Thinking about Joining the Wagon Fraternity... What should I pay for this?

It's a 76 Buick, all stock and running and driving fine with 112K on the clock. Minimal rust and most stuff on it works. It has a ripped driver's seat but no cracks in the dash. What is the value of this lovely whale so I don't let my lust overrule my bank account.

 

i am the furthest thing to any kind of expert and can't answer your question but i just wanted to say do it! that car is sweet. once you are floating down the road you will be grinning ear to ear. if you could get that for less than 3 grand i'd do it.

 

I'm no expert, and I am sure the experts will chime in soon, but my guess is that between 5 and 6 thousand is likely a fair market value. The body looks to be in great shape, and it does seem to have a good level of equipment, such as power windows. Too bad it is the lower trim level, based on the LeSabre, not the higher, based on the Electra. You can tell by the number of "ventiports" on the front fenders.

 

And I was somewhere between 2500 and 3500 without more information. I am not knockin the car but not enough info or pictures to see beyond that.

 

Not enough info or pics to make an informed estimate.

NADA gives these numbers for a 76 Buick Wagon with a 455 V8


Original
------------MSRP /Low Retail /Average Retail /High Retail
Base Price $5,591 $3,600 $5,900 $10,800
Options: (edit options)
ADD-455 V8 ENG 15% 15% 15%
TOTAL PRICE: $5,591 $4,140 $6,785 $12,420

 

These are the only other pics I took so far....

 

I am even farther from being a car apprasial expert. I don't believe it is worth over $5000. Most like half that.
But we don't know where you or the wagon are so that makes a difference. As a non expert lover of cars I usually go by my gut feeling. It's worth whatever the owner can get out of you and what makes you happy.
If you pay $10,000, it's in decent shape, and you keep it 20 years you'll do well.
If you pay $10,000 and want to sell it next week you're screwed!

 

What's the value, and what's it worth - they're two separate things. Worth = what the market will bear. Value = what does it mean to you. If this is your dream wagon, who cares if you pay a thousand more than what it's worth. What's the seller asking for this beauty? How motivated is the seller? The seller may have some intrinsic value placed on the car due to how long it's been in their family, etc. Try to take the emotion out of the transaction...

Based on the info I've seen and comparing to the market, $4000 sticks in my head. Just remember - cars are easier to buy than to sell! Good luck and keep us posted on your wagon hunt.

 

Need more info than pics, the car could have a bad trans and been totaled and repaired and dog leg down the road sideways for all anybody knows.
There was an Olds version for sale locally and the guy tried for months to sell it. I don't know if he ever did but he was asking 2500 bucks the last time I saw it listed, started out at 4500.
It was from California and had zero rust, needed paint but wasn't bad.

BTW, it's not a lovely "whale", the whale name is reserved exclusively for 1991-1996 GM B-Body wagons along with "Bubble wagons", "Bubbles" for the sedans.
The clamshells are more like land yachts , garbage scows if they're in bad shape.

 

This is a Whale!
Even our newsletter is Whales on Wheels. ​

 

If you ask me, I would say nothing over $2000. I'd pay $1500-$1900 that's it, but closer to $1700 or walk. My .02 is like this.... it IS a running, driving car which also looks pretty clean , but thats where it ends for me. Although it is over 30 years old there is nothing special about it. It's like finding a '76 4 door caprice(not sought after). I myself(personally) feel that the automotive hobby is being ruined by people who believe that if it's "this" type or "this" many years old, its $$$$$$. I've known people who sold a car/truck to the junkyard because they couldn't get what they were asking for it. I've lost money selling my cars/trucks(you never get what you put in)just to pass it to the next person with that passion. I DO want to add that that "passion" is what makes you want to do more, get more, and pay more. So, with that... if its something that YOU want, you'll find a way, just keep an open mind. Also, you should take someone with you to look at it just to keep you grounded. Good luck!

 

Well, first off, this is NOT a 1976 Buick, but a 1975 Buick. Below, is yours, and then a photo is a very similar '75.





A similarly equipped '76.



The Buick you're interested in looks to be in pretty good condition, not messed up in any way. It needs some TLC, but overall looks nice. It appears to have a nice level of equipment...power windows, third row, cornering lights and lamp monitors. I also think I see cruise control.

These Buick wagons only had one basic trim level, and it was that of the LeSabre. They could be loaded up with every option in the book, but there were no décor options that would turn these wagons into Electra level trim. So basically, this wagon is better defined by the options it lacks, rather than what it has.

The biggie is that it lacks woodgrain. Most people wanting a big '70's wagon want woodgrain, so that is a real strike against it.

The best things this wagon have going for it is that it is in pretty good shape, it appears to have been garage kept most of it's life, and runs and drive good. That is a big deal. 38 years is a long time for a vehicle to have stayed in good condition.

I would think top dollar on this Buick would be $4500. But $2500 to $3000 is much more likely.

I don't think this is just any old running, driving car...it is a unique vehicle with a passionate following. If the discussion were over, say, a 15 year old Taurus, then I would say it's just an old running, driving car.

If you were to buy this Buick, you would have to do some work on it pronto!
The ugly fog lamps need to go, fix the passenger mirror, get new side molding, address the rust issues on the side rear windows, and polish the paint. Detail and paint that ugly engine compartment.
The vinyls are still available for this wagon, from SMS, but it's all pricey. I think yours would be trim code 451.
http://www.smsautofabrics.com/results.php?make=Buick&year=1975&qu[]=V&rpp=12&cpg=32

I like the front of the '75's, they have a happy, earnest look to them. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

David

 

Quote....What should I pay for this?

what a coincidence, the pic you took and posted on the 6th when you joined looks exactly like the pic minus the front corner missing as the ad that was posted in our for sales section, witch was posted on the 8th in Craigslist. "if" it's your car, you really need a better description

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25711

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/3856900331.html

yet when paste the pic from Graigs, the front corner is also missing.

 

Gotta disagree on this statement the boxcars 77-up are CHEESE wagons and the bubble top newer style are CAKE wagons!(I know I saw one with CAKE-WAGN liscense plate

 

and I don't like where they put the valve for the air shocks much either on this blue buick