TheSamba.com :: View topic - Are people getting $4k-$6k out of non-running post 68 Beetles?

Tue May 12, 2020 4:51 am

All this Corona stuff aside, are people really getting $4,000-$6,000 out of non-running, almost project, post 68 Beetles? Sure prices were on the rise, but local Facebook Marketplace ads have been popping up with non-running vehicles past $4k, and average condition running vehicles in the $6k-$10k range. Sure there are vehicles that are getting premium prices, but it seems like the lower end vehicles have asking prices 300%-400% what they were a few years ago. The closest one I came across I could possibly justify was an Oval project for $7500. Still a bit high to me for what was being offered, but we’re talking a $35k+ restored vehicle. I realize I’m talking about the Northeast region of the US where any 40+ year old vehicle is becoming rare, but seriously...? If people really are getting these asking prices for the later stuff, what are Oval, and Split Beetle project cars bringing?

Tue May 12, 2020 5:16 am

This probably belongs in the late model “whines” thread.

Tue May 12, 2020 6:03 am

TDCTDI wrote: This probably belongs in the late model “whines” thread.

I was thinking that as well, but I’m not really whining about having to pay too much for a late model. I’m simply curious what people are getting? I’ve recently talked to a few people, VW/non-VW, that have sold 3-6 project cars to fund one/two to completion. I once thought I had a good $20k I could get out of the project cars I’d be willing to sell, but if late models are getting $4k-$6k, my horde’s probably closer to $60k

Tue May 12, 2020 7:42 am

[email protected] wrote: TDCTDI wrote: This probably belongs in the late model “whines” thread.

I was thinking that as well, but I’m not really whining about having to pay too much for a late model. I’m simply curious what people are getting? I’ve recently talked to a few people, VW/non-VW, that have sold 3-6 project cars to fund one/two to completion. I once thought I had a good $20k I could get out of the project cars I’d be willing to sell, but if late models are getting $4k-$6k, my horde’s probably closer to $60k

Kinda starting to sound like my wealth/investment topic inquiry...

Yes, though ppl will and are paying it.

Tue May 12, 2020 7:51 am

I think people are just asking the moon and praying someone bites. someone is selling 2 early bay windows kind of local-ish to me. they're asking 6k EACH and both are borderline parts buses imho.

I did email about them because I was feeling frisky. the woman who replied was not only right on top of emailing back, but almost seemed lost in terms of prices. I don't need another bus let alone 2 but the woman told me "she thought there would be a lot of interest" and has had none....if you can believe her I was the only inquiry in a 2.5 week span.

I think people are just overpricing stuff to see what will stick, or are so bored they just hope someone will buy a lockdown project...not sure. on the flip side, I have seen some really nice (well, nice looking) domestic iron listed for pennies on the dollar

Tue May 12, 2020 8:40 am

About nine years ago, I was in the process of doing a complete interior restoration on my '74 Standard in the parking lot of the shop where I worked, and a guy walked up out of the blue and offered me $4000 for it, as is. The car was in pieces, and he didn't even ask me if the engine ran (it did). I respectfully declined the offer, and he gave me his business card in case I changed my mind.

That was the moment I first became aware that VW's were no longer the dime-a-dozen, "disposable" cars I had grown up believing them to be. Far from it, in fact.

There's a lady in my area with a '72 Super she's trying to sell for $17,000. I haven't seen it up close, but from the pictures it looks like an old Bug that is in fairly good shape, but needs a little work to make it "correct", and someone slapped some fresh paint on it to improve its resale value. She won't get $17,000 for it, but I can see someone on a nostalgia trip paying high four-figures for it.

Kinda makes me wonder what the scene will be like ten years from now!

Tue May 12, 2020 10:02 am

Interesting thread. Last week someone on a local VW Facebook group was looking for a Bay Bus so I offered mine for sale, come look and give me an offer. It's a '69 bought new by Dad and I am the second owner. 99% complete, parts matching, original with rust on the bottom 2-3", needs heads re-done to run. There were instantly 3 others interested

Then someone else got on there and said he heard I was asking $2500 which was far too high. I countered by saying I had $1800 in mind and all correspondence stopped.

Apparently $1800 is too much!

Tue May 12, 2020 2:09 pm

Prices are regional. In my part of the country nobody is getting 6K for a non-running Bug.

Tue May 12, 2020 3:45 pm

vwracerdave wrote: Prices are regional. In my part of the country nobody is getting 6K for a non-running Bug.

it would have to be pretty special...

Tue May 12, 2020 4:44 pm

Around here they go for $6000 IF in GOOD running order, original and rust free!

Tue May 12, 2020 7:03 pm

There's a 70' std bug down here in southern Colorado , straight and pretty good paint..$13000 firm. Been for sale about a year.

Wed May 13, 2020 2:50 am

He would be wise to take it! That transmission took the stock Beetle from a gutless wonder into a "Will someone please get out and push?" car. Oh ya! I used to service a '70 for my Boss's daughter, she was a bit chubby and she had a better 1/4 mile time than the car did!

Wed May 13, 2020 3:09 am

oprn wrote: He would be wise to take it! That transmission took the stock Beetle from a gutless wonder into a "Will someone please get out and push?" car. Oh ya! I used to service a '70 for my Boss's daughter, she was a bit chubby and she had a better 1/4 mile time than the car did!

Hah! A fat chick with a fat chick.

Wed May 13, 2020 3:43 am

TDCTDI wrote: oprn wrote: He would be wise to take it! That transmission took the stock Beetle from a gutless wonder into a "Will someone please get out and push?" car. Oh ya! I used to service a '70 for my Boss's daughter, she was a bit chubby and she had a better 1/4 mile time than the car did!

Hah! A fat chick with a fat chick.
Ya but not disgustingly so or anything, very pretty face, very shy, quite brown with a wee hint of curry, nice girl really. Her Dad was into 914s. He sold a sweet rust free early 914 for a good price to buy a later rust bucket one with an 1800, I should have picked that first one up! The daughter might have been a good catch too...

Wed May 13, 2020 4:40 am

In oprn’s case, like skills has my saying in his base tag lines, some people still think it’s 1986 when it comes to VW prices. There’s a local ad for a 71 single cab with surface rust, but otherwise good running/driving for $10k, and I did NOT find that out of line.

Erik G wrote: vwracerdave wrote: Prices are regional. In my part of the country nobody is getting 6K for a non-running Bug.

it would have to be pretty special...

If it was complete, and didn’t need the bottom 3 inches of the body replaced, I’d give $6k for most any Beetle from the 50’s. You would have to turn your phone off if you offered a complete Split for $6k

Splitdog wrote: Last week I heard a guy on here was offered 34k for a '69 autostick. :lol:

If it was a low mileage time capsule, I could see that. An owner of a local auto auction sold a 17 mile 79 Vert for $35k in the late 90’s.

The two that fueled this post were a 71 non-running Super I found that started at $5900, and was down to $5100. There was also a nice appearing 68 Ghia for $7500......, without an engine. I found out long ago like Floating VW, that Aircooled VW’s are now actually considered collector cars with people willing to pay above average prices. It just seemed to me that the above mentioned vehicles were maybe in the $1500-$2500, and $4000-$5500 range. If it doesn’t run, or when it does run, it doesn’t stop are the two major pet peeves for me that cut finished vehicle estimates by 25%-50%.

Wed May 13, 2020 7:17 am

[email protected] wrote: Splitdog wrote: Last week I heard a guy on here was offered 34k for a '69 autostick. :lol:

If it was a low mileage time capsule, I could see that. An owner of a local auto auction sold a 17 mile 79 Vert for $35k in the late 90’s.
I could be persuaded to put out that kind of money for an absolutely mint late convertible but an auto stick? Only if it was 100% very low mile capsule in perfect condition and there was documented proof that it was owned and driven by Elvis Presley!

Just because it is rare or low production numbers does not make it valuable. A '62 Rambler Classic 4 door Wagon with a 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree would be rare these days but you would be hard pressed to find a buyer at any price. Another case in point is a '70 411 Squareback (not many of them imported) I picked up in running order 8 years ago for $250. I tried a year ago on a local VW site to sell it and couldn't even get interest as a parts car!

Sun May 17, 2020 2:46 am

I would pay more for autostick over just another wagglingshifty bug

Sun May 17, 2020 3:33 am

I have a guy looking for a 68-72 currently. Of course they want rust free, reliable and very good mechanical condition for under $5K...

Not going to happen

I generally put about $10K parts and labor alone into making a "reliable" beetle these days.

In my opinion, and rust free beetle with a clean title, even gutted and without an engine, trans,interior, is worth minimum $3000-3500 with an additional premium if '67 earlier. (super beetles and autosticks excluded)

I wouldn't even consider selling a used engine/ trans running, drivable, solid, decent '68+ for under $7500 these days...

Sun May 17, 2020 7:35 am

I assume that we are in/on a bubble in terms of prices. The question is how long will the bubble last? With the current state of the economy I would think prices should start to drop.

Sun May 17, 2020 8:17 am

vwinnovator wrote: I have a guy looking for a 68-72 currently. Of course they want rust free, reliable and very good mechanical condition for under $5K...

Not going to happen

I generally put about $10K parts and labor alone into making a "reliable" beetle these days.

In my opinion, and rust free beetle with a clean title, even gutted and without an engine, trans,interior, is worth minimum $3000-3500 with an additional premium if '67 earlier. (super beetles and autosticks excluded)

I wouldn't even consider selling a used engine/ trans running, drivable, solid, decent '68+ for under $7500 these days...

Yeah, it does seem like most enthusiasts wanting to buy a VW have a price in mind that was relevant 10-20 years ago.

Paying someone to take a vehicle, and rebuild the engine/trans, go through the suspension, and replace everything in the brakes to ensure you really do have a reliable, drive anywhere/anytime vehicle, I can easaly see $10k. That’s IF the vehicle is a clean rust free “canvas” that ONLY needs mechanical work, and it’s putting it back to STOCK. You start with additional suspension, brake, engine, trans mods, the price can go up exponentially.

I agree with your evaluations of non-running projects, and sorted turn key vehicles you could drive across the country. You’re a lot closer to Southern states that have access to a little cleaner vehicles, but in PA/OH, a truly rust free vehicle will bring a premium. That said, are you selling projects for $3500, and turn key vehicles for $7500? With what people think they should be able to buy something for, those prices are 40%-60% of what I’m currently seeing.

Zack1978 wrote: I assume that we are in/on a bubble in terms of prices. The question is how long will the bubble last? With the current state of the economy I would think prices should start to drop.

The “bubble” just created itself within the last month. People weren’t asking any where near what they are at the beginning of the year. Sure, value of our vehicles has gone up, but not that much. After talking with a few people that have also been seeing a trend, it’s looking like skills hit the nail on the head. People in economic troubles with “nice” driving/project vehicles they have had for a while when times were better, are needing money. Just because they paid $5k for it in 2008, doesn’t make it worth $12k in 2020. What they are asking, and what they are getting are two completely different things. Ads from a week or so I have saved that were of an average price obtained 6 months ago are being marked sold, where as those asking 25%-50% above average remain. A fenderless 56 Ragtop barn find in NC didn’t last 12 hours for $4200.

And yes, when all of this Corona bullshit settles down in 6 months to a year, only then will you see the effect of prices on classic cars.