Some people I know would say this is a retorical question, but am I an idiot?

Today my wife and I went on a little cruise in the Olds. No particular idea on where we were going, it was just a nice, sunny 80 degree day that just begged for us to drop the top and go out for a drive. So we packed up a picnic basket and off we went. Along the way we stopped at a Wawa (the mid atlantic version of a 7-11) and a guy in a brand new Chevy pickup pulled up next to me in the parking lot and we started talking cars while my wife was inside picking up some things.
After a few minutes he told me "I'll give you $30 thousand right now for her. I thought he was joking. He wasn't. He was dead serious. After convincing him that I did not want to sell, he went inside the store. As my wife and I were getting ready to pull out, he walked up to me again. He said "I just spoke to my wife. I'll give you $35 thousand." I told him no again, and my wife and I pulled out and enjoyed the rest of our day.

Yes I know, he was offering about 10 more than a 71' Cutlass Supreme 'vert is worth and I should have taken the money and ran, laughing all the way to the bank. But I have spent the last 8 years working on her and finally have her just dialed in and dressed the way that I like. For the 1st time since I got her, I have no work to do or parts to replace. Just drive and enjoy, and I'm doing just that.

So, am I an idiot?

 

No...no you're not (at least in my books). You have the car you want...what would you replace it with if you sold it? An identical or very similar car? This car has your sweat equity in it too, which is always a source of pride when you're out there enjoying it.

I have a solid, road worthy 1957 VW Bug that I restored in 1991. It needs a fair bit of work now (minor body work, paint, TLC) but still drivable, presentable and I enjoy it. I've tried selling it but any time someone got too serious I've pulled it off the market. Even turned down a generous (unsolicited) offer on it a few months ago. Some might think I'm an idiot, but I know I'm not done with the car yet...there are still some more miles of enjoyment I want out of it. I don't regret turning down that offer.

So if you're still enjoying the car, if you know you're not "done" enjoying it then no. You're not an idiot.

 

I'm in the same situation with my '72 Supreme. I've had it 3 years now and after 2 1/2 of those 3 I've turned wrenches, scraped a knuckle or two, picked up a few cuts along the way and spent many a hot SE VA day fighting the sweat dripping in my eyes. I'm finally at a point where I can just hop in, hit the key and bring the 455 to life for a cruise at will. Is there more tweaking to be done? Isn't there always? But those projects are on the back burner. So no, you made the right decision. Enjoy it while you can!

 

No, but you play one on TV!😜

I would come closer to saying he was the idiot for making that high an offer. One mind says, yes, you should have parted him from his money. Another says "could I replace this with another car done to same standard for the money?"

My advice is don't sell anything impulsively. Wait until you are mentally ready to sell.

 

Naah, sounds like a classic blowhard. He would string you along and eventually find a reason to back out and he would blame you for trying to take advantage of his ignorance. Don't give him another thought.

tc

 

I agree about the blowhard, the market is nuts right now.

 

I had a similar thing happen except with a well known Olds guy in another well known Olds guy’s driveway. I was close to biting but did quickly run through my head that I like the car and driving it but more importantly if I got the itch again, it would have to measure up with this one and that could not be done on that budget. Besides, it only costs me a few hundred dollars per year for taxes, insurance, fuel and an oil change.

If anyone has a 68-70 El Camino decent driver and wants to discuss some kind of swap, PM me. I had to sell my stick shift F350 when I lost my leg and a slush box El C (BB would be nice) might fill my muscle sweet tooth yet provide some light hauling ability. 🛻💪

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After the $35K offer, I would have told him "$40K and done!" He would have paid it and when you do decide you want (or need) to sell, he'll be nowhere to be found. We had a saying in the stock market: "Never let the sun set on a live bid."

 

Yes, the odds of him making that deal stand, and having the money to do it, are very, very low.

 

Yeah , he'll pay you $35,000 .
After he goes home and talks with his wife

 

Don't get offended by my observation, but perhaps there were 4 idiots involved here, the one that offered, the wife of the one that agreed with the potential buyer, the one that declined, and the wife that should have slapped you in the back of the head for declining.

 

The most important one here is your wife, if you were an idiot she would have told you so as soon as he walked away.
Enjoy your ride and take her on more picnics, she is a keeper!!

 

This could go either way. There are two ways of looking at it. If you had merely purchased the car complete and had nothing invested in it but the purchase price and you were going to make a handsome profit then the decision not to sell may have been a missed opportunity. you could have used the money to buy a car that gave you equal pleasure, however a missed opportunity does not necessarily equal idiot.
The second way of looking at it. You devoted 8 years of your life to that car. turning it into YOUR car, some times you can't put a price on the time and the satisfaction of completing something you set out to do, perhaps you would like to get at least 8 years of satisfaction out of it. plus hard to put a price on droppin the top on a warm summer day and going on a pic-nic with your Gal. if you sold her (the car not the Gal) you may not be able to do that again !!!!
P/S I still regret selling my 64 Bel Air, I restored that car my self (except for trans, I don't do trans work) it was one of the most reliable sweetest driving cars I ever owned, a family situation forced it's sale so it was un-avoidable, I made a profit which is rare but I sure miss it.

 

Actually, after I turned him down and we drove off, my wife told me "I'm surprised that you didn't take him up on his offer. But I'm glad you didn't."

As Ralph Kramden used to say "Baby, you're the greatest!"

 

That's awesome! You couldn't recreate it for 35, anyway.

 

That's great, she had your back and made you feel good about your decision! I've got a gal like that. Count your blessings, enjoy your car and the great gal you have!

 

Agreed…lots of wanna be buyers out there, typical Alligator mouth with a canary *** type..truky doubt he would have came thru.

 

First off take all offers that are improtue casual meetings with a grain of salt. Hardly ever do they plan out. Other than just conversation they are mostly wishful thoughts by the buyer and a 35 thousand sale or purchase of any kind should be approached with much thought and consideration. Once a item (car)is reduced to a cash sale it just becomes money. Good stuff to have but It doesn't come with all the future fun, expatiations experiences that you have built into it. Just like your wife if you like it keep it..... Just my thoughts from a guy that has had a few of both..... Tedd

 

I totally agree with you