what would you do?

Hey guys,
I need some input on this because I'm not real sure how to handle it. I mean, I have my ideas, but was wondering what some of you have done in the past.
First off, I don't have a car yet, but have been on the lookout lately for something that I can afford (read: cheap). I have a couple candidates but they aren't 'for sale'. one is a 53 or 54 chevy out behind some guys shed in back of his house. looks like a coupe, from what i can see of it. another is (i think) a 59 ford retractable hard top that sits in front of this house that's just a few doors away from mine. The house is hidden behind another house so i don't think that many people know this one is there. I spied it and have watched it all summer long and it hasn't moved. looks like old radir wheels and skinny whites. the nose is up in the air too. i got a look at the front and it looks like a custom grill on it too.
So, would you just knock on the door and ask? Is it best to have cash in pocket just in case? i don't have all the cash i'd need yet, but i'm dying to talk to these guys about the cars.
thanks,
Scott

 

i dont know if i'd roll up with a huge cash wad, but you never know until you ask!! go get some information, and a roundabout price and work from there, good luck man, it is a great feeling to get a filthy new project in the garage!!!!

 

That's basically how I got my car. Someone told me about this old 49 Chevy (it was really a 52) behind a house on a certain road. They saud the old dude that lived there told them it wasn't for sale, but I decided to kock on the door (bout a week later) and asked him myself. He gave me what he thought was a pretty high price, but I talked him down a bit.

I didn't have the cash with me, but I knew I could get it in-hands pretty quick. I gave him a small deposit, and returned with a tow dolly a couple days later.

I wouldn't carry a whole lot of cash with me, but be prepared to "go to the bank" and get the cash ASAP if the owner takes your offer. This shows you're not a fraud, and it gives very little time for them to change their mind.

 

Yeah good call imho......never hurts to make a discreet enquiry hey.......i mean,even if it turns out that these cars aren't for sale at the moment,if you've befriended the owners/left your number or whatever,then you'll most likely be 1st port of call if either ever comes up for grabs.....good luck fella.

 

I picked up a car just by leaving a note on the door with my house number listed. They called later in the evening and I picked up the car the next day.

 

Well if you know for a fact that the one is not for sale don't bother. my pet peeve is folks who want to buy my stuff even when I make it perfectly clear that it is not for sale.

Next figure out what you are willing to give for a certain car and have that amount with you before you go bother the owner of said vehicle who may or may not be thinking about selling it. I mean you can't cut a deal if you don't have anything to deal with. Don't jst walk up and blurt out hey ya wanna give me that car for 1**x,**x but its bets to have cash in hand if they say OK whatcha gonna give me for it or this is what I want for it. It saves them changeing their mind when you return.

A couple of years ago a kid wanted to buy my driver, to start with he was rude but I figured he didn't know any better. I said its not forsale and i get this OK everything is for sale. Well no, but I shot him a price to shut him up and he could leave me alone. he comres back with can my mechanic come look at it so I asked do you have 1**x,**x and he said well no. deal over.

 

First of all, make sure you have the bucks before making any offers. Secondly, if this is your first car and you wanna build it, stay away from the retractable IMO. If you wanna buy it to 'spec' on and flip then that's different.

The Chevy would be a great first car.

J

 

Yeah - as my granpappy always said, "Money Talks, ******** Walks" ... or was it the other way around? I'd say get a good look at the car (feasibility of ressurection/rust, etc.) so you have a good idea of what the car is really worth. Careful not to fall in love if you know you'll never get them to sell. But it never hurts to ask, especially if you have green to wave under their nose. And Porkn****** has it right - be nice.

 

don't go in wanting any potential project badly- it locks you into whther you find out its junk or not. As a young dumb 15 year old I made the mistake of putting a down payment on a rust bucket 4 door Impala, luckily the guy was cool and after my dad talked to him we got the money back. The guy knew it wasn't the right car for a kid, but it could have been worse and I'd have been in way over my head.

I'd go talk to the guy and feel him out- say hey, wow, that's such a cool car, tell me all about it. Show the guy you appreciate its history and uniqueness, that may just loosen the guy up, maybe he'll feel good about selling it to an enthusiast

 

I got my first car this way. Knocked on the door & said "I've been looking for one of these and yours doesn't look like it's being used, so I was wondering if you would be interested in selling it." I explained that I had just moved back to the states & had a job but it would take me 4 weeks to have it all if they accepted my offer. The couple looked at each other for a second... One said "Well, we don't drive it any more." and the other said "It would be nice to have the extra space..." Next thing I knew I was sitting at their kitchen table writing up a buy/sell agreement and writing them an earnest money check to secure the deal. I rode my bike to work for the next month & saved every penny. Paid the couple, brought the car home, and got it back in good shape. I lived in that neighborhood for the next two years and we'd smile and wave at each other every time I drove past their house. Not everybody is a grouchy old S.O.B. - so go knock on the door. You might make a friend and get the car too. Just make sure you're serious & not wasting their time.

-Ben M.

 

If you take cash with you, be sneaky- $500 in one pocket, $200 in another, etc. That way when they see you empty pocket #1, they think that's all you have. Maybe they'll take pity on you...after all, you are dressed shabbily, aren't you? And leave the new Escalade at home. Ride up on an old bicycle.