Emergency Sale

[DKing]

Solid offer of $35k from a guy in Hawaii? Ernie, you're following these posts. Is that you? Solid offer of $35K?

[Excaliber]

,,,,da shadow knows,,,,

[clayfoushee]

Sounds like yes to me.

[TButtrick]

All,

I was the person that first contacted Stuart regarding the sale of ERA #154. I told Stuart that I would buy the car and after a short conversation, he asked if we could speak later in the evening as he was rushing out the door. In the mean time, others had called to which Stuart mentioned that he had a buyer. Many a "dumbass" did in fact offer him $10K more in the mean time to knock me out knowing the car could bring more. Stuart called me back later in the evening as he said he would. His words... "Todd, I need to be totally honest and up front and let you know that I've received offers up to $35K which I cannot overlook but you were for the first to call so I will give you first right of refusal on that price".

After speaking with Stuart on now three occasions, I really don't feel he's the person that this thread is making him out to be. I really don't think he understood what the car could bring and couldn't overlook gaining the extra $10K if he felt the buyer was willing to pay that price and with consideration to his current situation. He has been inundated with calls and I'm not surprised that he can't return them all.

That being said, Stuart has been willing to send copies of all paperwork that I've requested and has been prompt in responding to my questions and agreeable as to having the car inspected by a mutually agreeable party before any money changes hands with final payment to be delivered by the transport company once the car is on the truck and bill of sale in hand.

So here I am. He's offered the car to me at $35K and willing to accept my terms. Do I cut off my nose despite my face and let this deal go south? I honestly think most of us would have responded in the same manner as Stuart despite any degree of slime factor that has been insinuated.

I'm moving this forward and looking for help here in hopes to find some good soul that will represent me as the buyer and inspect the car to validate it's worth. Any help?

[Gary Morris]

In my opinion if you were the first person to contact him and was willing to pay what he asked...in my book...end of story. He should have told others that the car is sold. With the information he had and all the history and what he paid for it....he would have to be living in the stoneage not to have an idea what it was worth. I think that he used the thread to get everyones attention and then proceeded to let the feeding begin.....so what if I call him up and offer him $40K, which I'm sure it would bring would he then ask you for that? Like others have said...leaves a bad taste in my mouth..............and if YOU decide to sell it I think I would not advertise it here.
But then that's just my .02

Plus I honestly think he knew what he was doing. Being a California car that's already registered in California and with all the BS that you have to go through in CA to get one licensed I'm sure anyone living anywhere close to this guy that wanted a Cobra would have jumped all over it. I would think that any Hot Rod or Cobra shop in California would have beat a path to the bank to take it off his hands....but no he puts it on here and then let the feeding frenzy begin.....if he was sincere all he had to do was post it....and be ready within probably no more than 5 minutes for the phone to ring and a deal made...end of story!

Gary

[GeorgiaSnake]

Originally posted by TButtrick

All,

........... I really don't feel he's the person that this thread is making him out to be. I really don't think he understood what the car could bring.................

You must be kidding - He paid $60K for it and spent another $5K and and offers it for $25K uhhh welll uh $30K uhhh well uhh $35K........ He may be ok but I don't trust bait and switch folks.

Randy

[weekendwarrior]

Question

Has it been hit (frame bent) and repaired?

[clayfoushee]

TButtrick,

I gotta agree. I don't think anyone who purchased an ERA for $60K several years ago could be that naive. Having said all of that, if you could find a kind (but knowledgeable!) soul in the area to look at it, and all the paperwork checks out, why not, it's still a great deal at $35K if it is what it's represented as.

I hope you can find a knowledgeable person in the Bay Area to check it out for you. Why don't you post a request for help on the BACC (Bay Area Cobra Club site). Look in the Forum index here under Clubs.

I'd also look for evidence of accident damage.....sure would be nice to put it on a lift. Something just still smells very funny here.

[TButtrick]

Originally posted by GeorgiaSnake


You must be kidding - He paid $60K for it and spent another $5K and and offers it for $25K uhhh well uh $30K uhhh well uhh $35K........ He may be ok but I don't trust bait and switch folks.

Randy

That's why I'd like somone's help in checking out the car. I've spoken to Stuart and I don't think there was an intent to deceive. I've made my own judgment to move ahead cautiously. Any help would be appreciated.

[427Aggie]

A couple of things to look at here are some costs to put things in order. Most ERA's with 427SO, Pin Drives and good options are going to run you mid-40's to low-50's.

Honestly most of us that called probably planned on flipping the thing for $35 just to make a quick 10 grand...thats what I wanted to do.

The pictures I have show a car with no aluminum in the engine compartment. Car 154 is pre 250 (remember I am an Aggie so knowing that is good) which means it is probably not powder coated and has the square tube crossmember in the engine compartment, the footboxes are 2" shorter than current models and the roll bar is not exposed (you can't see the full bar behind the drivers seat. Apparently the side pipes have been cut and a flange welded on so you can run them without mufflers.

The engine sounds good its got a 4 speed toploader with I think it was 3.3? gears but its running 12.5/1 which means you are either going to need racing fuel full time or you need to have the heads worked to bring it down to 10.8/1 or so for pump gas.

The wheels are not pins so you have to figure thats going to drop your price by $6K since thats what the option costs from ERA. You are probably looking at a car that is worth $35-45 more in the 40 range...so at $35 its still a good deal.


Again though what would happen if someone called and offered him $40? would he ask you to match it? I know he needs the money quick but my self respect and honesty is worth more than that....if I offer it at $25 and someone takes it then deal done...why do I need to take more calls...just be careful...

Also Call Peter at ERA and ask for a history on the car.

Matt

[JWheaton]

If he gets what the market will bear given his time frame then so be it. Good for him.

If his numbers are true than he is still losing money and the person who buys still gets a decent deal around those prices.

I had a good email exchange with him. No reason to prosecute the guy.

[DKing]

Like I said, this appears to be a good car to be obtained, for the right buyer. Not sure what was up with the "no gas" situation last night, but no attempt was made to get fuel (despite two large fuel cans sitting next to the car) so I could at least hear it. The only thing I could think of was that they had a firm deal and were concerned that it might get damaged in a test drive. (Perhaps they've seen my aggressive commuting style in my Tahoe...).

Having met Stuart, I have to say, the house is in a pretty nice San Jose neighborhood, and he didn't seem like a sleazeball. Son seemed like a decent guy. But, I didn't think they were niave about what they had, either.

Lots of luck to the guys chasing this one down.

DKing

[TButtrick]

Thanks for all the assistance here guys but... after careful consideration and many exchanges with many of you and other owners, I've decided not to pursue this one. I've contacted the seller and pulled out. Nothing to do with anything particular I've found with the car but simply not what I'm after.

Good luck. Someone will get a good deal here.

[luke-44]

Originally posted by TButtrick
...I've decided not to pursue this one. I've contacted the seller and pulled out. Nothing to do with anything particular I've found with the car but simply not what I'm after....

[/b]

This shouldn't present a problem being as there were 2 other buyers lined up........ . Nonetheless, selling with a deadline is not fun - it is how bargains can be found.

Bill...maybe you are ready to step back in??

[mrmustang]

The bank has already closed for the day

Bill S.

Originally posted by luke-44



Bill...maybe you are ready to step back in??

[427Aggie]

I was waiting for someone to offer 40 and see if he called you back to get a counter...while its a way to do business its not a good way to do it....If he knows what he wants and will be happy with then good for him...just don't jack us around give us teh price and stick with it.

Matt

[clayfoushee]

Ernie's been awfully quiet after upping the price to $35K.

[TButtrick]

With my luck, the next buyer will find a freakin Van Gogh in the trunk.

[TButtrick]

OK, so who's slimier ...

The seller for accepting more money for the car..

or the person who out-bid me for the car.

[TButtrick]

what gives here. I had jsut seen a post by Ernie here that said..

",,,,,,,it's quiet in here,,,,, to quiet"

(with the wrong usage of the word "to")

What gives???????? Is "Ernie" a moderator?