NOT VALK RELATED ....1981 Chevy Caprice

[Mongo]

My wife's aunt passed away and we are trying to figure out what her car is worth so we can sell it. It's a 2 door 1981 Chevy Caprice Landau. It's been sitting in a attached garage since 1996. and I don't think it was even started after she went into the nursing home in 2004. We put a new battery in it and cleaned the fuel filter and it started. It's only has 36,000 milles on it (she was 66 when she got it)and the outside is dent and rust free. The inside is dirty but no tears in the seats or cracks in the dash. I know it would a good car to restore but as it sits there could be 100's of problems caused by sitting so long.

How do we find/get an asking price on car like this? Kelly's blue book and Edmunds only go back to 1990. any good web sites that might help me out??? Were in the middle of Illinois. Are there dealers around that look for these type of cars? Tried finding something on Ebay but all seemed like restored cars.

[mario]

hey mongo,
i'd check out chicago and st. louis craigslist ads for the same year car or close to it to get an idea what's being asked in your area and adjust the asking price a bit according to condition and miles.

[JimC]

Mongo,
There are dealers that will buy it, but just like trading in a Valk at a dealership, they need to buy low and sell high to make enough money to keep their doors open. If you are going to get the money, it would be worth your time to try and sell it on Craigs List, Ebay, or Cars-on-Line, or any of the other hundreds of classic car venues.

If you are not going to profit by the sale directly, it might just be easier to call some of the classic car dealers, there are a bunch in the southern Ill, St Louis areas, there is most likely at least one near each major city.

It is easy to say that it is worth what a newer vehicle with that mileage is worth, but there are other factors that go with buying an older car for a daily driver.  One is the economy, there are less and less people buying toys right now, the street rod and classic car market took a hit just like everything else. It will have issues from sitting, and problems with insurance if you pay high and then it gets totaled out. (been there done that)

Off the top of my head without seeing it, I would say $ 2,500 to $3,000 more to the right person. You won't find the right person though unless you put it on a lot of web sites and there can be  a charge for each one.
Good luck,
Jim

[MNBill]

A friend of mine dates a guy that does appraisals on Mopar classics. I am sure if you Google it there are folks out there that do it for Chevys.

[Marcel]

I'll take it.

AL

Send a PM

[3fan4life]

A google search for: 1981 caprice classic landau coupe

found some interesting results.

There is one in Jackson MS with 56k mi selling for $3600 and there is one on E-bay that has been customized to the max for $7,000.

That is a really nice old "ride" and in good shape should bring a fair price.

They sold for about $7500.00 new.

Good luck with selling it, something tells me that it won't take too long.

[Marcel]

It's only 30 years old.

Should be a cool ride for somone.

[f6john]

    The real problem with vehicles like this is that a lot of people would love to have the car but they have to have cash, no loan value on a car like that. I just recently got my fathers 1985 Silverado with 59,000 miles on it. I really enjoy driving it but the more I drive it the more things I find either wrong with it or about ready to give a problem. He had a 1993 Tarsus station wagon with 83,000 miles that he had thou8ght about giving away but didn't because it didn't want to give someone a "problem". It's still sitting in the garage at his house, mother doesn't want to be bothered with selling it. I'll try to do something with it this spring.

[Mongo]

Thanks for the ideas, not really in a mood to try Ebay type sale. I think will try and find a dealer. The car is still sitting in the garage but is 70 miles south of us so it would be pain to show bidders.

[iliveforcurves]

Does the mattress come with the car?

[f6john]

     You didn't indicate it was a 2 door!!!! That car wouldn't last long here in Hopkinsville.  The guys who love the 4 wheel drive look with 26"+ wheels and paint jobs that cost more than the car itself is worth would snap it up in a minute.

[Kaiser]

    You didn't indicate it was a 2 door!!!! That car wouldn't last long here in Hopkinsville.  The guys who love the 4 wheel drive look with 26"+ wheels and paint jobs that cost more than the car itself is worth would snap it up in a minute.

Same here in this University town.  (You forgot to mention the $15K stereos in the $5K car thing, too.)  That has "Big Pimpin'" written all over it.

I was driving my mini-van (I know, I know) and got passed by a mid-90's Caprice that was taller than us!  I had to look up to see in the windows.

To each their own.

[Jess from VA]

Depending on what kind of price you MAY be able to get for it, you can also consider donating it to a tax free organization and taking a write-off on you taxes. (They come and get it)

http://www.purpleheartcars.org/

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=131660,00.html

[Mongo]

I'm sure the mattress could go with it. It's still in the bag and never been used, it has been on the roof of the car since 2004 when she went to nursing home. Her whole house was just locked up and has sat vacant for the last 7 years.

We were thinking it would be about $500 to $1,000 car. I understand it could be worth more but not sure it would be worth the hassle. just kind of looking for a web site that would give me a price. But maybe when cars are this old it hard to really have a standard price.

[eric in md]

mongo i will buy it and come and get it lets us know thats .. i mean it   i need a good work car .. thanks

[bigfish_Oh]

have you tried to find any used car in decent shape for 500-1000 ? they do not exist here and they are turds. omama and no loans helped take care of that. i think anyone will jump all over it for 1,000, I would be pushed to sell either of the 2 turds I have sitting her not being drove for under 1k.
   Well no, I'm cleaning the yard(cars,tractors,motorhome,parts,etc.) this spring and dumping a lot of stuff to go for a magna.

[eric in md]

mongo get with me so we can make a deal on this ride thanks eric

[JimC]

Mongo,
I sent you a private message,

if you are going to sell it that cheap give me a call.
I really think it is worth twice that of you shop around for a buyer.

JimC