Quoted from Fieldsweeper:I just didn't see how it still could garner so much more. Like restoring most cars You spend more than you could sell it for. Maybe not here.
After going through a full resto with my FH I can attest to cost of making one perfect and $8k would not cover it in my case. I think $8k on one that's finished, dialed in, and is as close to nib as any other that exists is a very fair deal.
2 years ago I would've also felt a fully restored game is not worth the price difference - and to many its not. There's a huge gap between a 30 year old players game thats "nice" and completely new restoration. After spending a little more time in the hobby you will probably find this out first hand. The seller admitted that the parts alone cost more than his asking price so he's still losing $ not even accounting for labor hours which follows with your car restoration comparison. I'm still a newbie at just a couple years in the hobby and would still not think of publicly shooting someone's price down. Whats the purpose, even if you did know what you were talking about?