Tony Leopardo - Buyer beware!

[dhh]

I spoke with a local appraiser, and they classified the car as a "grade 4" and that it isn't worth more than 15-22k. When I made an offer to the guy (Tony Leopardo) he blew up into a fit of rage. I'm posting this here because of the unprofessional behavior from a (supposedly) prominent mopar enthusiast. It's one thing to price a car too high, but it's even worse to get this offended by a well-researched offer.

I don't know what Tony said to you that you consider "unprofessional" but if I was asking $47K for MY car, and somebody offered less then half "15-22K" ....I might not "blow into a fit of rage", but I certainly would laugh directly in your face and not let the door hit you on your way out....

You're forgetting one thing when purchasing a classic car....the SELLER has all the power....he has the car that you don't.....you either pay his price or move on....I agree, this car has been advertised for a very long time and hasn't sold.....I can't speak to it's condition, or it's value....but the OWNER thinks it's worth $47K and that's all that matters....he's obviously NOT a motivated seller. Why try and drag his name through the mud, making a negative post about him because he didn't want to sell you his car ?

As for your local appraiser and his "grade 4" value.....I think he's a little inaccurate and likely doesn't know much about 1970 Cuda's, otherwise he would know that "15-22K" barely gets you a rusted out project car, especially a 70 340 Cuda.

You have a $50K budget, so why even insult this guy by making a lowball offer ? If the car itself is not up to YOUR expectations...move on...

You can offer me a $1.00 for my car. I won't blowup. I'll just say, "No thank you!"

Yeah my point isn't really about the price, it was about the response to my offer. No one should respond to an offer by yelling at a buyer over the phone using every single swear word in the book. If he had simply said that the offer was too low I wouldn't have made this post! But someone with that poor character does not deserve a second chance.

[anlauto]

As I said, I don't know the details of your conversation with Tony and whether or not it warrants a public bashing of his name, that's up to you to decide. His actions on the phone speak volumes about his character, as does your reaction

You have a fairly decent budget in mind for a driver quality 1970 340 4spd LimeLite Cuda, so, be patient, and I'm sure one will come along....and I'm sure you'll meet lots of different characters during your quest

[dhh]

As I said, I don't know the details of your conversation with Tony and whether or not it warrants a public bashing of his name, that's up to you to decide. His actions on the phone speak volumes about his character, as does your reaction

You have a fairly decent budget in mind for a driver quality 1970 340 4spd LimeLite Cuda, so, be patient, and I'm sure one will come along....and I'm sure you'll meet lots of different characters during your quest

Meeting new folks is one of the best parts about this hobby!

[Cuda_mark]

I'll agree this 340 'cuda isn't worth $47K but it is worth significantly more than $22K   

I'd love to have a Lancia Stratos & because my budget will not allow that to happen doesn't translate to the cars being overpriced or their owners being out of touch 

@dhh 

Yeah, those Lancia Stratos are crazy cars. I wish I could own one too!! One of the few foreign cars I would love to own (along with a Porsche 930)

[Crocha617]

That car has been for sale for at least 10 years. It has been through ebay a million times and at one point had a buy it now of like mid $30s. Its definately not worth anywhere near $47k . I'm not 100% it's been thr same seller all this time but can tell you many of the pictures are the same.

[Matt M]

At least 10 years....
Its the same guy. I think when I spoke to him the car was at 25K or something like that.....
He was not the easiest guy to get information out of.
I passed

[dodj]

I'd love to have a Lancia Stratos

Me too!

[6bblgt]

sorry for the HiJack 

[dhh]

sorry for the HiJack 

They look super cool. Haven't heard of them until now 

[6bblgt]

a more familiar "LOOK" 

[Ebody Edgar]

Interesting first post....we have no idea of what kind of person the OP is...

Tony has owned that car and most of the cars in his collection for years. He is not a flipper.  He does not have patience for folks like the OP so the OP most likely was the instigator. While many of you were in diapers he was collecting & driving mopar. I visited his collection in the late 80's. He has always asked a lot of money for his cars when for sale.

While the car in question may not be $47k it is rust free clean clean and worth more than what the OP wanted to steal the car for. It's been a while since I spoke to him, maybe i will give him a call and hear what he has to say....i bet that will be an interesting conversation


 

[anlauto]

Interesting first post....we have no idea of what kind of person the OP is...

The OP is, in his own words....
"I'm probably younger than most people in the classic car community (24) but I've always enjoyed talking with folks who know about cars." and is very honest about his current level of knowledge ...."I have very little first-hand experience with these cars, but after watching Rust Valley Restorers on Netflix, I decided I want to get a classic Mopar. "

So with that, I can possibly understand why a person like Tony, who is asking $47K for his car, gets a little short fused when the OP called to explain why his car is NOT worth that kind of money and proceed to offer him less than half of his asking price.

Hopefully with our collective guidance, we can help find the OP his 1970 Cuda dream car...

[1972V21Cuda]

Interesting first post....we have no idea of what kind of person the OP is...

Tony has owned that car and most of the cars in his collection for years. He is not a flipper.  He does not have patience for folks like the OP so the OP most likely was the instigator. While many of you were in diapers he was collecting & driving mopar. I visited his collection in the late 80's. He has always asked a lot of money for his cars when for sale.

While the car in question may not be $47k it is rust free clean clean and worth more than what the OP wanted to steal the car for. It's been a while since I spoke to him, maybe i will give him a call and hear what he has to say....i bet that will be an interesting conversation


 

Even with the poorly done photos in the ad, it's easy to see that the car has some issues.

[Purepony]

A lot of these prices fall into supply, demand and opinions.

Your appraiser/expert says that car is under 25k
The seller things it's 45-50
You made what you think is a fair offer based on a third party's opinion

Here's where it gets tricky. Let's say your inspector said that cars worth 10k and has proof, testimony and whatnot. Well thats great but where will you find a cuda for that price in the same shape as this green one? You won't there's none. That's the problem, you can't just cross the street and see another cuda, you can cross the street and probably find one for more? So it's really a personal choice but I'll guarantee you that in 5-10 years you'll wish you bought that cuda because by then they'll be more!

Unless dyno corn starts selling a cuda body then I think the same 69 camaro problem will happen when there's more 69 camaros now than in 69 lolz

When I bought my challenger everyone laughed because I did over pay but I wanted the car. Now I couldn't buy a challenger for 4800 in pieces let alone the one I got with decent metal and a straight body

It's tough I get your frustration and I also get his. I have idiots who will ask me if my cars for sale and most of the time these idiots think I'm some kid who just drives an old car and is willing and desperate to take the first 2500 I can get for it so I can buy my dream car a Honda Civic lolx

If you want to stay around the 18-25 range I'd look at maybe 70, 72,73 and 74 challengers, roadrunners 74-76, dusters, darts or first generation cudas.

Anyway good luck

[Matt13]

Years ago I had a 1970 olds Cutlass w/ the high compression 350, buckets, loaded. Great looking car but by no means mint. I had it priced reasonably. A guy came out and went through it with a fine tooth comb for almost 40 mins. Proceeded to offer me a ridiculous price. At this point I had invested about an hour dealing with this guy. Politely told him sorry. Absolutely no need to swear, get angry, etc. just not a match. Mind you, I was pissed considering how long it took for him to throw me an insulting offer. What can you do? Getting mad doesn't sell the car or give you time back.