Car value?

[BobT]

I've got a 2001 Chrysler Concorde, 2.7L V6, 120,000 miles. This past spring a head gasket leaked coolant into the crankcase. I took it to a mechanic for repairs. The heads were resurfaced, replaced the water pump, replaced the hydraulic timing chain tensioners, flushed the engine to clean out the contaminated crankcase, and other things. Everything seemed to be okay until a couple weeks ago when a rod started knocking. There does appear to be metal filings in the oil so my guess is that the contaminated oil did more damage than suspected.

I'm not really interested in sinking more cash into this vehicle so I'm considering cutting my losses and finding something else. The rest of the car is in good mechanical condition and the transmission seems to be okay to the best of my knowledge.

A co-worker is interested in possibly buying the car from me as is and rebuilding the engine himself. I've been trying to figure out a fair price to ask for the car. The motor runs but for all practical purposes I consider it toast.

Checking KBB the private party value for the car using the "good" condition rating is about $2900.00. If the engine was in running condition I would rate the vehicle as "good." The "fair" condition value KBB gave it was $2300.00 but that would still require the car to be in some reasonable mechanical condition.

Would I be out of line asking $1,000.00 for the car as is?

Thanks,

[Jeremy airjer W]

Retail your looking at $1500 to $2,000 for an engine. IMO its worth $200 to $800 depending on the buyer and how long you want to look at it. Start high and let him talk you down. If you asked for $1200 and ended up with $900 i would say you both did o.k.

[Biggestfish]

^^ I was going to say $500. IMO not worth much, but you never know 100% for sure.

[BobT]

Retail your looking at $1500 to $2,000 for an engine. IMO its worth $200 to $800 depending on the buyer and how long you want to look at it. Start high and let him talk you down. If you asked for $1200 and ended up with $900 i would say you both did o.k.

Where are you able to find an engine for that price? I assume you're talking rebuilt? The best price I've found so far was $3,200.00 with exchange plus installation. A small block would be ideal but I have not been able to find a rebuilt small block for that engine.

[Macgyver55]

Bob, I think he is probably talking used engines. There are several listed online for both EGR and non EGR motors (in this area) for anywhere from $900 to $1800 depending on mileage. Some have as low as 66,000 miles...some over 200,000.

[Scott K]

Bob, I think he is probably talking used engines. There are several listed online for both EGR and non EGR motors (in this area) for anywhere from $900 to $1800 depending on mileage. Some have as low as 66,000 miles...some over 200,000.

I thought all junk yard motors had 60,000 on them

[Jeremy airjer W]

I assume you're talking rebuilt? The best price I've found so far was $3,200.00 with exchange plus installation. A small block would be ideal but I have not been able to find a rebuilt small block for that engine.

Used motors.

The block with pistons and crank would be a short block. A complete engine would be a long block

[BobT]

Oops. I meant short block.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I was pretty sure you where not interested in dropping a chevy oops I mean Chevrolet small block into it. Although converting it to rear wheel drive and the power to weight ratio might make for a pretty good little sleeper car!!

[shizzy]

I would tell him $1000 and if he blinks, ask him what its worth to him. in my eyes anything over 6-7 hundred is more than fair.

[BobT]

Thanks for the help.

[Shack]

Quote:

2001 Chrysler Concorde, 2.7L V6, 120,000 miles.

Good luck rebuilding that. Hate to say it bob, but not even some of the best heavy-line tech's I have worked with at Chrysler dealerships would even think of attempting a rebuild on that engine. I have an Intrepid that needs a used 2.7l motor in it. Only has 60,000 miles on it and is in great condition. Downside was around 4 years ago used 2.7l engines that actually ran were extremely hard to come by and with over 100,000 miles on them, yards still wanted $3000-$4000. Plus with the history of these engines installing used is like screwing in a used light bulb. The 2.7l was as reliable & rebuild-able as the late 80's Mitsubishi 2.6L brain child of Chrysler. Not your problem though.

All I am going to say is get what you can or either donate it for the tax right off. $500.00 cash for that vehicle would not be a low enough number for me. I got the one I have now (dealer reman at the time was over $7000.00 installed) for $100. I am almost at the point of just wanting it gone unless I could pick up a used motor for under $1000.

Good luck!

[BobT]

Thanks for your honest opinion. It sounds like we are on the same page. I have found it very difficult to find a used engine and as already stated, rebuilt engines are expensive. I'd like to ask for $1,000.00 but I highly doubt I could get that much simply because of the work that would be involved with replacing that engine. The only good thing is the rest of the car is in very good condition. Slight rust beginning to show around the driver's rear fender and one scuff mark on the right rear door but not through the paint with no dents. I believe the car could have quite a few years left in it so I'd hate to just dump it for salvage.

[Big Buck Buster]

I was pretty sure you where not interested in dropping a chevy oops I mean Chevrolet small block into it. Although converting it to rear wheel drive and the power to weight ratio might make for a pretty good little sleeper car!!

It has been done before. I have a couple classmates that took an intrepid and put a small block chevy in it. They also took a Beretta and put a small block in that also. Talk about a sleeper car!!

[Shack]

Quote:

I believe the car could have quite a few years left in it so I'd hate to just dump it for salvage.

I know the feeling Bob. That is what keeps me hodling on to many things I have in my personal collection.

If you can get a $1000.00 by all means try. Never hurts to ask & a man may look one way at a price and the next will look at in another way.

The easiest way to do this motor is to drop it with the sub-frame from the bottom. Going out of the hood area is a nightmare.

[BobT]

I want to think of it from his perspective. If it had a good running engine I figure it might be worth $3,000.00. If I were the buyer would I consider spending $1,000.00 for the car and then investing another $2000-$5000 fixing it up depending on whether I would be doing the work myself or hiring it done? I could end up spending a lot more than it's worth but I'd also have a better idea of what I have too.

I could see where $1000.00 might be too high. Maybe I'll ask for $750.00 and see if we can settle for something over $600.00.

[Scott K]

Easy, tell him to make you an offer first.