Re: 850 Retail Value... (archive)

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: NOBODY is getting 28k for a 91 e31. 'Round here, they go for around 20-24k, I have even seen a few in the teens. There was a very nice one, which some moron repainted the wrong color, for 13,900. By the time I arrived at the guy's home, he had sold it FOR CASH to someone else! :( (BTW, it had 89kmi on it.)

>>>>>I hear you. I was saying the same thing you are right here on the Board last July. Can't agree now though. I repeatedly tried to buy one of those "really nice ones" and in the end chose to pay more for a "good" full-records car. Are you in Los Angeles? When I bought mine, I flew to LA because there were so many low priced 8's advertised. I checked out at least seven for under $25k. None were worth the trouble. Abused, no maintenance records, repaints, or just poor condition. ALL were advertised as excellent condition. For example, one car in LA was $25k with 45k miles, but no records. Had it check out and did the math for repair costs. It would have easily been almost $30k after repairs, not including the hidden problems that were likely missed. After many frustrating months, and looking at dozens of so called "pristine" $20-$25k cars, I ended up paying about $28k for a six speed with average mileage, but clear preventative maintenance already done and full records.

Most 8 owners will quickly point out that records of proper maintenance and repair offset any savings from these "very nice" deals quickly. Problemed 8's are extremely expensive to bring up to spec. At about 70k+ miles 8's typically wear out very expensive struts/springs, control-arms, exhaust, batteries, DK throttle bodies, manifold intake gaskets, brakes, tires, etc; easily $6-8k out of pocket. If these areas havn't been addressed by the owner, and in most no-records cars they havn't, you're cheap 8 is now at least $25k or more. From what you've invested to keep your M6 in top shape you should understand this.

: KBB is the worst indicator of a vehicle's value I have EVER seen. Period. They do not even list classic/specialty vehicles! NADA is going to have a sight soon, too, but I do not trust them at all. The best way to gauge the value of a car is to look in the paper at like vehicles, and to go to AUTOTRADER.COM

>>>>>>Agreed in part. Rejected otherwise based on your faith in the "advertised" condition. I lost mine quickly; only took about six cars. The reality is that you get what you pay for, with the rare exception. Several people on this list, including one in Canada and one in Chicago, recently sold their 1991 850s for from $27.5 to $28k or more. These are transaction prices for cars in top condition, with full records. That's why I said $27-28k. If you find a good one with full records and major items already dealt with, let us know, we'll all be envious. In reality, based on actual sales transactions, non-dealer sales of well-maintained full-records 1991 850s seem to fall somewhere between Edmund's retail price of about $24k and Kelley's price of about $30k.

: (I would not part with my car for 15k, by the way, that was an estimate. The interior upgrades alone ran me over $7500. It has an L6 style interior, and LEATHER everything, and the engine is clean enough to eat from.)

>>>>>>>Sounds like a great M6. L6 interior, leather and everything. Personally I'd keep it. They're getting harder to find and you just can't get that kind of reliability and performance in another used car for under $15k.

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