1985 Buick Lesabre Estate

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1203982753877939/?mibextid=6ojiHh

First time posting, I’m wondering what would be a fair price for this vehicle? Photos are limited unfortunately.

 

Saw it yesterday, power windows work but rear tailgate window stutters when going up. Power seats do not work. Interior seems fair condition, exterior also fair.

 

i did a search on bring a trailer result for Buick estate wagon. since 2020 3 have sold between 7000 to 12000.
No Reserve: 1990 Buick Estate Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,250 on February 2, 2022 (Lot #64,872) | Bring a Trailer
No Reserve: 1988 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,100 on November 25, 2020 (Lot #39,673) | Bring a Trailer
Single-Family-Owned 1990 Buick Estate Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,638 on June 26, 2019 (Lot #20,280) | Bring a Trailer

gives you a general idea what they are going for on auction. see which is closet to mileage, options, and condition between these 3.

 

Frankly, I think you could do better.....

First, this is Ohio, which is (apparently) the SALT STATE. Check the underside thoroughly.

Second, this is a LeSabre Estate. I'd hold out for a Electra Estate, which has much nicer seats. The LeSabre seats aren't anything more than Chevy Caprice seats, with a different cloth pattern.

Third, it's at a DEALER, who thinks all older station wagons are GOLD MINES. In 2020 (or was it 2019, I forget...) I had my '81 Pontiac Bonneville Safari for sale (same basic GM 'box wagon' as this Buick), and didn't get any takers at what I thought was a reasonable price. It needed woodgrain and a few other things, but it only had around 50k miles on it. Finally sold it to a used car dealer over on the other side of the Cascades from me, for less than $3,000. He put new woodgrain on it, and advertised it at $14,000. Didn't take long for it to sell, but I don't know for how much.

 

Thank you for the help, much appreciated.

 

Wow, what a story. I can’t say I’m surprised by their attempt to more than triple what they paid for it.

After giving this one another drive I have decided to pass, I don’t believe it’s worth what they are asking. Thanks for your reply!

 

Is it just me or does this photo appear to show that the car has a vinyl rear seat and a velour front seat? Not the best photo but it sure looks like it to me

 

Haven't posted in a while but doesn't mean I don't look. Their price is reasonable for what wagons are bring lately.
Sold my 1985 Colony Park 2 or 3 years ago for $6000 a year later it was on the market for $13,000 (dealer). Next owner redid brakes, which it needed, and hadn't driven the car more than 500 miles. In my opinion any 1980's "box" wagon in decent condition that is listed for under 10 grand is a reasonable price. And yes, I'd hold out for an Electra.

 

You are correct! Front row is cloth and middle and third row are vinyl. I have seen this combo a few times now.

 

It does seem to be in decent condition, but there are issues in person that you don’t see in this poor collection of photos. Dealership wouldn’t budge on the price.

 

If you know how to take the pictures - they will lie
Not surprised the dealer wouldn't move, based on current market availability on 1980's wagons. almost none on eBay or craigslist

 

Listed at a dealer: Strike 1
Prop mounted on roof: Strike 2
Griswold reference: Strike 3

What are the issues you saw in person that you cannot see in the pictures?

 

Power seats weren’t working, tailgate window stuttered, third row trim near windows was loose and showed a lot of wear. When looking at the sides of the vehicle from an angle there were a lot of bubbles or dents where the wood paper is. Other small cosmetic issues on the exterior

 

Yup. Don't reward a shady profiteer.........