Advice on car sale.....

[Janni]

As you all may know I am selling my car. The custom paint is obviously hurting the price, as I have it listed for $41K right now - far below other cars with similar mileage and condition. So, in 20/20 hindsight, I would not have done the paint job.

My question is, would I be better off repainting the car if I could recoup the cost of the paint job, or not? Probably looking at $6K for a panels off paint job to a very high standard.

Opinions?

 

[Jeff Torrey]

I say paint it.

 

[Wild Bill]

It ***** to have to re-paint it. My wife loves that paint job but we aren't in the market for our second Viper (yet).

I think the market is very soft right now and patience is what I would recommend if you can wait. You might re-paint it and still not have any serious buyers. You might re-paint and still not get much over 42-43K. There are many Vipers for sale that have been for sale for a significant amount of time. As much as we love these cars they aren't for everybody.

Have you listed it anywhere else? While I love the Viper board are you reaching enough of your target market?

On another note my wife (DeeDee) and I really enjoyed meeting ya'll in Texas. My son loves the General Lee!

Bill
(wishing I was cash flush right now)

 

[KepRght]

Is this the 96 with the red stripes and white stars on the blue background? I looked at this car. I will tell you what ran through my head when I saw it. I dont think I could bring myself to drive such a flashy car around the city. Then I thought to myself, what bout using it as a track only car. Nah, no ABS, and 96 had some issue with gaskets, im better off with an 00 for 49k. Then another thought crossed my mind, when I run into something on the track, or mess up a pannel, it will cost an arm and a leg to have it paint matched to that amazing paint job.

Instead of a $6k repaint, Think about lowering the price $3k. NO ONE CAN RESIST AT THAT PRICE! Heck, I can barely resist it at $41k.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Janni]

Great advice all - keep it coming!

I know I have a couple of choices - paint it and hope to recoup some of it (and probably sell it faster) or drop the price to make it even more attractive.....

But it does reach a certain point where it's just giving it away and I should just keep it - after all, I know the car inside and out, and I kinda like driving it around. But you are right - it's definitely not for the shy...

I will be putting the car on ebay with a fairly low reserve once we get back from Texas. After race season, my time should free up a little. And I may put it in Autoweek with a picture ad - costs a few bucks, but it reaches a LOT of people. Also will attend a car show in a couple of weeks and will put it for sale there - at $40K or under, I would hope it was more attractive to someone looking for a sports car than a vette!

Bill - enjoyed meeting you and DeeDee at MSR - and I know I'll be seeing you more at ViperDays next year!

 

[BADVENOM]

Keprght the gasket is a non issue in that once they're replaced the issue disappears, however you do bring up a good point about the radical paint job it has. It probably won't appeal to 99% of the people looking for a viper in that price range or year.

I would say be patient for the right buyer or lower the price so that the buyer can more easily bear the cost of repainting if they desire the car..

my 2c

Adam PS..Good luck Janni and I hope you find a buyer for the car as is!

 

[SNKEBIT]

I would say if you're not in a hurry, to hang in there. The economy is on the upswing right now and might take a while yet. Wait for the market to come back and sell as-is....MHO

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Hey Janni, if you're willing to hold the note I'll buy it.

 

[tim721]

Janni - what does your car look like??

i've never seen it before...post a pic!

 

[bwhitmore]

I would suggest sticking with the current paint job.If you were to repaint, I would hope you would disclose that information. If I was a prospective buyer I would want to know the history on the car.

That being said, I think you would find there would be close to equal amounts of people turned off by the repaint, as by the custom paint. Custom paint is not for everyone, but if you find someone with similar tastes you it is worth it to them.

 

[Janni]

Well, my picture posting skills always ****, so here goes nothing....

 

[BADVENOM]

The car looks sweet. Looks like she belongs on the track more than the street

 

[monnieh]

has it ever been wrecked Janni?

 

[picflight]

I think the paint is great, i would love to drive around in that car, unfortunately I am not in the market right now.

If you can hold on and keep it in the market than do that, someone will come around, if not, lower the price to reflect the cost of the new paint job but don't repaint it.

Best of luck.

 

[Janni]

It's had a small incident at Watkins Glen - I hit a tire wall and broke the steering rack arm. Replaced and good as new, it was able to be driven onto the trailer for the ride back home. Had a couple of small cracks in the rear quarter, but Ed fixed them perfectly when he did the repaint. Estimate repair at under $1500.

It's clean and straight. Before a sale, I would want the buyer to put it up on a lift and go over it nose to tail - we did after every track event and I know the car like the back of my hand.

 

[ACR Joe]

Instead of a $6k repaint, Think about lowering the price $3k. NO ONE CAN RESIST AT THAT PRICE! Heck, I can barely resist it at $41k.

I believe the intent was to invest 3 to gain 6 so net +3.

Be that as it may, the market plain ***** right now. I'm yet to encounter a serious buyer; just a few tire kickers that are looking to steal the car. I called a very well known NJ dealer about trading for a Gen III and I never even got a return call.

I'll sell the car for a fair price but unlike so many others recently, I won't allow the car to be stolen. It's paid for, I've got 2 years left on the factory warranty ..... would be theives can KMA!

 

[Birvini]

I would say if you're not in a hurry, to hang in there. The economy is on the upswing right now and might take a while yet. Wait for the market to come back and sell as-is....MHO

Good advice.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Leave the paint as is and have just a little more patience. I didn't know it was for sale for such a good price and I will be e-mailing a couple folks tonight to let them know about it. The paint job is flashy (and cool), but I think you will get your money with no problem...

 

[C O D Y]

Leave the paint! It looks good.

Maybe it's not the paint (which I love), could it be the track miles and mods?

In your ad you say that you have all the factory take offs? Could you put the stock wheels on and sell the take offs?

Hang in there..... it will sell!

 

[gthomas]

Put it on E-BAY.
DODGE VIPER
CUSTOM PAINT JOB
ONE OF A KIND
SPECIAL
GET IT TODAY
Someone will more than likely pay a good price for it.

 

[garolittle]

Is this the 96 with the red stripes and white stars on the blue background? I looked at this car. I will tell you what ran through my head when I saw it. I dont think I could bring myself to drive such a flashy car around the city. Then I thought to myself, what bout using it as a track only car. Nah, no ABS, and 96 had some issue with gaskets, im better off with an 00 for 49k. Then another thought crossed my mind, when I run into something on the track, or mess up a pannel, it will cost an arm and a leg to have it paint matched to that amazing paint job.

Instead of a $6k repaint, Think about lowering the price $3k. NO ONE CAN RESIST AT THAT PRICE! Heck, I can barely resist it at $41k.

Just some thoughts.

I agree. You would probably be better off dropping the price a little as opposed to paying $6K for an entire paint job. I am sure that the car is well maintained so your good reputation will also help.

 

[sun diego]

Put it back in stock condition and advertise it as "lady driven, only on weekends, never in the rain"

 

[getbit]

Everyone keeps talking about the soft market. It is soft, except for the 96-97 blue/white GTS. Those cars have always been strong resellers and consistantly bring top dollar. Color has that effect on many. Why else could you often buy a 98-01 GTS cheaper than a low mileage 96-97 GTS.

 

[SERPENT INDIANA]

custom paint usually decreases the value of a given car by the amount it would cost to have it returned to stock....if the car is stock and worth $45K.....it is worth $45K minus the cost of paint, $6K or $39K as is....I have appraised classic cars for many years and that is the rule followed by myself and many others I know....It is sometimes very difficult to find a second person that shares the exact same taste in a custom paint job.....I would not paint, or invest further into a car I no longer wanted....cut the price and move it on to someone else... If I were interested in the car I would want to purchase it low enough to compensate me for the cost of a repaint and a little extra for all the hassles involved....bottom line, why would somebody want to go to the trouble and have the same amount of $$$ in the finished car as buying a correctly painted one in the first place....hope you luck in your sale.....advertise it widely and you may just find that person who has to have your car ...

 

[getbit]

Repainting it cannot bring it back to the value of a car with no paint.
A total repaint will adversely affect value unfortunately.

 

[Doc.]

Janni,
You have e-mail
Doc

 

[TomMiriViper]

Instead of a $6k repaint, Think about lowering the price $3k. NO ONE CAN RESIST AT THAT PRICE! Heck, I can barely resist it at $41k.

Just some thoughts.

Don't paint it, sell it as-is or trade it. Somebody will want it.

 

[getbit]

I agree. Less headache and someone will like it or repaint it.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

I LLLLLLLLLLLLike It!!!!!!!
I just sold my other one acouple months ago.
I wonder what my wife would say if I brought a second one home again?

Hmmmm, it has harnesses right?
What about roll cage?

 

[onerareviper]

Janni,

DON'T REPAINT! The price your asking is a steal! Someone will come to there senses, just be patient and advertise EVERYWHERE possible - at least where it's free. For example, slap an ad on all the major/forums Corvette/Porsche, etc... You never know where that buyer is going to come from....

Good Luck.