CMC (?) for sale on the samba... 15k

Ted:

 

Probably for the best that you walked away. PPI seems like a reasonable request. 

That's what I was thinking. He want's 15k for it. It's on drum brakes and a 1600dp with dual 34's. 

 

I'm not sure if that's high or about right. Say the car checked out, would it be off base to offer like 12,500 for a car in that configuration?

 

Thanks for the support,
Ted

Let me think...  Drum brakes, 1600 engine, and won't let you get the car inspected - all for $15k.  Yeah, walking away was wise.  Even if he was ok with a PPI, his price is high.

That's what I was thinking too. I was hoping to offer 12,000 or at best, 12,500.

 

I'm just trying to figure out what makes sense and what's appropriate to offer when I find the next one.

 

Spending 12k shouldn't be this difficult!  

 

Thanks for keeping me honest and sane.

 

Ted

Looks like a clean Vintage Speedster to me.  Not sure why owner rates it a 2 - unless pictures lie.  Has VS interior and the rear torsion fake inspection plate either side. IMHO Reasonably priced - especially for Malibu CA.

I agree that it's a nice looking car, don't get me wrong. I'm just trying to figure out what makes sense with these cars. I'm not sure why he went with a 2. Maybe it's because the interior is kind of ratty, at least to me it was. Maybe I'm just overly critical. Who knows. 

 

I was just spooked by the fact that he doesn't want it going out for a PPI. If he were closer, I may even risk not doing a PPI. It's a good looking car, and maybe even a high quality build. He just didn't seem really motivated to sell it.

 

Oh well, I'll keep looking. Maybe one (or more) will pop up come tax time.

 

Ted

 

 

2 rating might be reference to knocking sound when car is running...

LOL -- that's funny. Yeah, I don't know. I've called so many guys who are selling these things and none of them seem to be really motivated to sell.

 

I found another one down in long beach. Called the guy and he wouldn't commit to when I could come look at it.

 

For Pete's sake people, don't list a car for sale if you don't want to sell it.

 

*sigh* 

 

I need to remind myself that patience is the key here... patience. 

 

Ted

TRP, I've run into the situation a where the guy doesn't want to sell, but the wife wants the car gone. The guy prices the car over reasonable market and won't do anything to help the sale, like commit to a visit or inspection. Car is advertised for 6 months and he says to the wife, "Don't understand why no one wants the car, guess we'll keep it". It applies to replicas or customs.

 

Or like Jim says, could be the gremlin trying to get out f the engine.

 

Larry

 

 

 

Hey Larry,

I could totally see that if it was like one guy, but I'm 3 for 3 here. I'm not even trying to negotiate a price, I'm just trying to look at the darn cars! I may have made some headway with one guy. He asked me "What do you know about these cars?..." so I told him I was an informed buyer and that his price was pretty close to spot on. He let his guard down a bit, but then said he'd call me in a week or so when he wasn't so busy. One guy told me I ask to many questions and that I should go look for a 20k speedster and not his 15k car. What the heck?!

 

I just want to buy a car, not his kidney. Oh well.

 

Ted

It looks like a mid-late 90 VS.  No cooling vent in the firewall. No word of mileage on that engine. Maybe a bit under priced, but if that's so, Troy will soon own it and it will be cleaned up and going for 20+k in no time.

-=theron

15k on the motor. I'm trying to get the seller to come back to the table. If I can lock up a date to look at the car, I'm going to try to fly down to Burbank and have a look.

If it's a Vintage, it might be worth the flight. Too bad this guy is so easily spooked.

Ted

PPI? Help me here.

Pre Purchase Inspection

 

You pay 100.00 or so to let a mechanic crawl around and inspect the brakes, compression, transmission, etc.. They come back and tell you what's wrong with the car and then you are an informed buyer. 

Isn't the trick finding a real good mechanic who knows AC cars? 

At this point, the trick - for me - has been finding someone who actually wants to take my money. The guy who is selling the one listed here was 'spooked' and went radio silent because I asked too many questions and expected him to actually want to sell it. I was ready to book a flight today to fly out and check the car out, but he didn't want to do anything to help facilitate the sale. Go figure. 

 

I've been obsessing about trying to find one for the past week. I think I just need to walk away for a bit and maybe another one in my price range will turn up. I'm looking to get an entry level car between 10 - 15k. I'm not interested in anything that is salsa red or any other wacky 'candy' colors. Initially I wanted an unfinished vw pan based kit, but those are like hens teeth apparently.

 

Ted

Too bad salsa red is out...the VS in Phoenix is at $14,300.

Rich, That's a nice looking car. I saw it the other day on feebay. To be honest (for me) it needs too many improvements for it to make sense. My bet is that it will top out over $17,000.00 when it's all said and told. Granted, that's still a good price and most of the changes are simple enough to correct. I'd want to get the correct gauges, correct column & steering wheel, correct seats, correct wide 5 wheels, ditch the goofy gold leaf stickers, etc.  Not a bad car, just not right for me. 

 

I've been thinking about this too much. At this point my head physically hurts. I think I'm just going to walk away for a bit. I'm looking for an entry level car at entry level prices. Everyone thinks they are selling show stopping trailer queens which should command top dollar and a dowry just to look at their cars.  

 

Kicking myself for not scooping up that black CMC from last month.

 

Ted

All the PORSCHE scripts were gold plated on the Speedsters (356 - 912 and early 911). The correct one for dash is gold with silver lightening bolts.  

Ahh... you haven't seen the video.  I'm not talking about the body scripts or the side scripts. There are 'extra' speedster scrips on the red car. 

 

In the video the guy highlights a few 'stickers' on the car which are gold leaf / rainbow tape "Speedster" logos, except the font is almost like a 'star wars' font.  Again - these are MINOR nits which could be removed in minutes. I'm just nit picking / being a big baby because I can't find a car.

 

Don't listen to me. I'll get over myself. 

 

Ted

This guy fixed the registration issues and got the title all squared away.

 

I'm in if I can get him to get back to me. I've left him an e-mail. Let's see what happens.

 

/Me crosses fingers...

Ted

 

 

Lighting a candle and keeping fingers crossed for Ted! 

Thanks buddy.  The irony of all this? The owner of the black car lives near the top of the hill in Malibu, in Topanga canyon. 

 

He and I have  been back and forth and have exchanged over 70 texts on this car. I walked away the first time when he wouldn't let it go out for a PPI. I walked away a second time when I found out that the registration and title were messed up.

At this point, he's fixed the reg and I'm throwing caution to the wind. I'll fly in and drive it home, if he'll re-engage.  I wouldn't blame him if he doesn't want to. 

 

Ted

Ted - let me know if that works out and you decide to do that. I can give you a lift from the airport to the seller's location. Or, I can go and put some eyes on a car you're interested in and give you a field report on it. Would hate for you to get burned by an impulse purchase.

 

I'm just saying... 

 

Check 'Dialog' tab up top...

Thanks, Jim

 

I honestly don't think he's going to come back to the table. He's pretty easily spooked and may simply not respond to my texts. If he gets back to me, I'll take you up on the offer for a ride. I'll make it worth your while. Tank of premium or a burger. On me.

 

Thanks again,
Ted

Musbjim's eyes on it would give you good feed back on condition/value plus would convince seller you are indeed interested.  Geeze, 70 texts - why not just call guy?  I'm sure he has lots of gawkers/tire kickers.  Show him the $.  I'd think a VS in CA in what looks like nice condition is an $18-21k ride.  Just hope that Jim doesn't show up with his Pineapple hat.

I tried to call the guy. He preferred texting. *shrug* Go figure.

 

He said several times "I want an easy, no haggle transaction". 

 

 

 

 

 

I assume he will at least let you drive the car before you buy it? As we dialogued, In this situation having someone who knows Speedys with you to at least sniff out any major issues would really be valuable.

 

This guy sure doesn't sound motivated. 

Ive reached out via dialog to take him up on his offer.

 

ted

Brother Jim is going to meet up with the seller and do a Speedster Owners Club once over. If the car passes his critical eye we'll take the next step. 

 

Such an awesome community. I'm very impressed by the overwhelming support you guys are offering up.

 

Cross your fingers, light candles, etc.    (we need a prayer emoticon/gremlin)

 

Ted

 

Same guy also has a '77 911 S Targa for sale for $18,500.  Maybe Jim can wrangle a package deal. 

 

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/cla...etail.php?id=1579425

 

 

 

Ted: Good luck with this one. Maybe we're supportive because misery loves company...or not.

Ha! Thanks guys.  We will see what brother Jim says. I'm remaining positive and hopeful this time around.

We will see,
Ted

First - A HUGE thank you goes out to Musbjim (and the rest of the good folks on this board...)

 

Second  - Initial data is in... but nothing is final or official.

 

I've learned that she's a 20 footer. The quick summary is that she's a tired girl. No one thing stands out as a deal breaker, it's the sum total of all the issues put the car at a much lower price point than the current ask. If the seller wants to talk about a lower price point, then maybe it will work out. 

 

Once I get the total report from Musbjim, I will reach out to the seller regarding negotiations. Originally he was not very receptive to negotiations. He was of the mindset that his car was priced according to it's known flaws and you could love it or leave it.

 

At the current price, it's a pass. The big ticket item is that the motor is very tired and it most likely wouldn't make the trip home without a lot of oil and many more prayers.

 

One more toad, added to the list.

 

Ted

 

 

What is it, 325 miles...  Walk in the park.  Drive a 100 and have a soda.  Fluid for you and a little for the car. 

 

Good luck

 

 

I think I didn't highlight the issue properly... the motor was so tired that it wouldn't have made it over the two passes between here and there. As I understand it, it would have been pissing oil like a bad Wile-e-coyote rocket the whole way. 

 

It's not a bad deal if it could be had for less $$, but at 15k? That's a pass.

 

I'll keep looking. Mein schwarz fräulein will turn up eventually.

 

Thanks for the support and shoulders to cry on,
Ted

70 texts?  Astounding. Crazy to send that many---maybe crazier to answer that many.

 

Get a nice,well  sorted car.  Pay the going rate. Be happy.

No longer known as a 20 footer.....  It is now known as "Has nice patina".  Saw that in an ad.

 

1600 motor cheap to rebuild or just replace.  I think that everyone is right in saying save more and buy a better sorted car as that is what it seem you would be more happy with.

Couple things there...

* I was estimating.

* A text conversation is sometimes a lot of short bursts

 

"Hi, My name is Ted, and I'm interested in your car"

"Hello"

"Is now a good time for you?"

"Sort of..."
"I can't talk on the phone but we can text"

"What do you want to know?"

"Okay, great"

"How many miles are on the car?..."

"What else can you tell me about the car?..."

 

That simple conversation is 9 messages. It would take you and I about 2 seconds to have that face to face, but it's not always that simple.

 

Thanks for the input, Jack.  It's always a pleasure.

 

Ted