Where does the smart bidding stop on this 3K mile 308?

Definitely a very interesting car, even though I was a little disappointed by the engine compartment. Looks like the paint around the oil plate has been fixed at one point which seems strange. Also I am wondering why somebody would install a stereo in a car that is basically never driven, why not leave it all exactly how it came from the factory?
The drivers seat also shows a bit too much wear for 3000 miles, it could just be that the leather dried out but there seem to be scuff marks from getting in and our of the car, which usually doesn't occur at 3000 miles.
In my opinion there is no reason to pay top dollar for this car unless one never intends to drive it, if its a museums piece and should be forever then may be its worth a lot, otherwise I wouldn't pay more then a very fair market price, 40k top. This car will most likely need a engine/suspension rebuild just like as if it had been driven on a regular basis. Every seal and gasket and bushing most likely dried out as it doesn't seem that it was stored in a climate controlled garage. Also one would have to check all the wiring very closely as this could have been a italian villa for some local mice for several generations of them. Interesting car but not as valuable as a well restored one unless its for a museum.

Helmut

 

Someone run a carfax on it. 17 digit VIN will show some registration history and possibly verify the low miles.

 

It is interesting but odd. Easy to disconnect the speedo on 308s. Smells a little fishy to me. I would look at this one really close if I wanted to buy it.

 

Let's assume it really is a 3,000 mile car. All it is is a trophy. You certainly can't drive the thing. Not just because of the obvious mechanical issues but because all the "value" is tied up in that milage figure.

Go ahead and use it and see what happens. That's the fastest way to turn a $60,000 308 into another $30,000 308.

These cars are for the concours or for a rich guy to brag about. If you want to get behind the wheel and enjoy one, these are the absolute dead last cars to ever consider buying.

 

It looks pretty nice, though.

 

except for that intake manifold

 

+1 You hit the nail right on the head here.

 

With milage that low it's going to need work to drive. = $$$$ Better to buy a well maintained one that's been driven.

 

I believe the Carfax report is in the ad. I wonder if they are running this thing? If the belts are original, they are 26 years old! I sure wouldn't run it on my nickel. At 3K it is essentially a new vehicle, right out of a time capsule. But, right off the top, it's new belts and all hoses. I would think it's still worth 35K to me (if I didn't have the Mondial). But then, I can do all the required work myself. If you had to have it done, no way.

 

Yeah 35K. Seems like tops for this one to me. Not a rare car other than low miles.

 

Saw this one too. Something with the seat wear and just the overall look of the car make it smell fishy to me...hard to put a finger on it, but just doesn't seem right to me and Almost Retired and I have looked at a CRAPLOAD of these cars. Would be interesting to get his take...

MB

 

I just say "what a pity".

Personally, I'd rather buy a well maintained runner that I don't have to worry that half of the value will drop if I take it on a long drive or someone gives me a fender bender.

 

The smart bidder doesn't start.

 

What he said.

 

Exactly right.

 

That may be a bit unfair, if this car really only has 3000 on it then it has a lot of things going for it as well, a lot of detail that is very hard to re create when restoring a car. Everything should still be there perfectly, so there is no need to run around looking for what the correct part was etc. As long as it was stored somewhat properly so it doesn't have any rust then this car could be turned into a excellent 308 by the right person without too many problems. As long as it ends up in the right hands it should be a exceptional car. If somebody thinks that the low mileage guarantees trouble free driving then that is obviously a big mistake. I just wonder if it really only has 3000 on it.

Helmut

 

If this is a 3000 mile car, they could part it out for probably 70,000.

 

Agree, driver's seat has far too much wear and if it was rot, then why are the OTHER seats not rotting the same way?

 

My 60k+ QV engine compartment looks better than that. And my interior leather is in better shape too...both have had minor attention, but nothing spectacular done to them.

Either I got a good deal, or this car isnt right. The exterior of this car looks really good though.

I just dont buy that this is a 3k mile car.


PDG

 

Means very little. Sold my 308 to a zero rated buyer setting a new high price being the one and only bid. People here jumped all over the zero rating and gave the opinion that it was a kid playing on the internet. Guess what, they were wrong and it was the most trouble free transaction I have had and probably will ever have selling a car.

 

+1

 

Could be a new odometer with 3100 miles on it, or the owner may have disconnected it for most of the car's life.

No way does that car have only 3100 miles. The intake alone looks like crap and I've never seen one that bad, even on an 80,000 mile car. Driver's seat has a lot of use. Okay, perhaps the owner sat in the car and said....Varooom! Sure, that's it.

 

+1

It's hard to say what the mileage is.

- TRXs have cracks in the walls, probably original.
- Throttle pedal is worn a little. Maybe too much for 3K miles.
- Plenum paint and engine oxidation wear can be a result of overall neglect and bad cleaning practices. I've seen it before.
- Drivers seat shows wear, it looks like it's mostly the dye worn off. Could be due to it being dry and neglected.

The only way to find out for sure is to ask the prior owner(s).