Best time to buy?

[toyotajeep]

So I am getting into a better position to buy a muscle car that is a mild project. Of course the price on a 10K car went to 15K in the last six months. If you had to take a guess is now the time to buy, or wait a few months? I do not need another car project or car for that matter but I want one. I can wait until fall.

Do you wait or pull the trigger? I am looking at the big picture with inflation and all that stuff. I just don't want to pay 20K for a 12K car.

 

[grumpy356]

I honestly don't get it.

You start looking now and you don't rush.

When a deal comes along, you buy???

Are you some car show with a self imposed deadline? Spring / Summer / Fall???? Who schedules projects like that?

 

[the conservative atheist]

It can't be a $12K car if nobody is selling those cars for $12K.

 

[GM Guy]

As above, just keep your eyes open know what a fair price you are willing to pay and jump on it.
There is no "good" time to buy, sometimes you might find a deal in fall because somebody has had enough of storing a car.
Right now, when somebody has decided they no longer want to be bothered becuase they have jumped on the next bandwagon.
A little later in spring when the first drive has been done and some get discouraged by paying for the fuel, insurance.

Patience and always looking.

 

[Thefishguy77]

If your not stuck to one body style or manufacture then wait till the deal you want comes along. People still find screaming deals now and then. Have as much cash as you are willing to spend on hand amd have the trailer ready to be easily hooked up. Be patient and wait.

Totally different but I was shopping for an 85 4runner STOCK. I passed on a ton of mildly built 4runners and pickups in my price range $5k or under. I just kept looking. One night an afd pops up for a 1 owner stock 4runner still with the dealer window price sheet and dealer maintenance records for $3500. I tried to get it that night. Dude refused and said he would only do it during the day while at work for safety reasons. I asked if it was ok if I met him before work started, he seemed ok with it. I was there 30 minutes before he said he would be. I heard it drive in, heard the timing chain rsttle. He told me the dealer said it needed a new motor. I said that sucks can I drive it? He jumped in the passenger seat and I took it for a 5minute test drive and handed him asking. He said he had 12 guys with cash behind me.

Moral of the story, your deal will show up if you wait and your ready to buy it when it shows up. You hesitate and its the next guys.

 

[Tiha]

Wrong time of year to buy for sure. Better weather and everyone thinks they need a muscle car.

But I have noticed the price craze has seemed to level out and maybe even start to dip a little. Might give it a month or two and see what happens.

When I am ready for a new project I end up shopping for a couple months until I feel I am comfortable with the market and have some understanding of current values. Then I wait for that right purchase. (which is usually wrong LOL) but at least you know you didn't over pay.

The hunt can be fun.

 

[toyotajeep]

I guess my question was more about is the screwed economy going to have much effect on prices over the summer? If a guy was guessing.

I can say it is a nice time to sell stuff. I literally have my truck and trailer hooked up right now.

 

[toyotajeep]

I had a wanted ad last fall guy offers it to me for 10. I pushed him a bit, comes back at 15. Now he’s offering it to me for 13.5.

I don’t mind paying for what I want and I’m realistic. Guess I’ll just be patient …..and if prices are too high I won’t buy.

 

[RusM]

If your not stuck to one body style or manufacture then wait till the deal you want comes along. People still find screaming deals now and then. Have as much cash as you are willing to spend on hand amd have the trailer ready to be easily hooked up. Be patient and wait.

Totally different but I was shopping for an 85 4runner STOCK. I passed on a ton of mildly built 4runners and pickups in my price range $5k or under. I just kept looking. One night an afd pops up for a 1 owner stock 4runner still with the dealer window price sheet and dealer maintenance records for $3500. I tried to get it that night. Dude refused and said he would only do it during the day while at work for safety reasons. I asked if it was ok if I met him before work started, he seemed ok with it. I was there 30 minutes before he said he would be. I heard it drive in, heard the timing chain rsttle. He told me the dealer said it needed a new motor. I said that sucks can I drive it? He jumped in the passenger seat and I took it for a 5minute test drive and handed him asking. He said he had 12 guys with cash behind me.

Moral of the story, your deal will show up if you wait and your ready to buy it when it shows up. You hesitate and its the next guys.

This right here is how you buy ****!

Also don't be afraid of the no pics, bad/limited description ads especially craigslist. Most are crap and you waste your time. But the best deals I've ever gotten were that same template. Usually an older guy that doesn't do the internet or email and talks your ear off on the phone and in person. Lots of the time . they've got other **** they want to sell you too if they like you.

 

[Thefishguy77]

I guess my question was more about is the screwed economy going to have much effect on prices over the summer? If a guy was guessing.

I can say it is a nice time to sell stuff. I literally have my truck and trailer hooked up right now.

I would imagine as soon as inflation really kicks in people are going to be trying to offload cars and **** for cash. Especially stuff that gets gallons per mile versus miles per gallon.

 

[Filthy McChevy]

I had a wanted ad last fall guy offers it to me for 10. I pushed him a bit, comes back at 15. Now he’s offering it to me for 13.5.

I don’t mind paying for what I want and I’m realistic. Guess I’ll just be patient …..and if prices are too high I won’t buy.

What does that mean? You lowballed him and he went up 5k?

 

[toyotajeep]

No. I don’t think I’ve ever lowballed. When I asked some appropriate questions he said he talked to his family and came back at 15. He’s older and may not know what he’s doing idk😜

 

[Filthy McChevy]

No. I don’t think I’ve ever lowballed. When I asked some appropriate questions he said he talked to his family and came back at 15. He’s older and may not know what he’s doing idk😜

Ahh ok. I wasn't getting it.

 

[toyotajeep]

This right here is how you buy ****!

Also don't be afraid of the no pics, bad/limited description ads especially craigslist. Most are crap and you waste your time. But the best deals I've ever gotten were that same template. Usually an older guy that doesn't do the internet or email and talks your ear off on the phone and in person. Lots of the time . they've got other **** they want to sell you too if they like you.

I agree. Best deals are unadvertised. Just got to be patient.

 

[Norm]

Wrong time of year to buy for sure. Better weather and everyone thinks they need a muscle car.

But I have noticed the price craze has seemed to level out and maybe even start to dip a little. Might give it a month or two and see what happens.

When I am ready for a new project I end up shopping for a couple months until I feel I am comfortable with the market and have some understanding of current values. Then I wait for that right purchase. (which is usually wrong LOL) but at least you know you didn't over pay.

The hunt can be fun.

^this, the middle of winter is the best time to buy, and also when the economy crashes ( maybe a year out or so ). I bought mine in December when someone needed cash.

Also everyone want's to buy a "project" car, until they get into it and find out how much everything costs. Sometimes buying one already restored or partially restored is a better deal in the end. Three years ago I paid $9500 for a stock 77 vette that was a California car that sat for 20 years. The upside was it had decent paint which is 10k easy. I could bought a cheaper one that would have cost me 2x much in the end.

Now I have $20k+ into the vette that's probably worth 15k-17k , but it' what I wanted and I won't ever sell it. I could have bought bought a much nicer vette for the money I have in this one but it wouldn't be as fast or as nice, plus I'm kinda ******ed when it comes to car projects .

 

[Thumping]

Exactly what are you looking for and what is your definition of a muscle car? I know some today look at late 70's and 80s cars as muscle cars. I had a 79 Formula Firebird that had a weak as piss 301 and in some forums...its a muscle car

Seen a sweet 69 Chevelle out cruising around yesterday

 

[TRINDU]

Muscle cars, and now most vehicles ~1990 and older (depends on generation) have increased in value. Personally, inflation/current market has little do with it.

No one needs a 30 y/o+ car, prices are fueled by emotions. Whether they had one in high school, family had one, or they just plain liked it and could never afford one. Those folks are nearing retirement and/or have liquid funds to throw at a car (that they dont need). Its generational, that's why 60-80s car are hot right now and a 40s car has slumped in value.

The right time to buy is when you've found the right car, because the only thing driving price is emotions.

 

[toyotajeep]

^this, the middle of winter is the best time to buy, and also when the economy crashes ( maybe a year out or so ). I bought mine in December when someone needed cash.

Also everyone want's to buy a "project" car, until they get into it and find out how much everything costs. Sometimes buying one already restored or partially restored is a better deal in the end. Three years ago I paid $9500 for a stock 77 vette that was a California car that sat for 20 years. The upside was it had decent paint which is 10k easy. I could bought a cheaper one that would have cost me 2x much in the end.

Now I have $20k+ into the vette that's probably worth 15k-17k , but it' what I wanted and I won't ever sell it. I could have bought bought a much nicer vette for the money I have in this one but it wouldn't be as fast or as nice, plus I'm kinda ******ed when it comes to car projects .

Nothing more expensive than a cheap project car. I like the expression, "If you can't afford a good Bronco (etc) you really can't afford a bad one". I am slowly learning. Been doing this a long time.

 

[gunracer1]

just like planting a tree, best time was 20 years ago. if you didn't do that, then yesterday. if you didn't do that then today. just fawkin buy what you want.

 

[toyotajeep]

Exactly what are you looking for and what is your definition of a muscle car? I know some today look at late 70's and 80s cars as muscle cars. I had a 79 Formula Firebird that had a weak as piss 301 and in some forums...its a muscle car

Seen a sweet 69 Chevelle out cruising around yesterday

Typical pre-73 cars generally. Mainly late 60's.

 

[toyotajeep]

just like planting a tree, best time was 20 years ago. if you didn't do that, then yesterday. if you didn't do that then today. just fawkin buy what you want.

Isn't that the truth. I did do that with other vehicles, but not with the muscle car stuff.

 

[toyotajeep]

Muscle cars, and now most vehicles ~1990 and older (depends on generation) have increased in value. Personally, inflation/current market has little do with it.

No one needs a 30 y/o+ car, prices are fueled by emotions. Whether they had one in high school, family had one, or they just plain liked it and could never afford one. Those folks are nearing retirement and/or have liquid funds to throw at a car (that they dont need). Its generational, that's why 60-80s car are hot right now and a 40s car has slumped in value.

The right time to buy is when you've found the right car, because the only thing driving price is emotions.

I agree. I mess around with 55 Chevy's and that market is definitely getting older in an obvious manner. Prices are still up there, but you can see the age at shows etc.

 

[TRINDU]

I agree. I mess around with 55 Chevy's and that market is definitely getting older in an obvious manner. Prices are still up there, but you can see the age at shows etc.

I'd say the problem with tri-fives is there isn't a stock one left. So you're either hoping someone did an excellent restoration, or you're trying to sort out how much it's going to cost to unfuck.

My dad rebuilt a '55 2 door post when I was younger. Nothing fancy, just repower, paint, etc. I respect them, but I have no grand desire to own one. I went to shows all the time as a kid, that's definitely a geriatric thing now.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Wrong time of year to buy for sure. Better weather and everyone thinks they need a muscle car.

Jan-May is the absolute worst time to buy any sort of luxury or hobby item because everyone is getting their tax return.

No one needs a 30 y/o+ car, prices are fueled by emotions. Whether they had one in high school, family had one, or they just plain liked it and could never afford one. Those folks are nearing retirement and/or have liquid funds to throw at a car (that they dont need). Its generational, that's why 60-80s car are hot right now and a 40s car has slumped in value.

If you want a poor people's car they're unobtainium because they got treated as disposable.

You want a rich people's car, well every douchebag that got hauled around in the back of something nice now has a job on wall street and can bid the price to the moon.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when late 90s SUV craze era stuff is hot because gas will probably be $10/gal by then.

 

[Tiha]

Jan-May is the absolute worst time to buy any sort of luxury or hobby item.

Snowmobiles!

 

[Yotota]

Unless you can predict the entire global economy, start casually shopping now and buy something when you find something you want that you can afford.

 

[Boons]

If I didn't lose my garage I would be dragging this home for $4000 to swap my om617 into.

 

[TRINDU]

Jan-May is the absolute worst time to buy any sort of luxury or hobby item because everyone is getting their tax return.


If you want a poor people's car they're unobtainium because they got treated as disposable.

You want a rich people's car, well every douchebag that got hauled around in the back of something nice now has a job on wall street and can bid the price to the moon.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when late 90s SUV craze era stuff is hot because gas will probably be $10/gal by then.

With that logic, any truck made last century should be unobtainable. Stuff rots out up there in short order, so there goes your supply. Down here a meskin or kid gets a hold of a truck and its wrecked and abused almost immediately. Not to mentioned non-stop road trains to central America. An international scout/truck shouldn't exist, yet here we are, most are **** though.

There will ALWAYS be a vehicle shoved in a corner or a garage or barn somewhere. You just have to be the guy lucky enough to buy it.

NO ONE, is going to restore an aerostar

 

[east_beast]

I guess my question was more about is the screwed economy going to have much effect on prices over the summer? If a guy was guessing.

There are tons of highly trained economists who pretty much do nothing but sit around and try to predict this stuff and they still get it wrong constantly. It's all a guessing game. I say if you've got the money to spend, then by the car you want when it becomes available.

 

[RunningProblem]

I guess my question was more about is the screwed economy going to have much effect on prices over the summer? If a guy was guessing.

I can say it is a nice time to sell stuff. I literally have my truck and trailer hooked up right now.

I personally think it will slow a lot of projects, and 12 months from now guys will still be looking to sell, but now will be more motivated to sell since it’s sat an extra year. Seems like locally every time Hot August Nights is mentioned everywhere has a classic car you can buy for $15,000 that needs work and those go away in November.