I've been looking for a good project on Craigslist for a couple months. But have struck out over and over. It's been awhile since I've bought any new projects or even priced any. I'm just blown away at what people ask for cars now days. Years back you could get a rusty 4 door for nothing. I know some people put alot of work in some of these cars. But theres tons of cars that are equally priced that someone just aired the tires up on. Did I miss something in the last 10 years?
Yes. Older cars are getting more rare. EVERYTHING costs more. People can ASK for anything, what they GET is another thing. Anybody with anything "vintage" (God I hate that word!!!) believes it to be RARE, UNUSUAL,NOT MANY MADE!! It's the ebay syndrome! My personal two cents, I know TWO different people that were robbed at gunpoint in Craigslist "deals? YEP! I'd try the HAMB classifieds first!
Most of the cars I look at are in the country. Just people who are trying to sell grandma's driver from 50 years ago. Where I'm from nobody throws away anything.
There are two current threads on this subject, but pointing out that the cars are not selling for those prices and the dwindling number of people 'of a certain age' that is (believed to) affect the market. "Tell me your demographics and I will tell you your future" Ray
Gas is at its lowest in four year, even in overpriced California we can travel beyond city limits. Which is what is necessary. I have a vehicle on CL right now and it is a sorta HAMB vehicle, I looked for a month at the prices a similar vehicle was asking for and so I figured what I wanted, bumped it up for the always 'would you take?" (hey I do it to) Placed in Wednesday and so far I have had two requests including a major low ball. I wont say my asking price but it is a 63 Comet which make nice mild customs, remember they are now over 50 years old,,,,,,,,
I could afford an expensive car, but I'm not the guy who buys a finished car. In my opinion the thrill of owning these old cars is working on them.
One must always be prepared to blow someone's shit away in anyamous transactions such as Craigslist. Two years ago a couple from Atlanta were murdered looking at 65 Mustang.....that did not exist. While a "good deal" it was not exactly cheap enough to araise alarm. Another couple from Florida were murdered at their home by a Craigslist add responder who then stole their 67 Chevy. Always meet at a public place.....let it be known that all money will change hand at a bank or even inside McDonalds.....or from a third party. I don't know if I'll ever sell another one that requires persons unknown coming to my house. Alarmist.....I know but trust your gut and never let your guard down. I am convinced that most prices on Craigslist are pipedreams or the seller is on Crack. Look closely at the high prices for some of this junk. 10 grand is the new 3500. I have seen junk and I mean junk so bad it requires a tetanus shot from just looking at the add, for several, several thousand dollars. The next add down or so will be a viable car for much less. You can tell who lives in reality and who does not.
Obviously I agree with F-One. I would stick to "car guy" sites.I think you have a better chance of positive results. NOW all the Craigslist fans will tell us about the 32 roadster they got from a naked supermodel for 500 bucks.It's just anecdotal evidence guys.Won't harp on it, but really, look how sleazy craigslist is.
Seems that only the dregs are left....I bought one of them not long ago, a Corvair, for a reasonable price, although I had to drive 200 miles to get it. With the millions of transactions that result from craigslist, it's not surprising that there are a few horror stories. Like anything you do these days, you have to be careful, and even then there are no guarantees.
I think there are a few factors at play. A) too many "reality" shows on TV that has lead the common person to think "it's worth big bucks". B) With scrap prices being high for now close to 15 years,there just aren't as many out there, and the ones still out there have more 'interesting' owners that couldn't be pursauded to sell them earlier. C) From downsizing my own collection, the new thing is for guys to low-ball or take 1/3 of your price and offer that. So I think many sellers have responded by doubling or tripling their asking price. A side note, I'm been advertising a '60 convert in the regional auto swapper. 95% of the calls I get are outright scammers, low baller hustlers, or downright strange dudes. I never experienced it like this before 2015-ish. I've had a few phone calls where the guy says, says 'give me your address and I'll swing by to look at it' without asking any even rudimentary questions about the car first. I tell them, ask me questions while you got me on the phone, to save both of our time if you aren't interested. Most just fall flat at that point, with a few people actually screaming profanity and hanging up. I think they just want to show up and think they can ball-bust with super lowball. I used to enjoy meeting others in the hobby and chatting on the phone when reducing my collection. Now I dread it. Its all changed the last few years. I now tell people, if you want to loose faith in humanity, try selling a collector car. I know all people aren't this way, but the behavior is getting more prevalent.
You have to pay to play,old cars regardless of what they are or what condition they are in don't sell cheap anymore,I bought a nice 1932 Ford 5 window coupe for 75 bucks but that was 55 years ago. What are you looking for? HRP
Much of the price increase you see on collector vehicles is due to the parasitic effect "flippers" have. They have special computer programs that search CL and other sites for low priced vehicles, usually a widow selling off their deceased husbands vehicle(s), get there fast and get them cheap, then put them on CL for 5 or 6 times what they paid. Without doing anything except load it on a trailer. "Barn Find! Ran When Parked!" No thanks.
Someone just bitched about this in Hemming's. In response, they replied that on Hemmings.com there were 275 cars form the 80's,492 cars from the 70's, 259 from the 60's, 104 from the 50's, 48 from the 40's, 29 from the 30's, 18 from the 20's, 10 from the 1910's and one from the 1900s. All under $5000. That is over 1230 cars. You're looking in the wrongs place. CL is not a good place to buy a car.
Also be will to drive to other states,there are still some reasonable priced cars out there. 1948 Dodge coupe..1,100 bucks in Asheville.N.C./ HRP https://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/6196187470.html
that's the key...If you have a 1000.00 budget, probably not going to find much, if anything at all. The day's of 35 dollar Model A's are long gone.
I just sold my wagon, no craigslist ad just a sign and forums like this. Also going to shows. It took a bit, about 2 months, I did go down from the initial ask, but it went to a good home and I was happy with the sale. That said, I was open to offers and only got a few bites. Also my wagon was not a heap (of garbage) like you see in most ads. I also am looking but mostly see heaps going for a lot. I believe some people do not realize that most times and most currently, sellers will only break even on car sales. Unless it is a very desirable model or very on trend. They also don't realize that that buyer will not come along eventually. I would recommend to see what the current selling range for the type and condition vehicle you want and stick to it. Maybe find good swaps and shows for your type of car? check these? http://www.oldplymouths.com/ http://p15-d24.com/ http://forums.aaca.org/forum/49-plymouth/
Just remember. The cheap car your looking for is going to cost you bunch of money to get it fixed up. Have fun with that. LOL. I hope you find the perfect car. Look out for rust. Its great to see you look for a project. Keep old cars alive.
Some of y'all are missing the point. I'm not looking for a cheap car. Nor im i bitching about the subject. I was just amazing how much cars have gone up. But I'm a new guy I'll take the " Theres already 3 thread on this subject" and the stupid memes. Thanks for the lead on Nc car Ive got a cousin going to look this weekend.
Location, Location, Location....... And Demand,,, That is why 37 Fords went from ugly to ok I'll take it, and the rise of 'ok its a four door' But with that, I see a dip coming in vehicle values, it starts at the big end - Wayne Carnie and Barrette Jackson then down. Look what happened when the collection in Wendover (Wendover???) Nevada was put on the market. Vehicles are a commodity, not a loaf of bread or a box of bandaids, what I have seen is that the asking price for finished/resotred/rodded is dropping, now they are out of my league, but when a vehicle with what seems to have $90,000 into it, go for $40,000 to $50,000. This is a generalization/observation from watching the auctions and talking to a friend to goes to a bunch of BJ's out here in the West.
Several reasons for over priced cars and several of them directly relate to the media in one form or another. TV flipper shows that show them pricing cars at stiff prices, the popular collector car auctions shows that give every clown with grandma's old more door out in the garage collecting dust the idea that it's worth a ton of money. The unwashed minions that tell the seller that said car should be worth a fortune. The flippers who bought it a week ago and detailed it and now want to get times over what they have in it out of it. I stopped an looked at a hulk of a 50 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup a couple of years ago being willing to pay 200 to get it just to get the top and hopefully a pair of decent long bed running boards. the floor was roached out, the running boards were both rusted through and a bunch of bent up sheet metal was laying on the back that was supposed to be hood, fenders and doors. No box and no rear fenders. The prospective seller got totally pissed when I told him that there was no way it was worth his 2500 asking price. This is what he wanted 2500 for.
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