What is your car WORTH to you?

[JoeyP]

People seem to get hung up on the word "worth" because they tend to think in terms of how much someone else is willing to spend to buy it from you. But to me, "worth" means a lot more than money.

I drive a 2001 Buick Century: basic, paid for, reliable, comfortable, safe, decent mileage, comfortable on long trips. It is an awesome car and I can easily get another 10 years out of it. KBB says it is worth about 4500, and craigslist has similar ones going for 3000-3800.

But with that money, would I be able to get a car as good as mine that will last another 10 years? Not likely. To do so, I would have to spend roughly $9k, so that is what my car is WORTH to me...replacement cost.

I don't expect to get that much money, but I don't care, because it is not for sale!

So what is your car WORTH to you?

 

[jlee]

MR2 Turbo: Way more than it's worth to anyone else.
MR2 V6: ~$2000
Tacoma: ~$6000
CTS-V: ~$18000

 

[Vdubchaos]

My car's value is totally irrelevant to me.

a) car's are the worst investments and usually lose value more than just about anything (almost)
b) I keep my cars forever, so selling it is never an option
c) all of my cars have been serving me for MANY years and have a GREAT sentimental value that are directly related to my memories (family/kids etc)

So yeah.....they are priceless to ME.

 

[RockinZ28]

Trans Am - maybe 12-13k. Seems to be the asking price for ones in similar condition, no idea what they actually sell for. I'd take like 10k at the lowest.

Camaro- maybe 4.5k to 4k.

I don't hold any sentimental value, would drop them in a heartbeat if someone offered me cash. I don't need a personal car either, they're just toys.

 

[JoeyP]

My car's value is totally irrelevant to me.

a) car's are the worst investments and usually lose value more than just about anything (almost)
b) I keep my cars forever, so selling it is never an option
c) all of my cars have been serving me for MANY years and have a GREAT sentimental value that are directly related to my memories (family/kids etc)

So yeah.....they are priceless to ME.

This is kind of what I'm getting at, but my cars are not quite "priceless" to me. It's just that the price is far more than anyone will give me, and that doesn't bother me one bit.

I'm just glad few people feel the way we do, because it would be awfully expensive finding another one when ours do finally take the automotive equivalent of a dirtnap.

 

[exar333]

Great question OP. I think the 'value' of many people's cars here is considerably more than the book. For me, it was difficult finding exactly the car I wanted for the price I got it for. Thinking of doing it again does not make me excited. Plus, the effort involved to find a new car and get all the kinks out (if it is used) or customize as needed (new and used) is both time and money.

Additionally, for the enthusiasts here, we have invested time and money into our DDs to make them reliable and comfortable. Getting a used car to replace it is a dice-throw. Will it be as reliable? Was it taken care of as well? What maintenance was done? A lot of uncertainty here...

 

[HarryLui]

$6000 for the 89 CSX.

Priceless for the other two, since I'm not selling.

 

[exdeath]

Depends who is trying to start it with me that day.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Great question OP. I think the 'value' of many people's cars here is considerably more than the book. For me, it was difficult finding exactly the car I wanted for the price I got it for. Thinking of doing it again does not make me excited. Plus, the effort involved to find a new car and get all the kinks out (if it is used) or customize as needed (new and used) is both time and money.

Additionally, for the enthusiasts here, we have invested time and money into our DDs to make them reliable and comfortable. Getting a used car to replace it is a dice-throw. Will it be as reliable? Was it taken care of as well? What maintenance was done? A lot of uncertainty here...

This. For my foxbody mustang at least. Blue book is probably what the wheels cost. I've done lots of work, research, finding the best guys to do the work, numerous trips to AutoZone, etc.. I've put so much into getting this old thing to be a reliable dd no way I'd ever get back what's invested blood,sweat, tears, and cash wise. And besides that its too much fun driving. lol.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Probably about what I could reasonably sell it for. I don't get overly attached to vehicles... not even my motorcycle.

 

[rsutoratosu]

i have a 05 tsx w/navigation that i'm looking to trade-in around dec.. currently at 160k, i give it estimate of 2000-2500, i think kbb has it listed around 4500.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Silver 85 mk1 toyota Mr2: high sentimental value. High input value. Low actual value. probably $5k put into it but if I were to sell today id only expect $2k maybe 2.5k tops. seems like this is the year to sell a mk1 mr2 in these area as the classified are full of them. there are some in the same shape as mine selling for 2.5k. wish there were this many options last year.

Red 86 mk1.5 Toyota mr2: priceless sentimental value at this point because its an unfinished project. mediocre input value, $3.5k so far I think. Actual value is $4k at most- the value is in the engine and work to complete swap, body aint worth shit. but I wouldn't sell today unless it wad double the value $8k -just too much time put into it to quit now.

08 Saturn vue xr: little to no sentimental value. Would sell close to market value, just don't have to. besides its an excellent winter vehicle.

 

[mvbighead]

I think more or less, the OP's point is about what you'd take if someone were to offer you the money. IE - If I offer you $3000 for your MR2, would you let it go?

So basically, consider the actual sale value and whether or not you'd actually take that money should someone offer it to you, and consider what you would take for it.

I don't really have any sentimental attachment to my vehicles, but...

07 Impala LT, Silver with black leather interior and heated seats. 105k miles. Book on it seems to be around 11k, though it has been in 2 accidents. For this car, I suppose I might consider the book value, as that money could be used to buy something that better fits my wife and I's future. As it is, this car is my DD, but the money I could get would easily find me something likely equally reliable (and I'd very likely add more to the mix).

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Heated leather, 156k. CL seems to suggest I might find 4500 for it, maybe less. At this point, most of the mechanical issues are ironed out. There is little if any rust. And the car fires up immediately as it should. No way does 4500 fetch me a car with the kind of reliability I can expect with this right now. Granted, eventually I will want to replace it with something that gets better MPG, and I will take less then. But at this point, I probably wouldn't take less than 6k because it is reliable.

2000 Silverado LS. I suppose, if someone offered me what I paid for it a short time ago, I might consider taking it and finding something with less rust. As it is, I am continuing to work on ironing out issues, but issues can lead me to be a little frustrated with it.

The Jeep is the only vehicle I have now where the book value doesn't do justice to what the car is worth to me. There is one more issue I need to tackle on it, but it starts every day I need it to, and hasn't given me any serious issues. Not to mention, winter is coming and the AWD is excellent for that time.

 

[amish]

'05 accord LX: meh, so boring that it isn't worth much to me besides cheap, paid for, safe, transportation. I'd love to get rid of it but don't want a car payment so it will stick around for a long time.

'07 Grand Cherokee: I do not see myself ever getting rid of this car. it has everything that I want and starting to get more of a sentimental value. I'll probably rebuild or swap engines/transmissions until the body rots away.

 

[Vic Vega]

2006 Lincoln LS8 - could part with, worth about $15K.
2005 Lincoln Aviator - could part with, worth about $17K
2004 Mustang GT Convertible - did part with, sold recently.
2004 Mustang Cobra - not selling, at least right now, worth about $25K (factory car, never modded).
2002 Explorer XLT 4x4 - did part with, sold recently.
1996 Crown Victoria LX HPP - not selling, maybe ever.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

If today someone offered 3k for the silver mr2 id take it. but id for sure let them know all thats been done to it. itd take another 500 to shut me up

 

[JoeyP]

I think more or less, the OP's point is about what you'd take if someone were to offer you the money. IE - If I offer you $3000 for your MR2, would you let it go?

So basically, consider the actual sale value and whether or not you'd actually take that money should someone offer it to you, and consider what you would take for it.

Pretty much. How much money would it take for you to sell your car and be able to buy a replacement car that gives you everything in the car that you just sold?

Some things like sentimental value you will never be able to duplicate at any cost. Others such as mileage, reliability, safety, comfort, features, etc. can be found in your replacement car.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I would take blue book if someone wanted to buy my 2006 330i. I would need a higher amount for my 2002 M3, which has only 41K miles and is far better than average condition. I had kept my eyes open for just such an E46 M3 for the better part of two years before I found it. That being said, I am not sentimental about these things, and wouldn't be upset to get rid of both cars and move on to something else, just because it's fun to try new cars.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I would take blue book if someone wanted to buy my 2006 330i. I would need a higher amount for my 2002 M3, which has only 41K miles and is far better than average condition. I had kept my eyes open for just such an E46 M3 for the better part of two years before I found it. That being said, I am not sentimental about these things, and wouldn't be upset to get rid of both cars and move on to something else, just because it's fun to try new cars.

If it was E30 or E36 you would be more attached.....I promise.

They only get worse (in my book) E30 > E36 > E46 > E90etc

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

If it was E30 or E36 you would be more attached.....I promise.

They only get worse (in my book) E30 > E36 > E46 > E90etc

I didn't ask for your opinion.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I didn't ask for your opinion.

I know, but you see, I still have the freedom to state it.

 

[vshah]

probably worth 14k, but it has a lot of sentimental value. but, if someone offered me enough for it that I could get a good condition NSX (40k+) i'd sell it.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I know, but you see, I still have the freedom to state it.

Where did I say you didn't? You have the freedom to be as big an asshole as you wish. I in turn have the freedom to point out that you're being one.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Where did I say you didn't? You have the freedom to be as big an asshole as you wish. I in turn have the freedom to point out that you're being one.

Why so mad bro?

I never new that my preference/me liking something YOU don't etc makes me an asshole.

can it be that you care for my opinion too much perhaps?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Why so mad bro?

I never new that my preference/me liking something YOU don't etc makes me an asshole.

can it be that you care for my opinion too much perhaps?

Why would I care about your opinion of my cars? By offering it you're implying that you know something I don't, and that I have chosen poorly because I lack your wisdom. It's gratuitously obnoxious. You don't see me or anyone else in this thread doing that. I'm not saying you aren't allowed to act like an asshole - I'm just pointing out that you're being one, because you are.