Forum > General Pinto Talk
Ebay car values
JoeBob:
Every few years a trend starts on ebay where people overvalue their cars. For some reason they think old means valuable. Why would people list pintos on ebay without checking past sales? An unrestored car Listing for $12,000-$20,000 I just want to scream at them stop wasting your time you idiot. But I guess it's there time to waste.Bill
Wittsend:
Even the most benign, 4 door, stated as "no rust" car (that is covered with at least surface rust), that has dents, broken glass, a tattered interior, either a bad engine/trans or none at all, flat tires and often no title seems to start at a $4,000 listing price. I think people see a $150,000 Road Runner sell to an inebriated Barrett Jackson buyer who had just inherited from their deceased parent..., and thinks their 4 door Plymouth Satellite looks enough like the Road Runner that it HAS to be worth at least 5% of the value. Yet it wasn't that long ago that was a sub $500 Satellite. Years ago no one would touch a 4 door 55-57 Chevy. Now the worse of those go for a $15,000 asking price.
So, reckless spending by foolish (momentarily wealthy) buyers set a high bar and misinformed people price their similar "junk" reflected off those prices. My experience is those cars sit FOREVER and never sell as the seller is too stubborn to price the car reasonably. The sad thing is others seen the over inflated price and think theirs is worth that too. If we haven't hit the peak, it is probably coming soon. The next generation is "Green" and old polluting, gas guzzling cars are not their desire. Some Millennial will probably sell his deceased grandfather's Hemi Cuda for $20,000 to but a mint, 1st generation collector I-Phone.
caravan3921:
So what's your opinion and 'guessimate' for what my 1978 Pinto might be worth and sell for?.....I'll describe it to the best of my ability: 31,000 miles, always garaged, no dents or dings, moon roof, no cracks, rips or tears in seats, upholstery, headliner or dash, everything works and intact. A small rust spot the size of a dime on passenger door. Since buying it we've maintained it to the best of our ability. The car is not "perfect" because of its age, it's not shiny showroom, but it's awesome looking and everything works on it. One mechanic said it's the best Pinto he's ever seen, and he had it up on the rack. (We bought it on ebay in 2005. We would never sell it on ebay since ebay now requires sellers to enter personal banking information.) At any rate, we have it insured for $6,000.
Wittsend:
My opinion on price likely isn't very valuable in your case. I tend to buy cars that are rather "worn" because I modify them by upgrading engine, transmission, seats etc.. Also, in California 1975 and older cars don't need to be smog tested. So, I would have little interest in a 1978 Pinto regardless of an immaculate condition.
The #1 criteria for me is rust. That will in my mind devalue a car more than anything. Where as in most states a car rusts from the outside inward here in California I find water gets under the carpet and rusts a car from the inside outward. A car can be put up on a lift and look fine from the underside, but lifting the carpet often tells a sad story of hidden rust. Assuming your car has no rust (hidden or otherwise), has relatively low miles relative to its age and you find a buyer who desires a stock, unmodified Pinto at a place like a Barrett Jackson auction it MIGHT bring $10,000 plus or minus a few thousand. As a private sale it likely would be toward the lower side. But who knows. Scan the internet and see what similar cars bring. That should give you a ball park figure.
JoeBob:
There was a well known car here called "Jade" it was a 79 hatch. The owner died one week after purchase. The widow did not drive, so it sat in the garage 30 or more years. The new owner carried it on a trailer to shows, never driving it. It had less than 1000 miles on it. When he sold it a few years ago, it was bought by a member here, if I remember right for $10,000. It was for sale a long time with no takers, at a higher price.
If that car wasn't worth a higher price. I don't think anything is. Collectors car insurance is low priced. I would insure your car for a much higher value. If you need to replace it or rebuild, it will cost much more. If you could find a comparable car you will still have to ship it to your location, plus it will need things that will make it your own.
My car was wrecked 3 years ago through no fault of my own. The other persons insurance paid $2000. It made no difference that my car was pristine, that was book value.
My insurance made up the difference to the $5000 repair cost. I had $10,000 invested in my $2000 value car, just to make it showroom pristine. The car was insured at $10,000. That cost me $200.00 per year. I now insure it for $20,000 at a cost of $340.00 per year. I am old and can't build another car, If I loose my car again, I can hire a good builder to make what I want.
Bill
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