https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...bird-trans-am/






I really like this well optioned nice condition 1985 Trans Am.

Interesting that they mention Y99 when it’s obviously a WS6

The ads are written by BaT staff. They appear to use a cookie-cutter template and have had to make some corrections to ads, some pretty glaring, that make me think they are not all that car techy. To be fair, it's not possible for their staff, that covers pretty much all makes/models/years of cars, to compare against a group of enthusiasts for a specific platform.

They pretty much use the same script that start the auction with "This" (This 1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am), power is routed to the rear wheels, and all sorts of repeated lines across other auctions.

Y99 was standard on the 1985 Trans Am. WS6 was optional, and is noted in the ad, but noting Y99 is sort of strange given WS6 is the top suspension level above Y99.

That's a very nice T/A that was just sold on BaT. Nicely optioned.

That is true about BaT using templates for the write ups. I just sold my 99' Camaro SS on BaT a couple of months ago. They listed the torque rating incorrectly at 355lb ft instead of 335 lb ft and I didn't catch it on the proof they sent me. A commenter caught it and I asked BaT to update the listing accordingly and they did. Then 2 more 99' SS's listed on BaT after mine and both had the same error, so yes, they use a standard template. I have no issue with them using standard templates though. The person assigned to your account can't be expected to be an expert on every car out there, so they need templates for the most popular cars they list. It's just good business and makes for consistency from car to car. Overall the experience working with BaT was good and I would do it again.

They should allow the seller to create the ad based on a templated format. The seller would know what they're selling better than BaT. Since they're using a template, they should also know to ask specific questions to be sure the listing is accurate before they post it, rather than expecting the seller to catch the mistake.

I don't have a problem with the way they did it and would prefer that they write the ad and I review it rather than me trying to write it. They did ask me a ton of questions ahead of time and then sent me a draft of my listing that was based on their template, but edited for specifics of my car. I had a few comments that I sent back to them and they updated and sent it back to me, then I approved it. Yes, there was an error that I didn't catch. Not really a big deal, mistakes happen and they corrected my ad right away when I brought it to their attention. Overall a positive experience and will likely do it again.