Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - $400 Vitus 979?

Found a Vitus 979 local on craigslist and was thinking of inquiring into it. Was gunna make an attempt at offering 250-300. Do do think thats a fair price? First bike for me, and light forum research indicates it to be a good bike from that era?

Vitus 979 classic road bike in excellent condition
400 obo
56cm frame
Cinelli handle bar and stem
Shimano 600 sis rear and front derailer
dura ace hubs
Mavic rims

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/2981089608.html

Hes entertaining $250 which is pretty much as high as I can go in any case.

Any advice on the bike? Questions I should ask? Would appreciate responses before I pick it up if he agrees!

Looks clean. I'd buy it for $250 if it fit and I was going to ride it. To resell, maybe not.

A Vitus in good-excellent condition will usually go in the $200-500 range. I'd say anything under $300 would be considered a good price. I have a Vitus that I bought for about that much, and despite the reputation, I'd say it's considerably nicer than most vintage steel bikes in the same price range that I've experienced. In other words, I think they're a deal.

If you can get the bicycle for $250, or $350 buy it! They are wonderful bicycles, however; they are not for heavy people. I found my Vitus 979 (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_France/Vitus_979/VITUS_979_1_Start.htm) to be very flexible. Even though I loved the ride quality and feel, I was worried about breaking the frame. I am just too heavy for such a wonderful bike...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/French_Bicycles/Vitus_Bicycles/VitusBlueFullSideRight.jpg

Is this thing aluminum or carbon tubed? (I'd feel better about riding on Al) Either way, $250 is a good price. Go for it.