Advice on buying an M715

[doomsday]

Hello everyone,
I just stumbled across this site recently by viewing a few threads on SteelSoldiers. I live in Virginia and have been interested in owning an M715 for years--coolest lines of all time in my opinion. I have been looking around on Ebay and Craigslist for a while and am hoping you can all give me an idea of what one should realistically pay for one of these trucks. I know that everything is only worth what someone is willing to pay, but I came across this buying guide that is 5 years old. Can you all weigh in as to whether this sounds right or have the values gone up or down since then. I realize there are many factors that can change the value more so than these vague descriptions, but I just don't want the mistake of thinking I have found a solid truck for a good price only to find out later I paid double what I should have.

Here is the guide from military trader:
Condition code Value (dollars)
6 1,100
5 2,500
4 3,750
3 6,500
2 9,500
1 11,000

Scarcity: 2

Military Vehicles

Magazine uses a given a value based on a 1-to-6 condition grading scale as follows:

1=Excellent: Restored to maximum professional standards, or a near-perfect original.

2=Fine: Well-restored, or a combination of superior restoration and excellent original parts.

3=Very Good: Complete and operable original or older restoration, or a very good amateur restoration with all presentable and serviceable parts inside and out.

4=Good: Functional or needing only minor work to be functional. Also, a deteriorated restoration or poor amateur restoration.

5=Restorable: Needs complete restoration of body, chassis, and interior. May or may not be running, but is not wrecked, weathered or stripped to the point of being useful only for parts.

6=Parts Vehicle: Deteriorated beyond the point of restoration.

- See more at: http://www.militarytrader.com/milita....QX4y8yaD.dpuf

[md1970]

don't believe the magazine.............. nice trucks hardly ever will go for 11k but rather up towards 16k. what are you going to do with this ? you don't want nice if your gonna work it. a 2-4k truck that is pretty nice is buy far the best route but if you want a parade queen it will cost you. shop around,watch ebay,these for sale forums. theres always some for sale. do your homework. don't get impatient............
m

[Flingarrows]

It looks like a good starting point, but I am with MD1970, real nice trucks are bringing in more $$$

In the classifieds here, a member just bought a 715 or two that were listed as parts trucks for $900 and change.

I would say that a nice truck, in the middle of that scale would be around 3500-5500. I guess that is my opinion, others can chime in as well.

Good luck with your search!

[doomsday]

Thanks guys for the advice. I had a feeling that they were worth more than this suggested. I have seen some really bad ones listed for quite a few grand and then some top end versions as well, but not nearly as many in that middle ground to get a good sense of the price as it is often hard to find out what they really ended up selling for versus the asking price.

[Mikel]

Rust, rust, rust. Mechanicals are much easy to fix.

[jeepdan]

Rust, rust, rust. Mechanicals are much easy to fix.

If you are lucky enough to find one that is in running condition and was stored indoors as a fire truck most of it's life. Expect $4,000-$5,000 range.
Mine met that criteria, and I felt fortunate to get it for $4,500 back in 2012.