1980 vette value
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 149
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From: Des Moines IOWA
1980 vette value
I am thinking of purchaseing a 1980 vette. It has a slavage title doesnt run and has a little damage but not much. What do you guys think is a fair price. I offered 1500 and the dude wasnt happy. He is at 2500. What do I do. Thanks[IMG]
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
to try to put a value on a non running c3 with damage, from the pictures you provided,and not knowing what was damaged is well, ????if you don't know c3's be advised to bring along someone who does.good luck though.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Des Moines IOWA
He came down to 2200
The damage is already fixed apperently. I talked to the guy and said it had a bent a arm and cracked fender. It has a 305 engine that hasnt been started in over 6 years. He has a crate 350 engine he was going to put in it but never did. I live in Iowa and dont see many in this good of shape for very cheap. They are always tore up and cobled up. Just looking for a fun project to work on a little at a time. Not trying to build a show car but dont want to loose money either if i decided to sell.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Stick at $1500 and let him sit on it awhile. Call every week or so and let him know you're serious, and have cash and a trailer waiting. There's no telling what is really wrong with the vehicle until you get it home and explore a bit, and at your buy in you can part it out if it's really bad and not lose anything. There are thousands of these things for sale at any given time... be patient and the right deal will come along for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
BTW, a 1980 with a 305 started life destined for the California market... how did it get to the cornbelt... and why is the title salvage if the damage is (was) as small as the owner claims???
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Drifting
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From: iowa city iowa
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It is hard to tell from the pictures, but the interior looks decent. Bringing back a dead interior can add up fast.
The biggest thing I would wonder about is the frame rust. That is a deal breaker for sure. As somebody pointed out a 305 started out in CA, so that could be a good thing.
I don't see too many decent 'vettes here in iowa on CL but this caught my eye. I don't know anything about it other then the ad, but it has the potential to be a really nice car that would not need a lot of $$ put into it (relatively speaking)
http://quadcities.craigslist.org/cto/3125579562.html
Depending on the cars, you are usually money ahead to get a nice one for more up front then a yard car for cheap. If you, however, really want to go through the process of rebuilding it then it may be worth it to you to go that direction.
Keep us posted and good luck!
The biggest thing I would wonder about is the frame rust. That is a deal breaker for sure. As somebody pointed out a 305 started out in CA, so that could be a good thing.
I don't see too many decent 'vettes here in iowa on CL but this caught my eye. I don't know anything about it other then the ad, but it has the potential to be a really nice car that would not need a lot of $$ put into it (relatively speaking)
http://quadcities.craigslist.org/cto/3125579562.html
Depending on the cars, you are usually money ahead to get a nice one for more up front then a yard car for cheap. If you, however, really want to go through the process of rebuilding it then it may be worth it to you to go that direction.
Keep us posted and good luck!
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,969
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
By the way, IIRC, in most states its illiegal to sell a car with a Salvage Title to anyone but a licensed rebuilder. It would have to have a Rebuilt Title for a private sale. Not sure about your state, but you might look into this.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 149
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From: Des Moines IOWA
He wouldnt come down any more than 2100 and I told him the highest I would go is 1700. I searched ebay and craigslist across the country. Nothing is this nice for this price. If you spend a little more maybe but this is a project. This guy is also wishy washy about the title. The only people acording to the law to sell a salvage car is a dealer or recycler. I have bought many salvage cars and I made this same mistake last year on a caddy. I bought it from someone whom bought it from another guy whom bought it at auction. So I had to go back to the orginal person/ dealer to get title. I dont really need this car anyways because I have a 64 vette I am in the middle of a frame off restoration. This is going to take awhile and I get antsy and need something for the short term to burn the tires off.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 249
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From: Wentworth North Carolina
this...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
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From: Pittsburgh PA
For the OP. You say in the last sentence you don't want to lose money if you have to sell. That will be hard to do even if it had a clean title.
I manage to make a bit doing late model everyday sedan types but this looks like a restoration project on top of any damage repair.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,466
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From: Scottsdale AZ
If you want a Corvette that you will ultimately be able to drive without having to completely start over- keep looking.
Even if you can get this pooch to hunt- you're still left with the stigma of a salvage title and that kills the value.
Keep lookin' . . .
Even if you can get this pooch to hunt- you're still left with the stigma of a salvage title and that kills the value.
Keep lookin' . . .
