do I have a chance of selling? (not an ad)

[janeiac]

I enjoy my Spider a lot, but--

I think it may be time to let it go. I've had it for 15 years, and some of that time it was my only car. Right now is one of those times. I live in Boston, Massachusetts, and winter is coming.

The car is complete, in pretty good condition, though not restored; the body is sound without substantial rot or rust. The shock towers and sills have been replaced along with the fuel lines, the steering box, and the soft top. It has new alloy wheels and new bumpers.

Does anyone here have a feel for the market? Can I sell it for any reasonable amount of money (say something like $5000) or am I going to have to take a bath on it if I do decide to sell? Do people mostly want to collect a car like this that is all-original or are the aftermarket replacements acceptable?

It makes me sad, but at the same time I know I can't really take care of the car. I've been getting along by going to body shops and auto mechanics, with sometimes extremely negative results, and that is expensive. I also don't enjoy it as much on long road trips, which I make fairly frequently these days.

Opinions?

[spidernut]

If there is any rust on the car or body damage $5,000 would be a significant stretch on pricing unless you had a completely rebuilt drive train and perfect interior. Here's an example of my car that sold for $5,950 on Ebay. No rust, new paint, new interior, new top, new tires, new brakes, lots and lots of new components and a reliable daily driver. There are lots of photos and a detailed description for you to cross reference.

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=22370

[janeiac]

Thanks... it is better than mine, but more money (it says it sold for $6250) That one is restored, and perfect, mine isn't, but mine isn't rusty. My interior is complete and clean, with new rugs, and no tears in the original upholstery. The dash is all good, the center console is peeling a little and has a ding in the panel around the stick shift. The radio console is messed up though (butchered by a-hole mechanic putting in my radio. If you click on my name and look for my old posts I have pictures up.)

Would no one want mine? Is $5k a, "you are on drugs, lady" price?

[baltobernie]

Post some photos, and some of us will ring in. Would help if you stated the model year, also if there are any issues that would fail a typical safety inspection. Early "blade bumper" cars and late fuel injected cars command the best prices. You're also looking at the end of summer in most of the country, and that tends to depress prices.

[MarkKrieger]

I've looked at a few cars this summer and a lot of ads. And prices realized (on ebay) to see what people actually sell their cars for.

I would guess that based on your description and the pictures you posted in your intro thread that you would not get $5000. $3000-4000 is more realistic.

You could always post the car on craigslist -- with pictures and a price -- and see how it goes.

good luck!

[spidernut]

The car I posted here sold for $5,950 - my asking price was $6,250.....I had to lower the price to sell it. I got offers from $3,800 up on this car and took the best offer at $5,950.

I didn't see the photos of your car, but the way you describe it I would agree a 78 Spider in that condition would be $3,500-$4,000. I searched for photos on your car but didn't see the posts you referenced.

[janeiac]

I appreciate people taking the time to weigh in.

Some pictures are here:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 13&t=19249

The car is complete, and sound. I also have an add-on hard top (by Custom Hardtops of Long Beach, California (are they still around?) It's registered, inspected, insured and on the road. I drive it, everything works as it should.

The wiring harness has been replaced. The transmission and carb have been rebuilt. It's a '78.

[TX82FIAT]

It is a nice looking car. A suggestion. if you have a place to store it free of charge and the insurance is minimal i would sell in late May. Selling a convertible is a lot like selling a house based on timing. Both should be sold at the beggining of summer or rather the end of the school year. For a maximum sales price you may be better off holding on and posting it for sale in Late May 2014. Based on the picks you might get what your asking as long as she runs well.

[janeiac]

She actually runs great! And I know, my timing sucks. My problem is my 20-year-old Jeep finally bit the big one. I have to buy another car, and I need cash. I don't have a garage; if I don't sell I'm looking at driving it through winter. I did it one winter a few years ago, it was NOT fun. That car is horrible in winter. Not a little bit, I mean truly, actively sucks in winter, plus it's bad for the car to get exposed to road salt. I'm good about cleaning it (car wash) but still...

If I'm backed into a corner again, I'll keep it and rent cars for road trips, but for going around my daily business I can't afford to do rentals. I don't commute by car, however, so it is a small amount of driving for grocery shopping and other errands. It's not a great plan because it drains cash from my new-car fund. I'm trying to sort out all the factors.

[WYSpider]

She actually runs great! And I know, my timing sucks. My problem is my 20-year-old Jeep finally bit the big one. I have to buy another car, and I need cash. I don't have a garage; if I don't sell I'm looking at driving it through winter. I did it one winter a few years ago, it was NOT fun. That car is horrible in winter. Not a little bit, I mean truly, actively sucks in winter, plus it's bad for the car to get exposed to road salt. I'm good about cleaning it (car wash) but still...

If I'm backed into a corner again, I'll keep it and rent cars for road trips, but for going around my daily business I can't afford to do rentals. I don't commute by car, however, so it is a small amount of driving for grocery shopping and other errands. It's not a great plan because it drains cash from my new-car fund. I'm trying to sort out all the factors.

Studded tires and a sandbag or two in the trunk does wonders.

[janeiac]

WYspider, are you joking? I live in the city of Boston In an apartment. Where do I put the all-season tires when the winter studs are on? Plus that's more money, twice a year to change over. I suppose I could use chains but that seems absurd. Also, more money, and more crap to store, and taking off/putting on chains repeatedly, in an icy parking lot, is not practical. The roads are cleared, the actual snow contact time is near zero, but the roads are slick.
The sandbag trick doesn't actually help all that much. Rear wheel drive is bad in the slop, period. My crappy old '88 Nissan Sentra with front wheel drive was awesome, though

It's hard for me to believe snow tires or chains make any sense at all on a Fiat Spider. I would expect handling problems besides the practical complications. Anyone here tried it?

[MarkKrieger]

Janeiac,

I loved my original 1972 Spider (bought from the factory) and driven in all kinds of weather when I worked in Geneva and skied in the Swiss and French Alps for 2 years. Yes, chains worked in the snow (used 3-4 times). What also worked was that I had a garage in my rented house in Geneva and the roads were cleared very quickly; and the snow levels on lake Geneva were much lower than NYC (my hometown) and Boston. I never had a problem getting into work, which was about 10 miles across the center of town towards the Jura.

Once I brought it home to NY, it was pretty horrible in the winter. I lived in an apt in Queens, parked on the street, and it was always a hassle with the weather. The car did poorly in that environment. When we had our first child, I sold it, could only afford one car, and the Fiat wasn't it (even aside from hassles).

Good luck with it. With the shape it is in, and if you want to sell it, put it up on craigslist, see if you get any serious interest. You should post pictures, go with email only, and ask for the high end of a fair price, with the word FIRM in the ad. Worst that happens is no one is interested. Many ads, some ridiculous, get posted over and over.

Mark

[janeiac]

Preaching to the choir, Mark

Horrible, indeed. One year I used on-street-in-the-city parking and it was a *nightmare* even getting in and out of the openings in the snow banks piled up by the ploughs. Even though I was pinching every penny until it screamed trying to save for a condo, I paid $150/month for a parking spot the next year. It was only slightly better because there was still snow to contend with. I'm not even complaining about being cold inside the car, I could handle that ok. It wasn't that bad but I did keep a coat on. I used to have a little add-on blower heater, almost like a hair dryer, that plugged in to the lighter. I think an ex BF stole it, I can't find it now. Maybe I should look for another one and keep the car for one more year. It's hard to decide. Craigslist here I come-- it's free.


Traveling on slick roads in a Fiat Spider is ba--aaa---aad! Plus I'm a bit spoiled by having had a 4wd Jeep Grand Cherokee the last 6 or so years. Sigh. I'm getting old. The "adventure" isn't as much fun as it used to be, and comfort is growing more important.

[spidernut]

Looking at the photos, I'd say that your car appears to be in very good condition. I'd estimate $3,800-$4,200 from what I can see. It sounds like you kept very good care of the car and without any rust you should get a decent price out of her.

A coworker goes onto Priceline.com and rents a different car every month - he averages $300 per month including insurance, free towing, free mechanical breakdown, etc. Not a bad way to go if you want to bide some time!!!!

[davery]

I enjoy my Spider a lot, but--

I think it may be time to let it go. I've had it for 15 years, and some of that time it was my only car. Right now is one of those times. I live in Boston, Massachusetts, and winter is coming.

The car is complete, in pretty good condition, though not restored; the body is sound without substantial rot or rust. The shock towers and sills have been replaced along with the fuel lines, the steering box, and the soft top. It has new alloy wheels and new bumpers.

Does anyone here have a feel for the market? Can I sell it for any reasonable amount of money (say something like $5000) or am I going to have to take a bath on it if I do decide to sell? Do people mostly want to collect a car like this that is all-original or are the aftermarket replacements acceptable?

It makes me sad, but at the same time I know I can't really take care of the car. I've been getting along by going to body shops and auto mechanics, with sometimes extremely negative results, and that is expensive. I also don't enjoy it as much on long road trips, which I make fairly frequently these days.

Opinions?

Have you thought about trying to trade it in? Check the NADA on it. I know my 85 according to NADA is something like $18K. Don't most dealers will use the NADA to get a value for a trade in?