Pinto Enthusiasts,
As we have recently seen a few low mileage (4,000 to 12,000 mile) Pinto's sell in the $12,000 price range, my question is what do you honestly believe a 430 mile, BRAND NEW 32 year old Pinto is worth?
I realize that anything is worth what the right person will pay for it, and not that the item is truly 'worth' a secific amount.
We, the Pinto community love these little cars like nobody else. My dream is to sell this car to Jay Leno for retirement, for something like $100,000.00!!!!
Laugh with me, but also please think and share your thoughts about what the lowest mileage Pinto knowen to exist is worth to the right person.
Dave
Interesting question, Dave. Having seen Jade, I certainly know that she is as close to new as I believe possible. Still, we're talking Pintos here so we need to be realistic. With the low mileage examples you noted selling in the $12K range, I would think Jade's ridiculously low mileage could add a $3000-5000 premium for the right buyer. If it had 400 less miles, and a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin rather than a title, I'd wager it may be possible to get $20-25K out of it. Just my opinion, other's probably have other thoughts on the matter.
Dwayne :smile:
I appreciate the comments Dwayne. I need to find someone in the automotive hobby that has experience with low mileage cars of any make/model.
I know it is just a Pinto, but I have confidence that being just a Pinto makes it that much more unique, know what I mean?
I want to think that ANY 32 year old car with 400 miles on it has a good value. But as I stated and you well know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this car is worth only what the right person will give for it.
Good to hear from you friend, hope all is well with you and yours.
Dave
Quote from: Original74 on October 02, 2010, 05:01:54 PM
I know it is just a Pinto, but I have confidence that being just a Pinto makes it that much more unique, know what I mean?
I didn't say "
just a Pinto", Dave! :lol: I DO understand what you mean and I do agree with you. Because of the Pinto's lowly status new, it is doubtful anyone tucked one away as an investment, and that does indeed make one like Jade all the more unique. When I started selling cars in the mid 1970's, my first job was with a Dodge dealer who had been a Studebaker dealer prior to Studebaker's demise. He had stashed a brand new (untitled and only twelve miles on the odometer) example of a 1966 Studebaker Daytona in his garage. This was a truly rare car because only a few thousand of them were built that last year and production was ceased mid-model year. I don't know how well he did or didn't do with his investment, but think how much better his prospects would have been if he'd stashed away an Avanti instead. I think certain cars (Mustangs, Corvettes, etc.) are always going to be a better investment. Then too, there's not always any way to account for WHY a car becomes collectible. The 1957 Bel Air was the top offering from GM's bottom-rung Chevrolet division, but other than excellent styling, there was little else to predict what a classic it would become. Conversely, I bought the top offering from Ford's top-rung division (Lincoln) in the form of a Collector's Series 1979 Continental and it is essentially worthless today despite having had the distinction of being (at that time) the most expensive American-produced automobile on the market. I hope you can find the expert you're looking for and that you'll share what he or she has to say. The evaluation and appraisal of classic cars has always interested me because there are so many variables that come into play. Good to hear from you too!
Dwayne :smile:
I know this is a case of comparing apples and oranges, but I happened upon it in the November 2010 edition of Hemmings Motor News and couldn't resist sharing:
1972 Thunderbird - 771 original miles, 460 CID, red with white landau top, red leather interior, always garaged, still has plastic covers on rear seat belts, $20,000. NY
Dwayne :smile:
My estimate would be $14,000 as a top offer. If I won the lottery, being a Pinto person, I would probably go into the 20's. Having spent more than this on my Pinto, it seems foolish that it would not go for more. Either that or I am a fool. :surprised:
20-25k. If i had the money id spend that easy
if i won the lotto id pay 25-30k but i would be the worst oner as i would drive it
Quote from: apintonut on October 03, 2010, 07:20:29 PM
if i won the lotto id pay 25-30k but i would be the worst oner as i would drive it
Same here! :smile:
You know, as Rear Ended eluded to, you can put a lot of money into a restoration. Just think how much money you could spend, and many have, restoring a car. To bring a Pinto as close to 'new', original, not modified, I am sure could go well into the 20's.
Dwayne, buy a lot of lotto tickets and win!
Dave
Quote from: Original74 on October 03, 2010, 08:24:41 PM
Dwayne, buy a lot of lotto tickets and win!
Oh, Dave... you know you don't REALLY want me to buy Jade and use her as a daily driver!!!
Dwayne :smile:
Can you give a bit more info about this car? We know the year, but what about the rest...options, window sticker available, etc.
A near-perfect Squire (possibly the most desirable Pinto) recently went for $12K on EBAY. There's a near new Pinto on EBAY now around $12K and it's not selling...been there for months. $100K does seem a tad high.
Beicholz,
This is a '79 sedan, jade green, black interior, all vinyl seats, 2.3, 4 speed. No A/C, but does have rear window defroster. I do not have the original window sticker, although that can be purchased. I DO have something that speaks to the authenticity of the low miles though. I have a copy of the DMV records from Michigan where the original owner sold the car in 1999 (20 years old) and it lists the odometer at 123 miles.
I was joking about the $100K, just a dream to sell it to Leno for retirement.
This is a Pinto that comes as close as you can get to concours judging. The Mustang guys that rebuild their cars to factory specs, down to the bolt have nothing on this car, as it is factory original. Replaced battery of course, and the steering rag joint just failed in storage last summer. Factory original is the rubber joint that age got the best of. It is the sweetest sounding, sweetest riding Pinto I have seen since I bought my 1974 Pinto in 1974!
I have had guys drive this car that restore Pinto's, and all they could say was 'oh my gosh' as we drove. It is truly a time capsule that needs to remain that way. I know Gordy in Kansas City has I believe a 1975, with 609 miles on it. Until I learn otherwise, I am claiming this car to be the lowest mileage Pinto known to exist.
Anyhow, I am sure many who read the way I feel about this car as being a bit too crazy or optimistic, but it is something I haven't seen since I bought one new.
Dave
Dave,
My best guess...and I've followed this consistently for several years...
You'll be lucky to get $12,000...and even then, only if you find a very special buyer. As evidence:
* I have a like-new '76 that needed some minor repairs, only because it sat for 25 years. What did I pay? $2,100 on EBAY. It had 40K miles, and looked brand new...no rust, no sun damage, etc. It had the original paperwork, including the owners manual.
* The highest price I've seen so far is a killer Pinto Squire that could have just come off the show room floor. It went for $12,100. But there hasn't been such a fine Squire since then.
* The best regular Pinto I've seen is like yours and was on the market for $12K, marked down from $16K. It appears to have been taken off recently, meaning it probably sold for around $11K. This car took a long, long time to sell (if indeed it sold at all).
Hope that helps!
What is it worth, simply what someone is willing to pay you for it.
Mileage is just one factory in a cars value. Not long ago, if memory serves me, a 57 Plymouth, brand new when "parked" was unearthed from a time capsule. While I dont think that it was put up for sale, water had gotten to it, and it was so bad the key was rusted into the ignition. Value? Maybe 5 to 10 miles, but rusted to death!
Beside mileage is desirability. I work with estate vehicles and sold a garage kept, one owner California 50,000 mile 72 Toyota Celica in #2 condition in $10K range. I sold another car from the same estate, a 72 Chrysler 4 door, MINT, and only a few thousand miles, and after 6 months got less than 1/2 of what we got for the Celica.
One of the cars in my personal collection is a 63 Corvette I bought new and its got over 380,000 mile on it, and still driven at least monthly. A friend has a similar car with 9,9xx mile on it, and he does not want to drive it as he does not want it to hit 10,000 miles. Sure, his Vette runs circles around mine in originality, but parked side by side, with my two rebuilds and one partial restoration, they would look very similar in condition. Plus, I'm not sure I'd trust the little used 45 year old master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake lines.
Big difference to me at least, I've had 370,000 miles more fun with mine than he has with his.
This brings me to "Sweetpea" the 77 26,000 mile mint original I bought earlier this year on eBay. My decision for this car was it was a Squire and its condition. If it had only 500 mile on it, I really think I would have passed. I want a car I can drive and enjoy, not as an investment, or a museum specimen to be looked at but not touched.
So, what is the possibly lowest mileage Pinto worth? I'd do like the Bluebook, and determine the value of a similar car restored or with average mileage, and add maybe 25% to a maximum 50% for mileage. Then, like fishing, wait for my line to be tugged. You could sell it tomorrow for $5,000 I'm sure, but even $10,000 might take awhile, at $15,000, that may take a long time. To me that would be the maximum upper limit for someone who just has to have the lowest know mileage Pinto in existence, and does not plan to drive it.
Then too, what happens to the value if a lower mileage Pinto surfaces?
My two cents!
And MCJBob has PROMISED to let me know if he sells sweet pea, right? I was bidding against him on EBAY, and would have pushed the price up if my sniping skills had been better. ;-)
Finally, as an addendum...I have read in a couple of places that due to this website and aging boomers who remember Pintos...our cars are becoming more desirable. Who knows...if you wait longer, perhaps your car will be worth even more!
For me, it's not the value of my car. It's the fun I'm having driving it...and all the people I meet who just HAVE to tell me about the Pinto they had as a kid.
What's the real value of a Pinto? Priceless, of course!!!
You hit the nail on the head Bob! ;D
Thanks, BluPinto!
As another addendum...I've been told the Jade Pinto previously listed for $16K, marked down to $12K....has now been marked down to $11K. It still hasn't sold. (Info courtesy of PCCA member Bigfoot....Thanks!)
You're not talking about that Sea Foam Green one in San Diego are you!? That car is delicious! I love the interior/exterior colors.
Yes. I am.
"And MCJBob has PROMISED to let me know if he sells sweet pea, right? "
Its for sale as soon as I find my 73 Squire, 4 speed, a/c, Lime Green Metallic, in the same condition as Sweetpea.
"I was bidding against him on EBAY, and would have pushed the price up if my sniping skills had been better. ;-)"
As I am at the point in my life where I am spending my kids inheritance, Sweetpea would have sold for considerably more had their been additional bidding.
"Finally, as an addendum...I have read in a couple of places that due to this website and aging boomers who remember Pintos...our cars are becoming more desirable. Who knows...if you wait longer, perhaps your car will be worth even more!"
You are very correct here. I track Pinto prices (and all collector cars) very closely, I'd say that 5 years ago, a mint condition squire wagon would have topped out at $5,000. Yes, aging boomers are part of the equation. Someone who was 10 years old in 1970 and rode around in their parents Pinto, is now 50, kids leaving home, kids college about paid for, are looking for Mr. Peabody's Way Back Machine. For many, thats a Pinto.
My own love for Pintos, is that I like unique cars. I bought a Pinto Squire new in 1973, and it served us well. Go to a car show and how many 55 to 57 Chevys do you see? Nice cars, but certainly not unique.
Back to what a Pinto is worth? To me, Sweetpea is priceless. Where would you find another? And, where would you also find another "lowest mileage" Pinto known?
If its the lowest mileage Pinto on the planet, or one of the nicest original Squires, dont let a few $$'s stand in your way of a once in a lifetime chance.
"You're not talking about that Sea Foam Green one in San Diego are you!? That car is delicious! I love the interior/exterior colors."
The Sea Foam Pinto in San Diego was listed on eBay several times, and was finally sold on 9/24 for $6795. It was repainted, 10K miles, and had interior repair. Not really original, but a nice car.
Good advice, mcjbob!
I'm one of those aging boomers...55 for another few weeks. I fondly remember Pintos. I had a Vega, but they were so poorly built, few survive. If the engines aren't blown, they are rusted from head to toe. And those that do survive are impossible to keep running. When my Vega was 1 year old, the problems started. At 22,000 miles, it was ready for the junk yard...nothing worked from the engine to the clutch to the brakes...you name it.
I never owned a Pinto, but wanted one. I drove many, including the wagon. My parents almost bought an LTD Squire with the 3rd row. Instead, they bought an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. How cool was that car...windows in the top and all!
But the Pinto is right up there. I love my Runabout, and call it my "Costco" car, because with the seats folded down, it's perfect for those Costco runs with 100 rolls of toilet paper, etc.
So many cars. So little time. It's a good thing I don't have a lot of space for cars or I'd be broke!
Quote from: mcjbob on October 04, 2010, 10:45:04 PM
"You're not talking about that Sea Foam Green one in San Diego are you!? That car is delicious! I love the interior/exterior colors."
The Sea Foam Pinto in San Diego was listed on eBay several times, and was finally sold on 9/24 for $6795. It was repainted, 10K miles, and had interior repair. Not really original, but a nice car.
Well that figures. The first time it was on ebay I was high bidder at 7K and when I contacted them they said the reserve was 11K. I quit watching it much after that. Just as well. Until I finish my project I need another pinto like a turtle needs disc brakes. But there is orange and white 74 in Kansas City I sure like! HAHA
Thanks to all who have shared in this thread. I have learned a lot from your input, and I think it boils down to this:
How much money could you put into a complete restoration to make a car 'like new'? I think the suggestion of $20K to $25K is very realistic.
Then there is the thought of if there is any value in this car being what I believe to be the lowest mileage Pinto known to exist. As you have shared, not many would own this car and let it sit. To each his own, it certainly hurts to not drive this car. But there are people out there with money who would love to have this car and keep it just like it is. Also as has been stated, something is only worth what someone will pay for it.
Thanks again for all your input, it has opened my eyes to a different way of thinking.
Dave
the only thing not brought in to the equasin so far would be the year. it seams the earlyer models are more desirable than the later with the mid 70's being the least desirable because of the larger bumpers and emisions pulling down the hp. i know every one has a style they prefer mine is the large bumpers and lots of chrome, with the square head lights least desirable to me. so with that an 80 with 429 mile would not be worth as much to me as a 76 with 10,000 miles. just as a 55 chevy is not worth as much as a 57 would be but i prefer the 55 more. as with any car it is worth what you are willing to part with it, my bobcat is near priceless, the fun i have with it is hard to put a dolar value on . so i guess i would not enjoy a lower milage one as much because i enjoy driving mine.
phil