Roger is a big man, and he likes a big car.
Four years ago, he bought a big 1989 Chevrolet Caprice. The car still looks new. Roger still likes it. But the Chevy has more than 100,000 miles on it.
It also has one unusual extra that most old cars don’t have.
People 275 miles away are trying to buy it. Roger has had three letters from companies wanting his Caprice.
More Top Picks Sony Xb10
One is from International Inc. in Lenexa, Kan.
“Dear Prospective Seller,” the letter began.
“I am looking to purchase Chevrolet Caprices. If you own a four-door or station wagon that is a Classic, Brougham or LS with high or low mileage, and is a V-8, regardless of the condition, I would like for you to call me.
“Do not miss out on this rare opportunity!” the letter said.
What’s so rare about an aging Chevy?
Used Chevy Caprices are big deals in some Arab countries. Companies such as International Inc. are buying them up and shipping them out.
Sam Asfoor, of Kuwait, says International is a family-owned business that ships 500 to 600 cars a month.
“We advertise in papers around the country. We stop people on the street and ask to buy their cars. We call dealerships to give us a lead. Arab people love the Chevy Impala and the Caprice. GM quit making the Impala, and the demand for the Caprice doubled.”
Why a Caprice?
“It has rear-wheel-drive, a V-8 engine and air conditioning. The car is not complicated and not computerized, so people can work on it. Parts are easy to get.”
The Caprice is popular with the Arab middle class. Rich Arabs don’t buy Chevys, except as second cars to run errands. The shipped Chevys also are used for taxicabs, security vehicles and limos.
But to many Americans, all Arabs are oil sheiks, and Asfoor says that makes his job harder.
“People think we are all rich. One guy is asking $80,000 for his 1990 Caprice. Ridiculous!
“Another wants $10,000 for a 1987 Caprice with 100,000 miles on it. He doesn’t understand. When the model year changes, his car will be worth much less.”
Overseas, Caprice buyers are getting pickier, Asfoor said.
“Kuwait only wants ’89s and newer. The United Arab Emirates used to take anything. Now they only want ’87s and up. We send Saudi Arabia the oldest cars-1984s and newer.
How much can Roger get for his ’89?
Asfoor said it could bring $5,000 to $6,500, with the right stuff.
“We’d have to send someone to see it. The condition of the paint, the tires and the engine is important. The highest we go is $10,500 for a 1991 Chevy LTZ.”
But Asfoor wants different features than your average car dealer. These cars are going to desert climates.
“White is a good color. It’s the hardest color to find in the United States, but we will pay top dollar for a white car.”
His second choice is charcoal gray. Burgundy and dark blue are third.
“The worst color is brown. We could have a brown car over there 10 years, and it wouldn’t sell. Other bad colors are yellow, silver, tan, beige, orange, pink and any two-tone. They’ll have to be repainted.”
Leather seats are bad. “Leather burns your legs in a hot climate. We want velour.
More Top Picks Toilets Boat
“If the car doesn’t have a temperature gauge, we don’t want it. If it has frame damage, we don’t mess with it.”
And sunroofs? Asfoor loves them.
But Asfoor is like any other car dealer in one way. He says he gives the highest prices for used cars.
Caprices for sale in the newspaper seemed to have higher price tags. An ’87 Caprice Classic with 56,000 miles was $5,995. A low-mileage ’88 wagon had a price of $6,795. Both were older than Roger’s car.
Bill Stenger, a sales rep at Feld Chevrolet, said companies such as Asfoor’s are not offering top prices. Those are wholesale prices.
“These companies try to buy as close to wholesale as they can.”