Feedback on Speedster for Sale

He's still asking brand new car money for a used car.

This one looks much nicer and has a better motor. 

Ask the dealer if he knows when the car was built and who built it. If it was built by the fellow in Arizona I'd be a little more wary. If it was built by Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars I'd make an offer under $30 and be happy. 

Otherwise for that money you can get a brand new car built by Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars and you'd get to make all of the color choices etc.

@Robert M posted:

He's still asking brand new car money for a used car.

This one looks much nicer and has a better motor. 

Ask the dealer if he knows when the car was built and who built it. If it was built by the fellow in Arizona I'd be a little more wary. If it was built by Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars I'd make an offer under $30 and be happy. 

Otherwise for that money you can get a brand new car built by Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars and you'd get to make all of the color choices etc.

Thanks for the response. I agree his asking price is new car money, but I got him down on that price to where I’m comfortable if everything checks out (below $30k)

But why be wary of Vintage Speedsters of AZ? I thought they were reputable and build solid cars?

There are a few clues here that this car was probably built by the old Vintage Speedsters, in Hawaiian Gardens, Ca (before that business was sold to the new owner in Arizona, and before Greg Leach moved his operation into the Hawaiian Gardens shop).

I'm guessing probably built 2010-2012, with an original price of under $30k. It does look clean, but there don't seem to be many upgrades, especially in the power train. The 1915 motors installed by VS were technically an 'upgrade' but didn't offer much performance improvement over the stock VW 1600. They're not the equal of more expensive true 'high-performance' 1915's built by some other engine builders (like Pat Downs, for example).

A car like this could be a reliable driver, if the previous owner sorted out the usual inevitable bugs, and was careful about maintenance.

But I'd definitely have an experienced air-cooled VW mechanic check things over before making an offer. On the private market, I'd guess this car is worth $20-25k if everything checks out OK.

One man's opinion, though.

I am relatively new to this sport, but I have to agree...$30,000 is new car money for a used car.  I've seen better cars on this site for similar or less money.  The one you want is out there...you just need to find it.

What strikes me the most about the advert is the fact there is absolutely NO written information about the car.  Not even the actual build year is listed.

Time marches on.

A new, base Type 1 Vintage from Greg is $36K, and a Subaru car is $44K. I'll never argue that the new car is not worth it, but it isn't $30K any more. The used market seems to follow the new car pricing in lock step

... except for Theron's beautiful IM roadster, which remains the only "I stole it" value I've seen in over a year.

I understand not wanting a red car (I never have). But for the money he's asking, a potential buyer is a paint job away from something truly special. If red's OK, then his car is the best anybody can do in this market.

And it has roll-up windows.  Trust me, you want them.

That is a super deal at this point in time, and as a two time IM owner I can attest to that fact. I have no clue why people are not scooping it up just the Windows and top are beyond the normative speedster and it is actually a roadster. 

This and older Vintage by Kirk,  tell tale signs are the ugly curly alternator wire and the painted black steel top bows, in recent years they switch to stainless steel.  The center of the top is somewhat shrunk and pulled back i.e. nearly off the windshield frame, you may be able to add the optional third latch that captures the center mirror rod, this may help. 

You would need to have the car out in the sun for a while, attach the two bow latches and the center latch and with the top tension flippers in the down position start with the three most centered top to body snaps using your forearm to push against the top as this will stretch it a bit, do a few more snaps and stretch again . Then lift the flippers into place.

Value: perhaps $29k , if you can agree on that figure then .....tell the seller the top is shrunk and will run about $900 to $1,000 installed and see if that too can  get you to $28k. 

Then there is Theron's beautiful IM, well worth a look ! Good luck !

It probably is earlier than 2014. Kirk started using my escutcheons on the windshield /mirror support rod in 2014...........Bruce

... except for Theron's beautiful IM roadster, which remains the only "I stole it" value I've seen in over a year.

My thoughts exactly.  IM's will definitely hold their value and go up in price.

@RayRay19 posted:

Thanks for the response. I agree his asking price is new car money, but I got him down on that price to where I’m comfortable if everything checks out (below $30k)

But why be wary of Vintage Speedsters of AZ? I thought they were reputable and build solid cars?

The Arizona guy bought Kirk's business and moved it to Arizona. He only built a few cars and they each had their individual issues. He has since sold it to another guy in Arizona and I know nothing about him. No track record for me to comment on there.

wouldn't a 56 have beehives

@Robert M posted:

The Arizona guy bought Kirk's business and moved it to Arizona. He only built a few cars and they each had their individual issues. He has since sold it to another guy in Arizona and I know nothing about him. No track record for me to comment on there.

Got it. Do you know what year the business was bought and moved to AZ?

That is in the range of a well sorted and very upgraded VS (Kirk build). It appears to be nothing more than the standard build off the shelf car that is probably not sorted. The breakdown fatigue really gets bad around 5K miles and a lot of owners decide it is not for them. Usually see those cars under $25k. If you do not have the personal wrench skills and lack access to a skilled mechanic it can be a debilitating and expensive experience. 

@RayRay19 posted:

Got it. Do you know what year the business was bought and moved to AZ?

Sometime about August 2018.