Can YOU get paid to do the cannonball run?

"Turner950s" (Turner950s) 10/28/2013 at 21:26 • Filed to: Cannonball Cars

0

11

Yes, you! Or me, or anyone.

Classic cars cost a lot less on parts of the West Coast where rust doesn't exist.

I go to school on the West Coast and live on the East Coast, so I will be driving cross country a lot in order to have my car in both locations. My idea is that I should buy a rust-free classic and drive it home to sell for a profit. This would give me more storage space than my Miata has, for one. Unfortunately, for most '80s cars the price disparity between the coasts seems too little to make up for fuel costs over what they would be in my current 28mpg Miata ($500 one way in the Miata). My question to oppo is this: Which cars don't exist on the east coast and are worth a lot more because of that?

For reference, here are a few contenders I think might be worth a little more to the right buyer on the East Coast.

535is: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

MGB-GT: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Alfa Spider Veloce: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Alfa 2.0: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

And here's a lowly graduate edition Alfa. From what I have researched, these were the cheapest of the Spiders. Also, this one has an aftermarket wheel and roll bar which suggest possible hooning.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 21:30

2

Reverse Cannonball run:

Go to starting line

Buy a car

Drive it from California to New York

First person to sell the car for more than they paid for it wins.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 21:39

1

I would have to think most of the fun would be driving a different car across the country every time. As far as price disparity I think you would have trouble finding much of one to make up the fuel. If you can get a car cheap enough you might be able to make a profit anyway.

Turner950s > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif 10/28/2013 at 21:47

0

I'm trying to make up at least the difference in fuel, i.e. if I buy an e28 that costs $100 more to cross the country than the Miata, I'll try and make at least $100 in profit off of what I paid for the car in California.

The challenge is in hoping nothing breaks along the way, or that the 3,000 extra miles don't significantly effect the price.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 21:51

0

At the very least it would be nice to have a free trip across the country in a different car each time. But, with a lower budget (I'm also a college student, I understand) it might be hard to make money on the car after the trip. Also, it is quite obvious, but I would take my time with the trip. Such a distance on an older vehicle in a short amount of time could be disastrous. Still, I would tell you to go for it. I took a chance an bought a 71' 2002 (originally from California, I live in MD) for my first car. At the time I didn't even know how to drive a manual. Point of the story, take a chance and experience something not many others our age will. Best of luck an have fun doing it. Keep us posted, you never know what you might run into.

Makoyouidiot > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 10/28/2013 at 21:52

0

Sounds like a TopGear challenge

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 21:59

0

A lot of if's on a cross country drive, no way to know what kind of market you are buying and selling in. Its a bold idea and I hope it works for ya. Risking a cross country trip to save $100 bucks in a car you may not know that well is risky. But also a great time crusing across country in an old Alfa

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Makoyouidiot 10/28/2013 at 22:00

0

They tried it, got rocks thrown at them.

Makoyouidiot > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 10/28/2013 at 22:05

0

One of my favorites.

SpeedSix > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 22:10

2

Note: These cars listed probably don't suit you the best, since they include my preferential bias, but anyway ...

1968 Mercedes-Benz 280S (W108 S-Class) - $3900

1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL (R107 SL-Class) - $6500

1976 Mercedes-Benz 280 (W115 E-Class) - $6250

1988 Volvo 780 Bertoné Coupé - $4500

1974 Mazda RX-4 - $7500

1992 Mazda MX-3 - $2100

1987 Peugeot 505 V6 - $4000

1979 Honda Civic - $1999

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 22:45

0

I live in Pittsburgh, and of the three, I have rarely, if ever, seen the 535. That said, you can't go wrong with any of them. I'll start saving my money and take one of them off your hands.

Jonee > Turner950s 10/28/2013 at 23:12

0

The MGB would be the one that would be worth it, I think. Or, at least the one with profit. I doubt it would make the trip without repairs, but bring some spare parts and tools and you should be fine.