Inflation

Is it me or is it more common to see car ads in which owners have inflated opinions of their cars. Beater 5 liter mustangs with prices over $3k, barely running project Miatas for nearly as much. I even saw an add on Craigslist for a Fiero GT which is in average condition and the owner is asking $3,000 while exclaiming that if it was mint he would be asking three times as much. Ebay Motors is almost useless now as a source of cheap cars and good used parts. Craigslist is not far behind.

I have noted a clear uptick in low-end used car asking prices. I'm curious if selling prices are going up too. Could be a sign of economic recovery?

Example: Any Miata with a presentable body and interior is $2000 in Ohio now. It might have a blown HG, spun main bearing, broken crank nose, it doesn't matter. Only severe body damage can push one below that mark.

It's tax return season. Boosts the prices of cars in that low to mid 4 figure range. If you've got a roach, now's the time to sell.

I don't think so. Before buying my Challenge Shelby Dak in early January I had a difficult time finding a Challenge-friendly car at a Challenge-friendly price. Bought the shelby for $1200 and the ONLY things wromg with it were faded paint, worn graphics and a rusted tail gate. Heck, even the comrpession was up around 170 PSI cold. Now, every car with a modicum of performance potential is a potential collector treasure.

Higher scrap prices have taken a number of the $100-500 cars let alone all the "come and take it away" stuff.

Looked at an '84 Z28 for a buddy a couple weeks ago. Guy wanted $1800 for an $800 Camaro.

I've noticed it too. Although I think they now fall into two catagories. Ones that don't run at all seem to be haul it away junk that simply can't find a buyer, and ones that barely but do run seem to be increasing in value.

I think it's a sign of a not so increasing economy though. Many people I know are buying cheap used cars and getting rid of their car loans, so it's driving up the price of the cheap ones.

Cash for clunkers took a lot of the $500 cars away from us. Its a shame. Plus +1 for the expensive Miatas; here in Wisconsin, $2000 will get you a rusty white miata with body damage and low compression...that needs a new top," but other than that it works fine".

Rob_Mopar wrote: Higher scrap prices have taken a number of the $100-500 cars let alone all the "come and take it away" stuff.

Yesterday my nephew who strips and scraps old vehicles for extra money told me that as long as he can get one for $500 or less he can make a nice profit on it.

Ha said he can get $12.30 per 100# at the scrap yard.

The_Pirate wrote: It's tax return season. Boosts the prices of cars in that low to mid 4 figure range. If you've got a roach, now's the time to sell.

This time of year always amazes me. All the cars that four months ago would struggle to bring $1,000 are now worth $2,500.
Buy in the late fall.

Hal wrote:

Rob_Mopar wrote: Higher scrap prices have taken a number of the $100-500 cars let alone all the "come and take it away" stuff.

Yesterday my nephew who strips and scraps old vehicles for extra money told me that as long as he can get one for $500 or less he can make a nice profit on it. Ha said he can get $12.30 per 100# at the scrap yard.

Yea, last year I got more across the scales for a picked clean shell than what I got the whole car for at an auction.

Now that the nice weather is starting to come around I'll be carving up the remains of the parts truck out back in a few weeks.

Thats why I went south for my Miata, $1500 in Ohio will get one with lots of rust and over 200k miles. In TN it got me one with no rust and 108k miles, runs great.

OK, I want $20,000 for my white Shelby Dak which truly is an 8 out of 10 (10 being the best) and $5,000 for my well running, but in need of restoration Red Dak. Any takers?

I tried to sell my milano and even at $1200 the only interest I got was the "will you take $800 cash, and what kind of car is that anyway?" people, so I kinda gave up. I had to put a $400 radiator in in last week so I would still have a way to get to school so I doubt I will try to sell it again for a while.