Dan Crouch Blog

This is the 400th post at dancrouchblog.com and I figured this was a fitting time to look back. Since I've been keeping track, nearly 140,000 hits have been logged! Here's some of the best posts of 2007:

Best Bargains
1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI: Sold in a Day, Doh!
1988 Toyota Celica ST165 AllTrac GT4 For Sale
1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold
89 Volkswagen Helios Jetta Gli 16v For Sale in Washington

Best BMW
1981 BMW e12 M535i For Sale

Best Porsche
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S: Silver Rose, VERY low miles

Most Useful
How to Shop Craigslist for Cars Like a Pro with .RSS

Most Viewed
2007 Audi S6 Avant: The Ultimate Compromise Vehicle

Got a favorite from my blog in 2007? Have suggestions for great cars or improvements to the site for 2008? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thanks for stopping by dancrouchblog.com and have a Happy New Year!

-dc

I spotted this Aprilia RS250 on eBay (Update 12.30.07: Relisted. Update 1.13.2008: 1 bid of $8k, reserve not met.) this morning and it's for sale right here in Oregon down in Medford. And it already has plates! Considering how difficult it is to title gray market machines, having this one plated and only 3 hours away is going to drive me crazy! (In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a fan of the RS250 Aprilia.)

Starting bid is $8k with no bidders yet and 2 days to go. Time to check my stocking to see if there's $8-10k hiding in the bottom

Update 12.27.07: Here's another RS250 for sale on eBay:

Update 1.13.2008: Winning bid on this was only $7300!

1995 Aprilia RS250 on eBay, buy-it-now for $8500

dc

Continuing with the awesome 80's rides I've posted recently, here's another beaut: 1989 Mercedes 560SEC Gray Market European specification car with only 30k miles on eBay:

Unique euro-only features include the 272hp V8, adjustable headlights from the cockpit, proper headlights and a ton of AMG goodies.

The listing has only 11 hours remaining and is currently at $17.9k, reserve met.

UPDATE 12.26.07: Sold for $19.1k.

The seller seems to be an SEC specialist and notes that he has already sold a few other low mileage examples and is making room for an 'AMG 560SEC widebody and AMG 560SEL 6.0 32V DOHC'.

dc

The U.S. 75-77 Porsche 911, known as the 'middle years', are some of the least sought after 911's ever. Nearly every 911 buyer's guide I've ever read recommends against these models due to serious engine concerns and instead point to the 78-82 Porsche 911SC, which is considered bullet-proof in comparison. This car seems to have solved that issue with the swap of a 993 3.6L Vario-ram motor!

1977 Porsche 911S w/ 3.8L on eBay

Spotted first on Pelican Parts for sale forum, this is an enthusiast's pet project, and his lengthy eBay description demonstrates a real attachment to the car.

Currently at $14k+, reserve not met (UPDATE 12.26.07: Sold for $22k.). I imagine it will take longer than a few weeks to sell a car like this as it will have to be thoroughly inspected before even being considered. Not to mention, it has a lot of personal taste sort of considerations -- like that color combo for instance! But for the right buyer, this could be a really cool Porsche-R-Gruppe like car.

Update:Whoops, Paul from the Sports Car Shop corrected me that the motor is a 3.6L, not a 3.8L. Sorry about the error!

dc

What a cool car! A gray market Hartge H7S for sale on eBay from BimmerBros:

Offered here for your consideration is one extremely rare and quite special 1984 BMW "Hartge" H7S 735i 5 speed! This beautiful rust-free specimen is one of only three know examples in the U.S.. It features the 245 horsepower 3.5 liter engine with Hartge heads, ecu, headers, camshaft, Hartge/Momo steering wheel and shifter knob, full Hartge suspension and 16" wheels, euro headlights, 3.25 LSD rear differential, staggered size Euro headlights, chrome Euro bumpers and hartge signature striping. Finished in lustrous "lapis" blue over blue cloth interior with Recaro seats, this unique supersedan has approximately 120,000 original miles. [the Hartge cluster was just replaced after a unit rebuild at Palo Alto speedometer did not make it operative]. Overall this is a fabulous running, driving and handling E23 sedan that is virtually irreplaceble or recreatable regrettably offered here at a low four-figure reserve price!

Featured with a $8884 buy-it-now option, and current bid is $5301 with 20 hours to go. Compared to the Alpina's I've featured on dancrouchblog.com, this one isn't in quite the same condition and has higher mileage, but is also considerably cheaper -- yet just as rare.

From the picture it looks like the front spoiler is missing and replaced with a stock unit, but otherwise, the car looks really complete. A tuned 3.5L 'big six' connected to a 5 speed transmission, killer wheels, and equipped with Hartge unobtainium sounds like fun to me. The dash strokers on the Car Lounge seem to think it's a money pit waiting to happen, but what other cars with this kind of style and performance would you be shopping for? A Porsche 928S with a 5 speed would fetch that kind of money, and would have similar maintenance concerns. Maybe an Audi UrQuattro? Considering the company this car keeps, I think it's definitely worth a look. Even if it does need a $5k shot in the arm upon purchase.

Update 12.26.07: Reserve not met at $5301

Update 1.14.08: Relisted. Note the comment at the bottom that 'an old e23 should go for 1500' LOL! Interesting to see the response too. Sounds like he needs to start then opening bid more like $6500+.

Update 3.20.08: Relisted again.

Update 4.18.08: Relisted again, but this time with a buy-it-now of $8484. At least we finally have an idea what they want for it. Think it's worth it? Leave a comment!
dc

I used to own a 1968 MG Midget that looked almost exactly like this car, including the flat brick red paint

1966 Austin Healey Sprite for $3k on Craigslist

1966 Austin-Healey Sprite, runs and drives. Rebuilt motor with slight over bore to 1299cc. New SU carbs. Slightly hot cam. Rebuilt 4 speed. Needs paint and some minor body work. Have interior kit, ready to be installed. Steel wheels and 2nd set of race wheels.

I'll bet there's some haggle room in that price too. With a paint job and some minor TLC, this looks like it could be a great little ride by spring.

dc

I'm a sucker for white German cars, and this 84 911 3.2 for $16k looks like a decent buy on Roadfly. The ad states too many records to list, which is always a good sign. 125k miles on a well maintained early 911 is just getting her warmed up!

For an 84 in good nick, this is worth a look for sure.

UPDATE: Oh yeah, and I'm a sucker for white on white. Here's a pic from the past:

dc

Check out this 1991 Alfa 164S on the AlfaBB:

The owner is asking $15k and the thread gets pretty cluttered with board member opinions on how much the car is actually worth. It's been for sale for a while, so what do you think?

dc

Rich in Redmond sent me this note, "Up here in Redmond – every day is like a daily driver autoshow"

2007 Ferrari F430 Spider F1 on Seattle Craigslist for $319k

[...]A very RARE and hard to find 2007 model. Loaded with all the right and necessary options with a 253k sticker.[...]

So if I get my math right, that is a profit of $23 per mile. Or $66k profit in just over 2 months if the car is driven on a 15k miles per year average.

Excuse me while I go take a closer look at my portfolio LOL!

Thanks for the link Rich!

dc

Check out this very low mileage 2.3-16 that the owner sent me to post here:

UPDATE: It has a manual transmission.

UPDATE 2: Links Added

UPDATE 1.23.08: Now on eBay with a buy-it-now of $14.5k

Would you kindly list on your site, I have more pictures if you would like. Thanks Andrew Patrick O'Rourke New York

City 646-744-5757

The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer...Could you please share with your members a unique opportunity to own probably the lowest mileage Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 this side of the Mercedes Museum. What I have for sale is a 1986 109e 2.3-16 with 8,080 original
miles. This car has been in stored for 21 years. Original owner died in 1989, and left car to relatives. Runs and drives like an 8,000 mile Mercedes should. The exterior is Gunmetal Gray and all the unique 2.3-16 parts are as new, but then so is the whole car, Some minor scratches from extended storage. It is missing the Radiator Silver Star. Full Black all electric, Leather Sport seats front and rear that are immaculate. all options avail, ac, Becker Grand Prix, cruse, power windows, mirrors and sunroof, Original wheels are unmarked and still carry the Factory installed Pirelli P-6 tires that look new. Original Factory mats, as new. Untouched engine that still has factory inspection stickers on Cosworth head and door jams. Not a stitch out of place on this Timeless example of the 80's Mercedes Hot Rod, Less that 2,000 were made of this wonderful Supercar Classic. And I would say this is one of the best. Original Sticker of $42,387 tells you why few were sold. Originally sold and serviced at Mercedes Of Manhattan. This is the real thing I will give the VIN so you can CarFax and see it was last serviced in 2/89 at MBM and hasn't seen the light of day since. Rare opportunity for an equally rare car. Vin #WDBA34D7GF163893 production date 10/85. Mercedes and Cosworth that sayes it all, but you guys know more than I do. This Car is located in New York , White Plains,10607, Price is $16,500 , Call (646) 744-5757,with question or for additional pictures, and with any trades or offers up or down, Lotus Elise-Super-7, MR-2, Acura NSX, Porsche Boxster, RV's, Exotic Dune Buggies or very old VW's, especially convertibles.

Thanks,

Andy in New York.

I'd love to hear what a first hand account has to reveal about this incredible low mileage and low priced example. Good luck Andy!

Links
Previous Mercedes Cars for sale and 2.3-16 190's on TJRubley.com

dc