Oooh the temptation....

[Kris Horton]

In a bind here fellas. This past weekend when my folks were here visiting me, my mom told me that the lady that does her nails is selling here '68 Chevelle. I know the woman as she did nails where I used to get my hair cut and we talked cars every now and then since she and her husband are into classic cars.

Last time my mom was having her nails done, she was told that the Chevelle was for sale and that she wanted me to make her an offer since she knew I'd take care of it and have always liked the car.

The story on the car is that's it's just a nice, restored '68 Malibu with a black interior, bucket seats, a/c, and a console with a 350 under the hood. Nothing too exciting, but overall, a very well-kept car that was driven once or twice a week.

Here's my problem(s):

-I have no idea what to offer for this car. It's not an SS, the restoration is several years old, and it's just gpt a plain white paint job.

-I don't have a garage...but I have a safe place to park it and would probably cover it and only drive it on weekends, or part of the week.

and

-I want it really bad...but doubt I'd be able to keep it stock for very long...


Now, instinct tells me that it's worth less than $10K. The value of these cars isn't too high, but if they're in good shape I've seen them fetch around $11,000, but nothing consistent. I'm thinking that if I make an offer I'd try $6500 or so.

Can anyone give me some advice on this? I'd love to have a nice classic car down here with me to take to shows and drive around. My '71 is at my parent's house most of the time since it's too nice for just covered parking and I wouldn't drive it around here too much due to all the traffic in my area. It's more at home in the desert right now.

So yeah, any advice on what I should offer and if I should do it would be sweet.

Kris

[XcYZ]

Buy. :yes:

[Derek69SS]

$10,000 sounds feasible around here, but from what I hear, good solid cars aren't hard to find where you're at.

[race-rodz]

6500....and a free rendering of my truck :unibrow:


opps..... sorry.... that just slipped out... $6500 is a price to start from.... im sure if you looked around... you could probably find something similar for less... but the whole friend of the family deal.... i dunno... 8500 tops if its extra clean and nice.

[Kris Horton]

Yeah, you're on the right track. Well, except the free rendering. :D

After seeing the copper 69 Chevelle at Buttonwillow last month, I really would love to do something similar.

I think between $6500 and $8000 will be my goal. I'm not really in the market, but I would love to take it off her hands and have her know it's got a good home and possibly a high-performance future.... :unibrow:

Kris

[Autokraft]

Kris,

$6500.00. I say go for it, you can never have too many musclecars.lol!!

Atleast you know the history on the car so thats kinda cool. Sounds like a good car.

Kurt

www.autokraft.org

[Steve1968LS2]

Offer $6k and let them counter.. have cash in your pocket.. worse they can say is no or how about $xxx

At least the car wont depreciate :)

[Kris Horton]

Yeah, good idea Steve. I suppose the little angle on my shoulder is saying "don't low ball them!" But at the same time, the worst they can do is ask for more...

Kris

[T Bell]

I hate when someone close says "make me an offer". If you go too low, they think you don't value their stuff and could be taken as an insult.

[XcYZ]

At least the car wont depreciate

Exactly. Just tell yourself that it's an investment. :)

[jonny51]

Post some pics when you get it :D

[DCreations]

:D Give the lady a few hugs and kisses and I'm sure she will let the car go for almost nada :P

[BC69]

Exactly. Just tell yourself that it's an investment.

Now my comment doesnt really impact Kris' decision as if he gets its low enough it doesnt matter. But these days it might not be an investment. I think muscle cars are in a boom like the housing bubble, someone buys a house now for 500k and three years from now cant sell it for more than 350k is going to be the problem. I think with some of the muscle car prices, you could pay 10k today for a rolling shell, and in 5 years try to sell it and you might be looking at 3k.

That was just a ramble. I say buy it...and just keep telling yourself that you arent going to upgrade it! ;)

Tim

[Steve1968LS2]

Now my comment doesnt really impact Kris' decision as if he gets its low enough it doesnt matter. But these days it might not be an investment. I think muscle cars are in a boom like the housing bubble, someone buys a house now for 500k and three years from now cant sell it for more than 350k is going to be the problem. I think with some of the muscle car prices, you could pay 10k today for a rolling shell, and in 5 years try to sell it and you might be looking at 3k.

That was just a ramble. I say buy it...and just keep telling yourself that you arent going to upgrade it! ;)

Tim

I think you are right but I also think that it applies to $200k Mopars and COPO's more than $6k chevelles.. these cars will always be desirable and such.. it's the crazy priced cars that could come crashing down..

[jonny51]

Now my comment doesnt really impact Kris' decision as if he gets its low enough it doesnt matter. But these days it might not be an investment. I think muscle cars are in a boom like the housing bubble, someone buys a house now for 500k and three years from now cant sell it for more than 350k is going to be the problem. I think with some of the muscle car prices, you could pay 10k today for a rolling shell, and in 5 years try to sell it and you might be looking at 3k.

That was just a ramble. I say buy it...and just keep telling yourself that you arent going to upgrade it! ;)

Tim

Yeah 4 years ago it was the same thing.I have yet to see a housing bubble burst :D If any thing prices may level off but i doubt you will see aything drop.I think the same goes for cars.I wish the so-called housing bubble would burst so i could move and my property tax wouldnt be 10k a year.

[ProdigyCustoms]

68s are cool, we have a gorgeous torch red one coming out. Just some brakes and 17" TT2s (I know) on a original matching 396 / 350HP, 4 speed car. I'm going to loan him a set of wheels so Steve will shoot it!

[evilzee28]

Hi Kris,I guess that they've asked if you want it because they know that you know the car & that you'll look after it. Strange, but people would often let something that they cherish go to someone for a lot less money, knowing that they'll look after it, than try to sell it for market value to a stranger. They KNOW you'll do the right thing with the car, otherwise they wouldn't entertain selling it to you, plus they'd probably like to see what you can do with it (knowing your background). It's their way of still having contact with the car once sold. I guess they'd sell to you for a LOT less than the market value & STILL be happy. Explain the awkwardness of how you feel regarding putting in a low bid & see what reaction you get, I bet you'll be surprised :thumbsup:

[Kris Horton]

Hi Kris,I guess that they've asked if you want it because they know that you know the car & that you'll look after it. Strange, but people would often let something that they cherish go to someone for a lot less money, knowing that they'll look after it, than try to sell it for market value to a stranger. They KNOW you'll do the right thing with the car, otherwise they wouldn't entertain selling it to you, plus they'd probably like to see what you can do with it (knowing your background). It's their way of still having contact with the car once sold. I guess they'd sell to you for a LOT less than the market value & STILL be happy. Explain the awkwardness of how you feel regarding putting in a low bid & see what reaction you get, I bet you'll be surprised :thumbsup:

Very well-put. That's very much what I think about the situation. My dad might go look at it this weekend for me if they are serious about letting it go.

Kris