Everybody thinks because their car is old and relatively rare their cars
are worth $$$. Doesn't hurt to ask for $$ and uninformed and sometimes
ignorant people will buy the overpriced cars - too bad for
them(HaHaHa!!). Before anyone buys any car they should research them and
find out what they are worth and how much to fix them up.
I saw several Roadsters at various shows where people wanted $2500 for
pieces of shit that were basically rusted out clap traps w/numerous
abortions performed on them by uncaring and ignorant mechanics and
owners. I offered one guy $400 for his and told him it was for parts
only - he cursed me out and characterized me as being uninformed about
their worth! The car had the wrong convertible top frame that didn't
fit, the doors wouldn't open and close correctly because the rockers
were so rusted the door jams sank, there was bondo galore all over the
body and when I lifted the carpets there were no floors to speak of and
the gas tank was separating from the trunk floor, well, what was left of
the trunk floor.
Before I bought my Roadster I looked at several other cars including a
TR4 and an AH 100-4. At the time, 1980, there were very few parts
available for either of the latter 2 cars and what body parts and other
necessary replaceable parts were $$$. I chose the Roadster because at
the time parts were plentiful and relatively inexpensive eg: fenders
$200, new bumpers 135, BJ 40, brakes 40 per caliper, etc etc.
CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!!!! - Let the buyer be aware!!!
Mike
PS - Accordingly, my fully restored '66 is worth $30,000 w/numerous new
and used spares. Buyers anyone?
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Murphy [mailto:andrew.murphy@integtech.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 7:28 PM
To: 'Steve Harvey'
Cc: 'datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net'
Subject: RE: FW: Datsun For Sale
List,
What's up with the all the trashed cars with inflated asking prices? I
often
wonder (don't we all) what my car is really worth. Yes, I have a 67.5
2000
Solex car. The body is straight with just some surface rust. The paint
is
crap and the interior is non-existent. I am not ashamed to say at this
point
that after purchasing the car and putting all of the money I needed to
get
it running and back onto the street, I am into it for 8.5 k.
Now most of you have seen pictures of my car. The shape it is in now
would
not be worth 8.5 k on the open market. It wouldn't matter anyway,
because
this car is not for sale. It means more to me than the money. I know you
can
relate. Even after the restoration is over, the car will probably top
out at
around 15-20K (if I do the full restore). Believe me it will cost A LOT
more
than that to get everything done.
Kelly Blue Book doesn't go that far back and there are so many variables
that it is almost impossible to put a set price on a car. So someone who
has
a 70 1600 with a totally caved in back end feels they can get 1500.00
for
it. Sid Raper has told me stories of his quest for a 67.5 2000 that has
led
him to a pile of rust held together with bondo and the guy wants 2000.00
for
it. When we sell cars, we have the right to ask whatever we want, but
for
Pete's sake let's be reasonable. I can't believe how many stories I have
read about people driving hundreds of miles to look at rusting hulks
that
the owner lists as "needs minor restoration".
Someday I will buy a parts car. I would hope that it will priced
accordingly, but the way things are going, I may have to sell off my
roadster to buy the parts car!
My vent,
Andrew Murphy
67.5 2000 Solex (Worth 5k on the market, priceless to me)
SoCalROC http://www.netcom.com/~andr/socalroc.htm
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