Hard Times - Selling Advice

[nartkers]

Here is my story - I bought a 70 C10 when I was 16. Worked my butt off to save money and pay for my first vehicle. Invested literally thousands into over the years. Fast forward 16 years, priorities have changed. I have not given the truck any attention in 2 years. It has been on the back burner, in a non-running state for awhile. The family and house has taken priority. Now with a flooded basement I need money for house repairs.
My question to you folks is this: Even though the truck does not have much value (sentimental value aside). Should I liquidate it - to get whatever money I can to fix the house? I don't want to take on any debt with my current financial situation.
Please advise!!

[Shane]

the way you price it will determine how badly you want to sell it.

[cdowns]

it's an old truck nothin more unless you make it that
old trucks are always going to b available in the future if at some time you decide you want one for a project again
take a realistic look at it to see where you best money will b gotten out of liquidation either by spending effort to get it semi running or if you can take it apart and sell the parts seperatly to get a bit more money on the liquidation

[Eddie H.]

Family always comes first.
You can always find another truck later when your financial situation improves.

[no moa]

i have thought the same way, was going to sell my Trans am when times got tough, was my first car. But i quickly realized i couldn't get enough $ for it, to really make a difference. If that makes any sense. and i also figured i'd never find one like it for what i could get for mine if i sold it now, in the future.
But these guys are right, family first. Good luck to you.

[nartkers]

That is the problem. After some quick estimating - I don't think that selling it would even help that much. Even though it is rust free and has a stout engine and trans, it has been sitting for 2+years.
I dunno what to do - think I better sleep on it

[nartkers]

Just out of curiousity, what is the appropriate forum for a "what is it worth" thread??

[no moa]

Originally Posted by nartkers

That is the problem. After some quick estimating - I don't think that selling it would even help that much. Even though it is rust free and has a stout engine and trans, it has been sitting for 2+years.
I dunno what to do - think I better sleep on it

Don't be to hasty. Sleeping on it is a good idea.

[7T2]

Originally Posted by nartkers

Just out of curiousity, what is the appropriate forum for a "what is it worth" thread??

There is a "What's It Worth" section in the For Sale area.

[Cole Trickle]

I'm not an emotional buyer or seller.....(Its just metal to me)

I have had to sell certain projects to pay bills/property taxes in years past.

I would never be able to justify credit card debt or my familys well being with toys or projects parked in the garage.

With that said I would be honest about what your gonna gain and what your going to loose. I try and buy cars/toys cheap so if I need to sell them I can break even or make $$$. If I was going to sell something for 2K that would cost me 5-6K to replace in the future I would go another route.

Life is a strange thing.......In the past year and a half I have had a couple finnancial set backs that have zapped my fun $$$ (pet surgurey and a water heater that exploded and took out part of my office/garage). I refuse to go into debt so the truck and house projects go to the back burner until I can save up some more cash.

Good luck to you......whoever said owning a house was the american dream never owned a home...lol

[cdowns]

you need to b a subscribing member to post a what it's worth thread

[landsurvey1]

How much would it cost to get it running? Would it be worth fixing and then sell a running truck? You would get more for it. And make sure you collect all the paper work on it. A buyer likes to see what he is buying. If you have thousands in it, show him in receipts. Clean it up so it is in its best possible condition. Then put it up for sale, if you get a fair price sell it.

[GASoline71]

A running vehicle will be worth more in the long run.

I agree about waiting a couple days to "cool off".

I had a 1971 El Camino SS that I sold on an emotional whim... I regtret it everyday, as it was a true SS car with a lot of factory options.

Gary

[72 Super]

Sorry to hear you may need/have to sell. Just make sure you think it over before coming to a decision. Wish you the best.

Ray

[60ratrod]

i agree with the cool down. the mrs gave me some flack the day we got her 05 pacifica and i had to play chinese valet parking. she made a joke asking if i really needed to keep it and i took it serious. long story short i did some work to it which helped me calm down and i was better. take a day or two to calm down and collect your thoughts. and if you still feel the need to sell it then go for it. projects come and go, but your family will always be there.

[wtchop]

Hate to hear that but I'm in the same boat. My 72 is my daily driver except for my work truck. Seems like when I didn't need to sell it everyone wanted it, now nobody is interested. It is very frustrating. I will be glad when this economy turns around. Wish you the best of luck.

[cleanfreak]

Yes family first , but if you want to keep it , you'l be sorry. I have sold 2 drag cars in the past (69 nova , 65 corvette) , bought the vette back , guy with nova won't sell.Just another 2 cents , do whatever fits you best.

[lil hoodlum]

I really feel for you. It sounds like you don't really want to sell it but you find yourself in a difficult situation. Is there anyone else that you can reach out to to help/ assist in the rebuild/ house repairs. I'm thinking maybe a church or salvation army/ or red cross maybe able to help.

I've never been in your shoes and don't have the same responsiblilities that you are shouldering.

This is just my personal opinion but money comes and money goes. It allways seems like there is something that is just tugging at our wallets. If you sold they truck in its present state it sounds like you might not get very much for it. Would that money really get you and your family out of this situation?

I'm sure you will come to the right desicion for you and your family. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you and your family.

Keith

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by nartkers

Here is my story - I bought a 70 C10 when I was 16. Worked my butt off to save money and pay for my first vehicle. Invested literally thousands into over the years. Fast forward 16 years, priorities have changed. I have not given the truck any attention in 2 years. It has been on the back burner, in a non-running state for awhile. The family and house has taken priority. Now with a flooded basement I need money for house repairs.
My question to you folks is this: Even though the truck does not have much value (sentimental value aside). Should I liquidate it - to get whatever money I can to fix the house? I don't want to take on any debt with my current financial situation.
Please advise!!

Nartkers,
Here's my similar Story (below), taken from the Index Page of my Website.....

http://home.pon.net/wwotr/my%201990%...0Super%20Coupe


In The Beginning (the Story)

Back in 2002 I bought a 1967 Chevy C-10 for $4K.
Body work was done and all in a Black Gel Coat.
The engine was tired, so I put in GM Crate engine (the ZZ383/425HP) .
Had a Custom Turbo 400 transmission built for it, New Sound System, Tires.
The only thing left (in my mind) to do was a Disc Brake Conversion and Air Conditioning.
I put about $12K into it (not including the Purchase Price).
Then in January 2005, the Wife and I were going through,
(what everybody now is going through, i.e. Job Loss, the Economy, Housing ect).
So I had to sell my 67 Chevy. I was Heartbroken but had to do what's right.
It was sold to a guy in Sweden for $8300.00, and shipped over by Cargo Container.


Fast Forward 4 years to January 2009.
The Bills, Car Loans, Credit Cards were paid in Full!
I bought the Wife a 2005 GMC Sierra Ext Cab 4X4.
I also told here that I wanted another 67-72 Chevy/GMC Truck
to restore again.
So in March of 2009, I put an Ad in my local Craig's List,
looking to Trade my 1996 Chevy Tahoe for that elusive 67-72 GM Truck.
After MANY Flakes that came out of the woodwork,
a guy contacted me, that had a 1972 GMC 1/2 Ton Fleetside Shortbed.
Within 10 days and after at LEAST 50 E-mails,
(and just as many Text Messages), we decided to do a straight trade.
Looking at the fact that my Tahoe's Blue Book was around $2800.00,
(it also had Transmission issues) and the Blue Book on a 72 GMC Fleetside Shortbed was about $5K easily,
I decided not to hesitate and trade before he changed his mind!


The trade took place at a half-way point between his house and mine,
on April 12th, 2009.
My Birthday was April 9th, where my Wife took me to Reno NV for 2 days.
She then surprised me with $1K CASH and said the only stipulation ............
"was that I had to spend it on my 72 GMC"! (that was a tough one).

I cannot believe that 4 years later I have a 72 GMC sitting in my driveway.
Sure its a "Diamond In The Rough", but when it comes to Trading, as long as BOTH parties get what they want......"it's ALL good".

Adendum:
That 72 GMC is almost done now,(except for Exterior Paint).
I guess my point is, that you need to do what's right by you/your Family.
If you DO sell your Truck, there is always hope that another will come to you.
I NEVER thought I'd get that opportunity again, to own a Truck like my 67.
Truth be told, my 72 GMC is so much more fun than my 67 EVER was.
The strides I've made with it over the last 2 years have been slow,
but because of that, I have so much more appreciation for it!
I've been able to get the Interior, Exhaust ect done since January.

Have Faith.
Roger
(Sorry for the long ramble, but I feel your Pain)

[FLDBRED]

Don't sell it,it's not going to change the spot you are in now!There is not a day goes buy that I don't wish I had my first car,a 1971 SS 454 Chevelle.The money I got for it then,went quick for things I don't even remember,yet I'll never forget that car.Put a cover over it and let it sit till things get better,and they will weather you sell that truck or not!

[m6z]

Selling somthing you love for some quick cash is always a bad idea. If you don't want to sell it, just leave it on the back burner till you can get back to it.

I've bought and sold several cars, but those were all cars I was bored with and was ready for somthing different. No regrets so far, but I know I'd regret selling somthing just because I needed the money.

[Shyguy]

I am a similar situation with the economy the way it is and have been trying to decide if I should sell one of my project trucks or both.

It is a hard decision to make, but you have to do whateve is best for your family and you.

If you decided to sell it you can still hang around here and visit. As with many of us someday you may find a deal you can not pass up.

Good luck.

[nartkers]

Update - I have decided to keep it. This means I have to pay for storage. Hopefully this will be temprorary until we get things fixed up at home. Thanks for all the advice!

[70cst]

Originally Posted by nartkers

Update - I have decided to keep it. This means I have to pay for storage. Hopefully this will be temprorary until we get things fixed up at home. Thanks for all the advice!

I am glad to read this. I believe long term you will be grateful with your decision to keep your truck.