Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Carbon Allez, not new, old enough?

First of all, I realize this bike may not be quite old enough to get much attention here, but this subforum has been so useful to me, and you guys are so helpful, I thought it would be worth a try.

My friend has been looking for a road bike for an upcoming 180 miler, and while I'm happy on my Miyata 912 that you guys helped me decide on, he's only got a mountain bike. I've finally convinced him to look at used instead of new, and I want some advice on this bike:

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/1052154696.html

http://images.craigslist.org/3mb3p93l5ZZZZZZZZZ92qc238ccc9ae551e51.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3n53k43ocZZZZZZZZZ92q6fa3b60de5bb13ef.jpg

If it fits him, is this a decent bike? Was carbon of that time period the blows-apart-when-you-look-at-it kind? Am i being suckered in by the dura ace?

There are several other decent looking bike on CL in my area, including

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/1048449779.html

Both of these are about double what i would want to pay for a bicycle, but I don't want to see him getting on something with Sora/Tiagra parts that loses half its value by the end of the ride. Any opinions would be welcome.

I like the Carbon better for riding, but feel it's about $50-100 overpriced. The frame and group are great, but it looks like he swapped out the saddle and stem. A $575 bike should be prettier than that. If he had really nice tires, a hotter saddle, and colored wrap, yeah, I'd maybe go that if it was ready to ride, good cables, pads, etc.

The Pinarello will hold value, and you'd be surprised how light that one may be. I don't think it's the Montello, their top bike, and the owner's been at it with those tri bars, etc. It's priced closer to it's value, but is probably worth more the closer to OEM it gets. I'd say the Pin is closer to it's real value than the Allez, and I'd love to have either one, and if they were sitting here on CL, I'd go $475 on the Allez and $500 on the Pin, depending on condition/tires/phugly factor, negotiate from there. You could at least buy the Pin and sell all that stuff that's on it to offset your price.

I had 2 of those epics and loved the bikes, one caution, check the seat clamp lug very carefully for cracks or damage. If you turn the wrong side of the allen bolt (one side is fixed and not meant to turn) it can break the lug, in which case the frame is unrepairable and unrideable.

If you want to spend half that amount, you really should consider a 1980s Japanese steel bike. The better ones should be available for no more than $250, the mid grade to lower grade ones for less than $200. All should have cromoly frames, alloy rims, alloy crank set and mid level Suntour components or better. A good Japanese vintage bike will hold its value from here. You certainly will see that with your Miyata.

That Epic looks way over priced to me. Composite carbon bikes do not have that kind of value, even with the nice components. I hope that seller is right, as I have a Giant Cadex in the shop right now I need to consider selling.

On the Pinarello, the price seems to be about right. But if you want to spend half as much, I would keep looking.

I would look for one of the higher end Miyatas, Nishikis, or several other good brands out there.

What size Cadex? I like those old carbons.