I have seen some high prices being asked based on appraised value. Who are these people? Do you have to be certified or something or do you take an ICS course ?

I would like to talk to one. This from autotrader:

1986 Trans Am, 5.0/TPI, auto., 31k orig. mi., 16in. tires, Recaro orig. int., white/w tan/grey int., orig. Eagle on hood, appraised $8500, asking $7500

There is also an 85 there, 1,238 miles for 21,000 !!

1985 TransAm-305 tune port,LOW MILEAGE (1238),automatic,air-conditioned,casett player,tilt-wheel,16"wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes,black with black/gray interior,T-tops which have never been OUT,car has always been garaged--Never been in the rain


Don

 

The guy who appraised the '85 IROC I sold seemed to know his stuff. He has owned more than a hundred classic and antique cars since 1948, and was or still is (I forget) the editor of some high-brow car collector magazine. I believe knowing how to accurately determine the value of a car is purely based on experience. Some of these guys live at classic auto auctions buying and selling for wealthy clients, and they can see firsthand what certain cars will bring. I'm sure there are some shady appraisers out there, ones that really don't have the experience to back them up, but it's like everything else in life; you get what you pay for.

 

those prices about seem pretty reasonable to me

 

Don't get an appraisal by anyone who's not a member of the American Society of Appraisers. Once you find one that's a member, ask what their title is. If he/she is an Accredited Senior Appraiser, you've got the person you want. Be forwarned though. These guys are expensive.

If anyone wants a name of such a person, state so and I'll publish it here.

 

Sure Willie, pass it on, Id like to talk to him. I called the guy about the 86 Recaro Option, He said the apraiser was like an antique guy or something. here is what his car looks like:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/att...&postid=726013

 

The guy that does mine only charges $50 for a car, but he was an adjuster for several Ins agencies, he knows his stuff...

The ins company does not even blink twice when he does the job. Lawrence Karns, 810-686-2047.

I do not know if he will talk on the phone, but he might know someone.

A typical appraiser cost about $100 or so...

John

 

Thanks John,

Ill give him a ring to see whats up with the 85-86 Recaro option cars...It tickels me a bit to know that after being on this board for a year now, no one else has shown up with a factory original car like the one in my garage.

Eddie has an 86, thats one exception and we all know it's not factory

 

I almost snagged a set of those Recaro Seats from an 84 Trans AM...

John

 

I search now and then for the seats just to see if I can find them. I have seen some beaters for 400 bucks a pair before.

John ,there were 2 bucket versions for 84, the 15th Anni and the Recaro Edition. Do you remember how much they were?

Don

 

they said recaro, never cecked on price, there GONE by now, its been about 2 years

John

 

Those asking prices may or may not be high but what you're being asked to pay for is the low mileage. Low mileage on a collectible car brings a premium. Why? You can't roll back the clock and year after year the value will only go one way .... up.

Consider the following:

The NADA guide for an 86 with 31K miles is still only $3045.00, regardless of options. This is including a $170.00 add for low mileage. HOWEVER every one of us in his right mind knows that a car like this would be worth more than that as well as the value of having that number of miles.

An insurance adjuster appraises "value of loss". And keep in mind even though they may be deemed independent they still either work for or are paid by an insurance company that's trying to squeeze by for the lowest possible amount.

And last the appraised value or book value is only as good as what you can get. Many a car sells for half of what the appraised value.

The most important value in selling or buying is "market value".