What is it worth?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
What is it worth?
I'm concerned that I got taken and considering what to do about it.
I bought, on ebay, a 1978 vette. $7,000. The vehicle was advertised as an L-82 with original motor, 220 HP, everything in working order. Ebay ad had photo of L-82 emblem on hood. It is freshly painted, but that is where it stops. I had local corvette shop go over it. Not original motor. Mechanic says it is a 1980 engine from a van. 160 HP. Not an L-82. Spent $5,700 (parts and labor) on many, multiple, issues including electrical problems, door weather stripping, sagging drivers door, headlights not turning, drivetrain work, and much more. Odometer mileage is 66,000. Not sure if original or not. What should I have paid for the car? It has side pipes and the paint looks good.
I bought, on ebay, a 1978 vette. $7,000. The vehicle was advertised as an L-82 with original motor, 220 HP, everything in working order. Ebay ad had photo of L-82 emblem on hood. It is freshly painted, but that is where it stops. I had local corvette shop go over it. Not original motor. Mechanic says it is a 1980 engine from a van. 160 HP. Not an L-82. Spent $5,700 (parts and labor) on many, multiple, issues including electrical problems, door weather stripping, sagging drivers door, headlights not turning, drivetrain work, and much more. Odometer mileage is 66,000. Not sure if original or not. What should I have paid for the car? It has side pipes and the paint looks good.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Why fret over it? You purchased a modified C3 for $7K. I am assuming you did not see or drive the car before purchasing it. $7K is not unreasonable.
Have you contacted eBay concerning the possible fraudulent listing? Have you contacted the seller?
Have you contacted eBay concerning the possible fraudulent listing? Have you contacted the seller?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
I'm concerned that I got taken and considering what to do about it.
I bought, on ebay, a 1978 vette. $7,000. The vehicle was advertised as an L-82 with original motor, 220 HP, everything in working order. Ebay ad had photo of L-82 emblem on hood. It is freshly painted, but that is where it stops. I had local corvette shop go over it. Not original motor. Mechanic says it is a 1980 engine from a van. 160 HP. Not an L-82. Spent $5,700 (parts and labor) on many, multiple, issues including electrical problems, door weather stripping, sagging drivers door, headlights not turning, drivetrain work, and much more. Odometer mileage is 66,000. Not sure if original or not. What should I have paid for the car? It has side pipes and the paint looks good.
I bought, on ebay, a 1978 vette. $7,000. The vehicle was advertised as an L-82 with original motor, 220 HP, everything in working order. Ebay ad had photo of L-82 emblem on hood. It is freshly painted, but that is where it stops. I had local corvette shop go over it. Not original motor. Mechanic says it is a 1980 engine from a van. 160 HP. Not an L-82. Spent $5,700 (parts and labor) on many, multiple, issues including electrical problems, door weather stripping, sagging drivers door, headlights not turning, drivetrain work, and much more. Odometer mileage is 66,000. Not sure if original or not. What should I have paid for the car? It has side pipes and the paint looks good.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
First off, rule #1.
NEVER purchase a car from Ebay. Unless of course, it is understood the deal in contingent upon a hands-on inspection AFTER the auction. Of course, at this stage we're crying over spilled milk. The good news is you have a perfect project for an LSx swap. I have a 74 L-48 and it's not much different than yours in the hp arena. They are both pigs, capable of being eaten up by the first rice burner that comes our way. The Corvette God's have spoken! This simply cannot stand! This said, if you can post a handful of pictures, I'm sure you can get a little better assessment on current value.
NEVER purchase a car from Ebay. Unless of course, it is understood the deal in contingent upon a hands-on inspection AFTER the auction. Of course, at this stage we're crying over spilled milk. The good news is you have a perfect project for an LSx swap. I have a 74 L-48 and it's not much different than yours in the hp arena. They are both pigs, capable of being eaten up by the first rice burner that comes our way. The Corvette God's have spoken! This simply cannot stand! This said, if you can post a handful of pictures, I'm sure you can get a little better assessment on current value.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 1st,
WELCOME!!! First Post!
I'm sorry you didn't get what you thought you were buying. But at least it's a Corvette.
This happens a LOT, (more than people care to admit)! People spend many thousands of dollars (FAR MORE THAN YOU) for cars that aren't what they thought they were, or told they were.
I don't think I can say anything to make you feel better, so please just try to consider it a lesson learned!
Now that the car has had the additional money spent on it, and the work performed, can you enjoy it? If so, try to put this experience behind you and get the pleasure from owning and driving this car that you can.
Next time you'll be wiser!
Regards,
Alan
WELCOME!!! First Post!
I'm sorry you didn't get what you thought you were buying. But at least it's a Corvette.
This happens a LOT, (more than people care to admit)! People spend many thousands of dollars (FAR MORE THAN YOU) for cars that aren't what they thought they were, or told they were.
I don't think I can say anything to make you feel better, so please just try to consider it a lesson learned!
Now that the car has had the additional money spent on it, and the work performed, can you enjoy it? If so, try to put this experience behind you and get the pleasure from owning and driving this car that you can.
Next time you'll be wiser!
Regards,
Alan
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,579
Likes: 7,018
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
From a rookie's perspective...you are still in good shape..$$,$$$-wise!
I'm doing ALL my repairs---and I'll have STILL have to invest $5500 in interior/mechanical/new tires/2 gallons of paint before it's over!
Relax.....make the car safe and dependable...then have fun...upgrade it as needed/desired.
(As for the "wrong engine/etc"....maybe re-negotiate the price thru EBay/PayPal.....I did that once with positive results even though the Seller wasn't thrilled)
I'm doing ALL my repairs---and I'll have STILL have to invest $5500 in interior/mechanical/new tires/2 gallons of paint before it's over!
Relax.....make the car safe and dependable...then have fun...upgrade it as needed/desired.
(As for the "wrong engine/etc"....maybe re-negotiate the price thru EBay/PayPal.....I did that once with positive results even though the Seller wasn't thrilled)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
with fresh paint, 7K is a reasonable price. sounds like you pumped a lot of money into the car after the sale but that was your decision. now there is no point in even attempting to take the car back since the best you will get is your purchase price back.
the seller is obligated to a good faith transaction but you are obligated to confirm that the car meets your requirements prior to purchase. both are at fault.
the seller is obligated to a good faith transaction but you are obligated to confirm that the car meets your requirements prior to purchase. both are at fault.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Here is a link for what appears to be a very nice 78 in the 4-sale section for $10.5k http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...0-500-obo.html
It's impossible to say what you car is now worth, without pictures, but for a 78 to get over $10k, it really needs to be a pretty nice car.
Unfortunately, the improvements you have made since you purchased the car, are not the types of things that are going to add a lot of value to the car, they are things that should have already been working when you baught the car - ergo your reason to be upset at the seller. Without seeing pictures, it's impossible to know what it's worth, but I would guess, assuming the rest of the car is in good shape, maybe somewhere around $10k. How do you think your car compares to the car in the link above?
It's impossible to say what you car is now worth, without pictures, but for a 78 to get over $10k, it really needs to be a pretty nice car.
Unfortunately, the improvements you have made since you purchased the car, are not the types of things that are going to add a lot of value to the car, they are things that should have already been working when you baught the car - ergo your reason to be upset at the seller. Without seeing pictures, it's impossible to know what it's worth, but I would guess, assuming the rest of the car is in good shape, maybe somewhere around $10k. How do you think your car compares to the car in the link above?
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 5
The car will probably NOT bring what you have in it but neither will my 81 so my advice is (1) enjoy the car and not worry about how much you have invested or (2) sell it, accept your losses and chalk it up as a lesson learned.
Bob
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
I got taken on a car from e-bay once, that will not happen again! If you had found this out soon after you got the car you could of had some recourse but now that you've obviously had the car for a bit and have put some cash into it I'd say like the others, just enjoy it, make it your car and feel free to mod the hell out of it
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Panama City Beach Florida
I've only bought one car on Ebay and the experience was great. I had it inspected before hand.
The car was a 1972 Cutlass Supreme midnight blue with buckets, black leather, new Flowmaster dual exhausts, and black vinyl top. Rocket 350 converted to a 4 speed. Color coded trim rings. It was beautiful on Ebay and beautiful when it got here. Paid $8,750 six years ago.
I am currently looking for a 73 vette and hit Ebay everyday. I can only hope my next experience is as good as my first.
The car was a 1972 Cutlass Supreme midnight blue with buckets, black leather, new Flowmaster dual exhausts, and black vinyl top. Rocket 350 converted to a 4 speed. Color coded trim rings. It was beautiful on Ebay and beautiful when it got here. Paid $8,750 six years ago.
I am currently looking for a 73 vette and hit Ebay everyday. I can only hope my next experience is as good as my first.