What should I offer for this......

[papabearxl]

First, I don't have a pic, but I have found a 1983 (what the guy said, not verified the year) Olds Cutlass Cruiser.
Body is straight. Paint is better than average. Factory colored rallyes. 3.8 V6, automatic.
Interior is in well above average shape. I haven't driven it yet..nor have I looked underneath. it is a Southern car, North Carolina most of it's life.

He says he will take an offer (but not $1000, lol). He didn't set a price. Car is showing 42k miles, but probably 142k. I only say that because of the shape the driver seatbelt is in. Worn ragged from use. I really want the car, but will have to scrape the money up if I buy it......

He sold it for $3200 at one time, and has it back now. Said he would not be expecting to get that out of it now. It was sold before thinking the mileage was original (at 30k then). He is not selling on expectation this is a 42k mile car.

Any input?

 

[MrHernandez]

Honestly I couldn't see paying more than 1500 for a Cutlass, I gave $1000 for mine in '99 then sold it and bought it back for $100 last year, it was a roller and it was also my first car so we've had some history but if he would've asked for more than $200 i would have passed on it, interior was in the same good shape i left it in the first go 'round but honestly it seems like these cars are a dime a dozen...just my opinion....i'd offer $1200 if its in good shape but definately no more than $1500

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

My instinct is that the top of the market is around $3500. Would I pay that? Well... that all depends on the condition it is in. It all depends on what is there that you can salvage or leave alone and what you would have to change to make it the way you want it. If it needs paint, and you don't like the interior, want an engine swap, different wheels, etc. then it is not worth spending the money on. Buy one that needs restoring for $500 and built it to suit with the extra cash you save.

 

[Blake442]

 

[papabearxl]

I'm sure I couldn't leave it stock forever.

I would be happy with it the way it is though, for a while. paint or interior are fine the way they are. I like the wheels.

Drivetrain would be the only changes I believe I would make, but would be in no hurry , as I like it the way it is. You know the bug would bite eventually. You know, what if...? (lol)

I really wished he would have just priced it to me! I definitely can't/won't pay top dollar $3500....and I know he won't take $1000.

These are rarer around here (East TN); I never see any here. If there were more, I would have snagged one up before......

Thanks for the opinions.

 

[Blake442]

I hate it when people pull that "make me an offer" bullshit...

Either they're hoping that you'll offer more than what they'd be willing to let it go for, or they don't want to sell it.

Tell him you have cash in hand and want to know what he wants for it.
If he still p*ssy-foots around tell him that once he's made up his mind, to give you a call.

And don't forget, THIS IS A BUYER'S MARKET! You have the upper-hand!

 

[pontiacgp]

 

[454muscle]

First of all, it sounds suspicious. Why does he "have the car back now" if he sold it once? And whatever he told you about that, should you believe him? Also if he can't guarantee the mileage is the actual, true mileage, that dude, IT ISN'T. Red flags. And here's a tip, get a carfax bro. Get the VIN, pay the $15 or whatever it costs and check the history for yourself. Then go and look underneath and under the doors, and if all checks out good, I'd offer $1500 for it. Hope it works out bro. Good luck.

 

[papabearxl]

The car is on a small car lot, locally.
He is in no way trying to portray the car as having original miles of 42k. I believe, though it didn't get elaborated on, that the guy that bought it from them, and returned it, probably saw that it wasn't 30k or 36k (whichever it was) miles like they thought, so the owner of the lot bought it back.

Not clear on that. The lot is reputable by all that I know of it. They just usually have oddball cars, and want top dollar. They have an Aerocoupe too, and was priced at $11k for the last year or so, and I noticed it is down to $9900 now. IT IS NOT pristine condition, and over 100k miles (if memory serves me correctly). A couple 70s Rancheros, an Subaru SVX (anyone remember those?), and deals in "unique" vehicles. Not the run of the mill daily commuter car lot.

I don't know. I haven't heard it run or drove it yet, but I really like it. Alot. And I made sure not to let him know that. LOL. Just told him I was interested. He says, "Boy these things look good rodded out......". I said "yeah, but I ain't into doing that. I just like it the way it is."

lol

 

[Blake442]

A ****ing car lot that won't give you a price?!?! How do they expect to sell anything??? What a joke!

I say go back, take it for a spin, and look it over thouroughly, and then MAKE HIM GIVE YOU A PRICE!
Also, take a couple pics for us (especially me).

If he finally comes up with a price, you can either accept that, or make an offer if his number seems out of line.

If he still won't put out a figure, walk away. Seeing a potential sale walking away is hard, especially for a small dealer.
Go back a couple days later and see if he's willing to play ball.

And remember, the ball is in YOUR court!