Cruise Control and Resale Value

[shertex]

With older diesel Benzes, say 1980-1995, to what extent does cruise control affect resale value? I'm trying to gauge whether it makes financial sense to rebuild cruise amps in cars I sell. With shipping, I pay James Dean $70 or so to rebuild an amp. Am I likely to get more than that when I sell the car? I like messing around with cruise systems....it amuses me....but no sense spending the money if I can't recoup it.

[Air&Road]

FWIW, when I evaluate a used car for purchase, I am NOT interested in giving top dollar for it unless EVERYTHING works and looks as it should. After my Dad retired in '83 he bought Honda's at the auction and fixed them up for resale. He ended up with quite a following of people who came to him looking for a good solid car. He never considered a car ready for sale until EVERYTHING was shipshape and he almost always got top dollar for them.

If the car is kind of a run down or ragged out example, it won't make any difference if the cruise works or not. If OTOH it is a nice looking and driving car, the way to get top dollar for it is to have it in top shape with no apologies about anything.

Again FWIW. I hope this helps.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by Air&Road

FWIW, when I evaluate a used car for purchase, I am NOT interested in giving top dollar for it unless EVERYTHING works and looks as it should. After my Dad retired in '83 he bought Honda's at the auction and fixed them up for resale. He ended up with quite a following of people who came to him looking for a good solid car. He never considered a car ready for sale until EVERYTHING was shipshape and he almost always got top dollar for them.

If the car is kind of a run down or ragged out example, it won't make any difference if the cruise works or not. If OTOH it is a nice looking and driving car, the way to get top dollar for it is to have it in top shape with no apologies about anything.

Again FWIW. I hope this helps.

Thanks, Larry. The 83 240D I'll be selling is in really pretty nice condition, but it won't be perfect when I sell it. My self-imposed rule is only to fix what I can fix on my own...not to pay my indie unless absolutely necessary.

[Air&Road]

Sounds like a proper philosophy on the issue. That said, there is probably no need in paying an indie. James has the cruise control systems under control and can get you through it without darkening the doors at the indie shop.

That said, I've driven 123 240D's a total of about 800,000 miles and never had a cruise control on them. If I had been looking at one that DID have a cruise control that didn't work, it would have given me a different image of the car.

Good luck with it.

[GregMN]

Years ago I had a couple came to look at a Volvo 164 I had for sale. I was asking $2200. The husband asked if I would take $2150. I said "well let's go see" and lead them back out to the car. I pointed to the car and ask the guy to "show me $50 wrong with the car and I will take it off the price". His wife slugged him on the arm. They paid $2200.

I gauge how well a high mileage car has been maintained by if the CC and AC still work.

If it's a good looking car and you want top dollar every button should work. In my mind I deduct the cost of having the defect fixed at the dealership when I am looking to buy.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by GregMN

hey paid $2200.

I gauge how well a high mileage car has been maintained by if the CC and AC still work.

That's interesting....if there's one guy like you out there there's got to be more. Makes sense to fix the cruise.

[rscurtis]

That's the only thing not working in my '83, I'll have to make it a winter time project.

[barry12345]

Everything working does help the mental attitude of the seller during the selling transaction is also a boost to consider. This is a pretty cheap area overall to rectify.

With a real bad beater there are few expectations with a seller or buyer. A non working cruise control system then is usually way down the list.