Oh No, Its Going To Have To Go!!
Discussion
Familiar story, I am afraid....
I have another bundle of joy on the way to add to my collection, necessitating the purchase of a larger house, leading to a complete lack of time and money to spend on my 7..... so on the basis the sale of the Caterham may get me more money than selling one of the kids, the hard choice to sell has been made (I shouldn’t say this on such a forum, but I am going to have to buy a people carrier)
So the question is when and how?
It’s a 1996, 1.4 in green with a yellow nose, leather seats & 33k. I put a 1.4 supersport (138bhp) engine in last year, which was originally used in a racing series (still got the minister seals on the head)
The car has developed a slight bit of incontinence, which I have put down to the usual head gasket trouble. Isn’t really a massive issue, as its still runs and there seems to be no impact upon the performance of the engine, just requiring careful monitoring of water levels and topping-up. I cannot get the car into my own garage as the drive, pavement and road outside my house has not yet been laid, so the car is 45 miles away in my fathers garage meaning any works done would have to be at a garage and paid for rather than doing myself.
So, in your opinions, what’s my best option for a successful sale (that is, reasonably quick and getting as much money as possible)?
Sell as is?
Re-fit original engine which I know to be perfect and sell?
Get the head gasket replaced and sell with a fully functioning supersport engine?
Or…another option I have not yet thought about?
Also, do I sell with 2 engines (I have a long primary exhaust system which I have never got round to fitting as well) as a packageor sell the various parts on afterwards?
I know I could bung it on pistonheads classified and see what comes, just thought I would try and get the benefit of you collective opinions first?
Many thanks in advance
I have another bundle of joy on the way to add to my collection, necessitating the purchase of a larger house, leading to a complete lack of time and money to spend on my 7..... so on the basis the sale of the Caterham may get me more money than selling one of the kids, the hard choice to sell has been made (I shouldn’t say this on such a forum, but I am going to have to buy a people carrier)
So the question is when and how?
It’s a 1996, 1.4 in green with a yellow nose, leather seats & 33k. I put a 1.4 supersport (138bhp) engine in last year, which was originally used in a racing series (still got the minister seals on the head)
The car has developed a slight bit of incontinence, which I have put down to the usual head gasket trouble. Isn’t really a massive issue, as its still runs and there seems to be no impact upon the performance of the engine, just requiring careful monitoring of water levels and topping-up. I cannot get the car into my own garage as the drive, pavement and road outside my house has not yet been laid, so the car is 45 miles away in my fathers garage meaning any works done would have to be at a garage and paid for rather than doing myself.
So, in your opinions, what’s my best option for a successful sale (that is, reasonably quick and getting as much money as possible)?
Sell as is?
Re-fit original engine which I know to be perfect and sell?
Get the head gasket replaced and sell with a fully functioning supersport engine?
Or…another option I have not yet thought about?
Also, do I sell with 2 engines (I have a long primary exhaust system which I have never got round to fitting as well) as a packageor sell the various parts on afterwards?
I know I could bung it on pistonheads classified and see what comes, just thought I would try and get the benefit of you collective opinions first?
Many thanks in advance
As above, you need to fix it before sale, and the better spec engine will likely be advantageous. Waiting til spring would be wise, but doesn't sound like you want to do that? The other engine will likely sell separately, but probably not for very much depending on how its dressed.
Leaking could be the water pump and/or hose, unless you know for sure it's the head gasket.
Speed of sale will depend on how clean the car is generally and how it's priced.
Leaking could be the water pump and/or hose, unless you know for sure it's the head gasket.
Speed of sale will depend on how clean the car is generally and how it's priced.
Many thanks for your thoughts.
Generally the car is very clean and original, with only a few signs of ageing around the rear wings/wing protectors, so will definitely appeal to many.
With regards to the leak, I am assuming it is a head gasket, but have never really tested that. Guess I would have to do a compression test to be double sure? There is no obvious other leak and I get an occasion burst of white smoke from the exhaust leading me to believe there is some water getting into the pots?
In terms of price, having had a look through the classified, I just get confused as there seems to be some cars which are similar but with big price tags? Would like to think c. £9k would be realistic given the combination of nice, original condition, but slightly older car with 33k on the clock?
Generally the car is very clean and original, with only a few signs of ageing around the rear wings/wing protectors, so will definitely appeal to many.
With regards to the leak, I am assuming it is a head gasket, but have never really tested that. Guess I would have to do a compression test to be double sure? There is no obvious other leak and I get an occasion burst of white smoke from the exhaust leading me to believe there is some water getting into the pots?
In terms of price, having had a look through the classified, I just get confused as there seems to be some cars which are similar but with big price tags? Would like to think c. £9k would be realistic given the combination of nice, original condition, but slightly older car with 33k on the clock?
stripy7 said:
Masonp said:
Would like to think c. £9k would be realistic given the combination of nice, original condition, but slightly older car with 33k on the clock?
Think circa 7K is more realistic.I know that £9k buys a much later Academy car.
Now is not a good time to sell:
+ The weather is cold
+ There is a recession coming
+ The car needs work on it
All these mean that you won't get a good price for it. Better to wait for the warmer weather and better economy. This will give you time to fix the car - and don't forget to use it while you are waiting as otherwise it may let you down when a buyer does turn up!
If you have to wait until 2010 - at least you can tell SWMBO that you were trying!
Steve
+ The weather is cold
+ There is a recession coming
+ The car needs work on it
All these mean that you won't get a good price for it. Better to wait for the warmer weather and better economy. This will give you time to fix the car - and don't forget to use it while you are waiting as otherwise it may let you down when a buyer does turn up!
If you have to wait until 2010 - at least you can tell SWMBO that you were trying!
Steve
Now is not a good time to sell -
The recession is here
It is winter
and something else!
Havent worked for a couple of months- pressure to sell is building, RESIST - go on a blat, remember why you bought it, and forget to put it up for sale!
Thats my policy anyway, call it head in the sand - but I wont!
The recession is here
It is winter
and something else!
Havent worked for a couple of months- pressure to sell is building, RESIST - go on a blat, remember why you bought it, and forget to put it up for sale!
Thats my policy anyway, call it head in the sand - but I wont!
Many thanks for all of your ideas/thoughts and a very happy new year to you all!!
In response:
Stripy7 - Would be disappointed with 7K, but only time will tell?
Rubystone – think the term mongrel is not quite right? Yes, its had a replacement engine but that’s all, otherwise original (and I xan still put the original engine back in). That said, it is a 5 speed and you make a good point about that. No issues with underneath mind?
Sjmarsh & samurikid - Love the pretend to sell/head in sand option! However a new family car cannot be ignored BOO!! I appreciate your efforts to keep me on the straight and narrow and be sensible and not sell, but with a 4th child on the way, I only have myself to blame! Bought a lotto ticket yesterday, as a last gasp stay of execution – don’t need a big win, just £5k or so fixes my dilemma and no sale necessary
Bigbert & Tango 7 - power of 138? Engine originally used in some sort of race series and provided sealed by minister (which it still is). I spoke to minister when I bought the engine and they told me that every engine was dyno’d at the time and then sealed. They didn’t have the original results for my particular engine, but they said that every engine produced (and confirmed from the tag number on the seal that this engine was from the race series) was between 134 and 140bhp. For insurance purposes I therefore took his advice and said 138?
In response:
Stripy7 - Would be disappointed with 7K, but only time will tell?
Rubystone – think the term mongrel is not quite right? Yes, its had a replacement engine but that’s all, otherwise original (and I xan still put the original engine back in). That said, it is a 5 speed and you make a good point about that. No issues with underneath mind?
Sjmarsh & samurikid - Love the pretend to sell/head in sand option! However a new family car cannot be ignored BOO!! I appreciate your efforts to keep me on the straight and narrow and be sensible and not sell, but with a 4th child on the way, I only have myself to blame! Bought a lotto ticket yesterday, as a last gasp stay of execution – don’t need a big win, just £5k or so fixes my dilemma and no sale necessary
Bigbert & Tango 7 - power of 138? Engine originally used in some sort of race series and provided sealed by minister (which it still is). I spoke to minister when I bought the engine and they told me that every engine was dyno’d at the time and then sealed. They didn’t have the original results for my particular engine, but they said that every engine produced (and confirmed from the tag number on the seal that this engine was from the race series) was between 134 and 140bhp. For insurance purposes I therefore took his advice and said 138?
I appreciate the dilema - I really do! No work for the last 2 months, and Twins on the way, along with 5 cars on the drive. I really do not want to sell my SLr, but it will come to pass, I was just trying to save someone else from my fate. Dont believe it will be the last one I have, but how many times I can keep going back to them! Whatever you decide - GOOD LUCK !
I have got my other half to promise to buy me another one for my 40th (a mere 5 and a bit years away) by which time the kids will be older (and a little less time consuming) and money will be easier as the burden of a new house will have passed. I just have to make sure my weight doesn't keep going up with age, as at 6'3" and somewhere over 17.5st (well, its christmas, you have to eat really) I will soon be running out of room in a 7!
Masonp said:
I have got my other half to promise to buy me another one for my 40th (a mere 5 and a bit years away) by which time the kids will be older (and a little less time consuming) and money will be easier as the burden of a new house will have passed.
I don't know about you but as they get older the costs seem to go up. Looming in the next few years :
2009 :
Trumpet number 3 - estimate £1600
Trip to play trumpet in Salzburg and Vienna £400
Rewards for passing 10 GCSE's (All at A*?)
2010 : Driving Leasons for child 1 £1000's ?
2012 : Funding 1st child to university for 3 or 4 years : £9K a year ?
2013 : Driving Leason for child 2
2014 : Funding 2nd Child to university for 3 or 4 years
2019 : Finally be free of the Investment in Children, who will no doubt pay me back by putting me in a Local authority Home.
There’s only one thing for it then, ensure through a complete lack of support and encouragement that all my kids are spectacular underachievers, meaning no expensive musical instruments, no rewards for passing any exams and no need to pay for driving lessons/cars as they will be out TWOC’ing – leaving me plenty of cash for a 7?
Maybe I am missing the point of parenthood, but you can’t blame me, I have to swap a 7 for a zafira!
Maybe I am missing the point of parenthood, but you can’t blame me, I have to swap a 7 for a zafira!
Given this thread I would recommend you just get the HG fixed before selling it. ANything else will just decrease your ability to sell it, and given a potential buyer might see this thread, you'd be well advised to just sort it out. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but a discriminating buyer will wonder what else is wrong, or what maintenance has not been done on your car if it's in that state. Sure you have some financials to deal with in a large family, but why wouldn't you just sort the car out to get max dosh for your wallet?
Or am i really missing something here --?????
Or am i really missing something here --?????
Steve-B said:
Given this thread I would recommend you just get the HG fixed before selling it.
I think we are agreed it needs a whole engine to make a sensible sale (7-8k this time of year). It's just a matter of the best way to get there. An (ex-race) engine with incontinence could harbour a lot of grudges. Albeit it's a well known subject, but it could need a reasonable amount of fixing. I don't see the value decreasing that much with the non-ss engine which is known-good.Bert
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