Pricing

I am wondering, for those who have purchased a wagon, how do you assess a fair price? For the old ones, there really aren't many reliable guides. I have noticed sellers think just because they have something with some years on it, it is valuable. Old and uncommon don't always translate into big bucks.

I may be in the market again soon

 

It seems to me that many sellers don't really know or care what they're old car is worth, they are just pushing the envelope to see how much they can get a sucker who knows even less than they do to pay. Also, a lot of sellers use projection: If they come across a big dollar, hot rodded, customized, version of the rusted out hulk in their driveway, they will ask stupid money for their car by projecting that if you buy it, this is what you could have with a little elbow grease. It's refreshing when I come across an honest seller, asking a reasonable, competitive price for a car in solid shape, who actually has owned it for more than a minute and knows all the details and value of said car. Most asking prices for old cars seem ridiculous anymore.

 

It is frustrating! I don't begrudge anyone form making money, but why price a car 2 or 3 grand more than it is worth from the beginning. Games people play!

 

You just have to pay attention to the market, checking all sources out there, to get a good handle on what's a 'reasonable' price for each wagon.

I don't know that I could tell you off the top of my head what's a good price for a '72 Malibu wagon for instance. But with the ad, a good description and pics, I could at least get in the ballpark.

There's also the angle of 'what's hot' and 'what's not'....... Chevy Nova wagons - very hot. Similar-sized '66/'67 Ford Falcons and Fairlanes - not so much.

Marshall

 

I think the old saying it is worth whatever it is worth to someone else and what they are willing to pay. I wanted a clamshell so bad when one locally finally came available that I had begged the old lady to sell to me for years, I didn't hesitate to pay her $4000 for it when it was probably only worth around $1500 in the condition it was in (it needed a cam/lifters and a tranny rebuild). She originally wanted $6000 for it. I spent $4000 on the car, $600 on an engine rebuild in 2008 and last year another $750 on a new transmission (and water pump) and another $350 on a complete new exhaust system and it probably needs another $1500 in paint/body work. I would be lucky to get $3000 for it as-is, though I have seen very rough clamshells bring a pretty penny lately, so maybe they are finally gaining a little in value. It is cheaper to buy one already fixed up.

 

It is cheaper to buy one already fixed up.
Yes, it's cheaper to buy a nice wagon already fixed up. The problem is how fixed is it and how doctored could it be?
From what I've seen with prices a lot of people are going by the auction prices or what others ask in papers and on the internet. Most price too high hoping a sucker will come along. Others have no idea or have sentimental value.
I've come close to buying an older wagon in the 70's or 80's based on the averages and what it would be worth to me compared to other vehicles in that age and mileage range.
Also check late model cars and see how much they are going for with over 100,000 miles on them. It will shock you!

Buying a wagon to keep and drive is one thing. Buying it to flip means you better not pay too much.

 

I personally don't care if anyone likes the price I have on my 79 Ford. Most think it's "To High" or I get it KBB's for............ NOT EVEN ON KBB!


It has 125,000 miles, it has always and I mean ALWAYS been maintained! It was bought brand new by my grandmother (basically a 1 owner car).

Any car valuing deals like NADA will give you an idea BUT they do NOT take into consideration that the car was in California for a good while and not a typical ROT BOX from here(PA) all it's life. If you think 3000 mi a year is high miles your smoking CRACK!

So there are many things to consider. I CAN drive it myself so you can pay what I want or damn close to it or i'll keep one of the most dependable vehicles I have ever owned!

I have had 2 older guys come and look at it Both were interested and had I had the classic plate on it the first guy would of bought it. and that was before I redid the interior and the headliner.

 

X2 in sooo many ways! NADA value guide to me = .....'NADA' clue that a car in "good" condition in the rust belt does not equal the same kind of car in "good" condition in friendlier environments but they don't have a rust belt vs. California condition rating as per this example. IMO you have 'NADA' clue if you base worth on IMO NADA/Used Car Book Price.

...... If 'NADA/Blue book" values meant anything in the real world I'd be rich!!! I could...Forget that, I would travel to our Canadian rust belt, buy every heap of rust, leave it parked in a wall mart parking lot for day to get the heck beaten out of it by shoppers....... Tell my insurance adjuster ...'Well NADA/Blue Book says.......................

 

It boils down to these salient points:

1) Does your desire speak loudly? Are you foaming at the mouth? Can't live without that wagon? Then step back. Have a second person go with you that is impartial. A second brain keeps you from overpaying.

2) Is the price fair to YOU? You are buying the car. If you think you are overpaying, you probably are. Listen to the voices in your head when they say "STOP!", as they are usually right.

3) Who cares if the seller is a flipper whose potentially making ten grand on the sale? He bought it right, obviously. Are you making a good buy at that higher price? It may well be inside the zone where you are not losing anything at the higher price, anyway.

4) I'm done with "projects". Maybe, if I were in my 20s or 30s, I'd still consider them. Life is too short to jack with a "needs love' car of any kind, to me. I want the most complete and running car I can afford. Little "fix" items are no biggie, but a restoration project? Not for me. If that is your thing, get the most complete car you can possibly find. Wagon-specific parts are generally more scarce than sedans, hardtops, and even in some cases, ragtops! And getting higher in price every day.

5) Buy what YOU want, not what the forum consensus says. Asking a bunch of strangers (and yes, we are enthusiasts, at that!) is silly, sometimes. BUT, by the same token, we can offer up first-hand advise on a model you might be interested in, and then offer advise on price, if needed. NEVER ask "what's it worth?"!!! That is a useless question, in my eyes. Every car is worth what the seller and buyer ultimately agree on for price. Always. One hundred percent of the time.

 

Well put! I had to sell my wagon last year, and am gearing up to get another one. I decided to get what i want and not settle. I do have a range of tastes but it will be in the good/driver condition. I don't have the time or energy for a project anymore.

I think overall the guideline isn't what comps sold for, ebay, or even people on here are asking but what I, and you all, would pay for that particular car.

I can't ask anyone I know to look at a car with me. I am an AMC man through and through and my buddies think I am nuts.

I turn to the forums for others' opinions and experience. Thanks!

 

I paid a little too much for my 1970 Cutlass Flat-top. I knew that I was paying more than I should but I was still paying less than the owner was asking. I paid blue book so I did okay but I think I still over paid. Here's why. Where I live I haven't seen a late 60's - late 70's wagon for sale that is in decent shape that I wanted to buy in 5 years. So, instead of driving halfway across the country I waited until I found one close by. That was worth me paying more. Plus the wagon is just what I was looking for which is worth more to me.

So, what am I saying? What everybody already knows. It's all about the buyer. If someone is willing to pay then why not let them. You can always drop the price as you try and adjust the price to what the market will bear. That's the very essence of a free market.

 

I agree, it is about the buyer, especially in a niche market like old wagons. I am on the hunt for a wagon. I need a long roof bad

 

Don't be afraid to go 'out of area' for the right wagon. There are transporting services you can hire, or if your wagon is running and driving, you can make a great road-trip adventure out of it.

 

Seriously. The people who would rather save $500 bucks and buy a rusty piece of junk locally when they could spend similar or a little more for a pristine sheet metal example elsewhere and be money and time ahead in the long run continue to amaze me. Nothing wrong with a winter beater but when I see cars stuck in restoration hell stripped to a chassis for years, it makes me sad when for a grand or two more they could have been driving one all this time.

 

I have one right here in Pa Running and driving and it's no rot bucket