How much should I offer for a busted v70?

robk46 · Post by **robk46** » 20 Sep 2011, 18:51

Hey all,

I'm going to look at a V70 tomorrow with a blown head gasket. It's a '98 V70 non-turbo. Owner says it's got around 120k on it, and the interior and exterior are "mint". The pictures I have are a little grainy, so we'll see. He wants 1200 bucks, which I think is high for a non-running, 13 year old car. What's a reasonable offer to make? I don't want to insult him, but I also don't want to spend too much on a car that I will be spending hours and hours swapping a motor into either.

FYI - I have a pristine motor and trans from my daughter's wrecked '97 850, so I'm covered there.

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Sep 2011, 18:52

$500-700 is what most of them go for with a broken engine/transmission (around my area, anyway).

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Sep 2011, 18:57

I paid $150 for an R with a broken engine. It is pretty beat though. For a mint vehicle with no rust, I think jblackburn's numbers are in the ballpark.

JRL is going to tell you $400 TOPS get ready that post is coming ...

robk46 · Post by **robk46** » 20 Sep 2011, 18:58

That's what I figured. 1200 seemed really high to me. . . I was going to come in offering 800 max. I have to get it towed over 80 miles too. Sigh.

robk46 · Post by **robk46** » 20 Sep 2011, 19:15

jblackburn wrote:$500-700 is what most of them go for with a broken engine/transmission (around my area, anyway).

I'm looking at Craigslist, and there's one in Richmond, but he wants 1500 bucks. . . How do you talk these guys down to 700? Just wait them out?

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Sep 2011, 19:21

Point out how much work it would need. I very nearly got an 99 XC70 for $800 - in good cosmetic shape, too - until I discovered it needed both an ETM AND had a cylinder with no compression (I'd thought it was just a coil pack). It would have also needed tires, brakes, a timing belt, and a driveshaft - so that's why I'd talked him so low. But I decided it just wasn't worth it when I found out it needed a valve job too.

Or, if they're a stuck-up ass about it, avoid them and find another.

Some dealer wanted $6900 for a NA stick-shift S70 back in 2007 when I was looking for one, and he wouldn't budge AT ALL on the price. I ended up getting a MUCH nicer T5 model in much better shape and lower mileage for $4700. All it needed then was 2 new axles.

robk46 · Post by **robk46** » 20 Sep 2011, 19:48

Ok. I need to call the guy and arrange a meeting time. It's an hour and a half drive just to go look at it. Don't want to waste my time. Good thing is, with a good engine and transmission in my inventory, I can wait it out for the right car if this one doesn't work out.

Post by **JRL** » 20 Sep 2011, 20:00

$4-$500 bucks

Seriously it's not a turbo, not really desireable and that is IT!

kiss4afrog · Post by **kiss4afrog** » 20 Sep 2011, 20:19

Pull it's book value off a couple of sites. Good condition, miles, working engine and what you know about it. Call and better yet get a written estimate from a shop or two to put an engine in including the cost of the used engine. Deduct the cost of the repair and the tow from it's estimated value and that's the MOST you should pay. You can show him why you're offering what you're offering and that way it shouldn't be insulting if all you're doing is sharing some reality with him. You should also shave a little off just for the trouble of making all the arrangements as it would be easier to just spend the money and get a running vehicle.
Your ace in the hole is the spare engine, DO NOT tell him. But, he shouldn't make more on the sale of his dead car just because you got lucky.
This will help make a rational decision but cars are affairs of the heart so remember to bring someone with you who has no interest in the deal and will keep you from paying too much.

robk46 · Post by **robk46** » 20 Sep 2011, 20:37

OK, so KBB says the car is worth 3200, I've been told 1800 for a head gasket repair or 800 labor plus 500 for a good used engine. I'm still in over 1200 bucks with that math. . . Even if I include a 90 mile tow and my travel costs to go look at it. Hmmm