Red 72 Vert on Ebay..worth the $$$$$??
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 21
From: West Tennessee
I just got a call from the consignment person on the 72, They gave me a delivered price which is very tempting. I mentioned my hesitation on not seeing the car, and he mentioned the 50K Ebay buyers protestion etc, which I dont think is worth much. I did confirm the block, and trim tag numbers. Is there anyone near South Bend/Notre Dame which could check this out????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
Definitely don't buy any car sight unseen and don't buy a used car of any kind without an independent mechanic's inspection. Photos can hide things and they can be manipulated. I bought my 69 Mustang vert off of a website want ad, but only because it was within driving distance so I could go and look and drive. Find something locally.
As far as the price goes, $30K seems a little high for a small block (minimum engine at that) automatic 72 convertible. I would think you easily could pick up a 68/69 small block 4 speed convertible for that kind of money. The A/T will be a handicap in selling the car later as will the 350/200 engine. Let the guy who bid $27K have it.
As far as the price goes, $30K seems a little high for a small block (minimum engine at that) automatic 72 convertible. I would think you easily could pick up a 68/69 small block 4 speed convertible for that kind of money. The A/T will be a handicap in selling the car later as will the 350/200 engine. Let the guy who bid $27K have it.
Last edited by RagTop69; Sep 12, 2008 at 11:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 21
From: West Tennessee
You are absolutely correct. They had some 'friends' hitting the auction. The new price is below the highest bid by a couple thousand. BUT there has been enough BS with this deal that it makes one very leary. If I lived in South bend or a couple hours from there I could know for sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Since you are aware of the 'games' being played, you are free to make any offer you want to purchase the car. If you find someone to look it over, and it comes back OK, offer $19K and see what happens. You might not get it for that, but you can 'haggle' up to the max. you are willing to pay ($22-23K). Maybe the market is weak and you are the only 'real' customer! {P.S. If you can't get first-hand, unbiased confirmation that there is not significant rust on the car, don't even make an offer.}
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
There was a 72 Steel Cities vert in Carlisle that i was intereted in,the guy was asking 28k for it,dont know if anyone saw it in the for sale corral,but it was a beauty.I was interested in it but the 69 427/400 i found is what i ended up buying.But if anybody remembers that 72 at that price it was a steal.The new owner put it up for sale right away for 37k.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
The 72 on ebay you are looking at is a nice looking vert,BUT i would never buy anything without looking at it first.Pics are very deceiving and hide many shortcomings it may have.As far as price,if everything is in order 27-28k would not be out of line.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
I just got a call from the consignment person on the 72, They gave me a delivered price which is very tempting. I mentioned my hesitation on not seeing the car, and he mentioned the 50K Ebay buyers protestion etc, which I dont think is worth much. I did confirm the block, and trim tag numbers. Is there anyone near South Bend/Notre Dame which could check this out????
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
The asking price is a moot point until the car has been looked at by
an authority. See if you can find a Vette restoration shop locally that would be willing to do a thorough inspection for a fee.
As many will confirm, there are many horror stories when purchasing sight unseen. Don't become one more. Good luck.
an authority. See if you can find a Vette restoration shop locally that would be willing to do a thorough inspection for a fee.
As many will confirm, there are many horror stories when purchasing sight unseen. Don't become one more. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
definitly have it checked out. i bought my 72 sight unseen from a reputable dealer for 30k. it took 2 weeks to get car and i was a nervouse wreck the whole time. i had 75 great pics ,loved car so i bought it. i was lucky, car was actually in better shape than i thought it would be. interior had new seat covers but all else is original in like new condition. no scratches on column, console or anywhere. underneath like new ans solid as a rock. but there was a gap in one door that pics didnt show and a chip on fender. all in all it was a good deal but i was really stupid not having it checked out. remember lots of sellers dont show the bad stuff in pics.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 21
From: West Tennessee
Thanks for the feedback all. I told the consignment company that I would pass on the car at this time. Obviously their interest is in the sale not the car. If the car was represented by an owner who knew and loved the car I would probably went for it.
Anyway I will just continue to search for the killer coupe!
Anyway I will just continue to search for the killer coupe!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 21
From: West Tennessee
I recieved another bunch of detailed photos of the undercarriage and other areass. I did not see anything strange or bad, in fact quite the opposite, very nice condition. Negociating a price as I write this.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,006
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Maybe I'm missing something, but what is the issue about going and looking at this car? As everyone says, never buy it sight unseen. So go look.
I bought a plane ticket 2 years ago and went to CT and check a '69 roadster in person before I would spend only $17.5 on it. You are poring over a car costing considerably more than that.
Buy a ticket, check the car yourself, make the deal and have them ship it.
This is how these transactions are done properly without the hand-wringing before and after.
PS... a quick check shows Daytona to South Bend, RT for under $500 all over the place. Are you going to tell me $500 isnt worth protecting your $30k purchase? Ill bet the consignment company will pay for the ticket to close the deal, anyway.
I bought a plane ticket 2 years ago and went to CT and check a '69 roadster in person before I would spend only $17.5 on it. You are poring over a car costing considerably more than that.
Buy a ticket, check the car yourself, make the deal and have them ship it.
This is how these transactions are done properly without the hand-wringing before and after.
PS... a quick check shows Daytona to South Bend, RT for under $500 all over the place. Are you going to tell me $500 isnt worth protecting your $30k purchase? Ill bet the consignment company will pay for the ticket to close the deal, anyway.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Sep 16, 2008 at 02:53 PM. Reason: travel agent
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,006
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I'd want to confirm the trim tag. I can't tell you how many times I have seen "Numbers Matching" only to find out that the Mille Red used to be gold, white, green, or some other color. Is the paint original lacquer or is it a repaint? Brake pads have been changed, great, what about the calipers, what shape are the brake lines in? I have become a sceptic unless I can personally inspect the car or have it looked at by someone else that knows cars and what to look for. If you haven't inspected it then you are taking the word of the dealer.My $.02 worth.
David
And as referenced earlier in this thread, writing off the car because a consignment company is selling it rather than an individual has zero to do with whether it's a good car or not.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Sep 16, 2008 at 02:55 PM. Reason: can't type
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
I didn't see it in the ad but is there any paperwork included to document the car?
My numbers matching 72 convertible is/was Mille Migilia red too..
My numbers matching 72 convertible is/was Mille Migilia red too..
Last edited by luerja; Sep 16, 2008 at 06:26 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
David
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 21
From: West Tennessee
As I recieved the faxes and additional photos, the owner history (3) and miles are documented, along with reciepts, buyers invoice etc. The trim tag matches along with the stamp on the engine. No surprises.
I may fly up Saturday to close the deal. Actually if this was a forum member, in good standing, car I would not hesitate to buy unseen. I really feel that my last offer is below market, at least this week, but who knows where the market is heading, at least in the short term.
I may fly up Saturday to close the deal. Actually if this was a forum member, in good standing, car I would not hesitate to buy unseen. I really feel that my last offer is below market, at least this week, but who knows where the market is heading, at least in the short term.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland WA
Dude - it sounds like you really want the car.
Get your financing in order, then invest the $500 and buy a plane ticket and a car rental. Do a same day (AM/PM) round trip and you won't even need a hotel. Go look at the car yourself. At the end of the day, if it's awesome then you paid an extra $500. Ask the dealership to tack $500 to the asking price and give it to you back in cash, and you can even finance the plane ride if you need to.
If it sucks, then that $500 will seem like the best money you ever spent.
TRUST ME ON THIS.
I did the online thing with a car and a $20K car turned into an $80K investment because I was too trusting to just take a 3hr flight.
Conversely, I just went and looked at a car in person, was able to inspect it myself, and things that bothered me in pictures were NO problems, and things they didn't even take a picture of were better than I expected. And being there in person with financing ready puts you in a good bargaining position.
Anything else is just luck of the draw. Even having a member here look at it doesn't mean he has the same taste or viewpoint then you do.
Good luck!
Get your financing in order, then invest the $500 and buy a plane ticket and a car rental. Do a same day (AM/PM) round trip and you won't even need a hotel. Go look at the car yourself. At the end of the day, if it's awesome then you paid an extra $500. Ask the dealership to tack $500 to the asking price and give it to you back in cash, and you can even finance the plane ride if you need to.
If it sucks, then that $500 will seem like the best money you ever spent.
TRUST ME ON THIS.
I did the online thing with a car and a $20K car turned into an $80K investment because I was too trusting to just take a 3hr flight.
Conversely, I just went and looked at a car in person, was able to inspect it myself, and things that bothered me in pictures were NO problems, and things they didn't even take a picture of were better than I expected. And being there in person with financing ready puts you in a good bargaining position.
Anything else is just luck of the draw. Even having a member here look at it doesn't mean he has the same taste or viewpoint then you do.
Good luck!