Need Price Offer Help

[cary]

Well I'm out of town for the holidays. Ran across a 914 in the local paper. I have an idea what would be a reasonable offer. But would like some input/thoughts.

1973 914 2.0L
166k
Complete Appearance Group
Fuchs Alloys
(-) front rubber lip air dam
(-) fit/alignment of headlamp covers need some work
(++) had a complete restoration in 1991. well done.
(-) not concours perfect, but a great driver
(++) no rust
(+) everything works
(+) no a/c...ever
(+) original paint about a 7 ( scale 1-10 )
(+/-) owner rebuilt engine. all parts receipts. line bored, polished crank. Looks like no expense spared.
(+) still fuel injected
(+) gear box works great

Drove it 20 miles. Great drive. Looks likes a little paint work and drive it 3-4 years before before a complete repaint.

Asking $7000 or best offer. With the soft market what is it worth ?

If the interior and seals are great, clean engine compartment and looks to have been cared for - I'd say $4200

[DSPTurtle]

Except that he is in Montana and probably will have to pay a premium. My opinion is that you just have to decide if you think it is worth the cash. If it really was fully restored in 91' than it is probably worth it. You could never do a complete resto of a different car for less, probably not for double if you put engine and paint at the same time. It's up to the buyer an seller but to just throw out a number like $4200 is just plain picking numbers out of the air. Good luck and let us know!!!

[J P Stein]

I paid $4800 for 74, in similar condition, 4-5 years ago.

We, outside CA, don't have the selection of rust free cars in our areas.
My advice is that if it is truely rust free(an oxymoron for 914s), buy it. Haggle the fella down as much as ya can. $6000 + is not out of line. Shucks, that's Visa card money.

[cary]

DSP, that's my problem. I have estimated that the other one I have bought for $2k, is going to cost me over $8-$9k to complete.
Doing it all myself. Complete disassembly.
It's a father/son project car.

I don't have $6-$7k burning a hole in my pocket. But ........... I've always wanted a 73 914. Like, since 1972. And the kids wouldn't go without shoes and clothes, if I bought it.

But, I went thru the internet last night. There isn't anything going for more than $5500 in the last couple months. So there is the dilemma.
I do have the pay a premium in Montana. First no cars. Anything I would find else where would cost $1k for me the ship home.
And I can visualize Bruce Anderson's chart in Excellence.
$7500 - $7800 for an Excellent one. This one isn't an excellent, but it would be high, good.

So JP, your $6000 is about what I thought. Looking at the current market. I would like to take advantage of the current prices.

So I'll go pour a cup of coffee and dwell on it. The seller said that there was another party coming to look at it this morning at 11am. But its been in the paper for more than a week.

[unclerichy]

In the L.A. area that would be a $4000-$4500 car. My advise is to give the seller a low ball offer and your phone number if he doesnt' accept right away. I can't believe there would be a big market for these in Montana unless you are in a big city.

Rich
'73 1.7
'74 2.0

[Joe Bob]

Tell him you have 5500....make sure that he knows that you are in no hurry.....let him sit on the car. If he needs the money he will call you.

If not come to LA or SF after scoping out some on the net....drive it home.....

OR....I have been known to find some cars for PP listers and Rennlisters. Plenty of references and I will be fully licensed by next month to be a REAL car dealer.....so let me know if you need some help.

[Jim Chambers]

Cary
Are you in Portland? Or is it a coincidence that there is a white 2.0 in the paper for $7000? I sent my thoughts direct to your home email.

[cary]

Jim, that's the one. Didn't sell today. So I'm going back out tomorrow and will try and talk my self out of it. I'll e-mail you.

Mike, thanks for the offer. May have to take you up on that if something doesn't work here.

Thank all you for the help and encouragement.

I'll post after tomorrows vist.

[rfoulds]

Buying and selling a special interest vehicle is all about emotion and motivation. The price of the car as a commodity is one thing. That is the price you would pay if it was on a lot that wants to turn a profit and knows the current value. Today, that is roughly $1,000 less than year ago.

But buying from a private seller is a lot different. You have to know his motivation for selling.

Is he hard up for cash? Does he have a lifestyle change, (getting married, having a kid) These things mean he is probably still very emotionally attached to the car, and therefore over-values it in his mind.

Did he buy it himself fairly recently just hoping to flip it? Then you have to get a reasonable idea what he paid and how much he has into it. If he hopes to make a profit, he may have to sit on it a while.

Is he buying another car, or a house? This is one of the best situations for you, because now he has given up his emotional tie to this vehicle and set his sights on another. (like having an affair!)

Most of all, you have to remove your emotions from the equation. There a LOT more good condition 914's out there, for less. If you are not in a hurry, you will get the best deal.

This one does not sound like the right deal. I would offer a reasonable number, ($4500) and leave my number.

He will either sell it to someone who really wants it sooo bad they have to have it for full price (aka the sucker) or he will call you in four weeks when he realizes all the interested parties have gone away.

Good luck!!!!!!

[Bleyseng]

In the NW rust free or nearly rust free cars are rare. I have seen a few cars in the $7000+ market and only 2 were worth it, ie. totally clean orginal cars.
I would have to agree with JP on the price of about $6000+/-.

I paid $2000 for mine in 1995 for a excellent body (no rust) and tired engine/transmission.

Geoff

[Rouser]

If he's asking $7K OBO, he already knows its value; try not to play him as a fool.

I'm sure he's already taken into account the geographic location and current condition of the car, and will most-probably take $6K+.

Chances are, $6K will get you the title and a full tank of gas. The fact that you're impressed with the car's condition also indicates your own personal interest, which adds to the value factor.

[cary]

It's going home with me.

Jim, thanks for coming out. Your experience/knowledge and second opinion was a great help.
JP, thanks for the call. We'll have to get together with Jim in the spring when I get back over here.

Jim and I spent about an hour going thru the car. We agreed, this was a winner. A very well done restoration.
Being that I only want a white one. And they aren't making them any more. It kind of limits me. Plus I have the $1000 shipping penalty.

She needed to sell the car, but she knew what she had. Her second 73 2.0 914.

So I pondered, do I offer $5500 and insult her. Or do I offer more, and not get beat by the other "looker". Who was coming back this afternoon or had already made a low ball offer. ( who knows, she was tired of showing the car )

So I asked, "what was the drive home price today". Ball her court. She returned with it's $7000 or best offer. Cringe. Ball my court. So I said, " How about $6000 ?". She said. Fine. Sh...........**t. Started to high. But I Love This Car. So off to the bank I go to get a cashiers check.

I returned with the check.
I return to a pile in the garage. 2 car covers. One thin, one weatherproof. Another center armrest cushion. This one with a cup holder and a cassette storage case. A pair of service seat covers. A bra. A new in the box Piper ski rack. Plus a never installed, in the box, black lettered,
P OR S C H E rear reflector.

So up at 5:30am for the 600 mile trip home to Missoula. Picked up some cable chains, just in case.

I'll post tomorrow night when I get home.

[Joe Bob]

Congrats....welcome to our nightmare....

[Jim Chambers]

Cary
You made the right decision. Exactly the car you wanted and worth the price. I don't think your offer was too low. If you had started with 5000 or 5500 she would have countered with 6000 anyway. You would have said yes. All ends up the same. Besides, if she felt abused, the pile of stuff might have stayed in the closet.
The car is as close to rust free as I have seen (3 inch spot of surface rust on rear trunk floor). Floors and engine compartment are exceptional. No evidence of any major body repair. Clean white paint on and under the battery tray! All carpets, pads, including firewall pad look almost new. All bright-work good. Near perfect seals and interior, perfect dash. Five original unpainted Fuchs with new tires. Only modifications: front air dam, very well done matching VDO oil pressure gauge added to console, and front bumper rubbers removed with original bumper remaining. Original owners manual and service booklet showing sold new in Utah. An eye catching driver as is. Maybe you can tell I like the car!

Hope the drive home was uneventful but memorable. I predict chains will stay in the box. No storms predicted today. We'll all be waiting for the trip diary post. What a great New Year's adventure, 600 miles from Portland to Missoula in a "new" 914!
I'd almost miss the Fiesta Bowl to ride along. GO DUCKS !!

[J P Stein]

I have looked at 30-40 914s here in the NW. Only 5 were not rusted thru in the long top below & in front of the ECU. None had the original paint there.

I'm sorry I missed the inspection tour. This sounds like #6.
A 73, 2.0L (along with the 74) is the primo 914 (IMO) and you won't loose a nickel......assuming you don't fall into the "Sure would be nice with another 50-60 hp" trap


I guess I don't understand the 914 fans that say that these cars are not worth X amount of dollars. To them I would say: Remember your words should you decide to sell.

The lesson here:
When one finds THE car, bite the bullet and go for it.
The fella that made the "low ball" offer is now sucking wind.
He'll prolly end up with a rust bucket.

[DDS]

Congrats on the purchase.
That nagging feeling for having compromised ain't worth the grand you'd save if that. Also, life is short and money is just money, there'll always be more money, not more time.
Enjoy!

[Bleyseng]

Congrats! Sounds like you found a "gem" of a car. Now how about posting some pictures for us to see!
Geoff

[cary]

12 hours door to door with 3 stops.
No diary ........Get in car, turn key. Stop for food a gas. Pull into garage. Turn off key.

Car is outstanding. Lumbers along at 70mph without missing a beat. Not a good day to judge, but ran pretty cool. Ran two needles off the bottom mark on the VDO temp gauge. Wish my 3.2 did that.

Critique

Fresh air fan switch needs cleaning. Works in first position, sometimes.

Engine heat blower fan switch/lever not activating the fan.

No windshield washer. Hooked up the hose to the tire ( was unhooked ). No go ! Now 12 hours later spare seems low. Something amiss.

Not to bad for the first 700 miles in the car.

Thanks all ..........

JPEGS at weeks end after I get her cleaned up.

Jim, you hit it on the head. No need for chains. Didn't push it in the icy stuff and motored on home.

[campbellcj]

Congrats! Hey, if the only things you've found after 12 hours are blower and windshield washer issues, you've definitely found a winner. In fact I'm not sure what percentage of 914's in the world have those things working -- but I know it is very low!

Cheers,