Hashif Riyas

After seeing the ridiculous price hike nowadays, I don't think flipping as a business is almost not possible as @iRage said in this thread 😑. Yeah, A more common vehicle could possibly do, but surely not with bluebirds... For my driving pleasure thing, I'll have to probably pay the price , I inquired an Original Bluebird SSS exactly with the color I wanted and a fancier number and he's demanding 2.2 Million.

I'm planning on something like what wheeler dealers do, but with a few differences... Thank you. I'll be updating once I get done with one car and the end result thereafter.

Po15 is a giant vehicle compared to a Bluebird U14 right. That's why I guessed a 40K. Sorry for that. Yeah, prices are also not so stable nowadays. I understand, there will only be a thin and light margin off of a 2 Million worth car. Calling this type of work restoration & art of lowballing, were educated to me through this forum itself. I'm sorry to know I'm talking like a buyya now . This is where I got the urge. When we were hunting for our family van earlier this year. ** This time I'm referring to 'skf2v Sinha Moonas' and Mitsubishi po5s I initially saw an opportunity of abused interior , faded up paints, not so pleasant-looking home used vans with okayish mileages (140-170k) for vans above 2007. Nobody wanted them to look good, and nobody with the intent to use them personally wanted them. ** for the mileages I'm referring to not meter clocked ones, you can get an idea based on the condition if it's clocked or not... Those were not putty filled vehicles also didn't have any structural damages during inspection, just minor scratches & dents what you can generally see in a 2007+ models. They were listed for the market price like 3.5 Million those days and they negotiated a good 300K below, some even negotiated even more when repeatedly saying cash business . They would have never bought the vehicle above what their negotiating price is at the first point. They used it so roughly and took advantage on the appreciation of vehicle prices during covid and advertised when in need for cash. Just saying, If I buy a skf2v dx in the condition I mentioned above for 3.2 Million. For what you call 'dressing up', that will cost me around 200-250k and if I sell with a 100K margin based on the effort, will it be unethical. Mechanical side of things,on average, they just need some replacement of belts, filters, mounts, plugs and a complete service. I could even source an entire gl interior trim through part shops over here in akurana/gelioya for around 60K+. And already had an experience on transforming a van for 200k in total in 2020 November. Buyyas don't even care of what I'm talking of. they just buy, drive, clock, sell, their fixes won't even be above 50k I guess. I have seen vans reappearing on sewana with just a price hike of 500k. And even worse, a van like above with a mileage of 450k was up for sale in a group for 3.2 Million (we actually brought down the price to 3 Million but, wasn't very interested due to its mileage) . The same van is now put up for sale without any significant differences for 3.85 Million in anothers hands. The thing is I don't have a capital of 3 Million to start with. And I don't want to deal with vans as I'm young.

Paint stuff, actually I made myself a guess based on his previous quotes. He quoted 100K for spraying 1 coat of 2k paint for a delica po15. 'sale paints' are 50% cheaper than him here for the same vehicle. Bodyworks I didn't add, anyways if it has minor dents he once charged us only 15K for repairing including the paintwork needed, you can never find where the dent was earlier. The paintshop i'm referring to is based in kandy, so cheap labour costs may affect too. The above example is the listed price ( which can be negotiated too ). So one in perfect shape would cost around 12 - 15K SSS Grilles were listed in quicksite for 11k earlier. SSS Buffers can be bought for cheap like 20k for both through negotiating. Alloys - Yeah, I'm referring to some 14"/15" JDMs without tyres. Didn't get a quote recently. Mechanicals - As I have only dealt with mechanicals for vehicles from 2007+ . I really have to rethink, or try buying one and restoring. The misc expenses of 35k can be transferred in here. Interiors on cars I had a look, had nothing much to do. Just some cosmetic wear and tear that could be sorted out way cheaper.

My potential cost breakdown on a mechanically stable Common Bluebird would be * Project Eu14 1999/2000 Car assuming the market price is 2 Million and, Lowballing to 1.6 Million * 40K for the coat of paint * 40K SSS Exterior Parts* * 40K Complimenting Alloy Wheels * 30K Average Mechanical issues ( If any ) * 10K Interior Wear&Tear Fixes * A day and 5k for a DIY interior/exterior clean * Miscellaneous Expenses 35k 1.6 Million + 200K 😑 Rs. 1.8 Million Costing Car

U14s in general. I would personally love to get myself an English number original dark-blue SSS which is petrol, as you say I could lowball one hardly too 🙃. Primera's are looking good too will be doing a research on them out.

@Sylvi 1. The mech I'm referring to is an established workshop. They remove the specific part and give us to buy the replacement units. We alone should source them. 2. The painter is also a well known outsourcer, he charges reasonably and he values vehicles. So, the work quality is perfect. He sometimes overdelivers too.

@AVANTE Actually, I don't wanna be a buyya or a broker whom people hate the most. I want to drive and build cars. And drive them for a while, then when I get bored with it flip for profit. Anyways me restoring the car, I'll be happy to make cars aesthetically pleasing and make them roadworthy. Not referring to cheap fixes anyways. I want to deliver a good car to people not shutboxes with cheap fixes. I'm currently into Bluebird SU14s they look amazing with the sss headlights and shells on. There are some bluebird enthusiasts around too. But yeah, sourcing good bluebirds with English numbers will be a tough tough task.

@PreseaLover Thanks, I'll be checking them out! What is the highest grade presea, and is there any major difference between the other grades?

I'm planning to start a car flipping business for an aesthetic pleasure and some extra cashflow. Buying cars from the 90s with fixable issues from the users and through leasing auctions.Then add value and make them reliable by fixing running repairs doing paintjobs, detailing the interior and exterior. Customize them without changing the originality to make them look good like, nice set of alloy wheels. I know a painter, a mechanic and an upholsterer who do good quality work for an average price. I can source parts through recondition part shops in Akurana, Gelioya, Mawanella, Kurunegala and Delkanda, or at the worst situation ebay them. My starting budget would be 1.5 - 2 Million. And fixing budget would be 100-150k based on the car Cars that I'll love to flipping on my budget would be AE80 Sprinters, AE100s, 323s, Cefiros, Bluebirds, Lancers. Will be transparent to the customer on what I got replaced and what he will be getting. My dad did a recent positive flip with a 2007 van. But telling him this idea he says the fixing costs would be way too higher than i think. Will customers pay a premium of 100-200k than the market price for good-looking reliable vehicles which make heads-turn? And have anyone of you have tried this kinda business. Would like to know what your experiences are...