thinking about selling my vert...

[zswap0429]

So yesterday I just managed to get another car loan thrown on me. (Never ever ever co-sign) so now I own 3 vehicles... which wouldnt be to bad if I wasnt about to go through a job change soon, which means a couple months of no income fml

So the obvious thing to do is to sell one of my 3 vehicles
90 300zxtt (not running, not able to sell)
93 cocoa 300zx vert
02 land rover discovery se2 (new loan)

So I finally looked things over and decided it was time to grow up and get rid of the 2 seater vert... its honestly just not practical compared to the rover.. time to grow up.

My question to all of you way more experienced guys is... what is my vert worth and can someone logically talk me out of it.

Car currently has around 45xxx miles on it. It was babied up till I got it 2 years ago. Meaning garage kept, completely stock... untl I got it and didnt have a garage to keep it in

Current mods
Tien lowering springs
Z1 short shifter
5zeigen typhoon wheels (need to be refinished)
Or stock 350z wheels
K&n intake
Jspec front bumper ( just got it... havent even seen it on yet)
Mystery stillen exhaust I pulled off my tt (last owner claimed it was stillen)
And a couple various other things

Thanks in advance for your input

[DCaff300ZX]

I missed this earlier, and so I just signed in JUST to say DON'T DO IT!!!
45K Cocoa Vert with some nice mods and you haven't even got to see the Magic of your jspec on yet...
Just getting started with reasons, FIND A WAY TO KEEP HER!!!

[zswap0429]

Trust me... I wish I knew a way to make it work too.. but it just doesnt look like it is in the cards.

Which is why I really want someone to logically talk me out of it.

Sorry but the jspec isnt a smart enough reason.

[Ace2cool]

NOT THE COCOA!

[zswap0429]

Yet again... not quite the argument winner. Sorry

My only hope of saving the cocoa is if the land rover can somehow sell for 7k
But sadly not seeing that in its future

[Ace2cool]

Why's the practicality in the Rover? Just curious. Just because it has more seats? It also has way worse gas mileage.

[zswap0429]

Im working a security job when I get out. So the overall interior space makes it allot more practical... have you seen how small the convertible trunk is?

[Ace2cool]

I have. I couldn't imagine getting anything in there, really. But I still say I'd keep the Z, just because I've never found anything that I needed to carry that was more than the Z could take (except for my XXR's, which I still fit in by taking the seat out) Anything else I've ever hauled would have nicely fit in a vert.

What would you be hauling with the security job that you would need that much space? Most security gigs you carry on your person everything you need.

[zswap0429]

Yeah. I dont know exactly what to be honest.

Heres more info that rationalizes my decision... what I owe on the 3

300zx n/a "cocoa" $5, 254 worth ??
300zx tt $4, 528 worth close to nothing
Land Rover $5, 589 worth $6000

If I sell the rover I probably break even but still have roughly 10k of debt
If I sell the tt I probably wont get but 2k which wont release the title from the bank
If I sell the vert I can get enough to pay it off plus the majority of the tt which gets me down to 5k debt by september plus I will own the tt title. Which means build time

So I think selling the vert is my most financially responsible move.

But like I said... I dont know how much the vert is worth to the right buyer. And I dont want to do it. So keep it up Ace... I might just end up keeping it

Either way... I would like to know how much it is worth

[300ZXttZMAN]

I think you made a costly mistake buying the Land Rover. Don't sell the Cocoa.

[zswap0429]

I didnt buy the land rover... I co-signed and the owner defaulted payments so I now own it. I never intended to own it.

[Ace2cool]

That's the same thing as buying it. Cosigning on something means you're willing to pay for it if the other person flakes, as you found out the hard way.

But honestly, you would be able to sell the rover way easier IMO. For the amount owed on the cocoa and the amount owed on the rover, the values sway far more in favor of the rover. Sure the cocoa is 74K miles, but it's going to take a very specific buyer, whereas the rover can go to someone who wants a daily with offroad capability, a soccer mom, or someone who wants an SUV for the winter. There's a huge market for the rover. Not so much for the Z.

[zswap0429]

45k... Just saying.

And I think you are right. Allot bigger market for the rover. Let's just hope it sells quick

[Ace2cool]

[300ZXttZMAN]

I didnt buy the land rover... I co-signed and the owner defaulted payments so I now own it. I never intended to own it.

That's the same thing as buying it. Cosigning on something means you're willing to pay for it if the other person flakes, as you found out the hard way.

Precisely.

[DCaff300ZX]

Yeah. I dont know exactly what to be honest.

Heres more info that rationalizes my decision... what I owe on the 3

300zx n/a "cocoa" $5, 254 worth ??
300zx tt $4, 528 worth close to nothing
Land Rover $5, 589 worth $6000

If I sell the rover I probably break even but still have roughly 10k of debt
If I sell the tt I probably wont get but 2k which wont release the title from the bank
If I sell the vert I can get enough to pay it off plus the majority of the tt which gets me down to 5k debt by september plus I will own the tt title. Which means build time

So I think selling the vert is my most financially responsible move.

But like I said... I dont know how much the vert is worth to the right buyer. And I dont want to do it. So keep it up Ace... I might just end up keeping it

Either way... I would like to know how much it is worth

OK, caught up here and good that you included this.
I think it bears stating the scenario here, in that beyond your obvious wish to keep Cocoa if possible that you have two working vehicles (Rover, Cocoa) and one that is a project car (TT), so what you would be looking to do is sell one of two working vehicles to keep one, plus the project car- rationally it seems a stretch that selling the TT in current form could help you out enough here, and it's best value is as a future project.
So your best realistic options are selling either the Rover or Cocoa, and determining which best suits the overall situation of debt AND your driving needs.

Looking at the 3 vehicles and debt/potential sale prices, it seems that you have the most potential increase of sale price versus debt from selling the Rover, which potentially sells for $500-$1,000 over your debt on it, and probably also an easier sale at that price as there would be more buyers for the Rover, Cocoa, or non-running TT in order.
So unless you know of a Z32 vert enthusiast willing to pay a good price for her (nice verts go for $4.5-$6K around here, low mileage a little higher, and your color could fetch even more), finding a Soccer Mom needing a SUV seems more doable and the Rover is newer and has a more "set" value where it wouldn't require an enthusiast to get proper value.
Some verts for sale around here:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/3804311453.html- been for sale quite awhile, but a nice car.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3787802382.html- decent PW '94, says $400 under KBB as a comparison
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3809171232.html- probably the best comparison I can find, but has more miles and not Cocoa or sapphire
So if you can't get $6-$6.5K from your vert without waiting forever, it looks like selling the Rover works best.

Next up is practicality, between the Rover and Cocoa since the TT isn't running. As Ace said I personally have had no trouble getting most anything I have wanted to into my Z's.
For years I used my NA as a pack mule for a HUGE array of custom woodworking tools (sliding chop saw, small table saw, ALL manner of hand tools, nail guns, hoses, small pancake compressor, levels, etc.) when my life went whacko years ago, and I have also hauled a nearly complete red interior home in the TT, as well as gotten four 18" wheels with tires into both cars...somehow!
I know the Rover can do that easily as well, but the Z can pack a lot too...maybe not so much with the Vert and loss of trunk though. Point is unless you really are figuring on using your vehicle to haul large items the vert should do, and things would improve slightly when your TT comes back with it's trunk!
So although the Rover has more room but far lower gas mileage, and probably similar repair/maintenance costs to the vert I'd say this is nearly a wash, at least from my standpoint.

We can toss in future value and "cool factor" comparison, but that's a pretty moot point since I doubt anyone feels a Rover of ANY type has a collector value of any real amount versus a TT Z32, or a super low mileage Cocoa convertible Z32.
I think that anyone looking at this comparison would want to keep the TT and vert equally, and the Rover the least.

Bottom line is that I feel that there are ample reasons to try hardest to move the Rover, and keep Cocoa!
Get the PO you co-signed for to come help detail out the Rover to top form, make sure it's as 100% as possible and come up with a catchy sale ad and cross your fingers for a buyer.
We'll all be rooting for you!

[zswap0429]

Damn... after a speech like that, I dont think I would be welcome on this site any more if I sold the vert.

So you have made your point... the rover goes.

[DCaff300ZX]

Damn... after a speech like that, I dont think I would be welcome on this site any more if I sold the vert.

So you have made your point... the rover goes.

Told ya I had plenty of arguments...
And you'd still have the TT and be welcome here, we'd just always remind you of Cocoa...you know, tough decisions that go wrong, like the Unicorn Z!
Glad you made the decision to keep Cocoa, you have a sweet verty there man and I'd hate to see you lose it almost as much as you!

[zswap0429]

Well thank you for helping me out.

[zswap0429]

Just found this... I now feel inferior in every way.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3809177030.html

[DCaff300ZX]

Wow, that one is nice for sure but the autotragic...
And, glad to be able to help you see things in a way that helped! Back a few years when I lived in Des Moines, Wa. there was a smokeshop I used to buy cigarettes where the owner had a 30K Cocoa verty I got to sit in and inspect, I positively loved the look of the Cocoa color with the black/rubber colors of the car, and it really worked well with the top also which for me is an eyesore with the lighter colors. Cocoa, Black, and Sapphire in order are the only colors I'd have with a verty, so you have the best one IMO!

[zswap0429]

Yeah. Still trying to figure out why he would sell it?

And thanks for the compliments on the color... to be honest I almost got it painted black a few months after I bought it... before I knew anything about it... I wouldve kicked myself every day if I had done that.

And I think the sapphire might look better than black. Havent seen one up close to be sure

[DCaff300ZX]

Yeah. Still trying to figure out why he would sell it?

I agree, and have yet to understand why people are flocking to sell their low-mileage Z's now...when they still need to wait about 10 years before their "investment" to take shape, if it ever truly does.
Gonna take awhile still before they become worth more than they sold for, so anyone selling now is just paying bills or otherwise and not getting the best value from their collectible car...

[RubyRed300ZX]

Dcaff300: "I agree, and have yet to understand why people are flocking to sell their low-mileage Z's now...when they still need to wait about 10 years before their "investment" to take shape, if it ever truly does."

You need to keep in mind that many of the low mileage ones are first or second owner cars. And, the owners are not like the readers of this forum. The cars are now 20 years old; and, as we know they require more than a 60K and 120K maintenance. They need a "20 Year Maintenance" done on them. They need sub-frame bushings, weatherstripping, vacuum lines, fuel lines, etc. to be replaced. Generally readers of this forum would just shrug their shoulders and say, "So? No big deal." Yet, the average "mechanical" ineptitude in this country is now staggering. By example, the other week, girl from down the street rings the doorbell here. In her High School Physics class, she has an assignment to change a tire on a car. I didn't ask; but, I'm assuming it had to do with torque or leverage. She's at my door because she said neither her mother nor her dad knew how to change a tire. And, quite frankly, I wasn't surprised at all by her remark. I have another neighbor who bought a new snow thrower. He proceeded to pour the gas into the crankcase and the oil into the fuel tank. Then came over for some help because it wouldn't start. So, to my point, these low mileage cars now have issues related to age: anything rubber or corroded electrical connectors. And the owners are incapable of doing the work merely due to a lack of knowledge. So they quickly learn, from their repair shop, the high cost of labor. I believe that is why we see them showing up "For Sale" now.

For many of us who read along on this forum, a day spent out in our garage with grease under our nails is a memorable day. For others, they simply don't have the knowledge, nor the desire to learn, and other interests. I could rail on about the mechanical ineptitude in this country; however, to put it simply, if you know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to, there is a lot of opportunity for you in this country.

[RubyRed300ZX]

Back to the subject of the original post, trunk space is a non-issue. The convertible has a lot of trunk space. And, the top does not infringe upon the trunk space when folded down. I, in fact, bought the car because of the trunk space when the top is down. I bought mine new, and at that time, I did a lot of traveling. Anything under 300 or 400 miles, I would drive rather than fly. I had a hard-sided suitcase which held 4 suits and a second pair of shoes quite nicely. Even for its size, I could fit that plus a full sized briefcase in the trunk with ease. Most recently, I returned from HomeDepot with a packaged bundle of un-faced fiberglass insulation: 12" thick, 24" wide, and 48" long. Eight pieces in the bundle. I will admit that I got a lot of looks out in the parking lot as I stuffed that into the trunk. So, trunk space isn't the issue for you.

The issue is to ask yourself which statement are you more likely to make to yourself in 10 or 20 years from now:

1. Gee, I'm glad I still own this ratty old LandYacht, which I haven't driven in 5 years. And, the weeds growing up from underneath the rusted floor boards out in the back yard look quite nice when they bloom.

2. Damn this Coco Brown Convertible still looks awesome and handles like a dream. Glad I never sold it. Plus the insurance is cheap as hell now that there are only 12 people alive who know how to start and engage an internal combustion engine and can use a manual stick-shift.

[Z-owned]

The only way to come out ahead on this for you is to sell the cocoa vert to me, it's the only logical thing to do.

[DCaff300ZX]

Wondered when you'd chime in, I know Chris has been liking some Cocoa for awhile now...

[zswap0429]

The only way to come out ahead on this for you is to sell the cocoa vert to me, it's the only logical thing to do.

This its actually more along the lines of what I was expecting. Lol

Buy you guys can rest easy. Unless someone gives me a great offer for the vert... I'm not selling it. And I wouldn't have kept the land rover for long anyway... Its a f*** box... The only way I would keep it... Is to tow my 300zx around

[DCaff300ZX]

Towing would be the only duty I could find for a Rover as well!
BTW, have you ever run your VIN to see what number of the miniscule 103 total Cocoa verts produced that yours is?
That would be good to know given how rare your car is...

[Afi]

Towing would be the only duty I could find for a Rover as well!
BTW, have you ever run your VIN to see what number of the miniscule 103 total Cocoa verts produced that yours is?
That would be good to know given how rare your car is...

He is right, you should. If this data is accurate, your cocoa is part of the 0,83% of 1993 Total production (103/12374). You basically have the rarest color (0,12% Total Production 1990-1996), Cocoa and Deep Purple Metallic (0,24%) are the only colors below 1%.
http://www.xenonz32.com/colorchart.html#6