k miles and it might be pretty rare. I have seen several with around 50k now selling for $12k plus. I can get this one for $3k.

Well, if you have seen ones with 50k mi going for as much as you say, buying it for 3k would be well over a potential 9k if you sold it right now even. I say get it and just fix those minor things like the wood and all that stuff, then turn around and sell it for way more than you paid for, and then buy yourself something nice. Or just wait the 10 years if you would have that patience though, and I question how much the value would really go up in that time.

That is what I am thinking. I just want to make sure that I am not the only one out there that thinks this and I get stuck with it. I don't need the car, I have 4 nice ones in the drive way now :D

It isn't the most complicated car in the world, so it would probably be fun for 3 grand. About the biggest risk is the fuel injection, then perhaps damage due to acids in the oil if indeed it wasn't changed regularly.