Re: Fair price for 5k tq?

[Steve Burke <sburke@wvu.edu>]

Richard,
	I think you have summed it all up preetty well.

> The thing is, Listers know these cars inside and out.  

Since these cars are worth so little, especially compared to the money we put into them,
your best hope is to find someone who doesn't know what the car is worth.  You will not
find this person on the list.  I think a listmember will give you a better price on a high
mileage car in pristine condition, especially if it has desirable features (like an EFI
conversion).  A non-listmember will give a better price for a low mileage car (<60k) in
less than perfect condition, because people are trained to price cars based on mileage,
while listers know that this is a secondary concern.  Apart from these two extremes, there
is no market for our cars, and buyers generally know it.

> Another SUGGESTION is that you don't list the price of the car at all.  Be
> as honest as you can about the pluses and minuses -- and then have them
> make an offer.  

I don't agree here- I think the seller should always set a price, however negotiable.  I
would be unwilling to make an offer on a car, not knowing if the seller is expecting $4000
more than I would offer.  If that were the case, I would skip the car because neither of
us would ever be satisfied.

> I put another $5K into it: new BOGEs, oil cooler lines, PS pump and rack,
> throttle body, etc., etc.  and the car is in phenomenal shape now..

Congratulations, I'm sure you have an excellent car now, for a fraction of the price of a
new one.  And that wonderful 5 cylinder purr (growl? bark? clatter?)


Steve
87 5ktq- bought cheap!