How to Sell a "T"

[54Rich]

So where do you go to sell a “T”? I’ve had mine for sale for awhile, dropped the price down to where I’m losing money and still can’t get even an offer? Actually, I was losing money with the first price. When I got this car I was always afraid that someone would steal it, but who’d want to there not worth anything?

I see high ends cars for sale and low end cars all over the place, mine is in the middle. So my question of the day is, do I put more into it or do I take parts off, in order to move this? Or any other suggestions? Mechanically this car is as good as they get, I got all the parts working very nicely together. Its a few piddley cosmetic things that need to be taken care of and of course paint.

Or is it that the market is still too weak to sell anything?

 

[GNBRETT]

What were you asking as far as a price? Do you have a link to the original ad? This time of year is the best time of year to be selling a car if you live in a colder climate since the weather is finally breaking and people start getting the itch to buy.

I would not say the market is too weak to sell. I would say the market is too weak to sell if your looking for top dollar and your car is not something one could buy anywhere. I would think unless ur car has a lot of useful parts on it you might have better luck returning it to stock. Stock cars seem to sell easier based on ur price of course.

 

[54Rich]

Sorry forgot the link:

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/cars-sale/295886-1987-t.html

 

[GNBRETT]

I see ur issue. It's Paint primarily. Paint will cost a minimum of $5k and likely more. Not $2500. So you will have to adjust the price of ur car accordingly. Other then that, I would fix the small issues that it has and make it turn key if you want to unload it quickly.

Due to it needing paint I would realistically put the cars value at $7500 or slightly less with that kind of mileage in this schitty market.

Turn-key cars that don't need paint can be had for $12-13k. Probably not what you want to hear but im just being honest with you since you posted why it hasn't sold.

 

[54Rich]

I see ur issue. It's Paint primarily. Paint will cost a minimum of $5k and likely more. Not $2500. So you will have to adjust the price of ur car accordingly. Other then that, I would fix the small issues that it has and make it turn key if you want to unload it quickly.

Due to it needing paint I would realistically put the cars value at $7500 or slightly less with that kind of mileage in this schitty market.

Turn-key cars that don't need paint can be had for $12-13k. Probably not what you want to hear but im just being honest with you since you posted why it hasn't sold.

Nope, Appreicate your remarks. I've actually had two different paint quotes, of course that's with me removing everything prior to paint. Car is straight and there is no rust. I have not seen a rust free car for sale for $7,500 though. What I have seen for that price is a POS, that has many issues. I would guess it would sell fast at that price? Maybe its time to take it to the track and enjoy it

 

[Grumpy]

Maybe its time to take it to the track and enjoy it

YUP !!! drive the car an have some fun with it.. then out of nowhere someone will come an buy it.. $$$ is tight and many are not really buying much :redface:

 

[Little6pack]

Ah Yee Old selling pitfalls

I would say

NOT HERE = These guys want a brand new factory warrenty on a 25 year old car.

EBAY = the pickers will pick it apart.

NOT WANT ADS = nobody reads news paper anymore

NOT CRAIGSLIST = Scammers and wisecrackers (I know the latter 1st hand)

Your Just gonna be stuck with it..... Just like I am with mine. :redface:

I wished I could have sold my T to payoff debt but the Gods like screwing YE LITTLE6PACK

 

[GNBRETT]

Ah Yee Old selling pitfalls

I would say

NOT HERE = The want a Brand new Factory warrenty on a 25 year old car.

EBAY = the pickers will pick it apart.

NOT WANT ADS = nobody reads news paper

NOT CRAIGSLIST = Scammers and wisecrackers

Your Just gonna be stuck with it..... Just like I am with mine. :redface:

Well arent you just a ray of sunshine....

 

[Little6pack]

Well arent you just a ray of sunshine....

There is a black cloud following me. :tongue:

 

[need boost]

Its the market right now man, plus everyone wants something for nothing. I have a 86 black T with the chrome bumpers and when I get the rear end done I will have close to 20,000 in the car and I have had a ton of people want to buy it but they all think they will get it for 6 grand lol. Hang on to it and a REAL buyer that knows what it is will buy it sooner or laterl Daniel

 

[benoitthegr8]

Dude, I feel your pain I have an 86GN that I've been passively selling for about 1 1/2 years. I've had people tell me they want it, but never a serious offer. It will sit in the garage until the market for these cars comes back up, I'd suggest you do the same...

 

[jdpolzin]

The market has dropped back down to where it was before Barret Jackson came into play. Not bashing your car by any means but it really doesnt have that many mods to take off. I bought my GN with 80K miles on it, ported heads, TE44, hotwired 340, ported intake, double roller, high volume front cover, Precision Cam, Hofer trans (which ended up breaking 100 miles later but it was still part of the original deal), 60lb injectors TT chip, 3 THDP, BigMouth Cold Air kit, New Energy Body bushings, etc for $6500. Granted it's a completely different car now. It's paint was probably similar to yours. Interior was perfect. So, $10k for a 106K mile basically stock car.......I dont know?? Not really that great of a deal for the buyer in my opinion. Maybe if it had a nice new paint job, new seals, etc.

 

[turbo39151]

If the car absolutely needs paint, that is your biggest issue but there are some other things to look at.

Personally, I think that you should address some of the small issues. You already know what they are so fix them.

Buy some new rotors. That's probably less than $100 and less than an hour to install.

New rubber seals on the A/C? That costs less than $5 for an assortment of seals. Takes a few minutes to do yourself. I just did mine last year and had the vacuum pulled and new freon done at a local shop for around $70. Ice cold A/C is a good selling point. Besides, you can enjoy it too!

The other stuff you mentioned is trivial and no one really cares about it.

So, besides the small stuff the biggie is the paint. Paint is not cheap, a $2500paint job will not be pretty (at least not for very long) and it will take several months at that.

Some of the things I think about when I buy a car is when the seller says
"this is a cheap or easy fix" If it was cheap and easy why didn't the seller do it? Makes me suspicious.

For your situation, I think that the car is maybe priced too high considering it NEEDS paint (I'm not sure it it does or can be wetsanded and polished out??)
Doesn't look that bad in the pics... Might be cheaper to have a pro look at it and see if it's salvagable.

Other than that, I think this market sucks and like the other guys said earlier, it seems that lately everyone wants something for nothing. In fact, I recall a discussion I was in where some one said that a seller should never expect to recoup their expenditures in these cars. Basically suggesting that if I pay $2k for a trans I should be willing to sell it for $1k because of depreciation or some other such nonsense.

I think it's bs. I'm not going to say that you should get back every dime ever invested but you shouldn't have to take a bath on it either.

My suggestion? Keep it, enjoy it, fix it, enjoy it again but always keep it "for sale". All my cars are potentially for sale- for the right price. Some people won't like my price- thay can go and buy elsewhere. Eventually, you'll get what you're asking if it's reasonable.

Good Luck with your sale.

 

[datant69]

keep it as a rolling billboard (for sale)

i've had people come up to me at the gas station, car wash and just different places where i was around my car asking me about it and admiring it. if you kept a for sale sign on it i'm sure it'll sale eventually. even those magnet signs you can buy for about 30-40 bucks. just a thought and on the price just put your phone number up there. always go higher then your really wanting because we all want a good deal. i paid too much for my car but i wanted it, it was clean and i can walk out there and start it up right now. has less then 105K on the clock now and i bought it last may with 100K. it's up to you to sale it but just don't break down because someone is not wanting to give you what you want. also take someone with you or leave the info of the potential buyer with your wife. i've heard of people getting killed over trying to sell their car both buyer and seller. use your noggin bro, i'm sure you'll eventually wind up keeping it. us buick guys are more proud of our cars then just about anything else.

 

[54Rich]

Thanks, good conversation. The paint looks OK, it's been wetsanded, but there are spots, a few nicks, etc. To look really nice it's a repaint, IMHO. Yes, I need to get to the little stuff, it's just time and other projects. Just need to get off my ass and do it.

The car has come a long ways since I got it, yep prob paid too much for it to begin with and as you all know it does not take long to dump cash into it.

I just have an oppertunity at something that I've been looking for, for a long time and in order to get it I have to free up cash. (Damn stock market isn't helping me).

Thanks Again

 

[alwayscode390]

Everyone I know when I mention a GN their jaw drops ... if I mention a "T" , they are like "whats that".

If its not black with GN badges, you will probably only have a TRUE ENTHUSIAST purchase your car ... seems like you can thank FAST AND FURIOUS for that ?! Maybe not ---

 

[Pronto]

YUP !!! drive the car an have some fun with it.. then out of nowhere someone will come an buy it.. $$$ is tight and many are not really buying much :redface:

I agree. Put a for sale sign in it and drive it around. Go to a few cruises or the track. It looks nice enough.

Well arent you just a ray of sunshine....

He's just not getting any.:tongue:

 

[sullen]

\you will probably only have a TRUE ENTHUSIAST purchase your car ...

i agree.

first time buick buyer will probably not be interested in this car.

however once you find someone who knows these cars, who wants a close to stock, clean, well maintained car, who understands the cost and time of all the little things that you took care of in that list, and how hard it is to find a rust free gbody in certain areas of the country, it will sell.

just be patient and enjoy it in the meantime.