Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » I don't understand this economy...
  • John Brown

    Dec. 24, 2008 8:54 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

    Just something I have noticed, I have been scouring forums, eBay and CL for "super freaking awesome buy it to flip it cause the dude needs cash for Christmas" deals and I am not seeing E36 M3 out there.

    Last year I saw a VERY NICE 1990 Camaro RS 5.0 (with a 5.7L truck engine swapped in) go for $1200.00, a 199? CiViC Si coupe in need of a fender for $995.00 and a second gen MR2 Turbo for $1400.00.

    This year I am seeing nothing really nice at crack whore prices.

    What is up with this?

  • DILYSI Dave

    Dec. 24, 2008 8:57 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

    I just bought my challenge car off of CL in a "Need money for Christmas" ad.

  • 16vCorey

    Dec. 24, 2008 9:27 a.m. 16vCorey SuperDork

    I've only seen one so far. It was for a pretty nice early 80's Suzuki GS550 for $500, posted yesterday, and said "must sell before 2pm today!" The ad didn't mention needing money for Christmas, but I'm assuming...

  • internetautomart

    Dec. 25, 2008 12:15 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

    right now in chicago, there are no good automotive deals that I've seen,

  • Lesley

    Dec. 25, 2008 5:00 p.m. Lesley SuperDork

    Yeah, no kidding. The tranny just died in my beater 323. I can't find a 323 on craigslist or kijiji for under $1500!

  • MikeSVO

    Dec. 25, 2008 11:27 p.m. MikeSVO New Reader

    Agreed. There seems to be more 'stuff' on there, but the prices sure aren't good yet. It's like people are realizing that they need money, but they haven't quite accepted how badly they need it yet.

  • Mental

    Dec. 25, 2008 11:39 p.m. Mental SuperDork

    Last month I was looking for a tow pig and found a lot of "Must sell for rent by XXX"

  • John Brown

    Dec. 26, 2008 7:36 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/968808362.html

    not for me but I see Mental rocking it ;)

  • Snowdoggie

    Dec. 26, 2008 9:06 a.m. Snowdoggie Reader

    You just aren't looking in the right place.

    http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/25221904/Corporate-jets-market-goes-int.html

  • WilD

    Dec. 29, 2008 1:50 p.m. WilD Reader

    My theory is that as people become desperate, they become determined to squeeze more money out of the things they have available to sell. Therefore, places like CL will be packed with many listings with over inflated prices as desperation spreads.

  • John Brown

    Dec. 29, 2008 2:30 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

    Kinda yes, I settled on a 2001 Passat in need of a turbo for dirt. It is a clean highway mileage car so I just need to scrape up a KKK K03 turbo and repair some worn suspension components to make it "reliable"

  • CivicSiRacer

    Jan. 3, 2009 2:03 p.m. CivicSiRacer Reader

    The only thing I would be wary of are influx of flooded cars from last years storms. I know there were a couple of floods that insurance companies will roll back into the market. Make sure that car was no where near those areas.

  • 92dxman

    Jan. 3, 2009 3:13 p.m. 92dxman Reader

    John Brown wrote:

    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/968808362.html

    not for me but I see Mental rocking it ;)

    I think Ted Nugent would rock that in a heartbeat. Especially with that paint job.

  • Jan. 4, 2009 12:32 p.m. JoshC New Reader

    I don't understand this economy either. I keep hearing how bad it is, but every time my wife and I go anywhere, the restaurants we pass are packed as are most of the stores. I'm talking every night of the week too, not just weekends.

    It seems like when I look at any news regarding employment, etc. one day there will be a modest decrease (~2% or so) in unemployment for a given month that the article "can't explain". The following week I'll see an article talking about how dire the economy is because of the latest data shows a 0.0015% increase in unemployment.

    I know that times are tougher than they have been in the recent past, but I wonder to what degree the situation is being overblown by the media so that come Jan. 21st everything will make a "miraculous turnaround".

  • sachilles

    Jan. 4, 2009 1:26 p.m. sachilles Reader

    be patient, you'll start seeing the ads when folks start getting their credit card bill for xmas.

  • fornetti14

    Jan. 4, 2009 1:49 p.m. fornetti14 New Reader

    The deals are out there and timing is everything. Most people will rely on their tax return to pull them through. I bet we still see good deals through Q1 '09.

  • SVreX

    Jan. 5, 2009 12:42 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    Here's my take.

    The economy is SO bad that the real current value on that POS project car probably just dropped by more than 50%. At that rate, people figure, "why waste my time?. I've got more than that in it, so I'll just wait for things to get better before I sell".

    Of course, that assumes things will get better...

  • 93celicaGT2

    Jan. 5, 2009 1:14 p.m. 93celicaGT2 Reader

    They're all over the place here....

    1990 Celica GT coupe north of Indy for $600, minty in and out, blown bottom end. (I have a spare longblock.)

    My new DD. 58K Escort for $600. Minty in and out.

    Picking up a FREE 1990 Celica GTS on the 17th, needs a torque converter, fully loaded, decent shape.

    There was a nice 88 Celica AllTrac in Indy last month for $1500, had a low mileage 90-93 JDM GT4 swap, nice car, saw it driving around a few times.

  • John Brown

    Jan. 5, 2009 3:13 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

    That escort needs 15" BBS wheels in blue ;)

  • patgizz

    Jan. 5, 2009 3:41 p.m. patgizz Dork

    theres a $500 mark VIII on the cleveland CL that needs a tranny - 300hp dohc 4.6, IRS, 4 wheel discs, and lincoln luxury for 500 bux and a trans rebuild kit? i was tempted for a few seconds.

    i saw a bunch of deals on the tampa CL when i was down there - like $600 LT1 roadmonsters

  • fornetti14

    Jan. 5, 2009 9:53 p.m. fornetti14 New Reader

    There's a guy in the barter section of my local CL trying to trade a Rabbit Diesel for an RC car. The car looks solid too: http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/bar/976522126.html

    Wifey says no way LOL.

 
Tire Rack- Revolutionizing Tire Buying

You'll need to log in to post.