Decontent before sale?

[zachmac]

So, for reasons I won't go into here I may be selling my 80 FI spider. I have (as most of us) more money invested than it is worth. So, do I sell it as is with all of the goodies or try to remove and sell separately as much as possible, replacing the add ons with the stock components I still have. Examples of larger dollar items that are less than a few months old include IAP performance springs, Koni yellow shocks, performance brake pads and rotors, and a brand new set of Rotas with fresh Goodyears, Miller's Mule crank and water pump pulleys. I feel like I'll recover a lot more parting this stuff out than I will selling the car with them on it?

BTW. anyone want to pay a premium for a really nice 80 FI with all this and a brand new interior as is? This is a very nice car that is totally sorted. Runs like a champ and in addition to the above has all new front suspension, steering components, and a list that goes on as long as you arm all with receipts.

[kmead]

Examples of larger dollar items that are less than a few months old include IAP performance springs, Koni yellow shocks, performance brake pads and rotors, and a brand new set of Rotas with fresh Goodyears, Miller's Mule crank and water pump pulleys.

The only things I would consider removing are:

The Koni shocks, the Rotas and the Millers Mule parts. The brake pads and rotors are not much of a premium item (IMO). Most potential owners don't want a hard riding convertible with parts on it that make it harder to service. The Rotas might be a good selling point but they may be unwilling to pay the extra for it.

The springs are a pain to replace so I would leave them.

Sorry to see you selling. Unfortunately I am not in the market for another car. Best of luck.

[zachmac]

The springs are a pain to replace so I would leave them.

Sorry to see you selling. Unfortunately I am not in the market for another car. Best of luck.

The rear springs HAVE to come off to remove the rear shocks and the fronts are a pain but certainly not impossible. After all I just put them on so i know the steps! The front rotors and pads are the nice cross drilled ones Mark Allison sells so it may be worth throwing the stock rotors back on and selling those as well.

[courtenay]

Why don't you put a price on it that recovers your cost and see what happens? Someone might well appreciate getting a car that has all that stuff already installed. Sure would save a lot of work.

[zachmac]

Why don't you put a price on it that recovers your cost and see what happens? Someone might well appreciate getting a car that has all that stuff already installed. Sure would save a lot of work.

Ooookay, anyone want a very nice Veridan and tan 1980 FI spider for $9k? That's about 700.00 USD less than I have in it counting nothing for all my labor. For that you get a totally sorted car with fresh Rota's and tires, IAP springs, Koni yellow adjustable shocks, all new carpets and seat covers, etc. etc. etc. Just fuel it and drive!

Perhaps with the Canadian dollar so strong one of our Northern brethren will want me to drive it up and drop it off?

[azygoustoyou]

I would think you'll probably have to sale some of the components. If you don't have your original springs, I have some laying around. It's a shame you have to get rid of her. Do you think there may be a chance you may be able to keep her?
I don't think a lot of people really think about how much things really cost when they look at a car. It's a shame because after they buy a cheaper car. Then add some things. A year or two down the road they realize how much they spent. They could of had a nice car already done like yours. My car is just coming off the rotisserie, I have over $7000 invested and the interior isn't done. I still have to buy the paint and rubber items including the tires. Good luck on your sale! Hopefully you decide to keep her.

[courtenay]

Frankly, Jeff, that's a pretty good price by Canadian standards! There's a couple of Spiders listed in Victoria for $16k and $22k. They appear to be complete restorations and haven't sold yet, but there you go. I paid $10K for my '80fi (39,000 miles). Advertising it up here might well work for you...

[narfire]

There were some higher priced spiders for sale in the Toronto area as well. Take a look at CL and Kijiji Toronto and Montreal,huge Italian community there. Vancouver as well but shipping might be an issue but I believe a cross country trip this time of year would be great.
Andy's spiders does complete resto's and are not cheap when I talked to him several years ago trying to source some parts.
So saying that, there are buyers out there that are prepared to spend a bit more for a well sorted spider,but when the price is starting to get up there, you also start competing with a perhaps more modern car 10 years old or so.
Tough one to answer regarding taking some parts off. Here I'd do that in a heartbeat as many don't know really what kind of car it is,so nicer wheels and upgrades are not going to mean anything.
Bummer, but do wish you luck it getting it gone at a fair price for you.

[zachmac]

Made a decision today to keep Luigi! Another car we were considering turned out to not be what we had hoped AND the weather here has turned unseasonably cool (70 or so in the AM and at night with high of about 89 day) so driving the Fiat has been a joy! Definitely going to keep the car and start thinking about the rest of the $'s I was planning on sinking into my money pit. After all, if it was just about recovering $'s why would we ever start with a spider? Thanks to all for the kind words and encouragement. This is easily the best car forum I've ever been part of (and I've belonged to a bunch)!

[narfire]

[Gunsmith]

Man I am so glad to hear you are keeping your Spider. My Therapist says it's the only thing that keeps me from going insane !

[Nancy1340]

So very glad you can keep your car.