Hammer Time: Old Fart Heaven

Just for bowel movements and mirth (PC version), I like to visit eBay’s “No Reserve” section. Where is it? Well, there actually isn’t one, but if you type in a given car or model year and then type “No Reserve,” “NR” or “N/R,” you can actually find some very interesting deals. Clicking on Completed Items will show you the market. The many (Police Interceptors), the few (Oldsmobiles), or the one (Grand Marquis). The ones with the green Sold marks and multiple bids are the ones worth a look and, of course, the deals are all over the map. But a lot of the offerings inevitably hit right around the Average Manheim Market Value. Take for instance this 2009 Lincoln Town Car with 3400 miles.

Town Cars are still pretty popular amongst the livery trade and those older folks seeking a travel car. Not my cup of tea but nothing wrong with that. The one just mentioned sold for $26,600. The average retail value? $26,500. When I looked at 2008 Town Cars, I found only one sold on the Completed Items section with 27,000 miles. The price. $19,700 + $299 bogus fee, so around $20K altogether. On the MMR side, the number of sold vehicles for 2009 was 18. 2008? Over 600. Believe it or not Town Cars are still quite common at the sales.

From there the no reserve offerings on eBay drop off the proverbial cliff with none sold until you get to a 2000 Lincoln Town Car with a dent on the roof and 115,000 miles. Supposedly owned by an older fellow (which can always be confirmed). That sold for $3,050 and if the information in the listing is correct, you can probably take care of said dent and scratch for around $300. Once again. It appears that in terms of bang for the buck, the seven to nine year old vehicle is the way to go. Especially if it’s an older person’s car.