1979 IMPALA 52,000 miles $6,500 OBO

PRICE REDUCED TO $6,000

CL link:http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5137649582.html

OK,
I have decided to sell my 79 because I need a tow vehicle, and even though the wagon will tow the camper I have, it is underpowered with the 305 motor. I could always build a 350 and drop it in there, but I figure it is worth more with all it's parts left factory. This car is not loaded, but has tilt, cruise, air, rear air shocks, AM-FM,

It goes down the road just like it should with the low miles, it is a pleasure to drive. I have my sights set on a 1952 Chevy tin woody, so I will still have a wagon when it sells.

contact JIM @ 2six2-441-0333

THE CAR:
1979 Impala with 52,000 miles
No rust
Good tires
New front brakes
New exhaust (w/o converter)
Third seats
Air just changed to 134A (blows cold)
New headliner
Class 4 hitch (never set up with brakes or large electrical hook up)

I would consider a trade for a CHEVY or GMC truck about the same value.

 

That's a nice clean wagon. I'd go ahead and tow the RV locally to campgrounds to get the feel of it, after adding a good tranny cooler. Like I wrote, I made seven trips over 1000 miles one way with a 305 in a Chevy van and still drove it over seven more years.
A 52 Chevy wagon won't do any better no matter what engine it has.

 

Model T

I have checked it out locally and it handles the trailer fine. It will be OK for this summer. The main reason for selling is that my wife and I are heading to Florida this winter, ALSO, we are planning a trip out west next summer, so I am thinking ahead.

I am at the age (62) that I don't have to be passing everyone any more, but I also want to feel comfortable climbing a mountain range while towing.

The 52 wagon is going to be a toy, But I will not need 2 wagons. Actually I'm selling my 65 C10 short bed also so I will be able to afford the tin woody. That way I can use the tow vehicle, (probably a 3/4 ton pick up) for daily use, and have the 52 wagon for car shows etc. I would consider a trade for a suitable tow vehicle, A heavy 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton Chevy or GMC truck.

Jim

 

OK, not many comments. I have been around long enough to know you guys are not normally shy about posting your opinions in the for sale section, so let's hear what you think, GOOD or BAD.

Don't hold back because I am a member, I have seen similar vehicles priced where this one is and heard they were priced good, I have also seen some similar with comments that they were priced too high.

What is the going rate for a wagon like this with no rust, that needs nothing (except repair the cruise) to go cross country.

Jim

 

To me it looks well worth the asking price.
Still if that's the RV you are pulling I'm guessing it's around 21'. The mountains I've been thru from central Illinois are not all that steep especially if you are at highway speeds. I mostly travel I57, I24, and I65. I'm sure your wagon would handle a trip to Florida with a tranny cooler and maybe an electric back up fan.
When I had a heavy load I went down I55 to Winona, Miss then across to Montgomery to avoid bigger hills.

I understand the reason to buy a play toy. I love those tin woodies.

 

It's a very nice car in very good shape with a strong asking price. It's not an unreasonable price, but it may take a while to sell because, frankly, it's a station wagon. I would certainly list it on craigslist and elsewhere for a few months and see what interest you get.


For what it's worth, the Old Cars Price Guide, which is generally not kind to station wagons, lists the value of a three-seat '79 Impala wagon in #1 condition at $5,500.

This is how the OCPG describes a #1 condition car:

1) EXCELLENT: Restored to current maximum professional standards of quality in every area, or perfect original with components operating and appearing as new. A 95-plus point show car that is not driven.

In national show judging, a vehicle in number 1 condition is likely to win top honors in its class. In a sense, it has ceased to be an automobile and has become an object of art. It is transported to shows in an enclosed trailer, and, when not being shown, is stored in a climate-controlled facility. It is not driven. There are few number 1 vehicles.

Unless your car should be hanging in a museum, it's not a #1 car. No one's is.


In #2 condition, which is generally taken as showroom condition or just shy of it, the value listed is about $3,900.


As I said, the OCPG is not kind to station wagons, and, if this were my car, I would do what you're doing. List it for a while in the $6,000 to $7,000 range and see what happens. It shows very well and might attract interest at that level. If not, drop the price by $500 ot $1000 and relist.

It depends on your situation, too. If you need the car gone yesterday, then you need to price it low. If you can afford to wait for a while, you can start out higher.

 

Great looking clean Impala wagon.

Since you asked for candor, the 305 engine hurts it, badly, in my opinion.

GM never ever should have put that engine in these big wagons.

A few years ago I passed on a 1979 Caprice Estate with virtually every option after being pulled out of a garage after years of storage. The reason was the 305 V8. In retrospect, I could have dropped a 350 in it, but still.

 

As one more comment, here's what you're up against. This was also posted elsewhere on this site.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5136450189.html


This car is four years newer than yours, also is relatively low mileage (86,000 versus your 52,000), it's a Caprice, not an Impala, it's clean and apparently rust-free, it has the same engine as your car, it has more power options (I see power windows and door locks at least), it has had recent exhaust system and brake work, and the asking price is about 2/3 of your asking price. He's even got a trailer hitch, too.

As a little thought experiment, put your car and this car side-by-side, and ask yourself, why should someone prefer the more expensive one over the less expensive one? If you can answer that question, great, but, if not, well...


$4500 asking price




$6500 asking price

 

As mentioned by jaunty..... you do have to look at the real big picture.

It's clean, looks very nice..... just me but colour combo inside and out would be the turn off at your asking price. Sorry, not a fan of tan on tan cloth...I would prefer to stick to hot vinyl in the heat rather than the work involved to keep a cloth tan interior clean. (been there done that)

As for it having a 305..... I'd take your tan wagon over a heavy optioned one priced the same that has a 307 Olds if I was just into a turn key driver.

Having the stock 305 in my mid size 83 Olds, and the Olds 307 in my full size Buick, I can tell you if I swapped engines in both, the 305 in my land barge Buick would do circles around my mid size Olds with the Olds 307........ and yet in 83 my mid size Olds came factory stock with a 305 Chevy, go figure. The Olds 307 IMO is a engine that NEVER should have seen the production line in these wagons and the 305 Chevy SHOULD have stayed.

I do really admire your wagon for it's condition, but I honestly feel it is by far over priced.........sorry......... but I'd drive and take care of it, again for a different pice that is.

 

As of this writing, the price on the '83 has been dropped to $4000.