Ok, here is a quick story for ya. I have a neighbor that is 5 houses down from me and he has this station wagon in the back and I have been driving by his house (car is parked in back) for the last 9 years. Well, I found out on Friday that they may be moving so I thought I would go down and see what his plans are for the car(s) (he also has a early 80's Jeep truck and a 65 Ford Galaxie 2dr Convertible). So I go and meet with him just to get a feel for where his thoughts are and so one of the questions I asked was what would it take for you to let the wagon go? He said make me an offer. The car is complete, tranny may be bad he said, interior needs a good cleaning, 1 dent in driver side front fender (not bad), large motor ????, etc. What should I do? How much is fair? Is a couple of hundred bucks an insult to him?
I would go no higher than $500. Looks like you would have some work to clean that thing up. In 77 the 460CI with C6 trans was the standard engine for that car. The 400CI with C6 was the option. The fact that the car has been sitting in the grass fror 9 + years would have me concerned about the frame and floors for rust. I would check that out before laying down ANY kind of cash. You would hate to buy something (even for cheap) and can't do anything with it because of a rust damaged frame. Otherwise it looks like it would be a fun project. just be careful that you are not buying a bucket of rust. Keep us posted! Take care Dan
Hi. There has been a 1978 Colony Park for sale in rural Nor Cal for the past 2 years (off and on). This car has a 400 motor, nice cream paint, great wood, a nice interior with jump seats, and a receiver hitch. The seller has been trying to get $1800-2000. So if this nice driving wagon can't sell for $2000, then I think the price range should be between a parts/ scrap value and $1000. I guess a Texas car should be competitively priced seeing how there aren't state sponsored buyback programs like what CA offers ($1000 cash).
Good advice from these guys, I wouldn't go ANY higher than $500 even if the frame is rust free. Scrap value is prolly $300 on one of these right now?
If you are worid about insulting him, have him come up a $ value. After sitting for 9 years not just the tranny will be in need of repair and replacement. What options does the car have also, PW, interiour, etc.
Yeah true, it is loaded. He told me he bought it with all of the options. Sorry, forgot to mention that he is the original owner. Thanks for the input guy's.
Suggest using some stragedy on this one. Seems he was keeping it to resore himself some day. Possibly has some sentiment attached to it for him. (Or is it one vehicle of quite a few on his property? If so, maybe not so much sentiment.). I would play off the sentiment issue to him... "Look, you've kept this vehicle for a long time, so it must mean something to you. So now maybe you won't be able to do it yourself, but why not give it to someone who can? Where else are you going to find someone interested in restoring that wagon?" --------------- That wagon needs a lot. Proceed carefully.
Thanks KK and CE.........I think I am going to go $200.00 and see if he throws me off his property. If he does then I still have $200.00. If not then great for me!!!!!!!!!!
if it were me.....there would be alotta shmoozing and consoling....before i offered that 2bills !! I usualy go with.. .."I just bought one the other day....my wife would crap if I bring home another....so tell me...just so were not standing here bantering for an hour like one of those stupid 'picker' shows.....whats your bottom line??....that way i cant insult you either" ....then when he says his bottom line.....you whince a bit...like it hurt. he'll say..."what?too much?"...then you say...."see...i was only thinkin ....like 2 hundred'...im glad i asked you first " now youve offered...and you...(theoretically)...didnt insult him
Around here a car like that you would need to go up to at least $800, because theres a pick a part around here they give 650 for cars
If you look at all the parts what are missing or damaged it is quite a big project, I would say. Just the side mouldings are hard to find these days and also the visior of the roof rack. Compare to the one what "waynestevens" did talk about. $300.- would be my last offer on that one. Sure it is nice to have a one owner car, but it has to be running also one day....
If you buy it and it sat any length of time, everything will start popping up, leaks, brakes failing fuel and brake lines blowing up, not to mention what is eating the wiring . I wouldnt buy a car for its option list that sat, its a list of things that need fixing.
