I manage a car dealership in midland MI, I was processing some sold trucks from our lot at our local dmv...while I was sitting in line I over heard an older lady trying to renew her plates... she said the plates had not been renewed in over 10 years on her old pontiac. Once I heard that I just had to know what she had sitting around so I asked her. She told me her husband bought a 1987 (maybe 88) pontiac firebird formula tpi brand new. after owning it for one year he past away and the car had been sitting in the garage under a cover since. I asked her If she would be interested in selling the car and her response was "you would want to buy an old car like that"? I went to look at it...I must say this car is as perfect as I think you could find for the year. it has 28,000 miles on it. Not a scratch or leak. original tires. the car is spotless underneath . you could eat off the engine...ITS PERFECT. Whats it worth? I have no idea but I do know that I want it. I feel like it would be a good car to keep the miles down on a cruise a few times a year. Someone give me an idea on what I can pay for it.. I know people will say its worth what you want to pay blah blah. I want to know its true value. Thanks!

 

The real question is what does she want for it? In a sellers eyes who knows what a 28k mi car is worth, maybe in the ballpark of 8-10 grand...

 

well my first thought is she has no clue what she has...The way she acted when I looked at it was as if I was crazy for even wanting something that old. I think I could buy it for between $5-6k and she would be happy with that.

 

Definetly buy it or that price and slap around $12,000 on it and work down from there.

 

Yea I agree with these prices for a low mileage formy, the only bad part is the history with the car, so hopefully you could both meet in the middle and say 7-8k just so no one is loosing out IMO...good luck

 

im meeting here in the morning for coffee...as of right now im still at $5000.00 hopefully i get it!

 

great find, and good luck, tell us if you end up buying it

 

just ask her what she wants for it. From what you said so far, it sounds like meeting her asking price will likely be well below what you'd be willing to pay for it. She'll be happy to sell it for her asking price and you'll be ecstatic to get an amazing deal on a low milage 3rd gen.

 

Good luck cant wait to see it

 

Any word yet? Coffee pot is empty. : )

 

Yeah! Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet?

 

did you end up buying it?

 

I met with her... She talked to her son and they decided they want $8,000.00 for it. I havent made up my mind yet...my gut tells me to do it...my fiance tells me i shouldnt

 

Let's see......you manage a car dealership, you do have the tools to bargain right? Has your fiance seen the car yet? Maybe take her for a ride to check it out!!

 

I am planning to take her out to see the car this weekend... Its pretty tough to talk someone down on a vehicle that she could care less if she sold it or didn't... I really dont think the price she gave me is unfair to the right person... I just have a hard time spending that kind of money.

 

I hear ya! I know if I didn't already have my Bird, I would be hard pressed to spend 8 G's right now! I need to fix the AC in my truck and I'm looking at about $500 in parts... crap! Why is everything so dang expensive!
Maybe shoot some pics when you go to show the fiance!

 

I will snap some, the car is light blue with grey interior..has the 350 tpi and crank windows.. again I dont know a lot about these cars.. I have had a few in the past but dont know a lot about them.I will keep everyone posted

 

thats how i was before I bought my t/a, granted it was higher miles and had some other issues, nonetheless, after a year now I think it was the best move I made. If you love the car or just love cars in general, you wont regret being a little short of cash for some time. You dont come across these cars with low mileage that often....especially a 350!!!...good luck...oh and get ur fiance involed as well, maybe make it weekend car for both of you to enjoy

 

best of luck, beautiful car. i agree take your fiance for a spin in it let her get a good feel for the car so she will support the investiment. once again, best of luck.

 

UPDATE:

I called her this morning... I told her I would pay $7,500.00 for the car. She said she will call her son tomorrow and make sure he is ok with that nu,ber...if he is the car is mine... The first time I heard about this car was from her son... I told him I would pay $4-5k for it...and he thought that was fair..so im guessing $7,500.00 should finish the deal. I am going to go there saturday to take some pictures of it for you all. Does that color or the crank windows hurt its value at all. And is there a site to see how many were amde that year with those options and colors ect.

 

Nah, just less to go wrong on the windows. Mine still work fine but they have been greased and lubricated not too long ago when I had the door panels off after new door gaskets wre installed. There's a thread here for how many were made by year, just have to do a little looking.

 

^i agree, I actually cant wait to see this formy...what are the exact stats? you mention 350 tpi, low miles, t-tops?

 

The color is bright blue metallic with the silver metallic lower... light grey interior. 350 tpi...crank windows power locks, and thats about all I know about it so far. She canceled are appointment for this afternoon because she has not got ahold of her son. I am meeting her monday now. I hope we come to terms, I would really like to get this car.

 

All the waiting is killing me! Ha!

 

they decided on 8k, knowing there would be negotiation. if they didn't, then they must not know anything about business or life. I think its safe to say the car can be had for 7500, but I hope you didn't counter with that. I wanna see pics as well though

 

I am having trouble figuring out how to attach photos on here. any pointers? or can I email them to someone? I talked to her today some more. I think I can get it for $7,000.00...every time I see tis car I want it more

 

I think you need to go to the top of this thread to post pics.

Where it says post reply.

 

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that is nice

 

 

 

 

OMG I WANT IT!!! Damn grab that as soon as you cam.

 

I am taking the Fiance out to look at it tonight...just need her ok!

 

Did you buy it yet? That car is MINT! I saw one sell on Mechem ( not sure of the spelling) Auto sales last week for $22,500. It was the same year as mine.
BEAUTIFUL!!

 

If she say's no call off the wedding. LOL JK

 

buy it bro! thats a great price for that car. its chery! trust me, you will regret it later if you let this pass you by. if shes firm on the 8k, give her the 8k! its worth well more than that!

 

Really the car is perfect... I found one scratch on it and it looks to me that it would wheel out. I think it will need a tune up just from sitting for so long...I started it up and went for a quick drive around the block yesterday. The outside will need a good claybar and wax...the paint is great but I just cant wait to see it all detailed up! a lot of cobwebs on the lowers but I can live with that