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Re: Never happen. Too big a headache Posted by Justin VanAbrahams [Email]  (#32) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Justin VanAbrahams) on Tue, 15 May 2007 18:10:06
In Reply to: Never happen. Too big a headache, Chaz, Tue, 15 May 2007 17:02:23 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I strongly disagree with that statement. I have spent the last two or three years randomly buying c900s, fixing them, and reselling them to people who want an interesting, safe, reliable car. I've gotten things down to a pretty specific formula, and so far I've never ended up upside down in a car, and never had a problem moving them - and this is in Sacramento, where the used car market is virtually non-existent, and those who buy used cars are usually looking for something with a Toyota badge. This area has zero automotive imagination.
When they leave my hands, they're in good shape and everything works properly. I usually have enough built in to throw in a good stereo and new speakers, and convert the AC to R134. Of course, I am not rebuilding engines and only occasionally rebuilding transmissions. Rarely do I find Saabs that actually need engine rebuilds, though every one of them has left with a fresh head gasket. Transmissions aren't a huge problem, as over time the folks around here have amassed a very large inventory of spare transmissions to build from and one of them had a CRS rebuild, another had an "at home refreshing." Interiors are hit or miss, and a sticky spot, since I can't do upholstery work, and there is virtually no supply of "good used" interiors these days. Some of them do leave with not-ideal seating.
Am I making money at this? Absolutely NOT when you take into account the time investment, but I'm also selling these cars at or below KBB. But I'm doing this for fun and in the spirit of keeping the cars alive and on the road, doing my part to reuse and recycle, and I'm happy putting $500-$1000 in my pocket for 50ish hours of labor. I could certainly raise prices if I could afford to keep an inventory, but when I finish a car it needs to go QUICKLY, so I sell below ideal levels. I could also work much faster if I had a lift and some serious power tools, and that would reduce my time investment - possibly a lot. But when you get to that level, you're talking about a job and not a hobby, and that isn't what works for me. I'm actually happy with things as they are, me bucking the trend and making some money on my hobby... :)
All said and done, if I could charge an extra $1000-$1500 on these things, and could get a deal with a good upholsterer, I think I could create a car halfway between "perfectly maintained driver" and "garage queen" pretty easily. No, it wouldn't be showroom new, but I really don't think that's the end goal - I want these cars driven and enjoyed, not tucked away. A showroom-new Saab 900 would be somewhat pointless, really.
But, getting there means turning the venture into a business, and that means overheard, and that means moving a good amount of inventory on a regular basis to pay the bills. No matter how well-executed the product was, I doubt you could find enough buyers to move two of these per month - even one might be a challenge.
With that in mind, I'm sticking with my hobby...
I will say, in the spirit of this conversation, it's struck me several times that if one were to step outside the realm of c900s, one might make a business restoring '80s icon cars. We're reaching the point where kids of the '70s and '80s are out in the world making money, and I think there is a portion of them who'd be interested in buying something from the '80s as a nostalgic toy. If my parents can lust after Mustangs and Chevelles, the current 30-somethings can absolutely lust after RX7s, XR4Tis, and c900s. I know I do... :) I missed the boat on the AE86 Corolla GTS (which, in hindsight was a painfully obvious icon) - but I'm sure there are others out there... maybe some E30 BMWs set up for track days... :)
posted by 207.15.18...
, Thu, 17 May 2007 17:05:55
, Wed, 16 May 2007 08:46:52, Fri, 18 May 2007 09:30:23, Tue, 15 May 2007 18:10:06 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 16 May 2007 11:16:24, Tue, 15 May 2007 18:48:15, Fri, 18 May 2007 09:33:17
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