I've come to the conclusion that there's no value in keeping my Locost any longer - I'm not using it and it's sitting idle in my garage for months on end, taking space and costing me money. Unfortunately, I have no idea about how to sell it.

Can anyone recommend a sensible way to advertise it? In the past I've advertised it on this forum, but only got one tentative enquiry (after I had eventually decided that I wasn't going to sell it!).

I won't be looking for stupid money, but I don't want to just give it away. However I need to sell it to someone who fully understands what they're getting - an amateur-built car with a very old-fashioned engine (x-flow) that needs care and attention to keep it running - the way it used to be in 'the good old motoring days'. It runs well, and I'm happy with the way it's working, but it ain't anything like a factory-made car! It's reasonably well documented - especially the wiring - but it needs an enthusiast who appreciates these things.

As usual - any guidance will be gratefully received.

Cheers,
David

BTW: click on the WWW button below to get a look at the car.

you could try selling on pistonheads ?, wrong time of the year right now

What’s it worth to you ?

Decide on a price you can live with and stick it on here, there is a kitcar face book page and last resort for me would be eBay that still gets a huge audience. Unfortunately it’s weighted to much in favour of eBay and the buyer.

In my opinion the “ make me an offer “ or “ contact me for a price “ routs rarely work well.

Push the positives, it’s a well known and properly registered book car.

Like you describe I was concerned about come back from somebody expecting Champagne ( or a Caterham 620r ) for lemonade money but I have loved seeing mine used, abused and developed over the last six or seven years.

I thought I was about done with these little cars, then I went and bought another kit just so I have something in the garage to look at when I open it.

eBay classified ad as said big audience pistonheads both have worked for me in the past if there’s no hurry wait till the spring price it correctly and it will sell

Ebay classifieds have always worked for me eventually.

You have to be prepared for the stupid questions, ridiculous offers, no shows, and general morons.....

another vote for Pistonheads

David, sad to hear of your intended plans

But I can fully sympathise with your decisions, as I am now without my car, as you know, but I don't miss it, infact not one bit!!

I broke my car up, and sold all the bits stuff etc on fleabay, I made about 7k in total, but it is a real pita doing it, and when you factor in the time, the days off I used up, the wasted emails back and forth, the timewaster (I only had one) but he lost me about a grand, and then the ebay fees, the paypal fees, I think I cleared around 5k, for an awful lot of bits

So, if it was my car, I would stick it on ebay, lots of pics, lots of details, and let the auction end around mid April when the sun pops out, also with a fresh MOT,

good luck, you wont regret your decision,

steve

Put it on Facebook in the kitcar section, seems to be a fair bit of interest on there

Could you maybe hold out until Stoneleigh? The 'sale' hangar is usually incredibly sparse (I think there was about three cars there last year?) but being parked up on one of the pitches with a for sale sign could get you some interested parties? And if nothing else you'll be able to sell it knowing that you had one last trip to Stoneleigh....

quote:

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
Put it on Facebook in the kitcar section, seems to be a fair bit of interest on there

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I’ve tried Facebook twice for selling, more idiots than ebay....

[Edited on 21/1/20 by r1_pete]

quote:

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I've come to the conclusion that there's no value in keeping my Locost any longer - I'm not using it and it's sitting idle in my garage for months on end,

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Thanks everyone!

This decision has been brewing for a while - in the past I used my car a lot, even in mid-winter on dry days, but various factors are now stopping me. For example, we went out today in the wife's tin-top; I had to use the front and rear screenwash about every 3 miles due to the crud flying up from the road. This is because they now put stuff in the road salt (molasses?) to make it last longer, so that even after 3 dry days the roads are damp with salt - this is not good for an aluminium-bodied car. Motorcyclists also hate this stuff as it makes the roads unexpectedly greasy, especially in shady areas.

Also, the local councils have been putting stupid speed limits all over Suffolk and Essex, well below the normal national speed limit. It's very frustrating to be on a nice open road with no houses around, and limited to 40 or 50mph for little apparent reason. It's very telling when I drive from Suffolk into Norfolk - all of the petty speed limits seem to vanish, with (mostly) the NSL in use.

The main reason though is that I'm just not using it enough.

Getting rid of the car means that I can also sell the bits of car-related machinery that clutter the garage, such as an engine crane, engine stand, ramps, etc. (and, before you ask, I'm not selling them until the car's gone!)

As for the time for selling: I do intend to do it in early spring, partly because it's the best time, but mostly because I'm going to be incredibly busy over the next couple of months and won't be able to give the task the full attention it deserves.

Your suggestions will be taken on board (although I don't fancy having anything to do with ebay). I do still have a PistonHeads login though...

That's a pity cos it is a particularly nice looking car.

I think most people with hobby cars go through times like this, especially when the design restricts its use to certain seasons, just think how many motor bikes that applies too... but I suspect that when the weather is nice you'll wish you still had it and that seems to be the main issue, that you have built a summer only car.

My recommendation for what it's worth is sell the equipment in the garage, make some space and cash. Invest in a hood, a heater to make it more usable, maybe clam shell wings will help too with spray. I used my JBA Falcon all year in all weather for 5 years which apart from opening doors was no different to a 7, I just made sure it could cope.

When is someone going to make a decent gull-wing hard top for the Haynes locost...?



[Edited on 22/1/20 by Mr Whippy]

eBay is very hit and miss. I sold my last car this way and the first couple of idiots who turned up after winning the auction didn't really know what they had bought and tried to haggle. I told them to wee off.

Second guy was perfect though.

I might be interested when you get round to selling it!

I'm not far from you (just past Diss) so let me know when you've figured out what you want for it.

David,

Sad to hear your plans to sell up, but sometimes it's just the right thing to do. As above, focus on the key positives of it being a good car and a great opportunity for someone to enjoy owning/tinkering with.

GLWTS

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
That's a pity cos it is a particularly nice looking car.

I think most people with hobby cars go through times like this, especially when the design restricts its use to certain seasons, just think how many motor bikes that applies too... but I suspect that when the weather is nice you'll wish you still had it and that seems to be the main issue, that you have built a summer only car.

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I have cleared out a load of kit car related stuff recently as I broke my car for parts - Most stuff went on facebook with far less idiots than I expected and surprisingly mostly at asking prices.

I feel in the same boat as the OP. Been contemplating selling my car for a while and on the other hand I feel I've not had enough use out of it and have always said I wanted to convert it to ITB's and make a cage but have never got round to it due to other commitments, so it just sits in the garage gathering dust and taking up room while my head runs through other possible projects.
Think I will be joining you and selling up pretty soon. But will be staying on here as another project will be on the cards.

Atb

Rob

This is sad news David, but I know how you feel.

I didn't have mine on the road last year although it is still MOT'd. These last two years haven't been a great but come March I will MOT again,

tax and insure.

The one problem is where to go. Remember all those pub meets and BBQ's ? Nobody seems interested any more. Its a shame.

Just sold the MX5 and I also intend to sell the Merc. The pair cost £650 in tax so the saving will put the Suttol OTR plus a couple of tankfulls.

Looking for a 10 plate diesel Mundano Estate as that will be £145 to tax.



At least 7's and 5's seem depreciation proof so hanging on to them doesn't cost the earth.

Best get the ally polish out then.
Cheers,
Paul G

quote:

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Originally posted by 907
This is sad news David, but I know how you feel.

I didn't have mine on the road last year although it is still MOT'd. These last two years haven't been a great but come March I will MOT again,

tax and insure.

The one problem is where to go. Remember all those pub meets and BBQ's ? Nobody seems interested any more. Its a shame.

Just sold the MX5 and I also intend to sell the Merc. The pair cost £650 in tax so the saving will put the Suttol OTR plus a couple of tankfulls.

Looking for a 10 plate diesel Mundano Estate as that will be £145 to tax.



At least 7's and 5's seem depreciation proof so hanging on to them doesn't cost the earth.

Best get the ally polish out then.
Cheers,
Paul G

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I've been feeling the same about my 1967 Land Rover (109) for some years. I completely restored it some years back, properly, and yes, I do mean properly. I've ruined the 'Classic making money' (sorry typo there, munny) appeal from what now seems to be the only reason the market exists - by fitting a crate Japanese engine. I advertised it 2 years ago on PH, sensibly 'valued', only to attract one timewaster who after driving the car said that he wanted to see a car built like this, because he's building one... I admired his honesty.

PH - personally, not a fan. It's better now than it was a while ago (it was terrible), but the scrolling advertising was a great put-off for me looking there.
Ebay - Timewaster hell, volumes of electronic mail, all deleted of course, but it's all a headache.
Magazines - Seems to attract less timewasters, but also less response.

Folk only seem to interested in a 'Bargin' (Ebay speek), so we've (you and I) got to accept that. I did this with the kit cars, via here. Appealing to greed appears the only way if you really want to sell it.
Quality seems not to matter. When selling the kit car parts, the response was simply 'I can get this thing for much less new', response 'well that's China for you, go for it'. The skip took a huge amount, simply because of the selling grief.

I suspect you'll end up like me, you look at the car, remember all the hours spend, grief and fun, deciding to keep it. You'll always want to sell it when sanity kicks in, but the shear grief dealing with the folk out there simply drains that want away.

Interesting thread. I'm holing out for better weather before I put mine back up for sale. I feel I've had my time with it and its time for a change. (a heavily modded track based r53 mini )

quote:

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Originally posted by motorcycle_mayhem

I suspect you'll end up like me, you look at the car, remember all the hours spend, grief and fun, deciding to keep it. You'll always want to sell it when sanity kicks in, but the shear grief dealing with the folk out there simply drains that want away.

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I can honestly say, 4 months after I lost my locost to an engine fire, and broke it up I have no affection or any emotion
to the car I built, and loved like a child!!, yep I did !!

I was going to invest in an Xk8, yet EVERY single one has rust, and or rust problems, so ive hit that on the head, and now just run one car, a Mondeo, and I have no intention to buy, build, or have anything more to do with cars

I can sympathise with David, as he is like me one of the original Locost builders, and we had to put in 500% more effort over any one buying and building a kit car, no forums to help, infact no one else to help, just us and a book, and a welder, and an awful lot of time wondering, why have I started this project, and when will it end

So please trust me, if anyone has these dilemmas, selling up is not the end of the world

steve

quote:

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Originally posted by steve m
I can honestly say, 4 months after I lost my locost to an engine fire, and broke it up I have no affection or any emotion
to the car I built, and loved like a child!!, yep I did !!

I was going to invest in an Xk8, yet EVERY single one has rust, and or rust problems, so ive hit that on the head, and now just run one car, a Mondeo, and I have no intention to buy, build, or have anything more to do with cars

I can sympathise with David, as he is like me one of the original Locost builders, and we had to put in 500% more effort over any one buying and building a kit car, no forums to help, infact no one else to help, just us and a book, and a welder, and an awful lot of time wondering, why have I started this project, and when will it end

So please trust me, if anyone has these dilemmas, selling up is not the end of the world

steve

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I do drive my wife a bit crazy with my projects - I get a new inspiration, get the bits and build it, then interest wanes after a while (or circumstance cause me to lose interest).

I used to do full-bore target pistol and rifle shooting, but lost interest at just the right time - I had sold everything shortly before the dreadful shootings happened and the restrictions came in. I was lucky to get out before I lost a lot of money. Then I made a 5" gauge steam locomotive, used it for a while, then got fed up with the petty bickering you always get in a small specialist model engineering club. At least I sold that for a decent profit, as long as you don't count the man-hours. I built several R/C multicopters, but then the wallies spoiled that game by flying around airports - now there are lots of regulations.

It is amazing that I've kept the car as long as I have - when the conditions are right I do enjoy driving it - but the enjoyment happens less and less often.

I'm not really a miserable defeatist though! Most I of my enjoyment is building things, rather than using them long-term. These days I get a lot of pleasure in designing and making things with my 3D printers - I have 3, and I've built every one of them. I am starting to wonder about the morals of using (and wasting) plastic as much as I do though. I should take up wood or stone sculpture instead!

I am also trying to learn piano - but I'm finding that SO HARD...

Oh this is all so close to home. 2 years ago at age 70, I decided the cars had to go. I was lucky to sell the 2CV special for a good price and had planned to gift the Locost to my elder son. He used the donor car after i laid it up, so we have a shared affection for the 'remains' of a Mk2 Mexico. (That was not my finest decision, would be worth a fortune now). His circumstances with small house, new baby etc means that's not going to happen so the Locost is still here, last used in October and I don't know what to do with it.
I too get more pleasure from the building than the using. I was the same in my youth with sailing dinghies. My wife calls me Mr Toad because of brief enthusiasms that wane quickly.Last winter I designed and built a sailing rig for an open canoe that I built a few years ago . I sailed it once on Derwentwater last year and it's not seen the light of day since.

I also have the same dilema,i lost enthusiam with mine 4 or 5 years ago when the weather was poor and took it off the road intending to fit a windscreen and hood.Last July i decided i needed a spare car to use and so dragged it out of the garage in the exact same condition as i put it in there having never got around to doing any work to it, having had a bathroom and kitchen to refit and then a new job that leaves me with little spare time after being made redundant.I moted and taxed it and have done about 200 miles since.
I really think i should make room in the garage for new projects but cant bring myself to sell it after 20 years my eldest son wants me to keep it and let him do some track days with me.I think i may try a couple of track days this year and also try and make it more usable with a screen and weather gear and then think again, but nowadays there are few local meets and the whole car scene seems to have lost its appeal.
Paul.

I sold my vw beach buggy I built when I was 16, owned it 28 years so was part of the family or the furniture lol

I'm happy I did though cos the new owner uses it much more than me

I sold my seven, because it didn't get used enough. then bought a 'sensible' quantum 2+2, decided that was a bit slow, and bought a v8 seven. that was a bit rough, and an ugly duckling and we couldn't get the reliability right, so I bought a beautiful gtm spyder. refined, pretty, useable. but only two seats so sold that an bought an mgzt 260 as my daily. eventually realised that much as I loved it, I missed the rawness of a seven. sold the mg and bought the first kit car I ever sat in, 20 years later. it doesn't get use that much, with family and young kids. but I love seeing it in the garage even if it has stuff piled on it occasionally

if I sell now the wife will covert the garage and there will be no way back! I cant afford an f-type, or a cool classic, dont have space to hpouse a cobra but still love the fun of driving a seven. even if its occasionally. its not losing value and theres little interest to be made in the bank!