MattD

Hi, I'm gonna be selling a 70 Cutlass S. I was thinking of asking $11,000 but am not sure if that is too much to ask, would love some opinions. Here's the story of the car:

inspection is good until 4/12

compression test had great results 160-175 psi on each cyl

pushrods are all straight

original 350 engine with Edelbrook Performer intake manifold (new gasket)

original transmission (I beleive)

new aluminum Holley 4-barrel carb (with Holley air filter)

new MSD spark plug wires

new MSD distributor

new Flowmaster duel exhast

new wood Grant steering wheel (with horn that works)

new heater valve

new fuel pump

new battery

new black hardtop

new carpet

seats are good except drivers seat has a few tears

small amount of body work needed (new front fenders will come with the car)

it needs new paint

rust is minimal

new brake pads

drives straight

e-brake works

new alternador

new belts

new hoses

speakers are blown (needs new speakers)

exhast manifolds are not the correct ones

a/c works

tires have good tread



all the work was done in the past two months by a expert mechanic who I personally know.

The car has 75,000 miles on it and spent most of its life in Texas from what I heard. Drives good. I can take some pics if needed.

Thanks!

gearheads78

Some rust and needs paint and body work on a plain Cutlass sounds like a 5-6K car. You will sit on it a looooooong time at 11K

442scotty

I agree but its whatever someone is willing to pay...I way overpaid to get mine cause I was chasing it for years....Ordered with every factory option available..Unless its rare its gonna sit for a long time...just my opinion

Dapapadon

I agree. For 11k I'd be looking for a top notch car.

Don

MattD

Ok..thanks guys. I think I'll list it for $8500 and see what happens.

jaunty75

According to the August 2011 issue of the Old Cars Price Guide, the value of a '70 Cutlass S 2-door coupe in #3 condition ("car show condition"), which your car is probably not quite up to, given the rust, torn seat, and other issues, is $6,700. For the 2-door hardtop, it's $8,500.

In #4 condition (runs and drives but needs full restoration), which your car is probably better than, the two values are $3,000 and $3,800.

So, if it's the coupe, maybe $5,000? If it's the hardtop, maybe $6,000 or $6,500? Yes, you've got a lot of new stuff there, and that's all part of the negotiation. But I do think that, given these values, you're still pressing it a bit at an $8,500 asking price. But you never know!

jpc647

pictures would help a little bit.

dc2x4drvr

Too high, like Gearheads said, 5-6k..sounds like a project.

oldcutlass

You gotta start somewhere!!!! Add OBO to your add, just don't sound desperate!!
Good luck!

MattD

Thanks for the replies everyone. I want to sell it quick, but at the same time don't want to lose too much money. I might just try it at $8500 even though it's a little high. Can come down on the price if I find someone interested. Here are a few pics.

jaunty75

I like it. I raise my suggestion above from $6500 to $7500. $8500 might still be a bit strong, but it is a good place to start.

MattD

And a few more..

BlackGold

You can't sell it quick if you overprice it. Price is often the #1 concern; people won't even look at the car if it's out of their price range. Maybe I'm a bad negotiator, but in my experience sellers generally don't come down more than 10% from their asking price. If you ask $8500, you'll miss out on all the potential customers who are willing to pay its true value at $4-5k.

You also have to ask yourself how much your time is worth. How many months do you want to be in a state of limbo trying to sell it? How many more tire-kickers do you want to entertain? Price it right and it'll be gone in a month or two. Priced to sell it'll be gone in two weeks.

I know it's hard to believe the car's not worth the $11k you think it is. But you've got to remember that no one cares how much money you put into it. Swap positions and ask youself how much YOU would be willing to pay a stranger for an unknown car.

gearheads78

If you get lucky and find a person that does not know what they are looking at or likes body work then maybe but reality is more people are willing to pay more for a super clean body needing mechanicals than good mechanicals needing body work. After seeing the pics I stand by my 5-6K.

MattD

Here's a few more pics.

MattD

Also forgot to add it has a new headliner. Below is a pic of the new fenders wrapped in cardboard.

MattD

I know nobody cares what I put into it. Same thing with real estate, no one cares what you put into it, they just care about what it's actually worth. I'm just trying to keep my loses as small as possible, but they're still gonna be big hahaha. From what you guys are telling me it's worth $5k - $7k. Here's my idea...advertise it for $7500, but I'll definetly be willing to negotiate. Sound reasonable?

Dapapadon

Nice looking car, sorry to hear you have to sell it. The $7500 sounds llike a good starting point. You could sell the fenders seperate.

Don

oldcutlass

Start at what ever price you want. Its a nice old car by the pics. You can always come down later. Get someone to fall in love, and if it runs and drives nice, it will sell.

$11000 is not too much to ask for a running driving nice old car.

jpaulwhite

$8500

Someone knocked on my door and offered me $7500 for my 71 Cutlass. It's a stock 350/350 S. Needs some bodywork and paint. I was shocked but when I did a quick preliminary online search most Culass's like mines were going for $7000 and up. And yours is in better shape than mines. I say $8500 is fine. Keep us posted on how it goes

gearheads78

One thing I am not considering is where the car is. If its up in rust country then it may bring a few grand more.

MattD

Thanks for all the advice, I'll keep you guys posted.

Gearhead, the car is in Pennsylvania. You say I could get more for it because of that?

gearheads78

then around here yes

crowe

I gave close to $6000 for my 70 Sx model that was completely restored with chrome chip foose wheels. On these cars I believe its really how bad someone wants it. Id been after my cutlass for several years so I was more than happy for the price. Your car looks nice I dont know that id give 8500 but somewhere between 6000 and 7000 seems fair for both parties. either way good luck!

nofiveo

We just gave 6K for the 72 Cutlass S in my sig line. Its a NC car in Whiz-consin.

oldcutlass

Wonder if he ever sold it??

MattD

Hey guys..I haven't been on here in a while, hope your all doing good. I did not even put a for sale sign on it, I fell in love with it haha. Been doing some work on it and over the past few months a few people showed interest in buying it even with no for sale sign on it (people off the street). I told him if I did sell it would be $8500 and he said no problem. Took his number just in case I want to sell in the future, this particular guy was a collector he said he had a few classics and wanted a Cutlass.

Nofiveo, that 72 looks sharp, very nice. Looks good without a spoiler.

sicky olds

if you love it i say keep it. That way you wont kick yourself in the nads later on down the road IMHO. Especially if we come out of this mini depression thing and economy jumps back up, that would mean car prices go up

oldcutlass

Glad to hear you decided to play with it a bit more!! I mean if you get rid of it, something else will take its place! Why not play with something you know! And besides $3k in the cosmetics will make her a nice car!

VikingBlue

comes down to how motivated you are to sell...if not motivated, no reason you can't price it at 11K obo and see how it goes....if motivated, say "6K firm and no tire kickers"

also important to list everywhere you can.

DEEPCUTT

I paid $8K for my 70 C/S and I feel like I may have paid too much but it's all original, clean as heck and I've wanted one for almost twenty years now. It gets me to work everyday too! People pay