Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

andre1969

Same thing with buyers, claiming to call them when you want to sell your "special" car, as they'll be the first to buy it, only to have them make up some lame excuse when it's time to put their money where their mouth is

I've had a few situations with my '68 Dart. Actually, from the day I bought it! The guy I bought it from said that if I ever wanted to sell it, to give him first dibs at it. Well, that was 17 years ago...I wonder if he'd still be interested! :P

After it quit running, occasionally somebody would stop by and ask about it...but for some reason, when it still ran, nobody seemed to care! 100 feet back from the road, it doesn't look that bad. I was always brutally honest with them, and warned them that it's not going to look nearly as good once you get closer!

Well, one guy stopped by awhile back, wanting it for parts. I just said "make me an offer" but he hemmed and hawed, and never did. We did exchanged phone #'s though. Well, last year another guy stopped by, wasn't scared off by it, and wanted it. I didn't bargain too hard. He offered $300, and we settled on $400. Well, my plan for that summer was going to be putting it on Craigslist, asking $995 or something like that, be happy if I got $500, and if it wasn't gone by the end of summer, just call the junkyard to come get it...or see if my mechanic wanted it. So I figured $400 was close enough!

Well, once it was sold, the guy who wanted it for parts stopped off, and I told him that, unfortunately, it was sold. I did pass his # off to the guy who bought it though, just in case he ultimately decided it was too much work, so he'd have a potential buyer.

Well, not too long ago, someone else stopped by, asking about it! While that guy did pay for the Dart in full, he hasn't picked it up yet. Well, this new guy, even when I told him it was sold, wouldn't take no for an answer. Asked me how much I got for it. I shouldn't have told him, because then he started going on about how I got taken, and how I didn't know what I had, and how he'd give me $1000 for it! Umm yeah, right...probably just talking so bold because it was already sold!

Anyway, he kept going off on how condition didn't matter, because the car was a V-8. He actually said "you don't understand, most of these just had a V-6, but you got a V-8. You got a Hemi!!" At that point I lost it and couldn't contain my laughter. I told him that first off, they came with a slant six, not a V-6, and second, that wasn't a Hemi, it was a Wedge-Head LA V-8. Roughly 28% of all Darts in the 270 series were V-8 equipped. So yeah, it's in the minority, but not exactly scarce. The real kicker came when he told me that if it was restored, it would bring $100K or more at the auction block. Yeah, right...maybe if it was all fixed up, in really good shape, and had a VERY big bag of money in the trunk!

gsemike

Andre, do you still have it or not? I thought that it was gone a while ago

andre1969

Yeah, it's still sitting out in the driveway. The guy said he was going to try to have it out by the end of June. I'm really not that pressed, since I have the space so it's not in the way. Oh, I also looked up where the new owners lives, on some aerial photographs. All I have to say is that I hope he keeps that Dart inside, because the neighbors are NOT going to enjoy seeing something like that in his driveway or at the curb!

Sorta like the Beverly Hillbillies truck parked outside their mansion, but on a slightly less grand scale.

Mr_Shiftright

Audis: Don't shoot the messenger, all you Audi lovers out there. I'm just telling you what I've learned after thumbing through shop receipts at my friend's Audi repair shop (and he is HONEST). Pretty scary stuff in there, especially the V-6 and V-8 cars. Nice ride and handling, though. "Buy cheap, sell fast". Do NOT go down with the ship on an Audi.

Many of those BMWs of that era had METRIC radials, and if they're worn you're either out lots of $$$ to replace them or you have to buy new wheels and "normal" tires.

Exactly, just go buy yourself a 635 CSi that's nice and you're way ahead. You don't want a 633 anyway, harder to find parts. These cars have been waiting 25 years to become "collectible". Owners may have to face the facts that it's not going to happen.

A 96 wagon being collectible? Well perhaps as a curiosity, but I can't see any "big money" down the road. The far sportier and more handsome 93-95 Impala SS is already falling flat, after struggling past $10K. The '96 Impala SS is still fairly strong at around $15K. These are prices for *very* nice low mileage cars BTW, with right colors and options.

They'd (the wagons) make a great race car hauler, though. :P

jlflemmons

As the previous owner of a Fiero, I always laugh when I see one advertised for sale with power steering listed as one of the options.

The Fiero never came with power steering, and with the common WS6 option, or a GT, was a real handful to park in tight quarters.

Mr_Shiftright

Never figured out how GM made a sports car feel like a school bus. :P

ghulet

....do people come up with their eBay Buy It Now prices? The seller would be fortunate to get 25% of his for this heap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Oldsmobilie-88-Royal-4-door_W0QQitemZ3003265- 83933QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item45ecdbfe7d&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245- &_trkparms=65%3A-1%7C39%3A1

or, for $300 more, you can have a much nicer (albeit newer), RUNNING Olds tank:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-Oldsmobile-Ninety-Eight-98-Rare-Coupe-42k-mi- -1-own_W0QQitemZ280367043767QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item41472d94b- 7&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A317

Mr_Shiftright

Here's a '76 that's about 100 times nicer than his, and I bet you could bargain it down to about $3500 no problem.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1260258173.html

andre1969

I ran the VIN for that '75 Delta, and at least it has the 455, rather than 350. So it would be a neat old beast...if it was running! But as it sits, I imagine the current bid of $200 is more than generous for it. Shame it's not running; I think it would make a neat beater.

In comparison though, that '83 Ninety-Eight coupe is gorgeous! I wish the pictures weren't taken in the shade though, because it makes it harder to tell what color it is. It looks grayish at first glance, but I think it's one of those light greenish/bluish silver colors. GM had a few of them back then. One was just called "Silver-Green", while another was "light jadestone", and there was another, "light greyfern", which I think might be the color this one is.

gsemike

And you thought that the other guy was nuts

Challenge: who can post the most insane ad today?

andre1969

I actually like that car, but that buy it now price is totally insane! Looks like it's pretty well equipped. I'm guessing that "OB" stands for Omega Brougham?

I always thought it a bit odd that, in later years at least, you could still get a 350 in the Nova, while the Phoenix/Omega/Skylark only offered the 305 as their biggest engine.

gsemike

It's as nice as those cars can be which means about $7500

fezo

Wow. That ad's going to be tough to beat.

gsemike

Nuts in another way

lokki

Was trying to find something even close and stumbled across this

RARE 1971 4 SPEED 350 SL MECERDES - $800

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/1261467311.html

Worth the trouble if it runs? :confuse:

qbrozen

Heck, if it was truly a "new engine 10k miles ago" then the engine alone is worth that, IMHO.

explorerx4

my FIL has an 83 cutlass cruiser that looks pretty much the same color. it is a light metallic blue, although as it has faded it can look somewhat gray or purple.

explorerx4

1 of?

2 of?

no wonder i din't buy from here

amazimg?

jackpot! half a dozen at once!

fintail

A Euro model that "needs work"...I bet that means it is rotten.

Those wheels are horrible on that car. Rare transmission for that thing...but I don't know if that's a good thing. Chrome wheelarch trim and 3rd brakelight aren't good signs. Still, there's got to be $800 worth of parts on it.

fintail

I like the line on that 59 Ford..."the only year that galaxie and fairlane teamed up to make one amazing car" :P

All of those clones...I bet someone needs mcmansion mortgage money.

Who would have bought a Sebring that loaded up? Scary.

ghulet

....you might not want to see this poor thing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-MERCEDES-BENZ-300SE-FINTAIL-W112-HECKFLOSSE-- SE_W0QQitemZ120445925059QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item1c0b22f6c3&_t- rksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A317

fintail

Yeah, I have seen that poor thing on ebay before...seller can't find a legit buyer. Seems a lot of W112s became parts cars, and it is tough finding a customer who will deal with it. It's probably worth it as some of those parts are impossible to find...but the demand isn't very high.

I actually saw a sadder one several years ago, it belonged to my old MB specialist:

See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

This is the LWB W112 300SE, which is much rarer than the SWB. This is a 1963, production for worldwide consumption was 387 units. As one can see, the car is a lost cause - going without a back windshield for a period of time will really make a mess. It actually had a good engine, which I think later went into a coupe. I think he would have parted with it for a grand or so. Painful, as a LWB 300SE is the highest line fintail and just about the hardest to find.

stickguy

My BIL lives up on long island, and for at least the last 10 years or so (that they have been living in their current house) I have seen the same MB in a driveway that I pass when heading there.

Hasn't moved in that time, other than to effectively sink into the driveway (I swear, it seems to be getting absorbed into the asphalt, as the tires have been pancakes forever).

THe paint keeps fading away, and this year, the whole back bumper/valance was on the ground behind it, and I don't think it was taken off my man! Windows broken, and rusty. Just a complete mess.

Not sure the model, but I think it is an early 70's (whatever the smaller series was that replaced the fintails).

Actually, parked infront of it is another one. Hard to see since it is mostly hidden, but I think it is a fintail, and of course, being blocked in, doesn't move either.

Bad enough to have something loke that rotting away, but it is right up front on a busy street. Just screams LI euro redneck or something.

ghulet

....very close to me there was a '56 Chevy Bel Air four-door hardtop (fairly rare model) sunk up to its rockers in a back yard....last time I drove by, it was finally gone (wondering if the city took it or it was sold to a collector/restorer---I fear the former).

ghulet

.....and my apologies to those of you who are well to aware of my obsession with '66 Cadillacs. This is one of my favorite colors for that year, and this is an oddball strippo (appears to only have a factory AM/FM--no tilt, no power stuff, no air), which would actually make it a much easier car to own than the average Caddy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-cadillac-calais-all-original_W0QQitemZ270422- 667400QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3ef6727088&_trksid=p4506.c0.m24- 5&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A317

and it's in Chicago....too bad, especially w/recent job loss, no $$ in budget for toys. Still, I wonder what this thing will get in this condition w/49k miles....I'm thinking maybe $6-7k, maybe more?

lemko

My best friend's cousin has a blue 1967 Cadillac Calais coupe and it's as barren as that '66. He calls it, "the working man's Caddy!" :P

texases

I don't think it'll get bid up much past $3000, based on what '66 Caddys seem to go for on Ebay. It's not a desireably-optioned car, regardless of condition. It'll join the ranks of Ebay 'no sales', which 80% of those cars seem to do...

fintail

The typical fate of so many old cars, especially the less glamorous ones - the owner doesn't have the money or desire to maintain or restore the car, but doesn't need money badly enough to sell. This is a death sentence for the car.

Mr_Shiftright

The 350SL is one of the more valuable of the W 107s (relatively speaking) but punishing restoration costs would make a "basket case" untenable. If it's rust free and it runs well, could well be worth the trouble, but just barely....you can buy a really really nice one for $12,000 or so. So if you add up paint and a convertible top and a set of tires, that's already $8,000, and you haven't touched interior or mechanicals.

Also, being sort of a heavy, plush, comfy mush-bucket, I'm not sure a stickshift would be all that much fun.

Worth a look...a *close* look IMO.

Wire wheels are hideous on these cars to my eyes, so they'd have to go.

lokki

Ghulet -

The owner of that 66 Caddy has big dreams... Here's what was posted on eBay in response to a question

Hi: I am interested in your car. Can you call me at whatever or send me your number to whatever@comcast.net. Thanks Brady Jul-09-09

A: THANKS BRADY FOR BEING NTERESTED IN MY CAR. SORRY FOR LACK OF INFO. ITS MY FIRST TIME ON EBAY. DIDNT HAVE LUCK SELLING ON MY OWN. IT TRULY IS A VERY WELL KEPT CAR. I PERSONALLY THINK ITS WAY BETTER THAN OTHER CARS LISTED. EXCEPT FOR THE BLACK ONE , NOW THATS A BEAUTY NO DOUBT. BUT COMPARED TO MINE ITS TOTALLY UNTOUCHED OR RENOVATED. IT EVEN HAS DOOR GUARDS. THEY LOOK LIKE SMALL BUMPERS. SORRY YOU CANT SEE THEM ON THE PICTURES. I THINK ITS PRICED WELL. SORRY IF I DISAPPOINTED ALL WHO ARE BIDDING. THANKS ALOT FOR YOUR INTEREST.MY RESERVE PRICE IS 15,000. SERIOUS BUYERS CAN CALL AT whatever

Mr_Shiftright

Well that's his right to reserve whatever price he wants....after buying the car a birthday cake for the next 5 years, he might sober up on it.

texases

$15,000?!? Wow...clean convertibles were getting bids of $7k...

What do you think it's worth, Shifty?

Mr_Shiftright

About $4,000, given that it's got everything wrong about it....it's a Calais (a minus) a stripper, (minus) a 4-door (minus) has some dings and dents, ( a minus) might need paint (a minus) , and has been on storage ( a minus) . So he's only 4X over market. He needs to look at some other ads and at price guides and get real about this car. He is IMO overlooking important subtleties about market value and other criteria.

lokki

1966 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130316999532&viewi- tem=

Me want. Badly. Is it worth the possiblity of divorce? (NB - Mrs. Lokki is generally considered a keeper, but....)

fintail

Is that maybe a first year example? Must be the oldest I have seen.

Mr_Shiftright

The car's going off a bit cheap....looks okay, but paint work is pretty careless under the rockers (lots of overspray). Might be a quickie repaint. Perhaps the economy is depressing the price a bit here, but I'd expect $17.5K for a truly nitpick clean, sorted car. Too bad there is no docs on the engine rebuild. That's a minus.

ghulet

I didn't bother to ask the seller (the '66 Calais) what his reserve is, since most won't divulge. $15k? Yeah, that's funny....originality and low miles aren't everything, this car, in the realm of other '66's, has little going for it, as has been stated. I thought I was being generous thinking it might get $6-7k; a seller like that is beyond reason, especially after admitting in the ad that he probably stole it from some old man who was the original owner.

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe the owner wasn't the one who got fooled after all.

qbrozen

ehhh... this is just not striking me as being all it sounds to be. As shifty pointed out, very sloppy on the paint prep showing on the undercarriage, which doesn't give me confidence in the job overall. Looks to me like the front bumpers aren't quite sitting right. Resetting the odometer?? I don't consider that a legit move with just an engine rebuild. And the mods aren't appealing to me, either. And what the heck is going on with the tailpipe?

So, given all that, I think the buyer is being kinda reasonable with the pricing. Although I think the current bid should be enough to get the job done.

ghulet

.....but this is about as funny an ad as I've seen on Craigslist in a while (it's rare that CL listers can even form cohesive sentences, let alone do comedy):

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1264146856.html

ghulet

my daughter don't want it....REEALLLY (or alternate: please pay for the paint job)?:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/1264103361.html

from the selling-accessories-rather-than-car files:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1264115655.html

tempting cheapo SAAB convertible:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ctd/1264129150.html

at least it's original, if not perfect, and price is OK, I think:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1264141489.html

Andre, we have your Volare':

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/1264097723.html

angel1234

I HAVE A 1992 EAGLE TALON TSI TURBO THAT IS BEING COMPLETELY REBUILT. ON THE TRANNY THERE IS A SEAL ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE CASING. THE LEFT SIDE IS BROKE WHAT IS IT CALLED AND WHERE CAN I GET 1?IS IT A TRANSAXLE SEAL OR DIFFERENTIAL? THANK U

Mr_Shiftright

Hi Angel1234,

Oops, you're in the wrong place. I think you should post this in our ANSWERS Department for the quickest response.

http://answers.edmunds.com/defaultloggedin.aspx

Good luck with your problem.

Host

Mr_Shiftright

70 Olds seems priced too high if it has rust and is only a 350 stripper model. I'm thinking $2500 is plenty for it.

Saab Convertible -- might be a good buy if the transmission passes muster. If that's acting up, the car is basically totaled.

Ford Focus -- that WAS a funny ad. Maybe there's a new marketing angle here: "New for 2010---The Car That Everyone Needs But Nobody Wants".

andre1969

Actually, I wouldn't mind an Aspen/Volare, in the right color combo, as long as it had a 318 or better, a 360. I actually prefer the sedans to the coupes for some reason...probably because they're roomier inside. The wagons aren't bad, though. As for that Craigslist Volare, the board underneath it to catch the drippings from various fluids gives the car a confident, quality aura. :P I'll confess that I have stuff to catch the drippings from my cars...heck most old cars leak something from time to time! Still, if I was selling a car, I think I'd take that board away for the pics!

boomchek

I told my wife that if she'll be ok with me buying this, I'll return the new LCD TV we just bought (and haven't picked up yet cause we're waiting till we move).

Attila's MB for sale

She was surprised until she asked where we'd park it. I said the living room

fintail

Heck, if it isn't rusty, that could be a decent toy to play around with - not much of an investment, and it is almost as simple as a tractor under the hood. I wouldn't expect Attila to own a weak car :shades:

boomchek

I'd be tempted, but as I said in CCBAS forums, I bought my sister a car, we're moving cause we bought a place, and a baby on the way. My wife wouldn't be happy with spending another grand on a "toy" especially with everything else going on right now. Plus we'll be living in a condo with limited parking

fintail

And if you didn't park that old thing inside, it would eventually disintegrate. Probably not the best idea, even without the other distractions. Housing prices here continue to sink - I have no plans to buy in the foreseeable future.

You'll have your hobby car in time.

boomchek

I hope I'lkl have a hobby car soon enough. Here the prices stabilized a bit. 5 of our friends bought places. Our condo mortgage is less than what we were paying in rent, plus it's larger, newer, and nicer. :surprise: