Value question.

[RKTINC]

So I have a nearly perfect 100 with 65k mikes I am scared to drive. I stumbled upon an 80 that is locally owned and has a good history except one issue. Can you 80 guys give me a heads up on salvage title values with this explaination.


1997 collectors ed (I know it's just a decal and different leather).
Biege or champagne color. (I think desert dune)
No major dents or fading
No visible rust
Torn front seats.
208k miles
Uses oil
No significant leaks
Bald tires
Rough and peeling OEM wheels
SALVAGE TITLE.

It was rolled at 2,000 miles by the original owner then promptly traded off. This family has owned it since 1998 with little issues. Thoughts?

This would be a camping rig and first car for my 14 year old.

$2,500? $4,500?

Thanks.

RKTINC. FROM THE LC100 side.

 

[inkpot]

Rolled how bad? How well repaired? Doors and windows all close tight? No wind or water leaks? Lockers? Who repaired it?

 

[LS1FJ40]

Inkpot makes good points.

I'll add my two cents. I don't care about salvage title on a 20+ year old rig. I care about what I intend to do with it. It's a 208k mile vehicle you are going to go out and use. You already have a vehicle you are afraid use. If the paint and body work look good and it runs, it works for me. As far as price, whatever you feel comfortable paying.

 

[BILT4ME]

If the truck was rolled at 2000 miles and it now has 208,000 miles, it's probably lived a decent life.

However, the value of a SALVAGE TITLE vehicle is typically ONE-HALF the value of the comparable non-damaged vehicle.

In this case, it has seen a LOT of miles between the collision and the current sale.

There are some climate control differences as well that make it special (meaning harder to get replacement parts) if that matters.
The oil leaks, bald tires, and peeling wheels would bother me more.

I'd figure about $2500 range. That way, when you're done, it's in the $8000 range with new tires, no oil leaks, and it's cleaned up.

 

[rc51kid]

Uses oil but no leaks to me says valve seals. Which to me is a top end rebuild. Which is great thing to do since you put in a nice new HG which is a great thing to have. But it is expensive to do right and not worth doing if not doing it right.

 

[RKTINC]

Yes, all good info. The repair was done correctly as it has served its purpose well for 20 years. The oil usage is quite likely a head rebuild which is not cheap. I was thinking it was about a $8k ride if sorted properly so the $2,500 to $4,500 range is where I will stay.

Thanks, Guys, I promise to drive this one and get it dirty.

 

[RKTINC]

OK update:

I inspected and test drove the 80. Here are the details:

1997 40th in Sage
266k miles
Second owner
purchased damaged 3 years old with a salvage title from an insurance pool.
40k miles, hit a ditch and damaged front driver's side with slight roll.
Current owner paid a close friend's body shop to repair the front axel
spent $7500 to repair the rig to perfection
all original glass is in the car so a light side ditch roll
replaced the entire front axle after damage to front passenger wheel
new paint for hood, fender, door and painted entire side for match

Currently: NO and I mean NO rust. anywhere!!!
Frame is still black paint with slight road wear
wheels need refinished
has new michellins
I know the owner who expained all know issues

1.) her has put 222k miles on it
2.) leaks oil out the front seal
3.) uses a bit between 10k synthetic oil changes
4.) greased up berfields
5.) shifts and drives like new at 266k miles
6.) only the two front seats are cracked and faded rears are very nice
7.) needs a new antenna mast
8.) needs a driver's floor mat
9.) engine compartment is very very clean and looks new
10.) new optima battery
11.) always garaged and paint matches and looks new
12.) NO and I mean NO door dings
13.) radio is weak and CD has stopped working (MINOR ISSUE)
14.) window motors are slow and tired.
15.) center caps are tired and need a repaint and logo repaint/detail
16.) WOW IS THIS THING NICE

ASKING $7500 firm. I think with 266k and salvage title it is worth $6,000 so i am 1,500 away form a perfect rig with high miles. IMHO it would be an ideal VORTEC swap but I priced that and it is about 20k to have a pro due it.

THOUGHTS ADVICE? I think 6k is all the money for a Sage 266k mile Salvage title that is VERY VERY VERY NICE body and interior.

HELP. CAN I park this thing for a few years and still get the money for it or will the Salvage and high miles on this cream puff scare a future buyer?

 

[LS1FJ40]

Is this an "investment"?

It's a car. Buy it. Drive it. Enjoy it. You clearly want it. If you keep it two years and sell it for $6k and "lose" $1500 you just lost $62.50/month.

I don't understand the concept of buying a vehicle with the plan to sell it so I can't help you much more.

 

[Rifleman]

Be careful taking to much time thinking about buying it, because if it's a clean rig, someone else will buy it.

 

[Dragos80]

OK update:
ASKING $7500 firm. I think with 266k and salvage title it is worth $6,000 so i am 1,500 away form a perfect rig with high miles. IMHO it would be an ideal VORTEC swap but I priced that and it is about 20k to have a pro due it.

This how much a non damaged, non salvaged truck goes for in the same condition this on is in.

I would not get it for more than half of what he is asking for. That's a crazy value he put on it.

 

[LINUS]

Nope.

266K / salvage.

If you WANT to do a Vortec swap, don't start on a salvaged title, you'll be so far under if you ever went to sell.

I'd buy whatever clean title/no rust ~$6K 80 you like (ahem, make a trip west) & start on a clean title 80, otherwise you're doing "house rennovations & ignoring a cracked foundation".

My op.

 

[Kaninja]

My non-salvaged 80 was $4k in about the same shape.....almost identical miles. I wouldn't pay $7500 for a salvage title.

I suggest keep looking.

 

[shocktower]

So you want to do a Vortec swap, I mean pay someone, and pay a premium price for a salvage titled rig, I bet you think you are going to make money on this, well Toto since you are in Kansas, don't buy it for that and you will never ever get your money back from a swap unless you do all of the work, and I don't think you can ( professionally speaking, I have done a couple of swaps ), just keep driving your 100 to starbucks and be skeert

 

[ccslider]

I mean at least its already undesirable having a salvage title and a vortec swap would pair perfectly with that.

 

[shocktower]

I mean at least its already undesirable having a salvage title and a vortec swap would pair perfectly with that.

 

[culturedredneck]

Not sure this helps, but I paid 6k for my 97 with 200k and lockers. It has a salvage title from a very minor front end collision. PO replaced hood and front quarter panel and moved on. Paint and interior kind sucked, but it was all sealed up and didn't leak any oil. and rust FREE. Those were the most important things to me and all the other ones I had looked at were covered in blowback oil. So I bought it because at the time it was the best available and it met my criteria.

Point is, its all relative. Did I overpay? Maybe. Could I resale for 6k? Probably to the right person.

On old 80's SOMETHING is going to suck. If the paint is perfect, the interior is s***. If it runs great, it looks like crap. If everything is perfect, it'll cost you.... 6K is a bit much for the miles on it, IMHO. Ive seen Non salvaged ones with those miles all day long for less than 6k. But knowing the history of a rig is important, and it sounds like your confident with it's past, so go for it. But don't expect to make money on it. Realistically its a 5k rig to the right person, but who cares. Buying an 80 isn't a rational decision, which explains why we're all on MUD on a Friday night....

 

[Broski]

Just my 2 cents,rolled 266k salvaged title = He is asking to much. With out lockers 3k max.

 

[RKTINC]

All good info folks. I like the thought that an 80 is irrational. That is so true so a grand or two of overpaying is really not a big deal. That is why I offered 6k thinking I would get it bought. No luck. I am glad my gut feeling is correct and 5k would be a pretty good price. It is really clean. Paint matches. Interior is perfect except the front seats are cracked carpets are like new. It is really nice!!! Oh and new Michelins ...

I am not sure how to respond to shocktower's comments other than, I use my LX570 to get fancy coffee, my 96 Desert Dune ltd 4Runner to drive on country roads, my SC430 for evening drives with my wife (who is the only one in the house in a skirt) my corvette convertible for speeding, my Avalon for work, my vintage Jeep Pickup for auto repair practice and my pristine 02 Land cruiser to look at because it is nearly perfect!!! Regarding Kansas, I own a 1000 acres of it so money is really no object when building MY toys.

 

[Red Merle]

You don't need to worry about money so just buy what you want. At least you don't have an eye for Porsche.

Your income can support whatever 80 you buy, which makes ME wonder why you are worrying about this one. eBay is full of exceptional examples of the 80. Just buy one of them and be happier.

You are kinda rubbing it in though as to how rich you are and I don't begrudge anyone for making a good living, but keep in mind that many of us work really hard and make sacrifices to keep our beloved 80's on the road with our more meager incomes. I, for example, am a public servant that wields more power than you could dream of on a daily basis, but because I do this in the interest of the public, my financial gain is kept in check.

Nobody really likes hearing a rich guy tell us plebs how rich they are.

Just sayin'

 

[Dragos80]

Oh, it's on!