Commuting - Cost of a used CL road/hybrid?

This is sort of general question and might be too vague but I'll set it up and see where it goes. My bike was recently stolen (Boston) and I'm doing the old new bike (maybe a hybrid (Muirwoods or something) vs. used in my head - seeing as I don't want to spend too much right now for a commuter. So generally speaking, what's people's experience with CL and buying a cheap older road bike - basically a beater. I 'm going to take a look at something like this later and he's asking for 100. The photos aren't very good but is the price range about what you'd expect or something I may be able to negotiate down a little.
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/398423757.html
Thanks!

I don't know what you're asking, but I hope you're not very tall if you get that bike.

the price really. 100 bucks seem like a lot for a Fuji bike from the 80s that's probably beat up?

Yeah, I'm not very tall. 5' 7"

the price really. 100 bucks seem like a lot for a Fuji bike from the 80s that's probably beat up?

Do you see any better bikes for sale for cheaper? Then buy them. If not, then I guess this is the best deal you're going to get.

You may want to post this in the Vintage/Classics forum for an opinion on that FUJI. Just looking at some of the "features" like suicide levers, stem shifter, large dork ring, I doubt that bike would be worth $50 around here if it was all working, much less with a broken brake.

I'm thinking of not making the trip to check it out. I wanted to pay 60 bucks for it but the more I look at the bad photos, the more I'm leaning toward looking elsewhere.

I bought a similar vintage Bianchi for $100. It too, has suicide levers and stem shifters, but it was all in working order.

In retrospect, I probably should have tried to pay a little less. Since I've had it I have put more money than I thought into it

new flat-resistant tires, new tubes, and rim tape ~ $50
rack and fenders ~ $35
tune-up at bike shop (they fixed a bent rear derailer) = $55

The unexpected expenses were replacement of a slipping steel seatpost - $20, and replacement of the headset, which was another $25.

I'm not counting add-ons like lights and a new seat (I did have a perfectly servicable one, but I wanted a Brooks), since those would be required for almost any commuting bike. That would be another $150 all together.

So far I've spent about $285 on the "beater" road bike, but I really do enjoy riding it. The frame is great, and I like being able to go faster than I could on my mountain bike.

Edited to add: the bike looked WAY better in person than it did on the crappy photos on Craigslist, so don't let that deter you too much.

They pull the starting price out of thin air. You can do the same with your offering price. If you want to pay $60, offer $50 and come up a little.

Myself, I'd hit that bike, if it fit, for no more than $50.