Hello, I've been mulling over an '88 GTA Notch that caught my eye at a small local dealership. The car has the 5.7L TPI, hardtop, digital dash, grey cloth interior, and 80k miles. The car is all original (all vin's match) and runs like a champ, but needs some TLC. I figure it will take 1-2k to return the interior to mint, and whatever it will cost to have a few of the ground effects pieces aligned, a ding fixed, and a fresh coat of paint applied to the exterior. It has the original black alloy wheels and they look like new.
How much is too much to pay for one of these cars?
I'd probably figure around 500 - 1000 for it as well. But if you're saying this is for sale in Canada, they're probably gonna ask nearly $3K for it - thirdgen Firebird prices seem to be unreasonably high here (in my opinion anyways). Plus, if the dealership realizes that the notchbacks are pretty uncommon, there will be a premium attached to that - hope I'm wrong for your sake though - good luck!
You did say 1988, GTA, L98... The notchback is a 50/50 option. 50 percent of people think they're ugly, 50 percent like them. The notch might be worth a premium to some people, but it's not to others. If you like the notch, then offer what you'd offer if it were a normal GTA. I wouldn't pay any more for a car just because it was a Notchback.
They are asking $7500 CAD for it, although I know I could negotiate the price a little lower. I just can't believe this car is worth so little, when GTA's in decent shape are fetching upwards of 7k from private sellers around here.
well i guy i work with had an '88 GTA Notchback and although its really not my cup of tea i must admit it was REALLY nice. fully loaded all original with 33K on it. if the cars in as good shape as it seems to be it may be worth more then everyone thinks b/c although the notchbacks werent very visually appealing they only made about 700 or so of them and there are probably even less still around. and even less had the digital dash.
bottom line: original factory notchbacks in good shape are rare and may not be as cheap as you think.
As an owner like JT, I've not seen a substantial increase in value for a Notchback GTA unless you're talking about ultra-low-mileage cars in original condition. On average, Notchbacks GTAs seem to sell for around the same $$$ as hatchback GTAs, condition considered. That seems to be the determining factor: condition of the car.
Like Drew said.... it's a very controversial option, and not everyone likes it. We're not anywhere near the state when rare options are valuable regardless of appeal. I will say that it is a better looking car in person than it is in print. But if you like it, go for it; if not, well..... rhomanski is going to offer $500 for it, so.... surely he'll snag it for that formidable sum.
And, no, the black rims are not original. Regardless of what they tell you....
I paid 5000 for my GTA about ten years ago.High bluebook was 7800 and low was about what i paid.So that one is in the ballpark.But it all comes down to what you want.If it's rare there and your happy with it then take it.Frankierider2,is there a regional board for arkansas?I was afraid I was the only crazy in arkansas.Is there a gettogether around anywhere?
It could of been from a 87, they went with all gold honey comb with black center caps for 88 in 87 were black if i remember right.
All '87-'92 GTA's came with gold wheels.
I agree that notchbacks seem to be worth about the same regular GTA's. I really don't think it's a 50% like/50% dislike case. I think far less than 50% of people like them because otherwise they should sell for better money. I feel there may be less than 250 notchbacks left and if that many people liked them the rarity of the cars would push the prices up very high in a hurry. Personally, I have one but I think they're ugly. However, it's a rare car and I had the opportunity to buy one for a good price so I bought it.
Another possibility is the fact that most people don't even know they exist. A lot of thirdgen owners ask what kind of aftermarket hatch my notchback has and have NO idea it was a factory option.
i comes down to this. an original notch in good condition will yield way more money than a regular gta, in ten years or so. there are rare, and becoming more rare. especially when a 16 yo gets one for his birthday and totally molestes the car. if i could find a nice one for a nice price, id buy it. keep it original. not drive it. get it looking cherry. and reap the rewards in years to come.
Let it sit on the lot awhile. The price will proably drop. From the prices I have seen in Canada, makes me want to make a road trip with a one way ticket back home!lol
Just because something is "rare" does not automatically mean it is more valuable. It comes down to basic economics. Supply and demand. Without demand- the supply is worthess.
I just wonder how many of the original equipped notchbacks are still out there that have not been converted back with normal hatches. (this car discussed-assuming it is original- is one of them...)
Personally, I think that maybe 1/2 of the notchbacks are left, maybe 1/4 unmolested.
Jumping on this thread, may I ask at which value you would rate my notchback:
all original, matching numbers
80k mls on her
red exterieur, beige leather inside
5-speed 5.0 TPI w/ 3.45 9-bolt rearend
digital dash
t-top
Personally, I think that maybe 1/2 of the notchbacks are left, maybe 1/4 unmolested.
Jumping on this thread, may I ask at which value you would rate my notchback:
all original, matching numbers
80k mls on her
red exterieur, beige leather inside
5-speed 5.0 TPI w/ 3.45 9-bolt rearend
digital dash
t-top
priceless keep it under 90k, or just sell it to me.
Personally I will pay more for a Yellow car than any other color, so does that make Yellow cars more valuable? Only to me it does. As far as what is it worth, what ever your willing to pay for it... Its not that its not desirable or will it be desirable its IS IT DESIREABLE. Do you like it, do you think that he is out of line on the price, if not then buy it. Look at your local car ads and see what other people are asking, drive around and look at some of those cars you can find, do some comparison. IF you go back in a month and the car is still there then you have some good information to offer to the salesman... You may find a better deal for less than what he is asking...
THere is a regular 88 GTA here in Flint, it has the 350, White, brown int, Black spoiler, facia was painted with what appears to be a brush, the doors show some serious rust, the wheel wells are rusty, but the GOld wheels look new... He is asking $2600... Which is poroably in the ball park for this particular car... IF it was a notchback I would consider it for $2000, but the car is really rough, not worth restoring in my opinion.
THe notchback in question, you can take a pencil & paper, write a list of everything thats wrong with it, consider how much time and money it would take to make it "Perfect" deduct that number from $14000 which is the TOP end of the market for this car and go from there...
If you do your own work if its not too rusty, look at floorboards for any kind of rust, the rear hatch area for rust, typically starts in the areas where there were holes made by the stamping process. check the rear wheel wells for evidence of repair, the highlight line sometimes goes away if done poorly.
ITs ultimately up to you, drew is correct that its a love it or hate it, I personally think there on the ugly side, but I like them anyways probably because there unique...
Well, I decided to pass on the vehicle as the dealer was holding firm on their current price. I'm told the notchback will go into the private garage of the owner if nobody picks it up by the end of summer. IMO the car is worth about half what they are asking.
Good thing too, as I ended up scoring a really nice all-original '91 L98 GTA with lower mileage for just 6k. Good things really do come to those who wait.
made that Toyota look like a (oops, I guess we are not allowed to use the Uncle Bens term for an import with weird body panels) with the window frame acting like a giant wing ...
They are asking $7500 CAD for it, although I know I could negotiate the price a little lower. I just can't believe this car is worth so little, when GTA's in decent shape are fetching upwards of 7k from private sellers around here.
