engine and drivetrain Value of '73 2002tii with sunroof

[LexDM3]

I owned a Riviera Blue '73 tii way back when and still miss it. Yesterday a guy pulled out in front of me in a '73 Riv Blue tii. I caught up to him at a light and asked about the car. It's his dad's (owned since new) and it's for sale.

Yes, the "I want another tii" hormones are pumping. I drove the car and it seems good. It has 115K, has had two rounds of engine work in the past and at least one body restoration. The body has some early cancer signs on the inside front edge of the hood and just a bit in front of the right door. The usual '02 spots but I think it will be OK if the car gets summer-only treatment. The interior is good, the trunk is decent, and the engine and engine compartment could use some cleaning up but seem OK. It is completely stock with original steel wheels and covers, the bus steering wheel, etc.

Mechanically it seemed to work well but I didn't drive it for too long or crawl under it. The engine, transmission, and brakes seemed OK. The car has been driven very little in the last 10+ years.

I offered him $7000 on the spot and he passed the offer back to dad, but he wants the most that he can get. This car is likely to go on eBay soon.

I'm not sure if my marriage can stand purchasing this car, but my 25th anniversary is coming up and we left the church back then in my tii. So maybe it's OK if I take her out to dinner on our anniversary in our "new" tii.

So here's my question - What is this car worth? It's pretty nice but not immaculate by any means. The car is located in the Boston area.

Please let me know what you think of its value. Any sense of what a "pre-emptive strike" offer would be that would keep the car off eBay but not break my bank? Is $8500 reasonable? Too low? Thanks for the help.

--Dan

PS - I realize that I'm tossing some red meat out with this message. If I can't buy it, I'll pass on contact info to this forum so someone else here can take a crack at it.

[02fanatic]

I'll have to say what alot of others will say...the value is "what you are willing to pay"! If the car is basically a stock car, and has the original engine, has been well maintained, one owner, etc. the "true value" will be higher, especially if the present owner has original window sticker and all service records.

A '73tii is one of the best '02's desirable to the enthusiast for many reasons. The color is somewhat rare these days (just like Atlantik). The values of the '02 has been rising, and tii's are on the upper end on the rise..if the car is basically in solid condition, and as you described, without significant rust...I wouldn't call a few bubbles along the beltline trim of the bonnet significant....holes in the shock towers and floor pans would "lower" the value however....but to continue....$8,000 wouldn't be out of line...but may be strecthing it if the car needs work...It's hard to tell without seeing it. I think your offer of $7,000 sounds about right honestly. I've seen solid tii's go for less, but getting rare these days.

Much over $8,500 unless really clean and rust free is pushing it in my opinion. Once in really sweet rust free (if there is such a thing - but you know what I mean) condition, $10,000 and much higher is common place.

So, if it checks out, isn't an oil burner, no significant rust, etc. $7,000 to $8,500 sounds like a fair price to me...selling a car on ebay can be a real pain, so maybe the present owner will be glad to hand it off to an enthusiuast in face to face negotiations...the best way.

Go for it, but be sure the car is solid.

Hope this helps....what is the VIN?

Good Luck,

John

[LexDM3]

Thanks, John. I know the '73 round light tii is a prized model. Been there, had one.

Keep those ideas coming. I'm going to send an email to the guy's son to see what advice he has for me on cracking this case.

[Boulder2milan]

"my 25th anniversary is coming up and we left the church back then in my tii. So maybe it's OK if I take her out to dinner on our anniversary in our "new" tii"

I love this! - I sure hope you're able to get this car - I always try to involve my wife in my automotive habit - it seems to help!

Maybe emphsize whata hassle ebay can be, etc

Good luck

[Delia]

I agree with John completely.

That said, there are acouple of places I looked for information, neither one of them will provide exactly what you're seeking.

Mannheim Gold Book lists a '73tii like this:

$3,500 -good

$5,600 -fair

$8,000 -excellent

$9,200 -show

loan value $5,000

NADA Price Guide is like this:

$7,325 -low retail

$9,200 -average retail

$13,750 -high retail

You can also search ebay and see what prices tiis have been selling for...

In 2000, I got the itch to buy a 2002 to own during the *year* 2002...a promise I made to myself years ago. I bought my '73 Inka tii in 2001 from a guy in Washington DC. It had lived mostly in the South and Southwest, and the previous owner was paranoid about rust..it never went out in the rain. I bought it for the "average retail price." I've tinkered and tweaked it, but haven't spent gobs of money on it. It has been wonderful!

It's also an investment. In the last five years, I've been watching the tii values creep up. It's stunning to see ebay prices nearing $20,000.

This sounds like an emotional purchase. Don't go overboard, but do your homework. Get it evaluated by a reputable mechanic. Negotiate in good faith. The story of buying it is much sweeter than the story of how it slipped through your fingers...

Good Luck!

Delia

-and-

"Orange Julius"

'73tii

Inka

#2762756

BMW CCA member #1974

[Guest Anonymous]

Dan,

Have the car checked carefully, especially if it has been previously "restored." I would say in New England a decent clean tii which needs paint and is generally Ok is probably worth between $3500 and $5000, but, if it really grabs you, you will need to do what you need to do!

If you can get the car and want to take a nice drive, I would be happy to look at it for you, I am in SW NH 80 miles to Lex., or call Chris Luciano @ Peerless Motors in Maynard - 978-897-0023. He has tii experience and is a good guy overall.

It sounds like you may be better off if they do list it on Ebay as Yankees are cheap buggers and bidding will likely be weak.

Good Luck,

ALex Vogel

[Guest Anonymous]

Dan,

Have the car checked carefully, especially if it has been previously "restored." I would say in New England a decent clean tii which needs paint and is generally Ok is probably worth between $3500 and $5000, but, if it really grabs you, you will need to do what you need to do!

If you can get the car and want to take a nice drive, I would be happy to look at it for you, I am in SW NH 80 miles to Lex., or call Chris Luciano @ Peerless Motors in Maynard - 978-897-0023. He has tii experience and is a good guy overall.

It sounds like you may be better off if they do list it on Ebay as Yankees are cheap buggers and bidding will likely be weak.

Good Luck,

ALex Vogel

[SteveJ]

How bad do you want it?

How much can you afford?

The big difference will be in if you are saying,

"Oh, I probably paid too much for this car, but it sure is fun."

or

"Damn! I should have got that car when I had the chance."

Yes, I do like to get things at a good price or even a bargain, but when I do overpay for something, I just write it up to experience and my unwillingness to wait for a better deal.

Steve J

(Still waiting for that cherry 2 piece dash for $100)

[Andy74tii]

Similarly, I had owned 2002's before, but really wanted to have a tii by 2002. I bought mine in 2000 for $3000 and spent almost three years and what I at times thought was way too much money. Now, I drive it every day, and while that happens the car seems to be appreciating to a level that I may be able to recover all my expenses. Which I won't do. Good luck to you!

[70roundtail02]

sorry to thread jack but what wheels are on the one in the picture.

[Andy74tii]

5.5 x 13 inch. Very very light, about 8 lbs. each, due to magnesium alloy. I had them restored last year, painted with Glasurit Polaris paint.