Manco Dingo 388?

[Mrmonk7663]

Hey folks. There is a dingo for sale I have my eye on. Price is $500. Runs and drives with good tires (purportedly) From the pictures it looks to be in great shape. 8hp Briggs. Is this a solid buy or way overpriced? I know there are better “deals” that come up from time to time, but not often for a running and driving dingo with original engine. Let me know your thoughts. Seller says it’s an “adult sized kart”. He has a smaller dingo with a 5hp tecumseh also which is guess is a 285 or something.

Thanks!

I messed up the title. Obviously it should say Manco. Sorry.

 

[bthompson224]

I don't think it's a 388, looks like a 285. Anyway, my 388 was in better shape and sold for 375 here in DFW. I think I could have gotten more if I wanted to wade through a few dozen tire kickers, but only had $300 in it total, including new fuel system, tires, wheels, bearings, fluids, and filters.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

Thought the 285’s had smaller engines? The guy had it listed at $650. I tried $490 but he wouldn’t bite unfortunately. $500 is his compromise.

 

[bthompson224]

You could be right. The 388 has the entire brush guard, though.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

I could be wrong too there were so many model variants. I’m just wondering if the price tag is decent really. All the dingos I see now that run seem to be in the $4-600 range

 

[bthompson224]

Dunno, seems a little high. Front wheels and maybe tires are mismatched, however if that's an original Manco on the front left, you could sell it for almost enough to get matched brand new ones. Go check it out. If it's complete, nothing is damaged, and everything works like it should, hand him $400 and see what happens, you can always walk away. If it's been listed a while, he might think twice. One thing I learned is check the brakes to see if they lock up. You forget to lower the hand brake and you can glaze them fast.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

It’s been listed for 2 months. I’ll try to check it out this weekend and see. I see what you mean about the mismatched front wheels. The left definitely looks different.

 

[bthompson224]

If it's a real Manco 6", they are going from about $60-$75 on ebay. No idea if anyone is actually paying that.

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:07 PM ----------

I checked the Sold section, and they are. usually around $35 for each half.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

That’s good to know. I could care less about original wheels as long as the frame is solid and not bent. Starting and driving is a nice bonus haha. I’m with you though. I think $500 is a little high. Not crazy, but still high. I would have happily paid the $375 for yours.

 

[bthompson224]

Consensus was it is a 388. I thought it was a 390, but I'm no expert.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

Looks like fun!! The 390 I believe had the trailer hitch on the back. I’ve never seen one in the wild.

 

[bthompson224]

That's why I thought 390. Didn't matter, I never meant to keep it.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

Nice!!!!!! I don’t even know why I like it haha but I do.

 

[bthompson224]

Yeah, pretty useless really.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

Went to see the kart. It’s in good shape. Even has the original torque converter cover on it. The guy had it ready for a test drive which was unexpected. Kart had a lot of torque. I was surprised. Idles fine. Started in first pull. It is tempting. He also had a Manco Baja with an IC 5hp (not original engine), a yerfdog 3203, and some 2 seater Carter buggy frame.

The Manco would round off my collection wish list. Decisions decisions.

 

[Tpdingo]

Went to see the kart. It’s in good shape. Even has the original torque converter cover on it. The guy had it ready for a test drive which was unexpected. Kart had a lot of torque. I was surprised. Idles fine. Started in first pull. It is tempting. He also had a Manco Baja with an IC 5hp (not original engine), a yerfdog 3203, and some 2 seater Carter buggy frame.

The Manco would round off my collection wish list. Decisions decisions.

I got my 286 for 50$....about 220$ when all and said and done. Soooooo thats over 2x the price....for basically an extra 2hp.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

I’d love one that cheap but I don’t see it happening. The closest thing I’ve found in 2 months was $75. No engine. Zero paint. It had sat outside for years and was horrible. Everything else in Tx that is available is $400-$900 for a dingo unfortunately.

 

[Dingocat]

So something like this? 2nd worst gas tank I've ever cleaned.

 

[Mrmonk7663]

Believe it or not it was worse than that. But that one is pretty ragged too haha.

 

[Dingocat]

Believe it or not it was worse than that. But that one is pretty ragged too haha.

Stuck steering, stuck axle bearings, wheel hubs stuck to axle. Rust holes in floorpan, seat mount gone, seat frame broken and rewelded, brushguard welded together. Fun. Got the frame stripped but now need to weld on a floorpan and seat mount.