Wheeler dealers Aust trading up

[Uncle_Ken]

Watched this on Foxtel last night. Interesting the cars he bought and the $$ he made. Must be laughing with the Ford Escort..
UK

Location

Vehicle

Budget

Purchase Price

Additional
Costs

Final Selling Price

Profit / Loss

Sydney, Australia

Ford Falcon Futura AU II

$3,000

$900

$215

$2,790

$1,675

• Mike went to a scrapyard where he found a second hand driver-side mirror and headlamp for $80
• Mike changed the parts and resprayed the bumper himself in order to cut the costs
• Mike sourced out second hand camping equipment and bought it for around $135

Mazda RX-7

$4,675

$4,050

$450

$3,600

-$900

• Mike had the car repainted for $450
• Mike's friend, Richard put the car in his showroom to attract attention
• The first bid on the Mazda was $5,130 with $480 profit, but in the end the deal was called off

Holden Commodore VU II UTE

$3,775

$4,750

$450

$5,850

$650

• Mike had to pay for the car via his credit card as there hadn't been a sale with the Mazda at this point
• The car was detailed and the calipers were painted for $450
• The car was sold to one of the mechanics who was working on the car

Ford Escort Mk 1

$4,425

$4,950

$1,368

$14,240

$7,922

United Kingdom

• The car was shipped to UK in a container with a cost of $1,280
• Mike had to register the car in the UK for $88
• The floor panel was repaired

[Uncle_Ken]

Sorry re format, didn't copy that well from Wikipedia.
From the AU wagon he made $1,675,
the RX7 he lost $900,
the Holden ute $650 profit
and made $7,922 from the Ford Escort he sent back to England.
UK

[Simple6]

You have "spoiler alert" in the title.

I'm not going to read your posts (I saw the line about how much was made on the XR6 and stopped there so it wasn't ruined for me), but knowing this is actually broadcast at the moment is awesome because I love watching Wheeler Dealers and have always wanted an Aussie series to exist.

[smciner1]

Great to watch. I think it is a great show. Loved the part on the Touring Car Masters Cars and the interview with Graham Alexander. Raced with him at the Geelong Revival last year.

[Uncle_Ken]

Sorry re sploier alert Simple6, never thought of that...

Smciner1 its interesting to 'see' how they show Australia in a car show (like top gear).

UK

[Boza]

I wonder how he went with RWC certificates and all the transfer fee's to get the car's into his name so he can do it legit or did the producer's pay someone with an LMCT do transfer the car's

The reason I wonder is cause I have heard of people selling car's to backpacker's or international student's that held an international drivers licence and because it's the seller's responsibility to transfer the vehicle details and they couldn't because and international license number is not valid at least here in Victoria to transfer the car out of your name so what was happening was these people were cruising around in car's in other people's name and racking up fine's and was a huge stuff around with paperwork transferring fine's etc....... In the end they just cancelled the rego cause these people weren't doing the right thing and transferring the car's into there name.

[xr6 nut]

Originally Posted by Boza

I wonder how he went with RWC certificates and all the transfer fee's to get the car's into his name so he can do it legit or did the producer's pay someone with an LMCT do transfer the car's

that's what he/the producers (ed chinia and co) did in the previous series of "trading up"
i seriously doubt mike would have much to do with the behind the scenes work like finding/buying/regoing/legalities anyway

[T-Pak Addict]

Like the show and have been watching for many years....

Ed is just a trooper isn't he, some of the crap that comes into the workshop...
Cant wait to the Aussie episode anyway...

[FGX335]

Yep, they also didn't factor in the cost of flights from Melbourne to Sydney and the Gold Coast, or fuel to get the cars home. But still entertaining nonetheless.

[CyberWasp]

Just goes to show you can make money, even at the bottom of the market.
Now all I got to do is flip around 34 AU Falcons @$1600 profit so I can buy a FGX XR8.

[fnm17]

Originally Posted by FGX335

Yep, they also didn't factor in the cost of flights from Melbourne to Sydney and the Gold Coast, or fuel to get the cars home. But still entertaining nonetheless.

It was a good one to watch as I always wonder how he would go in Oz.

But yeah I thought the same thing, what about all the travel time and hotels while waiting for the body work on the RX7 to be done.

[T-Pak Addict]

If I was overseas doing that kind of thing and on holiday so to speak = free trip

But knowing the market is half the battle....
The car stuff is easy...

[Uncle_Ken]

Yeah its a bit of fun but interesting, I would love to know the 'real' costs if an average guy from AUS tried to do the same thing without a film crew in support.
UK

[Revolver]

Same as "Fast and Loud"

Buy cheap. Put minimal work into it if its not a big build, then flip it for some easy cash.

[smciner1]

Originally Posted by Boza

I wonder how he went with RWC certificates and all the transfer fee's to get the car's into his name so he can do it legit or did the producer's pay someone with an LMCT do transfer the car's

The reason I wonder is cause I have heard of people selling car's to backpacker's or international student's that held an international drivers licence and because it's the seller's responsibility to transfer the vehicle details and they couldn't because and international license number is not valid at least here in Victoria to transfer the car out of your name so what was happening was these people were cruising around in car's in other people's name and racking up fine's and was a huge stuff around with paperwork transferring fine's etc....... In the end they just cancelled the rego cause these people weren't doing the right thing and transferring the car's into there name.

His Mate the Dealer who he got the first Car from I am tipping.

[commonrails]

I bought a very beat up 07 hilux workmate ute earlier this year and done a lot of work to it and flipped it for a $4,600 profit. Like others have said they don't list all the cost on wheeler dealers and it's the little things that really add up on these sort of flips, not to mention the hours of labour put into the build. I only did the lux as I knew the bloke that was selling it and couldn't let it pass at that money.

[Boza]

I wonder how people flip cars these days with all the RWC checks and background checks on the internet. what I mean is if I saw the right car I liked it, looked at it, then did the background check and saw it was transferred from one guy to another within the last 30 days and I asked him why he was selling it, and he says I don't want it anymore I'd walk away cause it would look like the car had a problem.

[T-Pak Addict]

Years ago I used to buy EL Xcabs in Victoria for around 800 bucks drive them to SA, give them a good clean, fix anything that needed doing, rego and then sell them for $2500.... EL's were a popular car and when the AU's started coming out cheap, no one wanted them so didn't continue... So ended my flipping days...

I guess if you studied the market and knew what was what, there could be a few bucks made. Lets face it most people don't look after their cars these days and something as little as a clutch plate will see the owners bailing and selling it cheap.... People get quoted ridiculous prices to fix simple stuff for the home mechanic and that's where you can make some coin. How many cars to you see on ebay etc with blown clutches, head gaskets etc going for a song.... and the average joe wont even touch them...

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by commonrails

I bought a very beat up 07 hilux workmate ute earlier this year and done a lot of work to it and flipped it for a $4,600 profit. Like others have said they don't list all the cost on wheeler dealers and it's the little things that really add up on these sort of flips, not to mention the hours of labour put into the build. I only did the lux as I knew the bloke that was selling it and couldn't let it pass at that money.

Yeah for those who watch the show, they do their cost sheet but always leave out the labour cost (tools, building etc). If you do a simple addon labour they don't make much $$ at all. Mind you I don't think try to misled
UK

[T-Pak Addict]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

they do their cost sheet but always leave out the labour cost

How many of us quote labour costs when we work/mod on our own cars....

I think the show is aimed at the backyarder fixing up their own cars/buying a cheap car and doing it up...

[CoupeKing]

Wheeler Dealers has been going for over a decade now. Its a good show. No drama. They usually just work on classics. The mechanic comes from an Engineering background, so he can fix just about anything. He also explains how everything works, and has every tool you can think of.

He`s like 6'8, and that mike guy often brings tiny cars for him to work on, like a mini or moke,lol. Or to troll him, he will purchase a car that needs a rear main seal replacement, but just tells him a service and some new wheels should do the trick......then comes back later that arvo demanding to know why it isnt finished yet.

[Uncle_Ken]

I agree Coupe and T Pak, its easy to watch I and enjoy it. I am not a mechanic but I do like how they do not always 'fix' the same thing/part. I think paint is the most repeated but they cover that Ok as well. I will watch the next stage when they are back in UK,
UK (not UK but UK Uncle Ken

[T-Pak Addict]

Paint is always an issue on most older cars, so does get covered a bit..
What I do like is Ed explains things pretty well in easy to understand ways that 95% of people will get... Also there is not of the BS/Infighting to get ratings...

I like American Restorations as well... They are just amazing at what they do....

I could go on about the shows on PayTV I like but I guess my Top 5 would be...

Overhaulin
Wheeler Dealers
American Restorations
Fast N Loud
American Pickers

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by T-Pak Addict

Paint is always an issue on most older cars, so does get covered a bit..
What I do like is Ed explains things pretty well in easy to understand ways that 95% of people will get... Also there is not of the BS/Infighting to get ratings...

I like American Restorations as well... They are just amazing at what they do....

I could go on about the shows on PayTV I like but I guess my Top 5 would be...

Overhaulin
Wheeler Dealers
American Restorations
Fast N Loud
American Pickers

Interesting list...I would go...

Wheeler Dealers
Mark Evans IS born series (MG, Jag etc)
Overhaulin
American Restorations
American Hotrod (the early ones)
Fast N Loud
American Pickers

I agree some could see the show Wheeler Dealers as 'dumbed down' but I think they explain enough without getting to 'long winded'. The show is not a how to. Overhaulin I like to see less 'show' and more build.

UK

[T-Pak Addict]

Forgot about Mark Evens.... I find him funny in a weird kind of way when he tries to make something funny and it doesn't quite pay off.... Car SOS isn't too bad either...

[Uncle_Ken]

He is strange and I can see the jokes coming a mile away, he give more detail though but his build are way longer. I enjoyed his e Type Jag build. Car SOS is OK as well.
Trying to think of one I DONT like....ummm
UK

[T-Pak Addict]

Rides.... Only one I don't like... Don't get me wrong the show is OK but it's just something about Jason Priestley's voice that reminds me of nails on a blackboard.....

I like US Top Gear and also the UK Version (that goes without saying)....

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by T-Pak Addict

Rides.... Only one I don't like... Don't get me wrong the show is OK but it's just something about Jason Priestley's voice that reminds me of nails on a blackboard.....

I like US Top Gear and also the UK Version (that goes without saying)....

Yes to top gears I agree re Rides, never got into that or chasing classic cars.

UK