1997 LE SW, 60 k miles - Texas car

[treydub]

Hi guys, I just found a Texas car - 60k miles, 2 owner, all rec's, driven but not roughly - overall clean condition. Should I be reluctant to pay in the low to mid 30's for it ($32-35k)? Given that there are only 300 LE's in the US, I am aware that they do command a slightly higher premium - just wanted to gage the opinions of those in the know on whether this is an ok deal or something to stay away from?????

[sheki]

That's a pretty average price, you should if possible take it to a mechanic in your area and have them give it the once over. They will probably find something (it is a defender), you can use that as a bargining tool. If you want a real rare NAS Defender find a red SW, LR only imported 102 according to http://www.lrfaq.org/Defender/FAQ.Def.NAS_Defender_VINs.html

[Eric Siepmann]

MSRP: Soft Top: $32,000 and Station Wagon: $34,500

(From the same link) So you want to pay MSRP for what reason again? I don't care if the queen herself changed the oil regularly. It's stupid to pay anywhere near retail for an 8 year old car with 60k, IMHO. Shop around.

EwS

[mdmccallum]

Buy it

[souza]

MSRP: Soft Top: $32,000 and Station Wagon: $34,500

It's stupid to pay anywhere near retail for an 8 year old car with 60k, IMHO.

Hey Eric, perhaps you weren't aware, but a little thing called 'supply and demand' has come into play in the Defender aftermarket world. :grin

Even if there are better deals out there (which I'm sure you're right, there are) MSRP has nothing to do with the prices of these vehicles, and really hasn't since they stopping importing them. It's not like that'd be the first 8 year old Defender to sell for more than 32K.

[rover4x4]

lots of miles but I think if tx there is little or no rust! I say go for it, when it blows up put in a Tdi or a 4.6

[Eric Siepmann]

Hey Eric, perhaps you weren't aware, but a little thing called 'supply and demand' has come into play in the Defender aftermarket world. :grin

Even if there are better deals out there (which I'm sure you're right, there are) MSRP has nothing to do with the prices of these vehicles, and really hasn't since they stopping importing them. It's not like that'd be the first 8 year old Defender to sell for more than 32K.

PT Barnum said it best. A sucker is born every minute. I never implied that MSRP will affect the sale. I merely provided the retail price as a reference. If you do your research and are patient, you can get a similar truck for a much lower price. Supply and demand impacts the Defender used vehicle market, not the aftermarket. :cool:

[souza]

Supply and demand impacts the Defender used vehicle market, not the aftermarket. :cool:

touche ;)

[wicks]

Eric, I respectfully disagree. If he pays $32K for his LE, he'd be right in the market, and he'd help me keep value in mine. ;)

[mdmccallum]

Wicks is right again. And if he looks for a better deal, who knows how long it will be before one comes around. It could be days, weeks, even longer. Can any of you guys put a price tag on that time spent without a D90? I didn't think so.
Seriously, If you like it and it checks out fine with a reputable mechanic then buy it. You are going to spend even more after you own it. You know upgrades, etc. Owning one of these vehicles is not (in my mind) a dollars and cents type of thing. Do you want it? Yes or NO?

[Eric Siepmann]

Wicks is right again. And if he looks for a better deal, who knows how long it will be before one comes around. It could be days, weeks, even longer. Can any of you guys put a price tag on that time spent without a D90? I didn't think so.
Seriously, If you like it and it checks out fine with a reputable mechanic then buy it. You are going to spend even more after you own it. You know upgrades, etc. Owning one of these vehicles is not (in my mind) a dollars and cents type of thing. Do you want it? Yes or NO?

Don't get me wrong. I hope he provides a new home for a wayward D-90. I just am pragmatic and patient I guess. And frugal. I am a CPA and new homeowner with a budget for christs sake! :)

Mike, time away from a D-90 would have saved me about 5 grand. Heads, rad, all new hoses, plugs, belts, wires, gaskets, harmonic dampner. Think I got it all. :) Not to mention the upgrades over the winter. Rack, trailing arms from RT, Mantec diff guards. Damn. Well at least I know where the money to remodel the master bath went. :(

But you're right. There is no other ride I would own. Deal on it Trey. Throw down some grandmaster kung-fu art of the deal and knock some dough of the ask price. And then blow the savings on things for the truck. Think of it this way. It's not peer pressure. It's just your turn.

[Art Vigil]

"...I just found a Texas car - 60k miles, 2 owner, all rec's, driven but not roughly - overall clean condition. Should I be reluctant to pay in the low to mid 30's for it ($32-35k)? Given that there are only 300 LE's in the US, I am aware that they do command a slightly higher premium - just wanted to gage the opinions of those in the know on whether this is an ok deal or something to stay away from?????

300 LE's!:eek: Sheesh! I know of a certain Red 97SW (of which there were only 107 made) with tons of stuff, that will be for sale very soon, for less than that ;)

Here's a hint:Art Vigil's Bio (http://www.d-90.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1268)

[wicks]

What's that "#2436" on the back? ;)

[lrnasd90]

Eric...

PS The MSRP on a LE model was $40625...

And besides I am with Wicks...I have one too and would like to keep the value up. Think about this 300/300 of the LE model just sold for $74800.00 by Copley Motorcars given it was a rather low mileage truck.

[PT94D90]

Deal on it Trey. Throw down some grandmaster kung-fu art of the deal and knock some dough of the ask price. And then blow the savings on things for the truck. Think of it this way. It's not peer pressure. It's just your turn.

I'm with Eric. I just wanna see someone other than me dump a bunch of $ on a D90. It is your turn Trey. :)

[BarryO]

MSRP: Soft Top: $32,000 and Station Wagon: $34,500

(From the same link) So you want to pay MSRP for what reason again? I don't care if the queen herself changed the oil regularly. It's stupid to pay anywhere near retail for an 8 year old car with 60k, IMHO. Shop around.

EwS

Uh, the LE came with a safari cage and other extras. MSRP was ~$40K. And no dealer was discounting them; everyone was lining up to get one of the "last 300".

[gtg067i]

Art, I saw you were hinting at possibly selling your red wagon. If this is the case please let me know as I am very much interested in it. Shoot me a PM or preferably an email (gtg067i@mail.gatech.edu). Thanks!