Hi, just wondering if there are any useful resources out there to help put a value on our Mav. I've looked through the classifieds, craigslist and eBay, prices are all over the place. KBB, NADA, Hemmings?? I know sometimes they're close and others they're so far off it's useless.
You could have your car appraised but even that is not a true value for the car but gives you an idea, studying what others have sold for is the best method it appears. Being in Idaho does not help the value as western states cars dont seem to sell as well as cars in the mid to eastern areas. Being it is a Grabber does help the value but if it was a 71 or 72 would be better. Condition and options the car has play the biggest factor, closer to stock unless really tastefully modified will up the value. The values do seem to be coming up and will continue to do so as time passes. I guess to sum it up if you like your car then the value is priceless but if you are out to sell it then ask a high price and come down if there is no interest. I look at it this way if I was to sell my car I would ask a little more what I would be willing to pay for it and if prospective buyer doesnt like the price then he can find another one.
It's only worth what someone will pay. Four years ago, I paid $4500US for my 71 6-cyl Grabber with just 19,000 original miles on it. I then paid $2200 to ship it home and clear customs, etc. It was worth it to me, since being from the North East, you just can't find cars like that here due to salt, etc. I have since made some needed repairs and freshened-up some things like the engine compartment and upgraded to 5-lug discs all around. The BIG job I got into was the cowl replacement (see link in my signature) so in total, I have about $15,000 into the car as it sits, not counting my time... I have used this site before. It's close, and the prices are in Canadian Dollars... http://www.vmrcanada.com/canada_makes.htm They have a Classic Car Calculator at the bottom. If you had some pictures of your car, that would help determine the value... As-purchased... AFTER:
Wish it was an earlier car, not too fond of the fat bumpers. I'll keep watching for a while and see where the prices are at. I've only seen a few manual trans cars but don't know if it really makes a difference anyway. It's in pretty good shape for all the years it spent in someone's driveway. There are defects and scratches in the paint but it's original color and looks like the numbers match. My wife loves the car but we've just got too many at this point and have to thin the herd. We bought it as a daily driver in 1997 when her car had an engine fire. At that time it was cheap transportation until the insurance company settled.
The car looks nice I like the vinyl top, looks like you just buffed it out and that helps when selling a car lots of people dont take the time to make a car look presentable and just list it on the market and first appearances count a lot. Being a manual car will help with the sale I believe I know that would be a good selling point if I was a buyer. With only one picture to judge the car by I would say around $3,500 to $5,500 in the northwest depending on the rest of the cars condition. To get the most money and the best coverage ebay would be the way to go if it wasnt for the cut they get but craigslist would give you a good idea if there was any interest in it at all but be prepared for tire kickers and people wanting to low ball you to the point you get frustrated. If you live in a safe high visibility area the for sale sign in the window works wonders sometimes. Be honest with all you know of issues with the car and take lots of pictures Rust in lower rear quarters, rust in lower front fenders, rust in cowl area, rust in floor boards, rust on the hood lip, torn up seats, cracked dash pad, leaking/sloppy power steering, bad door hinges, general condition of engine compartment such as leaky valve cover gaskets leaky radiator would be the things I would notice and effect price I would be willing to pay. Good luck with your sell you will probably miss it when it is gone as they are not the run of the mill car
Thanks very much for the information. I've bought a lot of cars cheap simply because the seller didn't clean it up so I always put in the effort. I know it'll be missed but right now I have the Mav, a 1974 Duster, 2 1969 Datsun roadsters, a BMW 330Ci, a BMW 325is track car, a 1998 BMW M3, 2 Pontiac Vibes, an 02 Chevy 2500hd, 1999 Goldwing, the motorhome and a car trailer. Got a little out of control so time to get the collection down to a practical number.
