How come my car isn't even worth scrapping?

[dumb person]

So i see cars for sale online and in real life, in worse shape than mine (My car still has paint! and my panels are made from metal, not bondo) and they want twice what some skinflinty mc'scrooge would ever offer me? And their engines sound like a cement mixer. At least mine runs properly & pulls hills in high gear. Theirs won't.

I'd rather watch my car rot into my lawn than sell it to those ppl.
What gives?

[slammin]

Perhaps there isn't much of a market for cars like yours on "South Pacific Island"? Your exact location and what you are trying to sell will be very helpful to get a good answer to your question. Pictures would be good too.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by slammin

Perhaps there isn't much of a market for cars like yours on "South Pacific Island"? Your exact location and what you are trying to sell will be very helpful to get a good answer to your question. Pictures would be good too.

Sounds like the song, "NO MAN IS AN ISLAND"---
BILL Can'tswim

[Bob Bidonde]

I do not value my cars as investments, they are toys for my enjoyment. I am in this hobby because I admire the designs of Model A Fords, they are affordable antique cars and I enjoy the adventures of driving them. Both of my Model A's are restored, and there is no way I will recoup the money I have spent on them.

[ronn]

send it my way, Ill get you top dollar here in NJ!

[1930artdeco]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I think it has more to do with our society today. Cheap.

Mike

[wingski]

Just to let you know. I’ve cetainly felt just the way you are feeling right now. I’vehad several cars that I knew were exceptional, but no one else seemed to. In fact, I have one right now. It’s a lot smaller than a model A, but it is probably the most dependable car I’ve ever owned. It’s a red 1972 Honda n600 sedan with 68 K miles on it, and it is so neat that I’ve almost come to the conclusion that nobody else deserves to own it.

In fact, I think that me and the Honda should be buried together. Just dig a hole, prop me up in the driver’s seat, strap me in, push us into that hole, and cover us up.

Hell, you’ve got sand instead of dirt. Just have them dig a bigger hole. One with a view. Can you even imagine the questions that would arise in a couple of thousand years when they discovered you and your car? Just make sure they prop one of your hands up so you are giving the one-fingered salute.

Don’t sell your car, keep it forever and ever. That will teach the SOB’s.

Mike

[WHN]

Model A’ & T’s are now true antique’s.

There are a lot of places were you really can’t drive them safely any longer.

Unlike some other antique cars, Model A’ & T’s were made in very large numbers, MILLIONS. Most at the end of there useful life, were not worth even taking to the scrap yard. A lot were put in chicken coops and barns to be found later by our fathers and grandfathers. Restored or made road worthy in one form or another.

Here we are today. It could be called a hobby, or maybe remembering another time. What it is for sure are two Ford cars that bring a smile to peoples faces, a wave, a request from children and grand children to go for a ride, blow the horn Dad or Grandpa.

How do you put a value on that? Enjoy.

[BillCNC]

Originally Posted by WHN

Model A’ & T’s are now true antique’s.

There are a lot of places were you really can’t drive them safely any longer.

Unlike some other antique cars, Model A’ & T’s were made in very large numbers, MILLIONS. Most at the end of there useful life, were not worth even taking to the scrap yard. A lot were put in chicken coops and barns to be found later by our fathers and grandfathers. Restored or made road worthy in one form or another.

Here we are today. It could be called a hobby, or maybe remembering another time. What it is for sure are two Ford cars that bring a smile to peoples faces, a wave, a request from children and grand children to go for a ride, blow the horn Dad or Grandpa.

How do you put a value on that? Enjoy.

Well Said +1

Regards
Bill

[Dick Steinkamp]

1. Asking prices are rarely selling prices. Be sure you are comparing your car's worth to actual sales of similar cars...not the "dreamer" asking prices out there.
2. Marketing is the key to getting top dollar. There are many threads here about the different ways to advertise your car. Whichever ones you choose to try make sure you offer a complete description and plenty of pictures. Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. What would you need to know?
3. Are you sure you have a realistic figure in mind for your car? It is quite common and understandable that we feel our cars are worth more than the actual market for them. If you really want to sell it, it has to be at a price reflective of the market...not reflective of your love for the car.
4. Location is important. Not many will buy a car long distance, sight unseen. If you live in a major metropolitan area, you have a better chance of having more interested buyers and getting a better price than if you live on a South Pacific island (for example).

[harleynut]

What you put in an A and what you get back out are two different things. I'm told fifty cents on a dollar is common. Judging by past experience, that's not far off. These reply's are spot on.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

It is only worth what you will accept and not feel like you got cheated, and what the buyer will pay and not feel like he has been cheated.

$$$$ spent mean nothing.

[mrtexas]

Prices out there advertised are way too high. I advertised both my 29 roadster and 28 AR RPU for $5k less than anything else out there on Hemmings.com. Both sold for asking or close to it. Not many lookers or inquiries either in 6 months on either one. Both were fresh top to bottom restorations with new paint and interior. One sold to a local and one sight un-seen. Got lucky though, the 29 looked like new but had gallons of bondo on it and the buyer didn't check. The sight un-seen buyer got a very good truck. It wasn't restored to any specific date but had loads of rare AR parts on it. No shocks but I intentionally included pictures that showed the lack of. Didn't advertise it with shocks. When buyer got the truck he asked where the shocks were and I responded I didn't advertise that it had any.

IMHO the market for Model As is very weak. It is at least for 29 roadster and 28 RPUs in my experience. I think Model As are going the way of Model Ts.

The 29 buyer drives his and has a ball in it. He has stayed in touch and I help him out whenever I can for no charge. Last time he insisted I take $20 for adjusting his horn. He had adjusted it too tight.

https://28fordarpickup.weebly.com/

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

Got lucky though, the 29 looked like new but had gallons of bondo on it and the buyer didn't check.

No shocks but I intentionally included pictures that showed the lack of. Didn't advertise it with shocks. When buyer got the truck he asked where the shocks were and I responded I didn't advertise that it had any.

Note to self....Don't put mrtexas on my preferred seller list.

[Tom Wesenberg]

"The 29 buyer drives his and has a ball in it. He has stayed in touch and I help him out whenever I can for no charge. Last time he insisted I take $20 for adjusting his horn. He had adjusted it too tight."


$20 to turn a screw one or two clicks........man, that's the kind of customers I need. LOL

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

Note to self....Don't put mrtexas on my preferred seller list.

Do you advertise what is not included on cars you sell?

[3.6rs]

Originally Posted by dumb person

... And their engines sound like a cement mixer. ...
I'd rather watch my car rot into my lawn than sell it to those ppl.

You can't sell your car because they can't mixe cement with it...
Who will be watching who ? Who will be rotten first

[Pinesdune]

Kinda sad but I agree with most of the responses. You have to remember, less and less families out there with enough disposable income to own a fun car like an A, mom and pop both work, two kids and a dog to feed, and when it costs 80 g's to put up a two car insulated garage (that hiring it all done) , they can afford to build a place to put another car, (heck they can barley afford the house!) then pay the license and registration. And an A or T is really a common Joe kinda car, not like an Aubourn or Pierce Arrow who have big $ collectors after them.

[Stretch Cab]

Well on the “bright” side of this discussion is that if I live long enough maybe the price of Model A’s will come down to where I can afford a 30/31 Phaeton.

[ronn]

Note to self....Don't put mrtexas on my preferred seller list.