I have a 1988 Trans-Am and I have a pin-hole leak on the brake line. I also found out that my spring in the rear-right it about to go due to the piece that holds it is rusted away. So, here are the bad and the good about the car. Bad: It had a manifold exhaust leak. The hood and rear hatch shocks that hold up the car need to be replaced. The rear hatch motor needs replaced The right-side quarter panel needs to be replaced due to the salt in massachusetts in the winter time. It has rust underneath the car and a lot of spots, it has "bubbled" up underneath the paint, around the windshield. The air-compressor seems as it is on its way out ( I never used the air-conditioner - that is what the t-tops is used for). Good: Has a good seats and interior Has a good hood and rear hatch. (I have a brand new spoiler - painted, but that will be sold seperately) Has T-Tops in good condition. Has GTA rims in good condition (5 rims) Has BF Goodrich G-Force T/A tires in great condition (about $185 each). It was painted about 3 years ago. Has a remanufactured transmission (replaced in 2005) Has a brand-new rear-end (replaced in 2002). Engine still runs strong (about 175,000 miles - synthetic oil replace every 3,000 miles) So, give my your thoughts and what you think the car is worth. Thanks. Brian

~$1200

With all the rust it really isn't worth that much more then the sum of it's parts. All the new parts (transmission and rearend) add little value to the car as they re required to make it run, all you did the "restore" the value of the car.

In WA a car with that much rust would be stripped for parts... there are too many that don't need the rust repair to deal with a car that does.

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of selling the car for $1000 to $1200.

I know someone was interested in buying, but I believe he has a price tag of $300 to $500 for the car and I know the rims, tires and T-tops as parts is more that that (especially the tires, which are in great condition).

Brian

No offense, but what kind of condition can the rest of th eparts be in if the body was allowed to rust away? Also, a 3 year old paint job is worthless with paint bubbles and rust issues. I would think the car is more in line with what the buyer is willing to pay, $500. As was mentioned, you can get a non rusted car with similar miles and condition for about $1200. Part it out for your best return. As a whole, it's pretty much worthless.

yeah, at least until their numbers drop low enough for it to be worth it, like 69 dodge chargers are worth now, they are starting to rebuild basket case rust buckets

It sounds like something I would use for a parts car... you mention pinholes and rusted out springs... So I am thinking the car is pretty well gone...

BTW, a "basketcase" (as I think about it) would typically a car that has been torn apart and has to be rebuilt. Not a car that is rusted. Thus the term Basket As you haul away parts in a basket.

John