Used Part Prices

[1969read]

There is an interesting thread, about used and NOS prices for alfa parts in the states. I myself have a alfa 90 and some part suppliers (not all) want a headlight price that you could buy a whole car for. I think some models of alfa have become so cheap,much like blue bird prices that there not going to be worth restoring. Do you think the part price should reflect the now market price of the model or the 50% price when new formula... Only thoughts Jason
p/s and I not in it for the costs or money........

[Damo105]

The parts industry is definitely capitalising on the popularity of certain models, such as 105 GT's. And some of the ebay prices used parts sell for are crazy. I think in part (pardon the pun) this is driven by the restorers with deep pockets, who'll pay any amount to get something they want. But I get annoyed at Ebayers and the like who try to exploit the market.

You have to shop around and know your prices, so you don't end up paying over the mark for used or NOS parts. I've seen people pay $300 for used tailights that you can buy new for similar money.

Supply and demand will always dictate prices, and if NOS parts are rare then the seller can ask what they like. As for repro parts, if someone goes to the trouble of tooling up to make them, I guess they want a decent return on their investment, and you can't blame them for that. And let's face it, if they didn't go to the trouble, there'd be lots of parts no longer available.

[1969read]

I was a few years ago Quoted for a damaged new old stock Alfa 90 bonnet, from a melb reseller for $1500 A Dollars, The Market value of the car was about 1200, and after a quick ring around Alfa them selfs had them still on their list for $1000 in the box. The Alfa community is a small one and the dishonest ones are quickly found out... Jason
( Still Haven't done anthing about the bonnet the cars is in the shed sleeping for a while......)

[alfa2go]

I've actually placed a few bits on ebay recently from 105 cars. As I have no idea of their worth, I just put in a low start and let the market decide. And yes it is a bit crazy what some people will pay, though some people prefer original than repro particularly if not by the same manufacturer.
Truth is if someone wanted some bits and contacted me directly I would be quite cheap or give away some bits. The buyer needs to be aware of the many different places you can buy parts now, particularly for 105 series cars. As Damo says, you need to be well informed, there are some bargains out there on ebay for the pickin'.

[italiansedanman]

I think one of the things worth keeping in mind, is that some of the vendors of Alfa parts have the original cost-of-goods in mind when they sell various items. Some of these people still have overheads to keep in mind when people like me, Derek and others on the BB are flogging things out of our 'sheds'.

I try and remember that when I am totally disheartened by the prices quoted for parts for our cars. Like Jason says though, the market value of the cars in some cases is really low, lower in fact than some single items. The 90 and the 33 are case in point, but because they're not really that old yet, many of the parts are still held by people who paid the full wholesale price to keep the item in stock 15 or 20 years ago.

I think Alfa Romeo part suppliers have it good though, because where they should really compromise a bit on what they might ask for, say a NOS Alfa 33 headlamp, they will romp it in on an item with a low cost for them like a 105 LSD, or a pair of 1750 series 1 seats etc, etc...

There's no definitive guide for what parts are worth - certainly as the old mantra goes "only as much as anyone is prepared to pay", which makes another old saying invaluable; "patience is a virtue..."

[Threealfas]

Yeah I haven't bought to many parts on ebay, other than my spare dash which I paid 300 for and I am really happy with that as I probably will get some of that back seeing as it came with spare gauges. I would avoid buying headlights on ebay as you don't know what you are getting, conditionwise. Besides you can get lights these days which are H4 and almost perfect substitues for the original Carellos.

You gotta be careful about auction fever, people get carried away and you end up with all sorts of items you have paid too much for.

[GoldCloverLeaf]

Ah yes the Alfa 90 headlights.... astronomical prices those are. The Alfa 90 is rare as it is, but right hand drive Alfa 90 is very rare on a world scale. Right hand drive headlights are different than LHD. I have heard of people that simply could not even find RHD headlights for sale at any price

If it helps much panels for a classic Range Rover are all over $1000 from the Land Rover dealer

[geofd]

I have an alfa 90 sitting at home rusting away, if anyone needs any parts such as lights or interior parts it can be arranged but you may have to wait some time as I am OS presently.
I want to keep the engine diff and brakes for a 105 GTV6 project

[1969read]

I would like the headights and bonnet cheers Jason

[alfanick]

Only a couple of weeks ago I learned that the old "shop around" is still true.

A Dual circuit Brake master Cylinder in Australia was quoted anywhere from
$650 to $850.

I bought one from Alfaholics for $ 448 including Air Mail from the UK.

Nick

[Threealfas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfanick Only a couple of weeks ago I learned that the old "shop around" is still true. A Dual circuit Brake master Cylinder in Australia was quoted anywhere from $650 to $850. I bought one from Alfaholics for $ 448 including Air Mail from the UK. Nick

[Timbowe]

I've had some good scores off ebay (US) of NOS bits and pieces. There are a few who are very overpriced though. But they still seem to sell thier stuff. Maybe just the auction fever.

[alfahaka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfanick Only a couple of weeks ago I learned that the old "shop around" is still true. A Dual circuit Brake master Cylinder in Australia was quoted anywhere from $650 to $850. I bought one from Alfaholics for $ 448 including Air Mail from the UK. Nick

[alfaseeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threealfas So you went down that path eh. I am sure a resleeve would have been just as good and a lot less expensive. Oh well each to his own.

[Threealfas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfaseeka Yep, had mine sleeved/rebuilt last December by Power Brakes in Adelaide, cost $243.80 including freight to Hobart - about half of the cheapest new one. They advertise in Just Cars and claim that they've been in the brake business for 50 years. They give helpful tech advice too.