Saratoga top on ebay, whats it worth?

Yes, I too think its cool...pity that the seller won't send it to Europe, otherwise I would have bidded. The last one we were talking about on this forum sold for 2625 dollars if my memory serves me well, and I would have been happy to follow...these are rarer that hen's teeth over here!

Best

 

Sorry,

the last window crank I gave away to another F-Chatter about a year ago.

Be careful with those. Supposedly only two variations were made. I think that is incorrect as I went thru several (3 or 4) until I got ONE that worked.

What was wrong, I don't know, but they just didn't work.


Yes my car HAD a speaker in that hole but it was stolen between when I got the car and when it was delivered. No issue though. I didn't want it but I never made that facet known to anyone.

 

Good Question. Just need to find someone who really KNOWS plastics.

The cost MAY scare most away sadly, like the folding keys did.


As a very general rule, us 3x8 owner's are a bit on the cheap side oft-times, myself included.

 

I am looking into that but finding my paint color (Dino Marrone MET) is proving to be a REAL nightmare. Everybody thinks they have it but they don't.

True. But it just doesn't look right to me.

My head does not quite hit the roof (but very close) and for me that is part of the mystique. Strange but that is just me.


I may someday buy one just to "have it." It is a part of the car's "oblique history."

 

I doubt it. The keys have little utility vs normal keys & only service the completist obsessed. This top actually has a clear (forgive pun) purpose.

 

I fully agree, Paul; I know that I would be ready to spend a stupid lot of money on one of those Saratoga tops...

best,

 

We all have our gremlins.






Bid $5,000.00

It will sell for less.

 

Believe me, I would have bid $ 4.000 in a heartbeat...(taxes would make it $ 5.000 at delivery!) EXCEPT that this seller does not ship internationally...my luck! I'll have to wait another two years or so before one comes again and its seller accept to ship internationally...

best

 

Again, Sorry.

 

nerofer, don't you know any body here in the US that can help you out?

 

Nerofer, for that kind of money, I'd sell you my Saratoga top! It is perfect and it has the original storage bag, too.

But like Mike suggests, it would probably be less expensive for you to "hire" somebody here in the US to buy the one on ebay, then ship to you. I'd suggest somebody here on F Chat as we have a sensibility for what this top is and how to properly ship.

Jeff

 

Jeff, Mike (and Mark)

This forum is always a great source of friendly advise; thanks for your reactions, but I can't think of someone who could do bid for me in the USA...I would have bid without hesitation, but the seller does not ship internationally, and can't even be contacted through E-Mail...
Should somebody be ready to help me, do not hesitate to drop me a P.M
Thanks

 

Nerofer,

I'll help you with this, no problem. Just send a p.m. and we can decide what works best for you. (incidentally the p.m. feature doesn't seem to be working this morning, at least from here).

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff, P.M sent.

 

A friend of mine has a Saratoga top. He calls it his 401K as its gone up in value faster than his retirement account. I would guess the seller is worried about all the V.A.T. taxes and the inspectors that might rip open the box to inspect it and not understand what it is.

But if you email the seller and tell him you will cover the extra costs of doing a Fed-Ex special delivery, and all he/she has to do is drop it off at fed ex - he may do international sales.

Its worth a shot, as you will never find one of these in Europe. There were only about 75 ever made, 1/2 of em are probably tossed as people forgot what they fit or they got stolen or kids used 'm for bike ramps......

 

I'm sure if you contacted the seller and offered that sum they would go through the small hassle of filling out the customs forms and shipping it to you. It really isn't that much more work than shipping in North America.. They are likely just trying to avoid scam artists. There are many who claim to be from the UK or elsewhere who are actually Nigerian Princes.

As for manufacturing them, it would likely cost more than the 5k top end for a used top. There is a company in Germany, GTN Automotive I believe, who makes a Saratoga style top for 86-89 Porsche Targas, however it costs a cool 6500 Euros. For most Targas that is half the purchase cost of the car. I just purchased my first 308, and would love a top like this, but there are many other toys ahead of it on the list.

 

Well, do not forget that, on anything we buy from the United States, taxes modify the perspective somewhat: for instance, VAT is 19,6% in France; plus importation tax at 6% on top of this: that makes a 25,6% raise on the price, which cools down our enthusiasm a bit...and a 308/328 top is too big and heavy for going un-noticed through the customs.
So the balance is somewhat redressed...

Best

 

They usually investigate now, especially for big and heavy things; they ask for the proof of payment, either the trace of the bank transfer, paypal or so, with an indication "payment in full" and so on, and they also investigate from time to time. And should they not be fully convinced, they can hold the parcel until they feel it is "satisfactorly cleared"...
Should you want to play games, you do this at your own risk...they do have some personnel fairly competent in classics/collection cars...ask me how I know?

 

Rephrasing nerofer above:


"Billy, have you ever seen the inside of a Turkish jail?"



Do not try that. Ever.

 

UK customs would definitely not investigate to this level, they would take whatever was written on the ticket by the shipper unless it was some crazily low value such as $5.

 

Death and taxes.....fraud on a Customs form is BAD mojo...you saw my offer, nerofer?