Originally posted by layoub:
O.K. all you knowledgeable Stovebolt buffs. I would like your feedback on what I just paid for a 1955 3200 Apache. It is all original, older restore, everything works, could use a paint job and two small rust spots bottom rear of cab, bed wood painted black???, run strong. I paid $11500. My guess is a bit high but I wanted it and it fit what I was looking for. Opinions please...
I don't see as many mid to late 50's trucks as I do earlier 50's trucks.. not sure if thats because the later trucks were used well into the 80's and they're just worn out and been junked or what.
Value of a truck, as it's been stated earlier in this thread, really is dependant on demand. Trucks I can buy all day long for under $1000 sell for $2500+ in the 'rust belt'.
eBay has become something of a great equalizer in the price department.. just about any 3/4 ton or 1/2 ton truck can be transported just about anywhere in the U.S. for $1,000 to $1200 (and alot of times, alot less!) so what you see vehicles sell for on eBay really is an average of national prices. A local sale to a local buyer could be higher or lower than the eBay average.. just depends on how common that thing is in the area, and what the local demand is like.
With that said.. i'd expect a truck like you described to sell for about half of what you paid on eBay.. but again, I don't see them come up nearly as often as other year ranges.. so there is something to be said for the 'instant gratification' of a local purchase.
Finally.. if you really dig it, and have the cash they're asking.. bag it. Taking a bath on something if you have to sell it sucks.. but it dosen't suck nearly as bad as living with regret.
The other thing i've learned over the years is to do your pricing research BEFORE you pull the trigger on a deal. IMO you outta know what something is worth BEFORE you buy or strike a deal.. if you don't.. well.. asking afterwards will only tell you that you paid too much.
Just like the old saying, "If you have to ask if you got screwed, you probably did."
In my life I must have seen 10,000 deals that I thought were an absolute steal, or at the least, reasonably priced, as I was standing in front of them.. but wasn't really 100% sure.. so i'd go home and do some research, and found out that the price was actually quite high.
On the same token, i've walked away from deals that I thought were priced too high, went home and did some research, and found out they were a steal! (and usually gone when I came back with cash!)
So the readers digest condensed version of all this rambling is simply, if it speaks to you and you dig it, and plan to use it for your own personal enjoyment, pay as much as you can afford to. and enjoy it.. you got a fair deal if you're happy with the price.
If you're buying something that you're not 100% in love with, or can see yourself selling in the future.. do your homework before you pull out your wallet.
