TDK Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Well folks, I was working the Lions Club concession stand in our town's Labor Day Rodeo and asked a local business owner why her white Caddy was being used to ferry tubs of ice in the trunk. She then told me it had only 23,000 miles and was her parent's car (in town) up to 9,000 miles. Then her folks became ill and decided to sell it to her. She and her husband are now thinking of selling it because they have a Ford Excursion and a Chevy 1-ton custom rig. They just don't ever drive the Caddy aside from her taking it to their store every now and then. It is a base DeVille with new tires and with only those many miles - the inside and outside are like new, never smoked in, aluminum wheels and all the standard accessories. A couple of questions: Would this probably have the 275 hp engine? It is not the Concours with the center console. Kelly Blue book notes from $8,150 to $9,500. There are no 99 DeVilles with only 23,000 miles on Ebay, but the ones there appear to be selling between 6-8,000 if miles are from 150,000 to 50,000. What do you think is a reasonable price to offer? You might be asking: So what happens to the BRD (Big Red Dog), our 94 DeVille Concours with about 190,000 miles. Amazing, both of my sons spoke up right away and said they wanted it. Hmmm, now they talk nice to the BRD - after bragging about their M3 and WRX punk-kid-sport. Maybe it was that last trip up from Vegas where we were cruising at 111 in the rain off on on for several hours with several people in comfort with all our stuff at hand. No mini-car cramps or road-weariness - only a rooster tail at speed. I suppose I might give it to my oldest for an incremental wedding present ( he got married earlier today and after all - he did sell his M3 today as well) But if I do sell it outright - here is another question: If I did sell it (it runs very strong up to about 123, it has never had any codes, coolant and tranyy draine/drefilled, the chuggle has been there from 46-50 for about 100,000 miles, the CD is nix[hence the Sirius], the driver-rear window motor is nix, but that's about it. Oh yeah I forgot - it has no damage or rust - and it is after all the Big RED Dog, one of Caddy's finest colors. What might be a reasonable offer? Thanks in advance. ...and sorry, I will not tell you the owner of the 99 DeVille - unless we don't come to an agreement. Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick7997 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 TDK, I think you have it all figured out already!! Yeah, that would be the 275 horse.... I personally am a big fan of the low offer.... if you never ask, the answer is always no. Offer 'em whatever, $7300 - 7600, see how they react to that. Check on Edmunds too, wouldn't be a bad idea... Also, even though it has no miles, it's overdue for a radiator service... the 5 years is up.... Actually, your post seems very lucid and clear.... I think you really have it all figured out. Congrats on finding that car. They sound like they wanna just get rid of it. Keep in mind, it can be a pain in the a$$ to sell a car. Run the ad, answer the phone, people stand you up on appointments... can be a real drag. You do a deal for $7500, they take the money, problem solved. It's good for you and good for them. One way to hit 'em with the low offer is to obviously be nice, but put it to 'em as "Wow, I'd love to buy it, but I could really only put my hands on $7000 right now.... is that something you'd consider?" If they're not going for that, later in the conversation, get their number, and maybe throw out something like "I'd have to talk to them at the bank, and see what I could do..." Also, keep in mind, if they drive drive it to a Dealer and ask for an offer, they're gonna hear $4000 at best.... so, even a number like $6000 may sound good to them.... From the other side of it, I distinctly recall selling my 92 Eldorado years ago... had just turned 100,000... dealer offered me $1000 in trade. I put it in the paper for $4500, a dude calls first thing saturday, comes up, looks at it, gets $4000 cash out of his briefcase and says "Will you take $4000??" As a seller, let me tell you, talk is cheap... when they get out the cash, I'm listening. So sure, I took it. When your eyes land on that wad of cash, something deep in your gut is telling you to take it... like a little doggie instinctively wants a bacon cheeseburger... As he's leaving, he says "Man, this car is really nice, you probably could have got $5000..." Yeah, maybe, but I work a zillion hours, I have other responsibilities.... I don't have the time. Time is my most precious commodity.... well, okay, it's right up there with money & oxygen, but really, 4 G's was better than 1G, and I sold it quick. I was fine with that. So again, as the buyer, if you showed up with $6000 in cash and offerred it, heh heh, they may take it.... one never knows.... Good luck. Post some pics when the deal is done.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 For a shockingly low third value, ask the local Cadillac dealer what the trade in value would be on the 99 Deville. This would then be useful in discussions. In 1999 the base and D'Elegance Devilles had the 275hp engine; the Concours had the 300hp engine. No good way to value the 94 Concours w/190K miles. A ton depends on condition and desirability, which are both in-person evaluations. Value in this case is very subjective. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 NADA http://www2.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI...;da=-1&nx=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 TDK, If they did not care to confess that they actually were willing to get rid of the car, they probably will go for any reasonable offer you make. Offer them $6.000. That's a win-win. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fred Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I don't know about this 111 in the rain with your sons along idea, But good luck there. MerryChristmas Be a Capitalist or work for one. Work for a Capitalist or be one. MerryChristmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Hmmm, now they talk nice to the BRD - after bragging about their M3 and WRX punk-kid-sport. There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Folks, Hey - thanks for the valuable input all around - on the offer strategy etc.. Patrick 7997, LUCID! I had to look it up - because I could not fathom how a DuPont acrilonitrile product entered into the conversation. But then, I employ nonsequiters in almost every conversation (a functional Tourett's affectation I'm told). But Really, thanks for the comments. Fred, I don't know about this 111 in the rain with your sons along idea, But good luck there. You are certainly correct with your observation regarding irresponsible behavior on my part. In so much as I apologize - if I have offended anyone or led anyone to believe fundamental physics (hydroplaning for one), do not apply in Nevada. Then again - considering the anatomy of Vegas showgirls - it would appear the laws of gravity don't apply here... Besides, I would not have been going 111 in the rain - if I wasn't passing some slow-poke at the time on a two-lane road and couldn't see a dang thing until I got past them. Anyway, all three of my kids regard their father as...just plain nuts when it comes to driving, such that all three (ages: 27, 31 and 34) have never had a traffic ticket or accident - because they know first-hand about sliding sideways at 80 on gravel, "getting air" in the triples - and want no part of the screaming, crying, begging for their life anymore - ever. The fact is, my insidious plan... is working (muu, aha aha [cackeled in Demented, Mad, Scientist voice over]). Just kidding of course, All this...and I have not even started on Margaritas... yet Thanks again all for your continued patience... Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 ...and sorry, I will not tell you the owner of the 99 DeVille - unless we don't come to an agreement. Can I have dibs? Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 ...and sorry, I will not tell you the owner of the 99 DeVille - unless we don't come to an agreement. Can I have dibs? Regards, Warren Warren, Given your recent loss and outstanding treatment of Caddys, no problemo. You will be the first notified and supplied any additional information, pics etc - as available. If it had been an Eldo - I would have stepped back and let you have first shot. I realize you want to "get back on that horse" relatively soon, so I'm planning to contact them this week and will let you know as appropriate. Regardless of the above, Good luck in your "Eldo Quest"! Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Ranger, Thanks immensly for the specific information noted below: NADA http://www2.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI...;da=-1&nx=1 It would appear that the 23,000-miles alone is worth more than half the cost of the average trade-in! This will be interesting, since I believe the current owners are not looking for another vehicle and might not have discussed the relative value with the local GM dealer. It is alway possible that they might "get a great trade-in" - instead of a reduction in the listed price (its all just horse tradin anyhow). I have known the GM dealer for a number of years for the great service on the Caddy. They also live nearby (and have 2 weiner dog pups). It probably doesn't hurt that I bought (4) GMC/Chevy 1500 series pickups from him about 3-weeks ago for the other Managers and myself. FYI: After trade-ins are taken out of the equations, we paid about $22,700 (rebates averaged $5,500) for each plain white work truck. Extended cab, small V8 (19-mpg), ps, pb, at, 4wd, am/fm/cd, tilt, cruise, air, free aluminum tool box, trailer packages, tinted windows, upgraded cloth seats, center armrest/storage, but no carpet (can be too muddy at work and customers). Although relatively inexpensive, they really do ride quite nice, are quiet and look great lined up at work. Larry, Thanks again for the info! Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I posted that because everyone seem to rely on KBB, not sure why or where they get their information from, but their seems to be quite a disparity between the two. I know NADA gets their info from actual dealer sales (maybe more realistic). Use the one that is most in your favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fred Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 ...and sorry, I will not tell you the owner of the 99 DeVille - unless we don't come to an agreement. Can I have dibs? Regards, Warren My STS will be ready soon but it is four door.. 4500 though isn't bad MerryChristmas Be a Capitalist or work for one. Work for a Capitalist or be one. MerryChristmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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