To the OP, if you are just lukewarm on the idea, but are willing to take on a project that will likely be more involved than it looks, then go in and make him a serious offer. Lowball it at maybe $1800, hand him your business card and ask him to call if he decides he wants to move it in a heartbeat. Tell him it will be a cash deal, as is, no warranty.
You can bet when they took it on trade, they lowballed that seller, and probably have somewhere between literally nothing in it, or they guy actually paid them to take it off his hands.
You may or may not get it for cheap money, but again, if you are just lukewarm on it, then it doesn't hurt to try. Might be a fun project if you have a good place to work on it in spare time.