I am looking for my first Cutlass and I ran across this Craigslist ad.
http://racine.craigslist.org/cto/4362400118.html
It has apparently been for sale for some time. Has anyone else looked at this car? (talking about the S in the ad) Just wondering why it hasn't sold. I'm going to try to look at it this weekend.
This person has several cars, has anyone bought from this guy before?
Thanks for any info.
Matt

 

Car looks nice but in my opinion overpriced. Most anything will sell if priced right. Never buy a car sight unseen...

 

+1. Exactly what I was thinking, but just a wee bit faster.

That's a lot of dough for a nicely painted granny car, even with mag wheels.

Maybe it hasn't sold because he's really firm on that price.
Or maybe because there's something lurking under that nice paint.

No harm in going to look at it though.

- Eric

 

I agree 100%, I plan to go look at it this weekend.

Yeah, that is what I thought. I will offer him less, the worst he can say is 'no'.

What do you guys think a car like this should go for? I was thinking 10-12k, but not sure.

 

you have to see what the car has plus wise and minus wise and put numbers together and assess mechanicals etc. Then figure what the guy has into it and be aware anyone who restores a car wont get what they have into it. At this point I am thinking 8G's for a cutlass but I have not seen, heard or driven it.

 

That car should bring 10,000 all day long, unless of course it has had poor quality work done to it. jmo

 

Sorry to disagree, if the interior is as nice as the exterior in real life, I'd say it's worth close to what the seller is asking. It takes the same amount of money to restore a Cutlass as it does a 442. From his description they spent some money on it.

 

My questions are: Why did it need all that new stuff? Who did the work? What shape is the frame in, given that practically all the sheet metal has been replaced?

 

I would agree with D Yaros and this is why an in person inspection and conversation is needed. Value is determined by selling price.

 

IMO, value is determined on what it takes to make one in the same condition subtracted from the selling price. If you were to find a core body, and get it to the same condition, assuming it's as nice in real life. What would that cost?


Price is it's only worth what someone is willing to stroke a check for.

 

It's a beige car with a 350 2bbl and (I assume) a bench seat. The price is optimistic by a lot. The new sheet metal tells me there was a bunch of rust, so what other rust areas were there? The vinyl top always makes me very nervous about rust in the pinchweld areas. The fact that this seller has a lot of other cars and parts for sale smacks of a flipper who may have cut corners in the interests of increasing profits.

If you do look at this car, pay close attention to how the rear quarters were replaced. The Chinesium repros fit like crap. Were these simply put over the rusty originals, or were they cut and but welded properly. I'm betting on the former. I've seen many cars with these quarters where the weld line stood out glaringly after the car had been parked in the sun for a while.

 

Usually a car like this doesnt sell becuse it is overpriced or people are turned off by something not quite right with the car. I would prefer a low mileage original than a car where a lot has been replaced due to abuse or salt etc. I would prefer a car with USA original sheetmetal. I too suspect Taiwan quarters on this car. To some a rebuilt engine means re-gasketing and paint. This could be a really nice car or a camo-ed polished turd. I would like to know what you see if you go look at it.

 

I tried setting up a time to look at the car but the guy cannot see me at the only time I could get there.
I really appreciate everyone's input on this, the fact that this car has been for sale for some time threw up some flags for me too.
As Joe mentioned, this guy must be a car flipper. That and the fact he refused to send me more pictures when I requested them means I am skipping this one.

If I understand Joe correctly, look for the fit of the quarter panels.. By checking the gaps and how they are attached?

 

Before I spent $14k on a made over Cutlass, I would shop some more. I bought an unrestored (never needed it and still doesn't ) 78k miles, '72 Cutlass Supreme Convertible for less than that; not a lot less, but less. My car has perfect original sheet metal, mint interior and a perfect top. The paint is very nice but not a show car. Convertibles are usually priced higher than hardtops, although depending on personal preferance, that could change.
The car listed for sale here may very well be a super car----it needs a thorough inspection by someone qualified to do such on a car of this age. Paint can hide a multitude of problems. I'm not saying this particular car HAS problems.
My suggestion would be to look at the "For Sale" section here and talk with some of the members who have a high numbers of posts on this site----most here are helpful and honest. You might also try an ad in the "Wanted" section. And NEVER buy sight unseen from someone you don't know unless you have an independent inspection.

 

It doesn't hurt to go look at it. Wear older clothes, take a piece of cardboard to lay on and a very good flashlight. Don't do the magnet trick or you might get a tire iron over the head. Check it out good. Look at the frame especially drivers side by the rear wheel. Don't nitpick the car, keep it to yourself. Ask him what his lowest price is. Tell him you'll think about it. Give him your phone number. If you do like it and think it's a good car then counter with a price you can afford. He may get back to you with a lower price. It does look good, in the pictures. Ken

 

If I was going to spend 14K on a car I'd look a little more and find one with no rust. I spent 6K on my 65 and it had no rust and an almost perfect interior and only 50,000 original miles. They are out there you just have to look.

 

Thank you to everyone for the advice. Since I am a newbie every little bit helps me learn. Dave, as you mentioned I have been keeping an eye on the 'For Sale' section for a few months now. I will put up a wanted ad, hopefully I will find a good car!