Looking to buy a reatta....

[RI87]

Ok, yet once again, when I got the money together to go buy a car it was gone

Heres the ABSOLUTE requirements, if it doesnt meet these I wont even consider it so dont bother.

* Under 80k original ONE OWNER miles.

* NEVER winter driven

* Price MUST be UNDER $3k

* Ready to drive needing no work

* NO cracked interior on door panels or console, seats, etc

* Carpet must NOT be stained brown from dirt/neglect

* No body damage

* ORIGINAL paint

* 1988 or 1989 ONLY

* Has to be in New England

* Clean title/no accidents

I find these cars every so often, unfortunately some greedy collector types that already have multiple reattas seem to sneak one out from under me.....

[Hank Ryan]

Try searching on www.autobytel.com, www.automart.com, www.autotrader.com and www.cars.com. I suggest you do a nationwide search to get an overview of the Reattas that are currently on the market. IMHO, your criteria may be unrealistic.

[RI87]

Yea, I've been doing the online thing. As far as realism goes, I got beat out on a white reatta in connecticut that fit all the above over the weekend. Recently passed on a red/tan 89 with 56k miles in pennsylvania mainly because I absolutely hate the color combo, but also because its further than I want to drive an untested 18 year old car home and because it has spot paint work done (who knows how that will look in a year)... that one was asking 3200. I figure this may be a better way to go about things, work through other enthusiasts and try to find someone whos selling a good car at a fair price rather deal with one who is thinking their parts car is worth its weight in gold. (NADA on a car fitting this description is in the low 3s and going private party I dont get the warranty either so a few hundred less is more than fair)

[Jim]

I would like to buy one of those new Cadillac XLRs or what ever they are called. I will go as high as $ 2000.

[imwillyum]

My 1990 Reatta is listed on ebay and the price is $3500.00 buy it now and there is not a thing wrong with it. The vehicle is in Seattle, Wa.

Will

[Ccar]

Jim, I'll raise your 2000 to 3000 and I don't care where it is or if it is in a snow bank as we talk....

Chuck

[89REATTAJIM]

Really don't think you will find anything in your specs unless you at least double your price. If you act fast, you may be able to get a swampland lot in our lovely state for 3K or so.

[Barney Eaton]

If you could take up a collection for $12,000 (plus your $3,000) you could buy that 1990 driftwood listed with 77K.

[manikmekanik]

Darn! my 90 drop-top has 86k miles, guess he wo'nt be interested in buying it at 3X his target price, not that it would get sold that cheap.

R187, you need to check other references for your price guidance! the NADA is intended to allow dealers to beat you up on a trade-in.

Take a look at the Black Book CPI (cars of particular interest) for the "real deal" on pricing. You'll see that for $3k, you can get a "fair condition" 88/89 Reatta, which would have: more than one owner most likely, more than 100k miles, not be in sound mechanical condition, driven to work, in the snow for years, dirty/stained carpet, flawed door panels and paint issues. Especially if it's in New England!!

If you WANT a NICE Reatta, in New England, you'll have to bring a larger wad of cash than you intended, and go see Nic, Rawja, Harry, or another member/collector. Maybe up near Niagra you can find one, your requirements will have you looking high and low for a long time, considering these cars' values are rising fast.

[RI87]

For all the nay sayers, check out this car - already sold unfortunately.

<span style="font-weight: bold">

Autotrader Ad </span>

The prices on the early cars ARE NOT what you get for the 90s and 91s... Yes the blue book on a 90/91 IS in the 9 thousand range for a car with about 100k on it. The early cars is much less, and theres plenty of them for sale cheaper and sorry if that offends any owners but your early cars arent worth what you might wish to see it at... but maybe someday it will be.

What I am disappointed in is the general attitude of some of the owners on here. I've been reading the board for going on 3 years and registered for a good year and half... Thought you guys were a little classier than that and not just a bunch of a**holes.

Point is, for the right car I have the money in hand to give it a good home, and I am as particular as I am because when I buy a car I KEEP IT. I've still got my first car ever from 23 years ago (mostly restored at this point). How many of you can say that?

Oh, and Barney, I wouldnt be interested in that car you mentioned even for $2000... I dont feel any attraction what-so-ever to the 90s and 91s, and I'm looking for the car I want, not an investment or a steal to turn around and re-sell it in a couple years.

[Hank Ryan]

Re: the dream car on AutoTrader.com

1. The car is outside, so it appears that it has been driven in winter.

2. I think I see brown stains on the carpet.

3. The CarFax preliminary report indicates 8 entries. I wonder what those are?

I'M JUST KIDDING!!!

Seriously, it took me two years to find the Reatta I was looking for. My criteria included 1991, factory sunroof, black or red exterior, no red interior. Overall condition was much more important to me than miles or price. Good luck with your search.

[manikmekanik]

No offense taken, R187!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Heres the ABSOLUTE requirements, if it doesnt meet these I wont even consider it so dont bother.

* Under 80k original ONE OWNER miles.

* NEVER winter driven

* Price MUST be UNDER $3k

* Ready to drive needing no work

* NO cracked interior on door panels or console, seats, etc

* Carpet must NOT be stained brown from dirt/neglect

* No body damage

* ORIGINAL paint

* 1988 or 1989 ONLY

* Has to be in New England

* Clean title/no accidents

I find these cars every so often, unfortunately some greedy collector types that already have multiple reattas seem to sneak one out from under me..... </div></div>

Just trying to point out that your expectations are on the high side.

Sure, anyone would like to meet such req.s at said price, but that's a TALL order, Especially in a very SMALL market, yet not, as you've shown, impossible.

Anyone would prefer to buy an EXCELLENT condition (as you've described) at the FAIR condition price. It just does'nt happen every day.

You're actually hoping to take advantage of a seller who does'nt understand the true value of their rare car.

Is there another car, of any model year, or MFR. which can be purchased within the req.s you set forth? I'm sure there are, yet NOT limited-production, desireable, collectible cars. Maybe a VW fox, or a family car, but RARELY a Reatta, or other car touted as being among the most desireable late-model collectible cars.

We understand the 88/89's are not as highly valued as the 90/91 Reattae, but bear in mind the 89 is the most common of all the reatta line.

As for the car you posted an ad for, how many have you found to meet your req.s in the last few years you've been looking? Therein lies your answer!

I'm a collector, and should be offended by your "GREEDY" comment, especially noting I've only SOLD one of my ten Reattae, and sold it at a price well below the CPI, and the others offered here, in better condition(Silver BCA award winner 2005), @ $1500-$3800 LESS than expected.

You may find it difficult to get an "original owner" to sell a car he paid $36k, for $3k in excellent condition, with low miles. Would you?????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Oh, and Barney, I wouldnt be interested in that car you mentioned even for $2000... </div></div>

This comment makes ANYONE wonder about your sanity. Whether or not you desire a 2-seater Caddy supercar, you must admit getting one in your declared price range would be a steal, considering it's value is beyond $40k!

Insulting comments to our technical advisor are never welcome.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> For all the nay sayers, check out this car - already sold unfortunately. </div></div>

What happened here? This is the car you wanted, you can't just sit around, when you see a deal like this, you should jump! YOU LET IT GO!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thought you guys were a little classier than that and not just a bunch of a**holes. </div></div>

Honestly, R187 this was an outrageous statement. I've only found 1 person like that here, and he excluded himself from the forum, only after it was pointed out that he was showing HIS a**.

So, widen your search to encompass the USA, and see how many you can find which fit your criteria, and plan to drive, ride or fly to meet your demands.

But, watch out! You may end up buying a return ticket, when description does'nt meet actual condition, or I BEAT YOU TO IT!

I always have @ $3k lying around for just such an instance! AS DO OTHERS!

P.S. that cash is getting awfully dusty, waiting for such a deal!!!

[tinknocker88]

sorry dude, i bought the reatta you were interested in. when my wife and i pulled in the the parking lot and saw the condition this car was in it was a done deal.when you come across a car like this you gotta move now! the funny thing is this lady tried to move this car for a few months, nobody would come grin at it. i saw the add in the revere journal (of all places) for 3 weeks before i called to see if it was a misprint. sometimes god smiles on tinknockers!!!!!

[Rawja]

Hey RI87.

Admittedly the responses to your original post were a little, err...ahhh...snide and perhaps not as friendly as one could hope for, but as the others have stated (politely and impolitely) your ABSOLUTE requirements are perhaps a little too abosolute.

I've bought at least half a dozen cars long distance over the past 5 years, and invariably the best values and best condition vehicles do not reside in the northeast. I would strongly suggest always searching Autotrader on a nationwide basis, you're much more likely to find what you are looking for. If you don't want to do the long road trip (half the fun of the aquisition adventure IMO), ship 'er home.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Check the southern states

[Guest BJM]

I don't understand what you have against the 90-91's. They were evolutionary improved vehicles. The Reatta guys are the best in my opinion. Very helpful and when you come on here, there are always 3 to 10 new posts - lots of activities. I too have pointed out that some owners were asking way too much - and in some cases still own those cars. But Manikmechanik makes a good point. If you did pay $25,000 + for a Reatta (and correct me if I am wrong but wouldn't that make it a ONE OWNER car?) then it would be hard to sell it for under $3,000.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

The '88-89s, with the ECC, are a unique experience. Yes, the 90+ cars were evolutionary, but compared with other cars out there, the 88-89s stand out.

I don't hate them, but if it's going to be a coupe, I'd rather have the ECC. Someday, I'll make an ECC convertible

[Robert2091]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The '88-89s, with the ECC, are a unique experience. Yes, the 90+ cars were evolutionary, but compared with other cars out there, the 88-89s stand out.

I don't hate them, but if it's going to be a coupe, I'd rather have the ECC. Someday, I'll make an ECC convertible </div></div>

Sorry, I am kind of a rookie. I don't know what you mean by ECC. Could you explain please. Thanks.

[Rawja]

ECC= Electronic Control Center = Touchscreen= Cool <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[89REATTAJIM]

Really impresses little kids....and a few big ones. Very neat feature.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

[RI87]

People sell 25k+ cars and trucks all the time for the $3000 range. Look at the market for the big burbs. Those in the mid 80s stickered at the same price as a 88-89 reatta which had a msrp of $25-26k. Cadillac brougham of the same period, 1988, had a 24k sticker. Surely that doesnt make it a $6k car.... I'm looking for a car that was someone's weekend or summer car and they dont need it anymore. Its still going on 20 years old, and still is going to be breaking and needing plenty of work done to it. To get a car and do everything that would need to be done to get it into top shape you dont pay $6000 and invest another $6k to have a $12000 120k mile car with a book value of $4k. If anything ever happened while it was driven/got stolen you'd lose your shirt.

To me a "driver" has nothing wrong with it. Should be clean, presentable and fully functional. When seats are ripped, door panels falling apart, headliners falling in, etc the car is a "project car", a "beater", or a "parts car".

Maybe I'm spoiled by the higher quality you used to see in the rear drive cars/older trucks. I have some 70s Chevys, several 80s g-body coupes, and old turbo riviera, even a 1st year 83s10 blazer 4x4 and not one of them ever had interiors falling apart, splitting fabrics, etc. The 87 burb has been owned since it was new and has over 287k on the original driveline and interior, and it would pass for 50k miles on it. To me, in order to have an interior that trashed means someone didnt take that good a care of the vehicle/was hard on it, and its better to move on/keep looking.

The 90/91 cars? Great for other people. Different strokes for different folks as they say. Personally I loathe air bags and never have/never will buy a car equipped with them. I prefer the older style dash, and yea, the touchscreen really puts it over the top.

Oh and tinknocker, glad to see at least the car wound up with someone who will appreciate (and more importantly drive) her. Too many of these cars wind up sitting when people buy their 8th,9th,10th reatta and let them sit deteriorating undriven for years even though they dont need nor can they enjoy/do justice to them all.

[padgett]

As in many things you trade time for money - the more money you invest, the less time it takes. For bottom dollar you are going to have to invest a lot of time.

[BP]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Please Check your private messages.</span>

[color:\\"666666\\"] This thread took a bad turn somewhere ? I hope you find what you?re looking for ? good luck.

[Guest jcc3inc]

Sir,

Did you get my provate message?? There is one in the New England area which seems to come close to your requirements of mileage, cost! Email me if you didn't get the message (via this group, that is).

jccinc-at-owc-dot-net

Regards,

Jack C.