Thread: Fair Price?

The price of a Series 3 will largely reflect its condition, and in any case, because of the financial crisis the market is very uncertain. Also, since very few (good ones) come on the market, if one appears at the time two or more are seriously looking, then it will sell for a lot more than if it the same vehicle appears on the market when nobody is.

Having said that, a reasonable price for a swb S3 registered, with pink slip, and in generally good condition and not extensively modified, you should pay no more than $3,000. This would get you a petrol hardtop. For a diesel, probably add $500, for a fully restored version or a Game, perhaps as much as another $1000 or even $2000. From these figures start subtracting - any rust - $500-2000, anything that does not work - $100 up, poor upholstery - $100-750, significant modifications (including wheels, tyres, seats) without engineer's certificate - $500 up, less than good springs - $1000, gearbox anything but perfect - $750.

From this, you can see that price could easily drop to the scrap or parts value of perhaps $500, even for a running vehicle, although if it is that bad and has a pink slip, the latter is not worth the paper it is written on.

For an unregistered vehicle, expect to pay significantly less, nominally only the cost of registration and green slip, but you would want to be very certain it was roadworthy or you knew exactly what needed doing. As with any low priced car, tyre state and amount of rego to run will have an effect, although probably less on a Landrover than a daily driver.

Hope this helps,

John

The trade considers that the Safety Certificate, the tyres necessary to get one, and some registration has a value. Typically $1000-$2000 dependent on the quality of the tyres and wheels, and the amount of registration. Having these enables retail sale and thus profit.

Without these, an old vehicle like a Series is worth parts/wrecking, or scrap metal value, unless it is a collectable vehicle with appeal to collectors/restorers. JD's assessment is dead correct.

The collector/restorer market is fickle, typically trying to buy low, and sell excessively high in mostly futile attempts to recover the cost of restoration which really should be regarded as the cost of their hobby, not as value adding.

When i started looking around a couple of years ago i couldn't find one under $3000 in any condition. But i was prepared to do alot of work to get it running sweet and make it my own for the Beach etc. If i didn't get the ute i would be in the swb cruiseing now. But the ute is a main project now and SWB will wait until i have time ( still spending money on Stroker motors still ) and the ute.

But i found my SWB and the bloke just took reg off due to him not using it off his farm for 5 years but kept rego going on it until i jump the fence and asked him about it. Tho mine is for sale ( shameless Plug ) i still think they will become hard to find due to being so good.

Cheers

Brian

Originally Posted by JDNSW

The price of a Series 3 will largely reflect its condition, and in any case, because of the financial crisis the market is very uncertain. Also, since very few (good ones) come on the market, if one appears at the time two or more are seriously looking, then it will sell for a lot more than if it the same vehicle appears on the market when nobody is.

Having said that, a reasonable price for a swb S3 registered, with pink slip, and in generally good condition and not extensively modified, you should pay no more than $3,000. This would get you a petrol hardtop. For a diesel, probably add $500, for a fully restored version or a Game, perhaps as much as another $1000 or even $2000. From these figures start subtracting - any rust - $500-2000, anything that does not work - $100 up, poor upholstery - $100-750, significant modifications (including wheels, tyres, seats) without engineer's certificate - $500 up, less than good springs - $1000, gearbox anything but perfect - $750.

From this, you can see that price could easily drop to the scrap or parts value of perhaps $500, even for a running vehicle, although if it is that bad and has a pink slip, the latter is not worth the paper it is written on.

For an unregistered vehicle, expect to pay significantly less, nominally only the cost of registration and green slip, but you would want to be very certain it was roadworthy or you knew exactly what needed doing. As with any low priced car, tyre state and amount of rego to run will have an effect, although probably less on a Landrover than a daily driver.

Hope this helps,

John

I am just re reading over this old thread i started up when i was looking at a series 3 a while back i was at the time sad to miss out but am now happy as a great Diesel model has come up

Going off the prices above i am guessing i should not pay more then $3000...

It is a SWB Series 3 2.25 Diesel Safari model with the bucket seats, overhead compartment and door trim. The truck is in modest condition not show room floor or fully restored just a well maintained condition But only has a month of rego.

So would $3000 sound like a good limit? or could i bring it down to $2000 due to the rego? it will apparently pass with ease.

Rust is the determining factor, if it's got it $3000 may be too much, if it hasn't then an SWB diesel is a relatively rare vehicle. After all the price is little more than a couple or three weeks pay for most Australian's.

BTW: Can you enlighten me as to what is a "safari" model? and I take it that the bucket seats are from a car of some sort?

Diana

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Rust is the determining factor, if it's got it $3000 may be too much, if it hasn't then an SWB diesel is a relatively rare vehicle. After all the price is little more than a couple or three weeks pay for most Australian's.

BTW: Can you enlighten me as to what is a "safari" model? and I take it that the bucket seats are from a car of some sort?

Diana

I was told the "Safari" model comes with the split roof,bucket seats, door trim and an overhead console. I just got off the phone to him then and...

He has stated it is a 78 Series 3 with the 2.25 Diesel SWB. Tidy interior, Sunnys, New Tyres, Bad points are: Speedo doesn't work (so millage is a guess) Jumps out of second and third of you put the boot in then back off quick. And Rego is due at the end of the month. He claims it should pass rego i am just concerned for the speedo and he said it needs a oil pressure switch.

His original asking price is $2500 but he knows very little about the car "its just a car to me" He said to do my homework and find out what its worth... he said it might only be worth $1500 or could be worth $4000, either way as long as i can prove its only worth $1500 he will be happy and as will i but i am not wanting to rip this bloke off! i want a happy medium price.

There was no mention of rust, but as soon as i heard about the box having dramas i knocked at least $750 off it?

Cheers guys and sorry for the choppy post I'm still waking up!

I bought my 79 S3 SWB 2.25D last year in Perth for $1700. At time of purchase I noticed the rear crossmember base was rusted out, the firewall footwells were rusted out, 2nd would jump out, the glow plugs were wired incorrectly (not actually doing anything at all) and the speedo didn't work. The original asking price was $1700 and he would not go any lower.