Recently, I was contacted by a couple in New Mexico to see if I would be interested in buying their 1966 Datsun 166 Convertible. I called this post “1966 Datsun 1600 Convertible In A Box” because this was a project vehicle for her husband, who has had this vehicle in the garage since around 2006.
It’s listed over on CoolCarGuy.com at this link for sale with a Call For Pricing, but I’ll include some photos in this article to check it out. Once this vehicle is sold the listing will disappear, but this blog post will continue being here. The vehicle has been torn down and it needs a complete rebuild since the owner doesn’t have the ability any longer to put it back together himself. He said that he has purchased all of the parts to rebuild it, including a second engine, tires, with boxes of parts to rebuild this vehicle. I’m not sure if everything is there, but for sure most of it is and he paid to get the vehicle professionally painted silver and keeps it covered in his garage. Which is why I said it’s “in a box” in the description of this post.
His wife wants it out of their garage since she’s doing some remodels at their home, so somebody is going to get a really cool vehicle to rebuild as a project vehicle. I wanted to create this post to talk about the 1966 Datsun 1600 Convertible because it’s a really cool vehicle. There were only 11,000 of these vehicles manufactured from 1965 to 1967. It’s hard telling how many of them ended up in the crusher or in a junk yard someone over the past 57 years, so it’s a pretty rare bird. There is a website that is dedicated to all things Datsun that is a cool resource to check out at Datsun.org. It hasn’t been updated in a few years, but it is still a pretty good resource if you’re a fan of Datsun.
Datsun became Nissan for people who don’t know this and Nissan is owned by Renault a French company, but the old Japanese Datsun product has a cult following today. This is actually a pretty reasonably priced vehicle to own a cool car compared to some of the older classic American muscle cars today. According to Haggerty.com the vehicle currently in good condition has a value of $17,300, but a most recent sale went for $47,300. You can click on this link and see the valuation according to Hagerty for this vehicle.
I’m sure someone out there is going to want to get this vehicle and rebuild it for a really cool 1966 Datsun sports car or to add it to their collection after the rebuild. If you want to see a good video from another dealership that was selling a similar vehicle check this video out on YouTube.
The Cool Car Guy – John Boyd
🚦 Where to Go Next Love cars as much as I do? Here’s how you can plug into the new Cool Car Guy ecosystem:
👉 CoolCarGuy.com — List, showcase, or trade cool cars. Enthusiast rides only. No clutter, no commissions.
👉 CarsFreak.com — The wide-open directory for everything automotive. Cars, shops, parts, services, events — if it’s car-related, it belongs.
This blog is the story side. The directories are where the action happens. 🚗💨
Welcome to the CoolCarGuy.com blog for 2024, where shameless self-promotion meets valuable insights into the world of car buying. You might be wondering, “Why choose CoolCarGuy.com for my vehicle needs?” This is a fair question, and in this article, we’ll explore what sets CoolCarGuy.com apart from franchise and giant used car dealerships like VRoom, Carvana, CARMAX, Autonation, and others.
The Downfall of Giants
Recent events have seen giants like Carvana and Vroom facing challenges. Carvana almost went out of business, and Vroom, once a Wall Street sensation, is now on the decline. This prompts a couple of crucial questions: Why did they struggle after raising millions of dollars and being darlings of Wall Street? What was their unique selling proposition? The second question is one that people often ask about CoolCarGuy.com.
CoolCarGuy.com’s Boutique Approach
CoolCarGuy.com operates differently. It’s not here to compete with Wall Street giants that demand hefty profits per vehicle to cover numerous expenses. Wall Street companies have to make money for shareholders and are often paying ten different employees from one car sale. Instead, CoolCarGuy.com operates on a boutique model, emphasizing personalized service, expertise, and a genuine passion for cars.
John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy
With a personal history of owning over 60 automobiles and a 40-year passion for cars, John Boyd, aka The Cool Car Guy, is no stranger to the automotive world. His journey brokering began buying and selling a few of his personal cars, offering advice on car buying to others, and eventually transitioning into brokering cars for others in 2005. His unique set of skills and deep industry knowledge led him to become The Cool Car Guy.
The Value of Relationships
CoolCarGuy.com isn’t just about buying or selling a car; it’s about building lasting relationships. Leveraging John’s extensive network, clients have access to trusted mechanics, specialists, and consultants. These relationships go beyond the purchase, with clients reaching out for advice or referrals years later.
A Network of Passionate Consultants
Licensed consultants with CoolCarGuy.com share the same passion for vehicles. From former managers at reputable dealerships to experts in vehicle auctions and seasoned car enthusiasts, the network of consultants is carefully chosen for their expertise and dedication.
At CoolCarGuy.com it is more like accessing a network of “Realtors for cars” than a traditional car dealership. A realtor doesn’t have a lot of 30 homes sitting there and waiting for people to come and walk the lot. They find you a home you’re interested in purchasing based on your wants and needs. You’re not going to hear a sales manager at CoolCarGuy.com say to a salesperson, “Try to get them to buy that green SUV we’ve had on our lot for 90 days.” Our approach is to assist our clients in getting the vehicle they want at the price they want without the ridiculous sales tactics used by most car dealerships.
CoolCarGuy.com Beyond Colorado
John lives in New Mexico and CoolCarGuy.com continues its operations in Colorado, serving numerous clients across the country. The boutique model, focused on quality over quantity, ensures that CoolCarGuy.com remains a trusted resource for those who appreciate the value it brings to the automotive industry. CoolCarGuy.com does business differently than other car dealerships by its very design by trying not to be everything to everyone.
The Power of CoolCarGuy.com
CoolCarGuy.com may not be for everyone, and that’s by design. The majority of its business comes from repeat and referral clients who understand the unique value it provides. While marketing is limited, the emphasis is on working with clients who recognize the expertise and personalized service CoolCarGuy.com offers.
Many large car dealers have a goal to sell hundreds or even thousands of vehicles a month. CoolCarGuy.com focuses on working with just a few hundred clients and friends each year to provide a better experience. Clients of CoolCarGuy.com receive actual personal service and have an engaging and fun experience getting a new or used vehicle that isn’t available from large corporate run dealerships. It’s a completely different approach that is rarely found in most businesses today.
Connect with CoolCarGuy.com
Whether you’re in Colorado or anywhere in the country, CoolCarGuy.com invites those who appreciate a different car-buying experience to connect. Visit the main site to explore the expertise of Cool Car Guy’s network of passionate consultants or to reach out to John directly. You will discover that if you call him, he actually answers his own phone.
In the world of car buying, CoolCarGuy.com stands out as a boutique alternative, offering a unique blend of expertise, passion, and personalized service that goes beyond the transaction.
The Cool Car Guy – John Boyd
🚦 Where to Go Next Love cars as much as I do? Here’s how you can plug into the new Cool Car Guy ecosystem:
👉 CoolCarGuy.com — List, showcase, or trade cool cars. Enthusiast rides only. No clutter, no commissions.
👉 CarsFreak.com — The wide-open directory for everything automotive. Cars, shops, parts, services, events — if it’s car-related, it belongs.
This blog is the story side. The directories are where the action happens. 🚗💨
I have taken a long break from writing at The Cool Car Guy’s Blog. I’ve been crazy busy delivering vehicles to clients over the past couple of years. We moved from Castle Rock, Colorado to Rio Rancho, NM back in April of 2021. We took advantage of the ridiculous home prices caused by inflation to sell our home from COVID-19 like millions of other people around America. CoolCarGuy.com is still in full swing in Lone Tree, CO.
I decided I needed to write an article on the real reason that car prices have gone through the roof since I own a car dealership. Especially, when I hear all of these talking heads on Wall Street trying to tell everyone that this is temporary because of a microchip shortage.
First of all, let’s talk about the fact that traditionally cars are depreciating assets. In a normal economic climate if you buy a new car and drive it about 15,000 miles a year that vehicle is going to drop in value. A vehicle typically depreciates about 30% to 50% over three years. This is how leasing a vehicle works. When you lease, you pay for the depreciation of the vehicle.
Let’s look at a Toyota 4Runner as a real life example. In 2018 a Toyota 4Runner had an original MSRP of $34,810 – $45,160 depending on the trim level and options. An SR5 Premium with 4WD had an MSRP of $36,400. It should sell at auction three years later with 45,000 miles coming off of a lease for about 25% of the MSRP price. This means that it should have depreciated to about $27,300 if it lost 25% of its original value. This is pretty amazing because they hold their value extremely well compared to other vehicles in the marketplace.
Typically, 4Runners depreciate about 25% to 30% over 3 years where many other vehicles depreciate 40% or even 50% of their original MSRP during the same period. If you leased it and drove it 45,000 miles and gave it back to the leasing company at the end of the lease, it should be selling at auction for around $27,300 at the high end in a good market. Is this true after this Covid-19 world that has been created with $5 trillion of money dumped into the economy? Not even close.
IN JUNE OF 2021, A 2018 TOYOTA RUNNER SR5 PREMIUM IS SELLING AT AUCTION FOR MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL MSRP – SAY WHAT?!
The graphic above is a screenshot of what a 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Premium with an average condition of 4.0 out of 5.0. This vehicle right now is selling for $38,500 minus auction fees. It didn’t depreciate at all in three years, but in fact it appreciated. It is selling for more than the original MSRP, This is not normal by any stretch of the imagination. Which means that if you leased this vehicle, you are in a profit position should you want to get out of it.. Call me if you’re in this situation by the way or you have a leased vehicle before you give it back to the leasing company.
WHAT IS GOING ON AND IS THIS REALLY A MICROCHIP SITUATION LIKE THE MEDIA WANTS EVERYONE TO BELIEVE?
If you turn on the major news programs you will hear their narrative that the problem is primarily supply shortages since the chip manufacturers quit making components. While this is true, let’s put the automobile market in perspective. In 2019, which was before the Covid-19 virus outbreak, automakers sold more than 17 million vehicles in the U.S. for a fifth consecutive year. That seems like a large number of vehicles and it is, but that’s the new car market. There are over 276 million used vehicles in the United States. Did they all disappear?
Of course not. In 2019, the same year that 17 million new vehicles were sold, almost 41 million used vehicles were sold. These used vehicles were not waiting on microchips. The reality is that we are living in an economy with run-a-way inflation.
The Federal Reserve has pumped over $5 trillion into the marketplace. This is causing inflation and they have kept interest rates down, which is driving up the prices of just about everything, including automobiles. They are in a Catch-22 because they can’t tell everyone there is massive inflation and unemployment, even though it’s obvious and you don’t have to read tea leaves to figure it out. They don’t want to create a Wall Street panic and sell off because Capitalism works on consumers buying automobiles, houses, food, etc. Nobody wants to overpay for things and lose money if they have to sell.
Almost 10 million people unemployed, while they are saying that there are 9.4 million jobs. Sure, if you want to go and earn $10 an hour when the average price of a new vehicle is over $40,000 right now. In what world does that work financially? It doesn’t. By shutting down the economy the government stopped a train going 100 miles an hour and the cars in the back are now starting to hit the front of the train. They are trying to convince people that this is just temporary because of the Covid-19 shut downs and it’s all going to come back to normal soon. Maybe in a few years, but you can’t just put the derailed train back on the tracks and keep moving.
You can’t have run away inflation and not have a major increase in wages for the poor and middle class to be able to afford to buy “stuff”. It is economics 101 and any kid who has ran a lemonade stand will understand this. Imagine you pull up to a lemonade stand ran by a 10 year old and you expect to get a cold glass of lemonade for $.50, but to your surprise it’s $10.00, warm and in a dixie cup. You look at the kid and he says, “Sorry but I can’t stand out here all day for fifty cents a glass. You know with the cost of water, ice and lemons these days I have to charge $10 or the math doesn’t work.” Is that a sustainable business or is that lemonade stand going to cease to exist?
Nobody can afford to pay for that kid’s lemonade unless it’s some rich guy in the neighborhood who just wants to give the kid some money each day and buy his lemonade. And these dummies in Washington and at the Federal Reserve are trying to tell everyone that isn’t what’s happening. That’s exactly what is happening. They have pumped $5 trillion into this economy to try to help the kid at the lemonade stand, but it’s not sustainable. They have millions of people getting paid more to stay home than if they worked a job.
The reality is that unemployed people cannot get financed to buy used cars or houses. Millions of people have had their credit destroyed because of the government lock downs, so even if they can get financed it’s going to be at high interest rates. You can’t get a loan if you don’t have a job or bad credit, so these millions of people are not trading out of their vehicles. They can’t. They have to keep them and drive them or pay cash for a vehicle. And that’s why we have a shortage of overprice used vehicles right now. It’s supply and demand for sure, but it’s not just because of missing microchips for new car production. In the words of James Carville in 1992, “It’s the economy stupid”.
I’m often amazed at what some dealerships get away with when it comes to charging for their repair services. Recently, I purchased a 2017 BMW 430 x-drive vehicle for a client and I always get an oil change and inspection prior to delivery.
In this case, I dropped the vehicle off at the local BMW shop where they say advertise that they use Castrol synthetic oil and they charge $135 for an oil change. This is a bit high, but I wanted them to check on recalls as well as look over the vehicle as well for any warranty work that’s needed. I was told by a tech that it is actually Pennzoil synthetic that they are using, while advertising Castrol, which is really pathetic that some franchise dealerships do this sort of thing.
I wanted to get a tire rotation as well for my client and they called me back to tell me that it was $60 for a tire rotation. This is pretty unreal considering that if you go to a local tire shop and ask them to check the brakes they will usually do a tire rotation for free. Most smaller repair shops charge at the most about $10 per tire, so $15 a tire at a dealership isn’t that terrible.
However, I’ve seen shops charge as much as $125 for a tire rotation, which is totally insane. In my case, time is money since I typically get a vehicle in and if I’m taking it to a franchise dealership it’s easier for me to pay for an overpriced tire rotation and oil change than run it around to various shops. It’s also a good idea when you are first getting a used car to run it to a franchise dealership and even if you get an oil change or tire rotation you are now in the system for that vehicle as the new owner for recall notices, etc.
Also, if you need warranty work down the road the vehicle has been in the system for any future warranty issues that may come up. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve traded for used vehicles and I have gone to the franchise dealership to get warranty work done and there is no record of any work done in the system.
It can be a pain if you can’t prove proper maintenance has been done as some manufacturers like to play games about their warranties. I have found that some manufacturers want you to do all routine maintenance on the vehicle at the dealership in order to honor the warranty. They are not supposed to do this, but they often do depending on the brand.
Most mechanics will tell you that tire rotation is an integral part of car care regimen. It’s important that you rotate the tire position of each tir every few thousand miles. The advantage of doing routine tire rotation is that it can increase tire longevity, which is a cost savings of having to replace tires. It also can improve safety while driving. The tires can be rotated in multiple patterns and there is some debate on the best way to rotate depending on the tires and the vehicle, but you can usually check the owner’s manual for the recommended rotation pattern. However, people often change the type of tire or tread pattern from the original tires.
I’ve often found too that many manufacturers put on really cheap tires initially, which makes sense since they are looking for cost savings when they are manufacturing a vehicle. I’ve seen the cost of a tire rotations range from free – $125 and if you buy a set of tires many places will offer you free rotations. It’s important to shop around when you’re getting vehicle serviced. The cost tire rotation lies between $24-$120 relying on where the motorist takes his intermediary.
THE COST OF REPAIRS ON SOME VEHICLES CAN BE COSTLY AND FRANCHISE DEALERS CHARGE AS MUCH AS $300 AN HOUR
If you’re going to a dealership to get repair work done it’s important to ask what their “dollar per hour” charge is for service. It’s pretty crazy, some of the franchise dealerships are charging attorney rates to work on your vehicle.
Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy John is an auto consultant who owns CoolCarGuy.com, a licensed car dealership in Lone Tree, CO. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com or Twitter @coolcarguy
One of the things that I often like to do is find really cool luxury or exclusive vehicles through the dealer auctions that had a huge original MSRP and see what they are going to for today. I am going to do a number of articles on these type of vehicles to give my readers an idea of how you could be driving an amazing vehicle for a huge discount compared to what they sold for new.
The media tends to focus on the new car market, but the used car market dwarfs the size of the new vehicle market year after year. People know that they can save thousands of dollars driving a used vehicle compared to a new vehicle. If there are 18 million new vehicles sold there is usually about 42 million used vehicles that are sold each year.
There is also a number of third-party websites that put the value of what a used vehicle should be selling for based on miles and condition, so it’s pretty difficult to get burned buying a used vehicle. Unless the vehicle is total junk to begin with, but many times you can find a diamond in the rough. I decided to post this iconic 2000 Rolls Royce Silver Seraph as an example.
MOST VEHICLES DEPRECIATE AND SOME MORE THAN OTHERS, BUT CERTAIN VEHICLES REACH A POINT WHERE THEY DEPRECIATE VERY SLOWLY
The 2000 Rolls Royce Silver Seraph is a great example. In the year 2000 this vehicle had an original MSRP of $219,900. Fast forward 19 years later and you can find these vehicles for anywhere from about $52,000 on the low end to $87,900 on the high retail end. Thats as much as a 77% savings for an older Rolls Royce. Here’s a link to the NADA book value where you can see what the current value is a vehicle like this one.
This particular vehicle that was listed in the dealer auction only had 34,000 original miles. It was manufactured in the deep royal blue color with the stratos leather interior. It included a sunroof and the seat piping had french navy color with the burr walnut wood veneered interior trim. It even has the veneered picnic tables and navigation with two umbrellas. If you want to read the Wikipedia section about this vehicle you can find out about it by clicking here.
