j3rry92

Hey everyone... This car has been in my family for 10 years, and has been in my posession for a little over the past 5 of those years. Ive slowly brought this car back to life along the way, pretty much touching every surface of it. Ive invested thousands, as well as came across some pretty sweet deals. I know I will never get out of it the amount of money i've dropped in it, but that is what makes it a hobby. This car is my daily driver and I believe it is time we part ways. Im in need of something roomier, safer, newer, and more fuel efficient. my question to you all is, in your honest opinion, what do you think the car is worth? Ive been told I wont get much over $1500 for it by some people, and other people told me I should easily be able to get 4 or 5 thousand. what is a good starting price to ask? I would appreciate your opinion guys. thanks

1988 Pontiac Firebird
2.8 Liter V-6, Automatic transmission
142,500 miles
A/C doesnt work
car runs and drives good
it has the trans am ground effects

some of the work done to the car:
-new exhaust pipe welded from the headers back
-18" stainless steel tips welded on
-Repainted factory GM Bright Red (EST $3,000)
-New 15% window tint on sides and rear
-custom candy smoked taillights with candy red center section (bird logo)
-New thermostat and newer radiator
-Rebuilt transmission (EST $1,100)
-New transmission and Strut arm mounts
-Rebuilt Headlight Motors and new headlights
-recent oilchange/tune up
-Newer battery
-New fuel pump (EST $300)
-Mass air Flow sensor replaced
-Upgraded to Transam rims 245-50-R16
-Recently wetsanded and buffed
-recent brake job all the way around
-Transam interior: seats, carpeting, un-cracked dash, and panels/trim
-Brand New sound system: CD player, Sub box and two 12" subs, new
amp, pioneer speakers front and back.

The car overall looks beautiful, and gets compliments all the time.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

Car looks clean. If it was mine, I wouldn't sell it for less than $2000, but if you can get the Ac fixed you could ask between that and $2500, especially considering where you live

j3rry92

yeah thats a big set back... Floridas heat. it pretty much needs everything to get the a/c going. compressor, Drier, and some lines. thats about what i was thinking I had it listed once for $3,000 and a potential buyer asked me why it was so cheap? They said they were unsure about buying it because they said for that price something serious had to be wrong with it. They lived a good distance away they said they did not want to meet up and be disapointed. I honestly think that was an excuse but i'm not sure.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

just explain to them that because it's a base model V6, it will never be worth what the Formulas and the GTA's are worth, but if they want to give you $5000, you'll be glad to take it

j3rry92

yeah definitely... id be more than glad. but alright man. thanks for your opinion, i appreciate it

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

Looks Great! I would cruise that as a daily all day!

Turbok9

Awwww. I saw "roomier, safer, newer" and KNEW I had the perfect trade.... then I saw "more fuel efficient". I doubt you'd care that it'll pull your house off it's foundation, hee hee. Oh well, guess I'll hang on to my e-350 cargo van a while longer...

j3rry92

lol yeah I think I'm going to pass that offer up..

Turbok9

Awwww.

:kicksrocks:

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

I guess that means that my crew cab pickup is out. lol It isn't for sale or trade.

Seriously for a price it might be a little hard because some areas can command a higher price. I would think 58 Mark is right though, about 2000-2500 sounds fair to me. It is a real good looking car. I wish I didn't have so many cars and had the money I would think about it.

Not to knock the car but the rocker ground effects look to be 82-84.

collin2201

Really, it just depends on who you are selling it to. Average would be $2500, but then again, there could be someone who appreciates it condition and throw more your way. Because that is a clean car. Wow.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

If i were you i would keep her if i can, shes a real beauty. You dont wanna sell it to anybody who doeant appreciate or wont take of her. Cause its heart wrenching when you see your old car you put alot of time into not being taken cared of by someone who thought it was a great deal. Fix the ac & keep her.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Throw it out there for $3500, because you inevitably are going to get lowballed. I also wouldn't let it go for less than $2000-$2500, assuming it was painted at a real body shop (not Maaco, not in your garage).

strigi86

the 4-5k would be easy if it had an 8 cylinder but even though its really clean youre gonna have a hard time selling a 6 for more than a couple grand..

unless you run into someone whos just gotta have it and lets you haggle with them, id just keep it after pouring so much $$$ into it.

j3rry92

Karls 92 Z28: yeah I know what you mean about it not getting taken care of. I would hate to see this car get ruined because the lack of someon not properly maintaining it. I really dont want to sell it because of the fact of how much work ive put into it and it only being a v-6 does actually limit how much I can get out of it.

Puma: it was painted by a family friend who is a certified painter, he only charged me for cost of materials so I got an awesome deal. He told me in his shop they would of charged me around 3k for this paintjob. I got the whole job done for a little over $600.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

if I thought you would take $2K, I would probably start looking for cheap airfare to florida so I could drive it back

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

I was going to post on the T/A GFX, but I see you added them too.

Looks good and I think 2-3000K is a fair value for it.

j3rry92

To be honest thats what ive tried figuring out myself. I havent seen any other base model v-6's with those ground effects installed from the factory in '88. The car has been in my families possesion since early 2001. The prior owner was a co-worker with my father. and it was his wifes car. She was the only other owner and I do not believe she had them installed. could that of been a possible option back when the car was bought from the manufactuer to have the ground effects installed on the car as an upgrade?

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Nah, pretty sure all Firebird/Formula in 88-89 had the black inserts.

They went to the T/A style GFX in 90.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

I forgot to mention I have an '88 too and when I sold it, it had 14X,XXX miles and it was in very nice condition. Rebuilt drivetrain, fresh paint and I got around $4500 for it! You never know, so set the bar high and just be prepared to drop. When I bought it back years later, it had close to 200K miles and I paid $500, haha.

j3rry92

Im guessing your car was a v8 with a/c? lol I was comparing my car to others that ive seen selling on craigslist and other auto sales websites, and typically most of the cars I find, are camaros and firebirds that need a significant amount of paint, body, and interior work, but the chassis and v8 motor seem to be in great condition, or occasionally I'll see a car that can use some minor TLC and looks decent but the mileage is extremely high. Considering this, I still see these cars listed around 2,500-3,000... My car is cleaner than most that I see around the area for sale but Ive been told I wont get much more out of it. Im just hoping someone will come across it that is into these cars and will appreciate it. Im not in a rush so ill just wait untill the time is right.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Nope, it was a 2.8 V6 too. Wouldn't be relevant to post V8 sale price in here, because it's just a fact they net more. Yes, I did have functioning A/C and all power accessories.

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

I am not sure if it was an option then or not but it would not have had the 82-84 style rocker ground effects. So something was done to the car in the past with the ground effects.

j3rry92

Wow lol.. yeah mine is as about as base model as it gets.. manual windows, locks, and seats. The dash has all the inserts for like trunk/hatch release, but my car didnt come equipped with any of it.

j3rry92

This has me very curious as to when/who had these installed. Im very clueless about it. Im gonna see if i can get in contact with the prior owner and find out what all was done to it

j3rry92

Well guys Sorry to bump such an old thread but I miss this community, and seriously miss my old bird. Thought Id give you all an update. I sold it back in August of 2011 and sadly the car lasted less than three months. I sold it to a young man (reckless kid) that completely had me fooled. He said he wanted to buy it so his dad and he could drop a motor in it and build it together. They wanted a clean platform to start from. I really thought it was going to a good home. The kid never got around to doing anything to the car except destroying it. He claims a mustang cut him off and the car wouldnt stop. That car had brand new brakes on all four wheels when I sold it to him. and looking at the damage, He had to be flying/racing. Take a look for yourself. I truly regret selling and I guess you live and learn. I have a love for these cars and hate to see how this one ended up. Im currently saving and keeping an eye out for my next thirdgen. I have a good reliable daily driver so I can take my time on my next one and not have to worry about a ride back and forth to work when its undergoing work. Hoping to pick one up sometime next year. I want to do a full restore as Ive attempted on my first one. But my next will definitely have more power! My goal is a nice weekend street car/occasional track car. Before we get to the depressing pictures, first I'll show you all my current rides and where my money has been going since.
2003 Mazdaspeed Protege. Reliable daily with great mpgs, turbo and lightly modded. This isnt really my type of car but I couldnt pass it up I got a great deal on it and I needed transportation. It didnt look anything like this when I bought it, Ive changed it quite a bit. Less than 5000 of these were produced and only 1100 were black so its an extremely rare car.


And my Real Toy:
2008 GSXR 600. Power Commander V, Yoshi Exhaust, Air filter, and few cosmetic upgrades. Bought used with 200 miles on it and it was completely stock, mint condition when I got my hands on it.


No to the sad part
Before I sold it:

3 Months after:

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Another One Bites The Dust.

j3rry92

indeed . The kid fortunately walked away from the accident; only sustained a deep gash from the steering column breaking and piercing his leg. Just hope he learned his lesson.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Kid was definately speeding by looks of the kinked roof!!!!!! Dam how fast was he going?!?!

j3rry92

I have no idea man, The kid wouldnt even talk to me about it. I seen the pictures online and asked him what happened and never got a response. The old bird that I brought back to life over the years, definitely put the team on her back so to speak. I couldnt believe the roof folded that bad from a front on collison. I believe it blew out the rear hatch glass as well. I almost bought a 89 camaro shell last week for $500, I decided to let it go because my main priority it paying the bike off first. But i'm very eager to get my hands on another one and get to work. Miss these cars way too much.

Lmancha96

Brings tears to my eyes to see those pics.... sorry man...

hope you get another one soon....

It goes to show that whether its a V6 or a V8 all you need is the right DUMBASS to mess it up....

2007xl50

That was a nice car you had there and it looks like the kid was for sure flying. Glad he is ok, but hope he did learn is lesson. Well keep your eyes open and I hope you have better luck with your search than I'm having. I'm in the market for a second 3rd gen, Camaro mostly and can't find anything around here for a decent price that is not a total beater.

IMissMy86TA

due to the condition I would say 3500. too bad it is a V6 though good gas mileage is a plus but I wouldn't use that one as a daily driver.

carlos64030

iTrader: (1)

Ummm... you're a little late to the party, dooood.