Thoughts on this car??

[darkalley]

Also wanted a 442 and now I'm nearing a point where I can afford a nice car. Curious what you guys think about this car and this establishment??

http://www.volocars.com/showroom/sho...olds/442&show=

[Ron of Chicago]

I will also say that I can tell you what I know of this place. I live not far from them and have visited many times. Feel free to e-mail me also olcarmechanic@msn.com

[imported_65Jayone]

Post deleted by 65Jayone

[BJM]

Volo is among a group of car dealers that sell high image cars, mostly muscle cars, Corvettes, and Mustang dealers - that mainly sell to monied Yuppies and older monied baby boomers that just want to regain their youth and don't want to restore cars or even do maintenance. They want a new old car. Volo is very high priced so you will NOT get the same value you might with a more advanced search. Have you tried 442.com? There you will find more or less privately owned 442's by guys that know and love 442's, not a so-called museum that puts your 442 next to a convertible or cruiser.

I would get the car looked at by a disinterested party including a mechanic who would do mechanical checks, hoist the car. VOLO may be - and probably is - a legitimate, fair company but it's just that - an old car company out to make maximum profits by selling you a car that you are salivating over. They won't buy four doors or specialty cars that we admired from our youth, no Model A's or such. They sell sex, basically, and you will pay a premium to get it sooner rather then later.

My 2 cents worth anyway.

[imported_65Jayone]

Post deleted by 65Jayone

[R W Burgess]

Mr. Alley, Just one comment from me.
The picture you posted looked very nice, but the price was very high in my opinion, especially if you want a driver.

Cars in that price range are considered by me to be show circuit cars, too pretty and expensive, to be driven daily.

But, then I'm from Virginia farm country where, you seldom see nice cars like this. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[BJM]

442.com has overpriced vehicles by indivduals I am sure but overall in the 50-75 cars that are on there there are many more that are fair market valued. The surge upward in the Mopar muscle cars has caused a ripple effect in Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac etc. You can cherry pick a few cars on 442.com that are overpriced but on VOLO most of the cars, if not all, represent 150 to 200% of what value you could find in the individual seller marketplace. VOLO sells everything and 442.com does not.

It has been a number of years, 2-3 I suppose since I frequented those websites - usually as mid-winter "eye candy" when nothing could be done outside. Perhaps I was off in my analysis of VOLO and other dealer-sellers. I know in our state of Iowa we have Duffy's in Cedar Rapids that always seems overpriced but again, folks with disposable income and no desire to restore cars, end up at the higher priced dealers.

I'm not sure what is so "vague" about my comments. All sales have "buyer beware" written all over them, sure - no matter who you buy from. In that regard, perhaps we should try to buy within a club network. That would help ensure fair dealing among interested parties. I doubt that if I purchased a Buick from a Buick club member that they would overtly 'rip me off'.

ebay is not a reliable source of purchasing cars - that is why I did not recommend ebay. A few sellers on ebay are legit of course and have the feedback to back it up.

I hope that helps to clarify my comments. If not, then I understand your position and thanks for your comments regarding my post. Have a good day.

Jake

[imported_65Jayone]

Post deleted by 65Jayone

[R W Burgess]

You're right Jayone. The only person that has to be satisfied is the owner. You can tell the level of satistaction by the "smile" on his or her face. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[drug_delivery]

A car, like anything else, is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Shop around and compare prices. If it falls in the general ball park, then make what you think is a fair offer and roll with it.

That '74 442 looks like a nice car that hasn't been drive in a while. Not sure what you plan on doing with the car, but if it's not for show, drive it like you stole it and just have fun. If you think you got a fair deal, that's all that matters. There will always be someone that will tell you that you paid too much.

Another aspect to consider is that these cars will likely "never" lose value, although they may not make incredible gains either. Typically, whatever something cost now it'll cost more in the future, so you're actually saving money by not proctastinating.

Best of luck,

DD

[Dick380185]

I tend to agree with the last fellow about this car. I say, If you really like this car and it will make YOU happy--- go for it. Personally, the '72 you pictured looks like a very nice piece that you would get much enjoyment out of...The color combo with the vinyl roof is quite attractive to me, and I think many Olds 442 enthusiasts would appreciate that car. The only thing I do not care for on these paricular Olds, is that their interiors are rather blah compared to earlier Oldsmobiles. But that is only my opinion. But like the earlier gentleman said, these cars should keep their value. I say, check the car out as best you can, then go for it if you think it will make you happy.