Selling questions

[wontletgo]

hey everyone,

new member here, doing this for my dad. He has owned his 73 1800es since it came off the showroom, first car he ever had and can't, or won't, let go (hence my forum name). I went to put it on craigslist but couldnt find info on what to ask for the price. kelly blue book only goes back to the 80s, and the only ones I saw online were top of the line perfect condition for $20k. Can anyone give me an estimate to ask for a car in fair/good condition? rebuilt many times, its not a junker but its no prom queen either. Thanks guys. he'll be very sad to see her go, but he's a member of the V50 club so that will keep him happy (sweet car).

[capt jack]

I realise that you're in the US, but I hope this view will help a bit:-

If UK values are any guide, then assuming the car is roadworthy,complete and not a rust-bucket requiring major surgery, probable value here is between £2500 to £3000, or US$5000 to US$6000. Top price here for a really good car in perfect order would be perhaps £6500, (US$13000)

Advertise it too high and you'll put people off, too low and you'll sell but wish you'd asked more!

US$20000 sounds like someone perhaps trying to recover the cost of a total re-build?

If you're not in too much of a hurry to sell, why not invest a bit of time in tackling any minor issues?

Depends on the market in your part of the world, but here I think it's fair to say that just now, after the summer holidays and before Christmas, there is less spare cash around, so it's more of a buyer's market. In the spring or early summer you might realise a better price.

Jack

[Gordon Hunter]

Sounds like good advice from Jack.
Just want to add a couple of comments that may be helpful.
The fact that the car has had one owner from new and if your dad kept all the paperwork through the years might not necessarily up the value that much, but will certainly increase the 'saleability' of the car. Though I'd agree with Jack that you'd probably be better to wait until spring to sell it if you can.
For some reason, the ES seems to rot from the inside out. (Maybe this is something to do with the wider transmission tunnel and more room for moisture to penetrate than on the earlier models?) So it's worth getting the car up on some ramps and giving it a thorough inspection underneath. Also lift the footwell carpets and have a good look around. A lot of moisture can also get in from a leaking sunroof.
I have seen some great looking ES's, but underneath they are full of rust. Not to suggest that your car is anything like this, but its great to check things out and sell a car having a thorough understanding of its whole condition and therefore be confident in its actual value.
If you live in a sunny state like California then hopefully you shouldn't have any rust issues. This would also be a good selling point.

Hope this helps.

God bless,

Gordon

[James A Sousa]

You should lurk ebay for a while, there are always 1800s for sale. Look at completed auctions as well. I found my 1800 there.

I bought my PV through the classified ads at brickboard, Volvo nuts are a good market for your dad's car.

Price varies a bit due to location, there are plenty of mechanical parts available, so body condition is a big factor.

A spring sale of a spiffed up car is good advice. If you cannot garage it inside, get a mid-priced car cover. I store my 1800 under a tarp trimmed to just lap about 6' over the sides and ends, topped by a car cover that breathes.

[amazondean]

I don't understand! You say that your dad can't and won't let it go, so surely it's not for sale!!