There is an 85 Trans AM at a local mechanics lot that hs been sitting for at least 3 years. THis is what I remember:

Its 2 tone silver, Not really rusty, but rough, you can see touch up spots in the paint from repairs.
Hard-Top
NON WS6
Power Windows, Locks, CC,
Manual mirrors
Aftermarket radio
LB9 Engine - BLOWN, does not run.
Auto Trans

I was thinking of offering $200.

John

 

Why not go for broke? As close as you already are, just see if he'll gift it to you outright.

Seriously; "Value", whatever that is, has nothing whatsoever to do with what he'll part with it for. He's a DEALER. That means he has money in it. He'll part with it for enough to cover his costs, more or less. Which is whatever he has in the purchase of it (could be nothing, could be $1000, probably less than $100), plus whatever he figures it cost him to have it sit around. Figure out what that is, and start peeling off $5 bills (well, maybe $10s), and most likely you could push it home.

 

Its not a dealer, he is a mechanic, and the car has been sitting there for years.... Basically its taking up space on his lot.

John

 

Same principle.... he's in it to make money. Or at least, to not lose any more than he has to, any more often than he can avoid.

Same advice.... go offer him something. Just don't PO him by making him think you're lowballing him, unless you think that would work. Whatever somebody here or anywhere else thinks the "value" of one of these cars is, doesn't matter. What matters, is what it's worth to HIM. He's obviously not getting much out of it now (unless he likes it as a lot ornament.... not bloody likely) so maybe anything at all that he gets for it is better than what he's getting for it now.

 

I know CASH speeks volumes, Bring a bunch of Jacksons and things happen...

A non running 3rd gen no matter what model is not worth too much, there is too much of a bubble that were riding on right now. There is a BIG gap between the Junk and the Collectors. Give it some time and that will change but for now its kind of a neat place.

Take the same car, running and cherry condition and were looking at around $5K to $8K according to NADA.com

John

 

honestly I'd walk up with a hundred bucks and say "hey I'll give u this for that car."

We own a shop and we've had that happen. Usually it's a deadbeat customer that didn't pay. We can put a lean on it and sell it for what they owe (in this case probably nothing since it was probably there to have the motor replaced) but that's a huge hassle. We've just dumped cars down the street to get stolen before.

Most likely he doesn't have the title and will have to put a lean on it to get the title. But I'd still try offering $100 bucks. It might be his.

 

I know the feeling John,
I am going to look at a newly painted Black 1989 Trans Am with a blown motor this weekend.
The guy wants 3 grand for it.
I know that the guy won't like my offer!

Good luck getting that TA!

George