Interesting Dilema...

I've had my VS approximately 36 days now, of which I've driven a little over 100 miles. Love the car.

I have been offered $8K over my total investment for the car from someone who happened to see it in my garage and fell in love with it (obviously someone w/ money burning in their pocket). I have been fortunate to have been able to register the car as a 57 Porsche w/ DMV.

What do you guys think? Can I get lucky again and find a deal of a car to replace this one? Money or happiness (ie. the car)? Do I still love the car? Hmm...

Everything can be replaced. 8K is a healthy profit that I wouldn't pass.

Every day, there are deals to be made and someone out there bought a car and has to sell because: they ran into financial difficulties, didn't like the car, wife didn't like the car, it was an impusle buy etc etc etc.

Go for the money!!!!!

This is a joke question, isn't it ? ! ? ! ? ! ?


SELL! SELL! SELL! SELL! SELL

then . . .

Buy again! Buy again! Buy again! Buy again!

No joke. He's coming over Sunday w/ a cert check if I want him too. The buyer just bought a new 911 for his 50ish birthday present and commented that my 356 was he's dream car. I thought I was being punked. He's called everyday asking if I would sell it.

Well, I suppose I'll sell it. Gonna miss it. Gonna have to cancel my storage garage too :(

Anyone selling their Speedster? :)

Del -

You took the time and effort to go to school on the purchase of your first Speedy.

You now have the opportunity, through this potential buyer, to go to the head of the class with the purchase of another Speedy that has more of what you want.

Good luck!

Summer's all most over.... Take the money and start planning your next speedster project while checking out all the cars going up for sale during the Winter months.

Such a deal!!! Jump on it. I wish I had such a chance myself here's what I'd do---and it would derfinitely be a Vintage again:

1. Better blocking, sanding and prep for paint. Then a better paint job that I have now. It's ok, but not such a great job.

2. A bulletproof (as possible ) engine. NOT a Mexicrate but something from the best builder with a real forged crankshaft and no cast parts that were forged on German cars. Not a monster engine---maybe 1915 again, but super well-built.

3. Michelin tires 165x15s.

4. Window glass that looks clear instead of sort of foggy.

That's it! Not a lot of changes but a little better finish and some additional reliability.

Am I nuts?----Jack

Call me sceptical and untrusting BUT I wouldn't turn car/keys over until check is verified and cleared - just too many scammers with bogus certified checks running around. You'd be better off taking a cash deposit and then meeting at his bank to get cashier check directly from the bank and exchange the title with a Bill of Sale. Too many sellers are left with a bogus check and their car off in a shipping container on a boat overseas. Should be some end of Summer deals coming up in next month or so.

Wolfgang - Absolutely - cash deposit. Cert. check for balance - I will cash at his bank ASAP. I'll tell him title will be 2 days (in my safety deposit box). Besides, since its a holiday weekend, he'll have to wait.

Jim/Jack - you're absolutely correct - I already have a short list of "I wish it hads"

Ok - I'll sell (you guys are right about this). I just started bonding w/ the car too!

PS My wife is so happy there will be room in the garage again. She's planning on getting a BMW 1200RS 'cycle and I think she may have found some new room in the garage.

this is all under the big assumption that you bought it for average price and are making an $8K gain. if you bought it for much less than average going rate - then that changes the story.

Essentially, it has to do with replacemennt costs in your area. If you still feel that you can find a replacemnent (in equal or better shape) for the same price you paid, then two things - jump on it(!!!) and the buyer is a fool with his money.

Don't tell him about this site... or at least allow this thread to self destruct in 5 seconds 1.... 2..... 3..... 4

Is he in Va Beach or Norfolk. Could be my dad. He always wanted to be like his kid.

Del Rodil...I will tell you this much, there is no investment out there that will make you 8K in 36 days, so I would jump on this opportunity, you'll find another one...just keep looking. ~Esther

Jack-

About the blocking/better paint... here's the thing: until that body is done shrinking, all the blocking and all 32 coats of candy-apple red aren't going to keep the car looking good.

If you want a perfect VS, you've already done the right thing. Buy a used one at a $5K-10K discount. Wait until the body is done shrinking. Get a REALLY nice blocking/paint job-- if it costs $4K, so what? You'll have paint that's better than any VS anywhere, and STILL have less than the cost of a new one in the car.

As for the mexi-crate-- same deal. The perfect used VS has a 1600, single carb boat anchor. Drive the car while the body is shrinking, and have a really nice 2+L engine and pro-street transaxle built while you wait.

In the end, you'll have a nicer car than if you ordered all that through Kirk, and be in for many thousands less.

As for the original post- sell the car.

Buy low, sell high, it's the American way.

Let me jump in here as this is what I have done for years...buy, sell, horse tradeups etc.
"8 large" IS a great return, sell it and don't watch it leave the driveway, then start your search again as we are soon to be in the off season when prices are lower. ~Alan

"Drive the car while the body is shrinking, and have a really nice 2+L engine and pro-street transaxle built while you wait."
Holy cow, Batman! There happens to be one right up the street for sale! $30K; Baltimore area.
2.4 liter Type IV pro-street with ALL the mods done; completely sorted balls-out car. Pretty much every SOC member east of the Mississippi will vouch for it.
You, in turn, will have the satisfaction of knowing you helped finance similar work on a Spyder for me. :)
Win-win. And, maybe more importantly, you'll be able to bring it to Carlisle, so I can have visitation.
It'll be at the Manassas, Va., Bug-Out on Sunday.

Del,
Let me add a CPA prospective
It really doesnt matter if you are going to make 8k on this deal if u want to own another speedster in the near future and what u paid for your car was under market value at that price. in other words did u make 8k in equity on the purchase because of a great deal or is someone willing to pay 8k over market value to own the car. without specific numbers no one other than Alan who is an expert at this can give u advice. can u pocket 8k and get another speedster at what u paid for the original or atleast in the ball park? if so go for it if not u should email alan with specific numbers

Dell,
Shoot me an email, I'll be glad to advise you the transaction worth... thanks Gerd for the kudos. ~Alan

Del,

I am with the IRS, don't forget to send me my share too.

Does the potential buyer know its a replica?

Yep - he knows it's a replica.

Based on all the comments in this forum, I think I paid too much when I bought it. So 8k on top of my 'high' cost, I think I'd be making out well. And in saying so, I think I'd be able to 'kit' a car the way I want for just a couple of thousand more.

Anyway, we're all set for Sunday. :( :) Sad and happy at the same time.

BTW, can this thread be nuked after it's sold? You wouldn't want the new owner of my VS join and find out you were all in this? :)

Interesting, I was thinking the same thing. The new buyer logs on and BAM.........hey!!!!

I don't think anyone here feels that you are misleading your buyer in any way,they have seen the car and based on their observations, chose made said offer it's not relevant what you paid for the car, have into it, etc.

BTW Mike, What a great pic!

Stan you hit a home run again. The real problem is waiting for the shrinkage....it reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where George is seen naked after swimming, he runs around yelling, IT WAS THE COLD WATER!!!

Yelp you probaley should sell it. and then start shoppin for a IM. you'll like them even better. It just that much better a built car.

Oh and yes I'd go for a cash transaction if the guy is lagit he will do it.

ok--it's Monday now---did the deal actually happen?---Jack

I managed to up the price $1k. His wife okayed the car. The deal is done. Supposedly, monies will be exchanged tomorrow.

It was a sad day for me. Will take the car out for a long ride today.

Then, OFF TO THE HUNT! Looking a replacement already! :)

As someone who has bought and sold (usually losing money) lots of cars, my advice is if the deal is done, don't drive the car at all. Leave it where it is, cause murphy is a registered member of speedsterowners and is almost definately monitoring this thread, ready to apply his law to you.. if something is gonna go wrong, it will go wrong on that last drive. Seriously. Ask me how I know.

James

If you are $9K to the good, then you've got some serious room to upgrade.

As Barry suggested, If you want a turnkey car, pre-sorted-- I'd seriously think about an Intermeccanica. If you really want a Vintage, I'd recommend following the advice I gave above. Buy used, upgrade it yourself, and make it exactly what you want- one piece at a time, no compromises.

Stop'n park it..... Have a couple beers and mellow out mentally searching for it's replacement.
That one and only famous black cloud will surely play second fiddle as a back up to Murphy...been there and done that.

Went to Best Buy and bought a digital camera - 20 minute drive.
Taking some pics on my drive way. And now, she's in the garage for the evening.

Gonna miss the ooohs and ahhs from the chicks at the beach :)

So did the guy come get it??? Nice work DR...New to the site but have enjoyed the comments...Just got remarried in June and bought my VS out of Richmond about a month before the wedding I will have to post some of the pics of my georgous wife and 7 year old twin daughters riding down the road after the wedding...it was sweet...
love my Speedster...actually bought it to replace my 2000 HD Heritage Softail (getting too dangerous with the "Cell Phone Kids" and Geriatrics on the road) However, couldn't let go of the HD and now I have 2 toys!!!...both the VS and HD are bright red with wide whites...the VS looks like my HD on steriods!!! or is that the other way around? I am not sure which is heavier? hahahaha.....
See ya...Jeff