A Fair Price for Vin # 6773?

[virtualchuck]

Long time "lurker", first time poster.

First of all, thank you to everyone who regularly posts on this forum. Your knowledge has (and will) be invaluable in the restoration of 6773.

Current owner has owned for about ten years. He purchased from possibly the original owner? There was some work done several years ago by a local mechanic (not by DMC) on the clutch and possibly the engine. Exterior is very good, only one or two small dents on the stainless. There appears to be a small amount of rust underneath, but nothing too serious. On the interior, other than having a CD player, subs, and a flux cap installed, everything looks to be original. Binnacle is in exceptional shape, and other than a torn up driver's seat, and shift boot, everything else looks good. At this point, it has not been touched for at least two years, hasn't been running for possibly three or four. There are of course the unknowns as to the condition of the engine, and I haven't been able to get a good look underneath.

Owner and I are trying to arrive at a fair price. He originally paid $16k for it ten years ago, and feels that is what it is worth now. I feel it is worth a few thousand less.

Thoughts?

Thanks again!
Chuck Pullen

[refugeefromcalif]

Welcome! :welcome:

If you have some pictures you could post, It would be easier to give a better "Ballpark" guesstimate.

George

[Jonathan]

Before I read the last line of your post, the number that was coming to mind was $15k. If he is thinking $16k and you are thinking $13-14k, perhaps something just shy of $15k might be close? Like you said, many unknowns with or without all of us seeing photos. Photos will help the crowd here spot stuff you may not be knowledgable on yet, but it won't be able to see everything. $14k is a good number, but don't think you got a bad deal if you don't get it for $13k. With what you listed and depending on how much you can safely and sanely work on yourself, you may put another $10k in to it. Justify to yourself the need for future dollars to be spent on the car, even after you've agreed upon the initial purchase price. My experience was in the double neighborhood and that was perhaps to be expected by someone in the know, but since I was lacking much knowledge on the cars, it came as a pretty crappy surprise. Doesn't matter now, but deal with it now versus later and you will thank yourself for it.

[Evildeli]

Never be afraid to walk away from a bad deal. Sometimes you got to separate your feelings from the purchase. IMO 16k is a good starting point on a Delorean that needs some work, but way too high on a non-running D. Post some pics so we can help you better.

[David T]

A non-runner is worth $10K TOPS. Since you cannot drive the car you have to figure it needs EVERYTHING. You can bury $10K in parts alone in a hurry. For $20K you can buy a really nice runner.
David Teitelbaum

[DeMopar]

Are you specifically looking for a project car or does this one just happen to be close by?

[Dangermouse]

Is this an 81 (06773) or an 83 (16773)?

Not that it affects the price in any way. Just curious.

Can you share what State it is presently located in? (Just in case you don't buy it and it disappears back into the ether :) )


Good luck.

[virtualchuck]

I'm going to try and reply to your questions in order:

1) His garage was dark, so we will push it out to get good pics and a good look at the undercarriage soon.

2) Yes I agree that I should expect the worst in terms of the cost to get it running. My biggest fear is that all of the recent repairs were done incorrectly with the wrong parts, and will need to be redone.

3) I originally planned on spending $8 to $10k on it, but it is in much better shape than I remembered so the number that has been stuck in my head is $12k. I really do think I could at least get it started and running with minimal amount of time.

4) I was honestly looking for a car in this exact shape. Non-runner, but it has been garage kept, accident free, with almost no body issues. The car is less than 2 miles from my house, so we could literally push it home one evening.

5) It's 06773 from Nov. of '81. Don't worry, if I don't buy it will certainly go up for sale here first!

Current owner and I have been good long time friends, I think he really wants me to have it, so I am sure we will arrive at a fair price.

Thanks everyone!

Chuck Pullen

[Jonathan]

I'm going to try and reply to your questions in order:

1) His garage was dark, so we will push it out to get good pics and a good look at the undercarriage soon.

2) Yes I agree that I should expect the worst in terms of the cost to get it running. My biggest fear is that all of the recent repairs were done incorrectly with the wrong parts, and will need to be redone.

3) I originally planned on spending $8 to $10k on it, but it is in much better shape than I remembered so the number that has been stuck in my head is $12k. I really do think I could at least get it started and running with minimal amount of time.

4) I was honestly looking for a car in this exact shape. Non-runner, but it has been garage kept, accident free, with almost no body issues. The car is less than 2 miles from my house, so we could literally push it home one evening.

5) It's 06773 from Nov. of '81. Don't worry, if I don't buy it will certainly go up for sale here first!

Current owner and I have been good long time friends, I think he really wants me to have it, so I am sure we will arrive at a fair price.

Thanks everyone!

Chuck Pullen

I heard at one point from a very valued individual in the community that it is better to seek out a non-runner that was stored well over the years than a car that more or less runs, but was left to sit in poor conditions in the past.

Factoring that in with how you know the guy well and it is right down the street from your house, it seems to make a lot of sense to get this car.

Considering folks in more remote areas are getting cars in worse shape because they have very little selection to pick from, this all seems to be lining up pretty well for you.

[OverlandMan]

I heard at one point from a very valued individual in the community that it is better to seek out a non-runner that was stored well over the years than a car that more or less runs, but was left to sit in poor conditions in the past.

Factoring that in with how you know the guy well and it is right down the street from your house, it seems to make a lot of sense to get this car.

Considering folks in more remote areas are getting cars in worse shape because they have very little selection to pick from, this all seems to be lining up pretty well for you.

+1. The stars seem to be aligning for you. Keep us posted.

[virtualchuck]

+1. The stars seem to be aligning for you. Keep us posted.

+1 on that...I just received a large check from a client for a long-term project I finally finished, and the current owner called an hour later asking if I was ready to talk numbers...Looks like the stars have aligned (hopefully for me to get this car for $12k!)

Thanks again everyone!

Chuck Pullen

[Jonathan]

+1 on that...I just received a large check from a client for a long-term project I finally finished, and the current owner called an hour later asking if I was ready to talk numbers...Looks like the stars have aligned (hopefully for me to get this car for $12k!)

Thanks again everyone!

Chuck Pullen

Fantastic!! I'm pulling for you Chuck!! :)