Trade Your Cellphone for a Boxster

[JTP]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

How is a '75 Ford Bronco worth $9000?

I have a '74 Bronco and I've been offered 10k and it's in heavily used condition. I've seen Early Broncos fetch 30k and higher.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by JTP

I have a '74 Bronco and I've been offered 10k and it's in heavily used condition. I've seen Early Broncos fetch 30k and higher.

I can find 3 of them for $3-4k locally on CL right now. A $30k 75 Bronco had better have it's seats stuffed with $27k in cash.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I can find 3 of them for $3-4k locally on CL right now. A $30k 75 Bronco had better have it's seats stuffed with $27k in cash.

In the same way that one could find a 97 Boxster for 7k if it was driven regularly and has the kind of wear and tear you'd expect from a nearly 15 year old car, I'm sure there are plenty of examples of nearly 40 year old Broncos that don't sell for huge figures. At the same time, I'm sure any Bronco that old that's going to be sold for 30k is going to be in pretty immaculate condition, or someone just wanted it a lot more than the other guy. I personally don't feel that the condition of that kid's Boxster would have had it in the 9k range as it appears in the photos and vids, unless that's how it has ended up as a result of his ownership and not the previous owner. Someone out there obviously does, because that's what they valued the car at for trade. It's really a matter of what it's worth to whoever's interested in the potential purchase. Some people out there feel it's normal to shell out $22 million for a single Ferrari GTO based on condition and race history.

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I can find 3 of them for $3-4k locally on CL right now. A $30k 75 Bronco had better have it's seats stuffed with $27k in cash.

One thing to consider is location. I live in the Great Communist State of California. Last year I had to trade off a SUV because it wouldn't pass their smog test and it was going to be way too expensive to make it right. After that I was shopping around to get an early 70's Bronco. Yeah you can find them really cheap, but usually in extremely poor condition. The ultra expensive ones are more in car show type of condition. In general they do carry a premium in my area simply because they're smog exempt! No hassles, no worries with an early 70's car. This was one of the primary reasons why I specifically got a '72 Porsche 914 last year.

Kirk

[JackG]

Originally Posted by Kirk

...Yeah you can find them really cheap, but usually in extremely poor condition. The ultra expensive ones are more in car show type of condition.
Kirk

You can spend the 30k to get a really nice one, or spend 3k to get a CL one, then 40k to make it as nice as the 30k one.

Unless you're capable of doing *all* the work yourself, it's always cheaper to buy an old car already restored than it is to buy an unrestored one then having it restored. Even if you can, it still doesn't make sense sometimes.

So you want a freshly built mild performance motor, transmission, rear differential, and a nice paint job? You're knocking on 30k already. What? No money left for new brakes, shocks, brake lines, suspension bits, bodywork, carpet, upholstery, wheels, tires, rust repair, upgrades, etc, etc,... ad nauseum. Welcome to the world of 40 year old car restoration... talk about being upside down!

(says the owner of a 1970 Torino GT that's in progress)

[JTP]

Originally Posted by JackG

You can spend the 30k to get a really nice one, or spend 3k to get a CL one, then 40k to make it as nice as the 30k one.

Here's a guy that restores Early Broncos. Some of the listed cars cost 30k or more to complete.

http://www.nickstrix.com/restorations.html

If I had the facilities, I would do most of the work to restore it myself but unfortunately I don't at the moment. Now, do I spend 15k on a Raby built engine for the Boxster or put the money toward restoring my Bronco?

Getting back on topic, that kid definitely traded down from the Bronco.

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by JTP

Getting back on topic, that kid definitely traded down from the Bronco.

Although I'm not a truck guy I would have to concur. However, for him it may have been a good personal choice. The boy's 17 years old! It's probably a lot cooler for him to own a newer Porsche than an old truck. At 17 I know I cared less about cars and more about putang. I bet his dates will be more impressed getting picked up in the Porsche than in an old truck. Based on the pictures the kid could use as much help as he can.

[davemon]

Originally Posted by reluctantmechanic

The only part of this story that strikes me as odd is, his own family calls him a "swindler".

Maybe sour grapes, or maybe he cheated a few people along the way. If you trade up a used cell phone and get a boxster, great - as long as you do it with integrity.

Meh, I wouldn't read too much into that.
He's 17 years old. Probably gets called all kinds of names. Not to mention, he wouldn't be the first kid who fell victim to overly critical and unsupportive parents.

[JTP]

Originally Posted by Kirk

However, for him it may have been a good personal choice. The boy's 17 years old!

I agree, he should get what he wants. He worked for it.
I just realized I've had my Bronco longer than this kid has been alive. I hope I can say the same for my Boxster 17 years from now.