Ebay 71 CS Vert, sold 18k, was it worthit?

A friend saw this car at a dealer inHudson NH, he called me right away to check it out.
Later I found out, it has just sold that morning (Sunday June 9th) for 18k to an Ebay bidder. The Dealer said, that I could get on a list, if the car deal fell through. I said thanks but no thanks.
I only had a few minutes to look atthe actual car. The car had new paint and a nice looking top. Plus a few 442 parts stuck onto the car. It is not a 442.

I am not an expert, however I just donot see the value. There are many 71 CSconvertibles out there for 9-15k depending on condition. I did see one obvious bondo sport on the reartrunk corner. When I looked at the metal below the side of the windshield, I saw all big rust flakes across the base if the windshield.

So does sticking on a few 442 emblemsand a Hurst shifter really add 5k to a car that’s hiding lots of bondo?

Text:

My! My! My!What a deal! Yeah baby! You don't have to worry about depreciation on thishandsome 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible! Loved for 24 years by previousowner! 442 Tribute Convertible. Bucket Seats with Center Console. PowerWindows, Factory Dual Gate Shifter. Runs and Drives Awsome. What a guy! Youjust simply can't beat an Oldsmobile product. 216559 production number

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oldsmobile-Cutlass-1971-oldsmobile-cutlass-convertible-/330932242512?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d0d194850 &vxp=mtr

 

What's really sad? It's sitting in front of a Subaru dealership.

 

The true worth of a car is what someone will write a check for, apparently someone thought it was worth it.

 

haha we dont really know it is ebay where many 'buyers' dont neccesarily follow thru with an actual purchase

As you said miles I have seen many in the 9-15k range....however pictures and craigslist rarely tell the full story

 

Looks pretty good to me. We could pick it apart if we wanted to but without seeing it in person it looks like a great 20 footer you can drive right away. It cost a lot to fix this darn cars up and this car has some nice options and is a convertible. Not a steel but not a rip-off either.

 

Is a plain jane Camaro with "YENKO" plastered all over it worth $45000?
Hell no!

 

^^^x2
But I also agree with Steven.
Looks pretty sharp in the photos.
With the dual gate and elect. windows...

 

that's a good looking car! seems to be pretty darn complete. I don't think that is a bad price for a clean running convertible. I have seen a lot of 70-72 base gm verts in a whole LOT worse shape go for 9-12 grand that need work to just get on the road. plus they had worse paint!
Charlie,,,

 

X 3 & 4.........that car looks pretty good in the pics. My car was in pretty good shape when I bought it and I will have way more than 18 k in it when I'm done. I don't think you could build a car that nice for the price.

 

X2, I had 3 cars sell on ebay and only one followed through. I hate ebay but there are times it is a necessary evil.

 

I agree with Eric (jensenracing77) about eBay being a little "foggy". But, the car does look good in pictures and we all know that the "picture is worth 1000 words" doesn't apply to cars. If the ends up being consummated it could be for various reasons:
The buyer had one in that color and wanted another.
It could be a novice buyer who inherited $20 grand.
It could be a gift and the giver was out of time.
It could be any number of things.
An above statement is always true: it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
And....it could be a bidder that doesn't pay---don't believe everything you see on ebay.

 

If you think that price is bad take a look on craiglist in atlanta its a guy thats asking 35,000 for a 70 442 convertible at least he says it real.

 

and a real 442 convertible in that condition (at least in pictures) is worth 35k as well. I'm not saying either is a deal but its not a rip off.

 

^^^ This!

I check completed auctions on ebay every so often. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) at the number of "sold" cars that end up being relisted a week or so later. THIS is why the dealer was keeping a list of second chance buyers.

 

I think that ebay should require you to have a Paypal acct to bid on an item like a car. If you end up bidding and winning an auction and do not follow through with the purchase than they should ding you for a percentage of the winning bid amount. Some of these losers would think twice before hitting the bid button.

 

JMO but based on the pics it looks OK for the money & everyone knows the nicest Cutlass convertibles in the world are medium blue with white tops & interiors.

 

This one is in much better shape than mine was when I bought it and I think it is worth 18k. I almost feel like I paid too much for mine.
No A/C is a bummer, but still - the clean engine, interior, good paint, stripes, power windows, 8 track, console and buckets make it all worth while (if you live up north!)

 

It makes me feel good about what I have into mine. I already figured I wouldn't ever lose money on mine. Mine is in similar shape, not a big block but all numbers matching drivetrain thats rebuilt, with buckets, a/c, and new vert top. Not that I am selling mine but I would probably start at 18k and go from there.

 

Nice looking car, but it drives me crazy to see those 442 emblems not centered on the fender.

 

That is a nice looking car. I paid a similar sum for my 68 Convertible that is a 442, but not in as nice a condition, but very solid (still has original speckle coat paint in a very solid trunk compartment). It did come with original red fender wells, original M21 Trans and a KA water pump pulley though... And I did actually see it on eBay (but didn't buy it through eBay).