Looking at purchasing a '70 RR tomorrow

[Billccm]

I can sympathize. Twice I left Tucson early on a Saturday morning headed to Phoenix to look at a craigslist B Body only to be called half way there, or almost there and told the seller took a deposit. Don't get frustrated. The chase is part of the fun (supposedly).

 

[Ron H]

If you’re looking to buy a car where one can’t see it quickly or depend on someone who can; how do you get the buyer to commit to 1st refusal, without them having something in hand, a deposit? Seller is asking a certain price of which is on the table by ‘word’, and another stops by, giving them more than what they’re asking for…cash talks. When I was trying to buy a vehicle 1200 miles away, from a dealer at a negotiated price, the sales guy said I didn’t need to send a deposit, he’d hold it, don’t worry. Well, meantime hunting down a hauler he calls back saying "You're going to be mad.” He said another sales guy sold it. Really, do tell? Can guess what happened. First it was a vehicle that wasn’t going to sit to long for sale so why want any cash down (I should have insisted) and 2nd, they likely got a better price than had been agreed to with me. How can anyone assure that the seller won’t sell a vehicle to anyone; but the first one who shows with the money they want in hand?

Was on the other end of this **** show once too. Buyer about 200 miles away, kept jacking me around and like a good guy held as he got delayed. Asks to reschedule the show up date, some crisis. Ended up being one crisis too many and sold it to the next guy (after passing on an earlier offer waiting on this dude). I didn’t let him know it was sold being peeved…then lol, he calls me a week later trying to set up another time! Then he’s all upset I sold it! Kiddin me??

 

[Dave6T4]

$$$ talks and BS walks !

 

[wagonman]

Howdy from New Mexico. Good luck in your search. The add was deleted curious to know the price??

 

[alldatjazz]

I would guess the next caller offered more than asking or they dropped what they were doing and looked at it. If it's a fair deal, we can't hesitate. I've had it happen as I was driving to look at something. The other potential buyer said: "I'll take it", and I was out.

That's the weird thing. He sent me a text saying a guy offered more but he just took the asking.

I definitely dropped everything to be there the following day (the earliest option the seller had, supposedly). I'm glad I didn't leave already, although I was planning on being there the night before, for his convenience.

$$$ talks and BS walks !

Agreed. That's why I was ready to roll out cash in hand whenever he gave the word.

I'm just gonna leave the texts so people know what I'm saying better. We had multiple calls in between etc.

 

[GetX'd]

You'll never know but maybe he did you a favor. I never saw the ad or the car. Don't even know what he was asking. But at the end he knew you were going to give the car a good look over - and included a restoration specialist and a lift reserved. In all likelihood that may have been just to close of a scrutiny for the dude. Entirely possible it was lipstick on a pig or he would have stood by his word to you. Take it as a lesson - do the same due diligence on the next car you find. Most likely you'll eventually end up with the car of your dreams and know she's solid. There are plenty of cars out there - don't know your budget but you'll find your ride. Patience is a virtue.....

Now I can see some of the texts including the price. That's pretty cheap to be selling a good 70 RR. Makes me wonder why. Again I never saw the car but for that price - must have needed a fair amount of work. Tough break. But more are out there.

 

[Wyatt]

Hello all. Long time lurker here, first time poster.

I've been a BBody fan since I was a kid, and am finally in the position to buy one (I'm 35). I've been looking for a decent 70 RR for quite a while, that would be a reasonably accomplishable project.

I'm supposed to go travel to see one listed in Ann Arbor, MI tomorrow. I plan to get it inspected by a restoration shop that I've been in contact with. The undercarriage is rustproofed/sprayed and I don't trust myself to gauge the condition of the unibody.

A few questions for you guy that're much more knowledgeable than me:

What are some small details I should be looking for that affect these cars? (I'm fairly mechanically inclined and will bring a magnet etc, so I have that part covered)

Do you guys think this is a fair price for this car? Pricing seems ALL OVER THE PLACE lately. I plan on doing a restomod on the vehicle, so some things don't matter to me.

The guy is very firm on the price. He absolutely will not accept lower than listing.

Any advice is appreciated, and if the purchase goes through, I will make sure to post progress here. Thanks for your time!

1970 Plymouth Roadrunner 383 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

Always nice to see young blood getting involved. Just know, really know, what you're getting into. Time & cost. Right now it can be 3 months to get into a paint shop (then it's very expensive). And at least a month to get into any other good shop. Last, source / have your parts. Many projects are sitting around right now (for months, in some cases) waiting on parts. Good luck with it.

 

[Wyatt]

That's the weird thing. He sent me a text saying a guy offered more but he just took the asking.

I definitely dropped everything to be there the following day (the earliest option the seller had, supposedly). I'm glad I didn't leave already, although I was planning on being there the night before, for his convenience.

Agreed. That's why I was ready to roll out cash in hand whenever he gave the word.

I'm just gonna leave the texts so people know what I'm saying better. We had multiple calls in between etc.

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Well, guess I was a little slow to that party.

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[cosgig]

Hmm, I’m about 20 minutes from Ann Arbor, and I work there. I wish I would’ve seen this sooner, I would’ve run over there for you, but it sounds like the guy is a flake. Probably better off that you didn’t get it

I have a 2nd 70 Roadrunner I’m thinking of selling, but it’s a pretty big project. I’m sure you can find a runner for a reasonable price, at the time I bought my first one I was going to drive to NY to pick up a running, driving, bench seat, 383 auto for $14k, that was in 2018. At the cost of inflation, you should still be able to find one for around $22k-$25k

 

[alldatjazz]

Hmm, I’m about 20 minutes from Ann Arbor, and I work there. I wish I would’ve seen this sooner, I would’ve run over there for you, but it sounds like the guy is a flake. Probably better off that you didn’t get it

I have a 2nd 70 Roadrunner I’m thinking of selling, but it’s a pretty big project. I’m sure you can find a runner for a reasonable price, at the time I bought my first one I was going to drive to NY to pick up a running, driving, bench seat, 383 auto for $14k, that was in 2018. At the cost of inflation, you should still be able to find one for around $22k-$25k

Hey I appreciate your gesture!

I tried to send you a pm but it says you have maximum allowed messages currently so it wouldn't send?

Send me a pm and we can chat about that RR?

 

[cosgig]

Hey I appreciate your gesture!

I tried to send you a pm but it says you have maximum allowed messages currently so it wouldn't send?

Send me a pm and we can chat about that RR?

Seems like I better get to gold member status, I have reached my chat limit of 15 conversations. I’ll message as soon as I can get the gold status

 

[Dave6T4]

Seems like I better get to gold member status, I have reached my chat limit of 15 conversations. I’ll message as soon as I can get the gold status

You can clean out the messages you are no longer interested in.

 

[Purepony]

When i found my car I bought it instantly. because I knew he could get a lot more and a few weeks after I got it and one guy came up to me at a car show, looked my car over and said “so you bought the car?” I said yeah and he said “I saw this car online and thought it was a scam it looked too good to be true”

I’ve had a few people remember the car from that ad and same thing they thought it would be rusted out, a scam or a basket case but the car is pretty mint. It’s actually the car that convinced me to stay stock for the most part.

You never know with these things. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don’t but you really need to act quick.

this isn’t to bash the original poster but think about the seller too? You had a lot a lot of requests (time for one, a mechanic, a lift, a hotel etc) and the guy was just trying to sell the car and move on. I know because I’ve been there.

I listed a car and got a call from some guy who wanted the tag, pictures of this that, questions about everything and a story but wanted to chat for hours then demanded I hold the car for him lol I cut the conversation short and the next day a kid from 2 hours away showed up, paid and left.

Be patient and im sure you’ll find something. Every car has a story

 

[cosgig]

When i found my car I bought it instantly. because I knew he could get a lot more and a few weeks after I got it and one guy came up to me at a car show, looked my car over and said “so you bought the car?” I said yeah and he said “I saw this car online and thought it was a scam it looked too good to be true”

I’ve had a few people remember the car from that ad and same thing they thought it would be rusted out, a scam or a basket case but the car is pretty mint. It’s actually the car that convinced me to stay stock for the most part.

You never know with these things. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don’t but you really need to act quick.

this isn’t to bash the original poster but think about the seller too? You had a lot a lot of requests (time for one, a mechanic, a lift, a hotel etc) and the guy was just trying to sell the car and move on. I know because I’ve been there.

I listed a car and got a call from some guy who wanted the tag, pictures of this that, questions about everything and a story but wanted to chat for hours then demanded I hold the car for him lol I cut the conversation short and the next day a kid from 2 hours away showed up, paid and left.

Be patient and im sure you’ll find something. Every car has a story

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Well, in his defense, when you’re plunking down $20k plus on a car, you like a little due diligence. When I’m selling a car, I try to make sure the buyer is fully informed, and has time to make arrangements to see it and assess the condition for themselves. I’m not in a hurry to sell any car I have, but instead would like them to go to the right owner. If all you’re in it for is to make the sale and grab the money, you’re in the hobby for the wrong reasons. I feel that the OP ran into such a seller, and sold it out from under him because of impatience, pure and simple.

 

[Ron H]

Right time and place having lost out on a few I might have wanted to buy. When the ride is hundreds or a thousand miles away, that’s a hassle wanting to inspect before plunking down the cash. Nobody owes anyone a VIP slot unless putting up some cash to hold it. When I caught an ad (before the net) in the paper on a CA Plymouth, was shocked the guy lived 3 miles from me. Got over there and bought it after looking it over. Two people came by as I was looking at it and his phone was ringing every other minute. If I’d have got there ten minutes later, I wouldn’t have been the buyer.

 

[Purepony]

Well, in his defense, when you’re plunking down $20k plus on a car, you like a little due diligence. When I’m selling a car, I try to make sure the buyer is fully informed, and has time to make arrangements to see it and assess the condition for themselves. I’m not in a hurry to sell any car I have, but instead would like them to go to the right owner. If all you’re in it for is to make the sale and grab the money, you’re in the hobby for the wrong reasons. I feel that the OP ran into such a seller, and sold it out from under him because of impatience, pure and simple.

It’s a nice scenario that I would agree with but usually it won’t go that way because you’ll get 200-900 calls at all hours of the day, in state and out of state. hundreds of stories and questions and request etc it wears you out real quick

I thought like that when I sold my Sportback but the calls wouldnt stop and I couldn’t be making appt after appt so it became first come first serve

Also if you really did want it to go to the right owner you would bequeathed it to that person. At the end of the day the money plays a part in it

 

[Purepony]

Right time and place having lost out on a few I might have wanted to buy. When the ride is hundreds or a thousand miles away, that’s a hassle wanting to inspect before plunking down the cash. Nobody owes anyone a VIP slot unless putting up some cash to hold it. When I caught an ad (before the net) in the paper on a CA Plymouth, was shocked the guy lived 3 miles from me. Got over there and bought it after looking it over. Two people came by as I was looking at it and his phone was ringing every other minute. If I’d have got there ten minutes later, I wouldn’t have been the buyer.

Yup that’s how it usually is.

 

[68BabyBlue]

I've probably had atypical experience, never missing a car I was after, including some cross country deals. However, I've limited my search to mostly higher end GTXs, have owned six, and by most standards, didn't get a great price on most of them. I always inspected the cars in person, even if it required a plane ticket. All but one were owned by private parties who were not in a hurry to sell. It may sound ludicrous in today's market, but when I bought Baby Blue for $1800 in 1983, I probably paid nearly twice the going rate at the time, but never regretted the decision. A stock two owner car, with paperwork and NOS parts was hard to find, even in those days.

 

[Purepony]

I've probably had atypical experience, never missing a car I was after, including some cross country deals. However, I've limited my search to higher end GTXs, have owned six of them, and by most standards, didn't get a good price on most of them. I always inspected the cars in person, even if it required a plane ticket. All but one were owned by private parties who were not in a hurry to sell, and each case I paid above market price. It may sound ludicrous in today's market, but when I bought Baby Blue for $1800 in 1983, I probably paid nearly twice the going rate at the time, but never regretted the decision. A stock two owner car, with paperwork and NOS parts was hard to find, even in those days.
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One bad ride!!