3500...can you recommend a good offer price

IMO a very difficult question, almost impossible.

Prices are climbing on daily basis.

At first it depends of the series.

First series GT (carburettor, small taillights) is most valuable.

Second GT series (discbrakes, Alfa taillights, evtl. 5-speeed) a little less.

GTI at the moment in third position.

But it can change in the next time.

Do you have the VIN?

 

Any 3500 GT for 50K USD would seem reasonable.

 

A car with no vin? Run don't walk away.
FGM

 

+1!!

 

If you really would like an accurate valuation of the car. Post some photos of the car. The VIN number would be helpful, but not necessary.

There are more than a few knowledgeable members who can give you a "ball park" dollar number.

Without photos and a better description of the car,.........good luck.


Ciao and best!

 

I'll take two at that price.
FGM

 

Frank.....me too.

 

I've been pondering this question too. I'm in the market for an interesting project car, and a 3500GT is on the top of my list. I'm absolutely in love with them, but they are very difficult to find. When an opportunity finally presents itself, I'd like to be able to quickly figure out a price that is fair and buy with some confidence.

The way I think about pricing is if it takes a $100k restoration to make it a $150k car, then that car ought to be worth about $50k. Less if you want padding or a return, more if it is purely a labour of love. Am I missing something? How do you approach valuing a car? Some of you guys have a LOT of experience doing this, and I'd love to learn from you.

 

There is an old saying in real estate.
You can never pay to much, only buy to soon.
This used to be a good rule, until we were bloodied up by the Jan 2007 incoming congress.

Let just say there is a lot of variables in buying one of these old cars.
Good luck in finding one.
FGM

 

Fair enough. I have a basic understanding of how factors like condition, rarity, desirability, provenance, etc. factor into the value of a car, and how there are different levels of restoration with widely varying costs. But I'm trying to get an average/typical picture for now.

That said, I asked because I was surprised that you guys thought a non-running 3500 would be priced far above $50k, since that's actually about what I expected the FMV would be. I based that on the assumption that a typical 3500 in nicely restored condition would fetch mid 100s, let's say $150k, and a nice full restoration would cost $100k (say $80-120k). I'm sure YMMV, but for the sake of discussion those seem to be reasonable starting numbers for average everything, nothing extraordinary.

 

Some astute points made, but I don't believe that you will be able to find a, "typical 3500 in nicely restored condition", for $150K. Today it will cost you around 200K for a "nice" car. And by no means will that $200K car, be 100% complete or 100% correct. That will cost you another $50K, to a total of roughly $250K.

For a 100% perfect "take it to Pebble" show car, you are looking at $300K+, and very few 3500 GT's in that condition exist.

I do believe as I stated in a previous post that "$50K seems like a reasonable starting point". What that means is this, you might be able to find a 3500 GT project that needs total restoration and offer $50K. The seller will most likely say, "no thank you", and ask for more. But it's a point to start without offending.

I do know of two 3500 GT projects that need TOTAL restoration. One is priced at $65K the other is $70K.

There are cars on offer in the US and the UK that are decent driving cars, priced between $110 USD and $130K USD.

The "cheap" 3500 GT days are gone!

Good luck with your search, you are 100% right on, the 3500 GT's are beautiful and wonderful cars!!!

Ciao and best!


~Trev


"RESTORING MASERATI'S THREE AT A TIME.
____________________________________________

 

Ah, ok, now I see why my numbers were off. Thanks a lot, Trev. That was very enlightening. Admittedly it's a bit disappointing, though, that I might be late on this. I missed the boat when I passed on a Dino some time ago (another gorgeous car!). I need to avoid repeating history.

 

No problem, happy to help.

I'd take Frank Mandrano's advise and get one while you can. Most likely your ROI will happen in the fullness of time.

Look for a "series I" car with 4-spd, webers, and front discs. Or an "series II" with 5-spd, Webers, and 4 wheel discs. Or a GTIS.

Ciao and best!


"RESTORING MASERATI'S THREE AT A TIME"
________________________________________

 

Thanks to both of you for your sage advice. Just what I needed.

Trev - PM sent.

 

I ran into the same questions!
Last month.

To buy a restoration project or to buy as much car that I can.
I ended up buying a finished very respectable driver that is 8 out 10

What pushed me to buy two weeks ago rather than keep on shopping, the 3500 are moving up in prices really fast. Too boot it was a color combo that I loved.

In five years a good driver will most likely be 225-250

I am a strong believer in paying more for something right than getting a bargain and have tons of regrets.


Lets not forget that any restoration projects also means restoration cost will only go up along with the car.

I never been a fan of restoration and chasing parts.
Besides, who wants to wait 3 years for a finished car any way!

 

Iceblue:

Can you tell us a bit more about your car? I'm learning about 3500s and it would be helpful to me if you get down to the specifics of what makes your car an 8 of 10 vs others you saw. Also, price points for the various cars you saw would also be helpful. TIA

 

This one he purchased.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I came in pretty open minded i to purchasing this car.

I love the car so much. I am finding out that guys from the uk and south America are buying our cars for much cheaper than in Europe. So the race is on.

So it prompted me be really active in my search.
I asked dealers and that quickly turned to nothing.
I also shopped to certain maserati brokers in us and europe and that was not so pleasant.

With many phone calls I found 5 all of them needed a certain level of attention.
Some needed engine rebuild to interior to complete paint job.
I soon realized that I did not want a project car.
So I made up my mind to buy the best car that I could afford.

How I rate my cars?
If the car is complete and driver wiith all original parts I would give it a 5 out of 10
If a car is not working but fully complete and needs paint and interior I give it a 3 out 10
If a car has been well maintained and needs little to no restoration I give it 7 out 10

Then it goes from there.

I try to stay with cars that are as original to when they where made as much as possible.

In my case the case the car that I happen to purchas was with the same owner for the at 10 years, a big plus. Also the car was freshed up with the interior carpets.
Nice but not original to specs but that could addressed later on.
The paint and engine have been addressed and maintained about 7 years ago. No major need there.

The car lost its fuel injection and that was converted to webers.
The good thing is that I dont have to convert it.
But I would of loved to have all the original parts.
Now on the hunt for fi system for that car.


The thinking process can be pretty tricky since its a one time deal.
Believe me I lost sleep over what to look for and what to ask.

No one wants to make a mistake at this level.

The good news is that they are trully getting the appreciation.
The bad news is that you can sleep on this too much longer. This car will much more in a few years.
Out of 2200 made how many are stil around in good shape?