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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Wanted to get your thoughts on what an extremely clean, all original, black 1984 Trans Am with a 305/manual T-5 is worth?
It’s a T-top, with turbo fin wheels.
There is one locally in my area and the gentleman is asking $8,000. The car has no rust, and the interior/exterior are in excellent condition with 82,000 miles. I’ve been out of the market for a number of years and wanted to get your thoughts on the value.
Thanks!
EDIT: I added some pics of the car. Tires have probably 40-50% tread life remaining.
Last edited by LoganKello; 01-18-2021 at 09:02 AM.
Take a look on Craigslist and see what you get for 8k. From what you describe, it's better than most of those without the awesome factor. Older, yeah. But its all relative. See if you can get it alittle better. Never know. I got mine for 900 less than ask. I would have paid the ask cuz, well, its as much as a 4 wheeler. Good luck.
I think he is probably a little high on his ask, but not crazy high. The Pontiacs are not pulling the value that the Chevy cars are. Just my two cents.....
These cars, the value is determined by their condition, and their option packages. "Optioned up" isn't necessarily The Holy Grail; more, The Right options. Mileage matters too; this one says 81k, probably the 1st time around, which is not low but not really high either.
Looks like it was kept indoors and not driven in the winter. Very important. Check CAREFULLY for rust.
Looks like a LG4 car to me. Especially by the tach. Could be wrong of course but I doubt it. L69 would probably add $1k to that car's value, or more, all else about it being equal.
Everybody thinks those wheels are GREAT, until it's time to buy tires; then they find out that the only tires you can buy TODAY that will even fit them, are made for cars 1000 lbs lighter, and most tire stores won't install them. Times have changed in that department. Personally I never did like those myself but that's a very personal kind of preference, I don't pretend to be any kind of "authority" that way. Personally I wouldn't now, and never would have, paid extra for them.
Old cars like that with unstained seats, a working "windowshade", carpet without holes, etc. are getting hard to find. All of that argues in favor of a higher value. Looks like maybe a repaint? The quality that went into that would be another big factor. It's FAR worse to have to scrape a layer of random goo off of a car before doing a first-rate paint job, than just dealing with old age.
The stereo installation doesn't excite me very much.
Still, it looks like a good clean car, good "survivor". Condition being as important as it is, that is its major strong point.
These cars, the value is determined by their condition, and their option packages. "Optioned up" isn't necessarily The Holy Grail; more, The Right options. Mileage matters too; this one says 81k, probably the 1st time around, which is not low but not really high either.
Looks like it was kept indoors and not driven in the winter. Very important. Check CAREFULLY for rust.
Looks like a LG4 car to me. Especially by the tach. Could be wrong of course but I doubt it. L69 would probably add $1k to that car's value, or more, all else about it being equal.
Everybody thinks those wheels are GREAT, until it's time to buy tires; then they find out that the only tires you can buy TODAY that will even fit them, are made for cars 1000 lbs lighter, and most tire stores won't install them. Times have changed in that department. Personally I never did like those myself but that's a very personal kind of preference, I don't pretend to be any kind of "authority" that way. Personally I wouldn't now, and never would have, paid extra for them.
Old cars like that with unstained seats, a working "windowshade", carpet without holes, etc. are getting hard to find. All of that argues in favor of a higher value. Looks like maybe a repaint? The quality that went into that would be another big factor. It's FAR worse to have to scrape a layer of random goo off of a car before doing a first-rate paint job, than just dealing with old age.
The stereo installation doesn't excite me very much.
Still, it looks like a good clean car, good "survivor". Condition being as important as it is, that is its major strong point.
Thanks for your input, this is all good to take into consideration. Really one thing that it has going is it’s a black 82-84 which is what I’ve ideally been aiming to find over the last few years...and this one appears to be in very good condition. And then there is the added bonus of being a manual (although I know the T-5’s weren’t all that hot, but I plan on keeping things stock as long as possible and just enjoy a good leisure cruise above anything else.
But I agree, I thought it was strange that there aren’t any badges (possible de-badge,and I, like you, wondered about a possible repaint.) I’m going to look in person in a few days. And one visual drawback is that horribly long and ugly rear wiper, but you can’t have it all I guess.
Anything else in particular to look for? Obviously t-top seals will be inspected thoroughly, oil cap inspected for residue, body, wheel wells, underbody and frame for rust...under dash wiring, all switches, etc.
I've never driven a manual thirdgen, but can easily operate manual transmissions. Anything specific to look for or feel with the clutch or T-5’s on these cars?
Regarding price, I agree, I’d like to be closer to $7k, but if it all checks out and I have a good feeling about it, and if he isn’t willing to negotiate, I guess at the end of the day I probably wouldn’t let $1k separate me from a purchase if his current ask isn’t a crazy overprice for what the car is.
If you think it'd be worth $7k to you, walk up to d00d with a stack of Benjamins, and start peeling em off. Start with about 60 of em. "Enough?" peel peel "How about now?" peel "All good?" You get my drift I'm sure.
NOT, "I can get it", not "this is all I've got", NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT. Only, peel peel peel peel. FEW THINGS negotiate as effectively as a tall stack of long green SITTING UNDER THE NOSE of the seller.
I have seen that car for sale for a while, and have actually tossed around buying it myself. My first car was a black/tan 83 Trans Am. He initially started out way higher on the price. It appears to be an awesome car by the pics, but definitely look it over good.
I have seen that car for sale for a while, and have actually tossed around buying it myself. My first car was a black/tan 83 Trans Am. He initially started out way higher on the price. It appears to be an awesome car by the pics, but definitely look it over good.
Where are you in Iowa? I'm in Rockwell City
Hello from Des Moines! I wondered as I just noticed today he’s had it for sale for a while, and figured he probably had been asking quite a bit more for it initially.
Alright guys, this is one for the archives. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this point.
I went and checked out the car and the body was rust free and underbody/frame were in excellent condition (former South Carolina car). Overall it is visually a solid survivor car. It drove well during the test drive, got it out and up to road speed, and decided to make the purchase, although wasn’t able to negotiate much off of the price...paid $7900...
About 30 minutes after leaving and driving the car down the interstate (with no issues whatsoever, cruising in 5th @2000-2500rpm), I came down a hill and heard a pop (almost sounded like a backfire) and then about 15-20 seconds later, the car popped out of 5th gear and wouldn’t go back in. I tried to shift it down into 4th and it eventually went, but when the throttle was applied, it began lurching/jerking.
ive read up on some issues others have had with the T-5’s and their ability to grenade seemingly randomly, even behind a stock 305. Now I don’t know that is what this is, but I’m guessing its probably what it would be. Anyway, I pulled off on the shoulder and came to a stop. Shifted into 1st, released the clutch, and the transmission would again begin to jerk/lurch. Had to call and arrange a tow, of which the tow company also has a repair shop (have very good reviews online, so hopefully they don’t price gouge given the circumstances). They’ll be checking things out in the next few days...but I’m wondering, if its the trans, would it even make sense to rebuild a T-5, or would there be a better (not overly expensive compared to the cost of a T-5 rebuild) trans to order and put in?
I have no current plans to upgrade horsepower, as the car will primarily be a cruiser. But I do want something that will be durable and long-lasting.
Lets just say, this hasn’t been the best of days for me...so go easy
That only happens to somebody else! It can't happen to you! That sucks. Keep us i formed with what happened. Obviously seem alittle more serious but keeping fingers crossed.
Also, I know you don't like the rear wiper. I have a hatch off of an 82 Trans Am that I'd get rid of cheap if you wanted to eliminate the wiper. It would have the right holes for your spoiler, too
I have to agree about the wiper: ugly as homemade sin, heavy (a problem w/ hatch struts), never really worked all that well to begin with, and with Rain-X so cheeeeep... just, no. Of all the options that could be classed as "desirable" I'd say that one is right up there with the tick-tock clock in the console. If I had one and could take it off, I would.
sold this one last year with 33k miles on it 5500.00 and it was a 5 speed lg4 .. tried 6800.00 for awhile with no luck and the car was all original and excellent condition..
sold this one last year with 33k miles on it 5500.00 and it was a 5 speed lg4 .. tried 6800.00 for awhile with no luck and the car was all original and excellent condition..
And I'm still pissed about that. Damn it, I should have jumped on it
sold this one last year with 33k miles on it 5500.00 and it was a 5 speed lg4 .. tried 6800.00 for awhile with no luck and the car was all original and excellent condition..
I really liked that car, a lot. I wonder how the new owner is enjoying it?
01-17-2021, 06:55 PM
FEW THINGS negotiate as effectively as a tall stack of long green SITTING UNDER THE NOSE of the seller. 
