How much to offer - 87 TA
 

There's an '87 Trans Am that's been sitting in a yard about 5 minutes from my house for a very long time. I stopped by one day a few years ago and put a note in the mailbox to see if they were interested in selling it. I got a call from the woman who owns the car about 6 months later and I drove over to take a look at it.

The car hasn't been registered since 2006 and it's been sitting outside in Northern Ohio weather since then. She (the owner) indicated that the fuel pump was bad and that was why the car was parked.

The car is a 5.0 TPI Automatic with T-Tops. I think it had around 106,000 miles if memory serves. It has a crappy faded paintjob, all decals are missing, some minor body damage, but the body is mostly solid or at least it was a couple years ago when I looked it over. The owner was at least smart enough to park it on some tarps, so the underside is actually mostly solid. I saw some moderately heavy rust but nothing rusted through at least as far as I could tell. The interior is trashed and I saw signs of some rather large creature that had taken up ownership inside it. I would assume the carpet and seats are probably mostly unsalvageable. Dash pad destroyed, etc.

Here's the thing. I want to try and resurrect this car and I think I can at least get it running again and sell it off to someone who will take care of it. The owner wanted $3500 for the car back then, which to me was ridiculous. I offered her $500 at the time and we agreed to disagree and I went on my way.

The car has not moved at all since then and I find myself thinking about it from time to time. Anyway, I called the owner back again today and she remembered me from my prior visit. I think she still wants too much for the car, but she did agree to come down to $2,000. To me this still seems like too much considering how long it has been sitting outside uncovered and how much work it will likely take to get it roadworthy again, if that's even possible.

What is a car like this really worth? I would maybe be willing to come up to $750 or $800 but $2k seems like a lot. Am I out of touch with what these heaps are really going for these days? Any insight would be appreciated. Wish I had some pics to share.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

honestly from your description it's only worth whatever scrap value is - $300 to $500 maybe. it's more work than it's worth to get it running and sell it to someone. who is gonna buy it when it needs so much?? sounds like the car is only worth getting if it had some usable / hard to find parts on it that you were interested in keeping for yourself. at the end of the day you'll just be out time and money with this thing. save yourself the headache and find something else.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Sounds like a car that needs just about everything (including bodywork), and might not be worth it if it has body rot issues on top of that. I'd say $1,000 tops if it's solid, and it's probably not worth that even. I think this is a case of "drove by it frequently and saw it sitting there unloved so I wanted to save it", but it's probably not worth it, in the end.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Sounds like the people out of touch are the owners of the car.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

She is outta touch and sounds like she will never get it. A car like this that has been sitting outside for 17 or so years will never be worth more than scrap $. Your $500 offer should be tops, IMHO :burnout:

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Yep, all of the responses here are 100% on point, Scrap value and not a penny more. $500 TOPS, if your feelin generous (scrap cars go $350 ish where I live) .......

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Owner may not be out of touch.... wasn't trying to sell you know.
If somebody knocked on my door and asked to buy my car then we'd be talking stupid high numbers.

Clearly the solution is to make her discontent with the car and ruin her dreams. :lol:
Nah, just kidding (kind of). Just talk about her plan and budget to fix it up. And then let that fester for 6 months.... That car ain't going anywhere until she's tired of it.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I 1000% disagree with the whole "worth it's weight in scrap" business. That's just nonsense.

Although without pictures, it's very hard to say if 2k is or isn't a fair price.

Also, if you decide to pass on it, I'd be interested on the location and contact info, in a PM. My son is looking for something to get running and drive around in the warmer months.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

This is at least partially true. I absolutely hate the idea of a thirdgen rotting away unloved when someone could give it a good home. Another part is that I find the challenge of resurrecting a car that hasn't run in a long time exciting and alluring.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I think the problem is that someone along the way told her not to accept less than $3500 for it or she would be getting ripped off. She has mentioned this to me several times. This may have been true at one time, but time and weather in the snow belt change things.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

This right here is my basis for "Scrap value only", 17 years ago it mighta been worth something, 17 years later, as Godzilla's primary residence? I stand by my $350 to $500 as being generous ......... ;)

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Based on your description, that car will require more $$$ to restore than it would ever be worth. I get it that you'd like to save this car, but there are some 3rd gens that you just have to walk away from.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I’d buy it for 2k if it was a project I had to have. Hard to overpay when there has to be at least 2k in parts there if it turns out to be too rusty.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

As one who has bought and sold LOTS of cars, I firmly believe the "Act of selling a car " is worth $ 500. SO, your green money in her face, with no effort on her part, is, IMO. worth 500 more than whats in you hand.

SHOW her 500 CASH , would be my recommendation.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Respectfully, he’s already tried that, although waiting did drop the price by $1500.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Well, I called and left a message asking to take another look at the car. If I can get permission to look at it again I'll try to get some pictures.

Or maybe she will file for a restraining order against me for bothering her and that will be the end of the thread.

I've been spending quite a bit of time on Facebook marketplace looking at cars in similar condition and most sellers are looking to get $1800 to $2k. And most of these cars have been worked over pretty good by Bubba and his hack team. This one seems to be mostly original still.

I really need to get another good look at it. It's been too long for me to recall the details. One other thing I remember is that the T Top divider bar has a decent amount of rust. Pretty sure the rest of the body is solid though.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for your thoughts. I will update this thread if anything comes of my inquiries.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

We'll be here if ya end up needing Bail money...... :lmao:

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Ok guys. My son and I went back to see the car tonight. It is actually an '86, not an '87. She told me is has a hood from an '88, but didn't tell me why the hood was replaced.:confused:

The body is pretty solid overall and the floors appear to be intact, though I couldn't get a good look at the passenger side.

113000 miles
Not registered since 2006
Oil was clean and full on the dipstick.
Exhaust is totally rotted away.
Spoiler is completely UV degraded.
Dash pad is trashed.
Center Console is busted up.
Engine looks mostly complete, but there are tons of chewed wires.
Seat upholstery is garbage. It disintegrated when I touched it.
Paint is faded and not original. It is also chipping on the hood.
All the weatherstripping is falling apart.
T top seals have been leaking and the bar is rusted. Headliner trashed.
Pics:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e6f9073017.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...069d07549f.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...1508c3d32b.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...928b855c95.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...facfb0c8ca.jpg

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Take a close look around the distributor. Godzilla chewed ALL the plug wires, vacuum lines, and engine wiring in this corner of the engine.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e95d63ff3c.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...c09c8807e3.jpg

Here's Godzilla's nesting place.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...2a9f861294.jpg
Apparently he smokes Marlboro Reds.


My phone died after I took these pics, but my son took a bunch more including a few under the car. I'll post some later on.

Anybody's opinion of the value change after seeing these?

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Pretty solid looking body if the undercarriage is clean but that's coming from a Northern guy, but its a real project. $500-$1,000 tops IMO that way if its too far gone you can part it and not get hurt.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Yeah, I'm with Reddragon. That's pretty rough and should basically be considered little more than a decent rolling chassis at this point if it's not all rusted out underneath. Wiring probably completely fubar, engine and trans should be suspected as junk, interior needs to see a dumpster.

I know everyone wants to think that every old sporty car is late 60's MOPAR muscle car value but our thidgens ain't it.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Walk away and find a better car. You will have thousands and thousands of dollars in this car and won’t be able to enjoy it for years.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I concur!

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Wow, it's like I'm clairvoyant or something....

;)

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Well I am a Camaro guy and have not followed the Firebirds / Trans Am/ TGA in the third gen's. But just looking at the pic's I would think the max you would want to go is $1500. good elbow grease will make it look ten times better. Looks like it would be a awesome car to put an LS in and run the **** out of it. I am assuming floor board need work under pedal area for sure. Do trash interior a lot of small part are hard to find. Throw some seats out of a 4th gen. The steering wheel and dash if good shape are worth probably $400 by them self.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

wow just started looking at the values the firebirds/ trans am / GTA are bringing. Never understood why they have always been less value then a camaro ( excluding the second gens). I would think this would be a good car to pick up throw into storage and just wait for them to start bringing the stupid money the camaro's are. $1500 is definitely the max i would send. Clean it up get it running and store for greener days.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Ok, here come the rest of the pics.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e3fcbb30d.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...072fb5b6b.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...4585b4e41.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...45ad9c4ba.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...a7435a238.jpeg

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...a72bb78d1.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...9bef148d8.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...d2b2ae22c.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...bfc65c190.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...65d32be36.jpeg

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...cf0726966.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...7363d6242.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...d3c5b94a5.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e5cd7f5a3.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...fe29ab721.jpeg

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...4ba87c912.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e86176a58.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...5b330318a.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...d03022297.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...f8184cdd5.jpeg

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...599855e8e.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e5e0fcba4.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e44713fe3.jpeg

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Man, the list of things that car does NOT need just keeps getting shorter and shorter.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

That is a Parts Car, with not too many good parts, IMO.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Now that I see the pics, that's an awful car, the repairs and work and expenses will be endless.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Run away as fast as you can. I wouldn’t take that car for free.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

This crowd here cracks me up sometimes. This is supposed to be an enthusiast site. Yeah, for the folks that only like to play with the nice, low mile cream puffs, it's not a good car. But it's still a damn fine starting point of a car, imho. After seeing the pictures, I still say 1500-2000 is a fair price.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

And just to point out, the car is pushing 40 years old. It's not a garage queen. Baked interiors and rodent damage is NORMAL.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

And rusted out floors and wiring harness and all new interior and entire new fuel system. Nope……run, run, run and find a $15,000 car. You’ll be money ahead.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

If it's all about the total $ involved, find a different hobby.


Also, to many people those floors are solid as can be. It's amazing they are even still there. Nice complete used interiors are easy to find as well, for cheap. I don't know why so many people think that everyone needs a show car. Soooo many people get a lot of satisfaction out of a nice "driver quality" car.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I have too many cars to find a different hobby. I just dislike seeing people buy a car in this condition and never getting it to a point where they can use it, drive it. If you like yard art, I’m fine with that.

Nice Firebirds are still available at a reasonable price.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I guess it's gotta be said......

"Opinions are like ButtHoles, everybody's got em, and we all think everybody else's stink way worse than our own"

:driving:

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

I don't mean to harp, but the car isn't in that bad of condition. The reason I think it's a great starting point is because everything that it needs to drive is not a hard job by itself. Other than the fuel pump. I still have a ton of parts leftover from back when I was dumb and parted out cars that were in nicer shape. There are many people like me that did the same thing and still have good parts. That car could be brought back to life in a handful of nice weekends, mostly with parts I have already. Would it be show quality? Of course not. But it would be respectable and still fun to drive. And worthwhile, knowing that the car was brought back to life and lives on, rather than ending up in a scrap yard. I realize that not everyone buys a car based on the parts they already have, but there is still a good supply of cheap used parts that are perfectly presentable for a driver.

The yard art argument doesn't work with me either. I've seen so many people buy a NICE car that runs and drives, but they blow the whole thing apart because they have grand plans on what they want to do with it. Then it just sits and nothing ever happens.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Yep, that's very true :)

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

If you want a project I would highly recommend buying a thirdgen in the $5k range. This will give you a car in decent condition that you should be able to drive while you’re working on it. Being able to enjoy the car will keep you motivated to work on it. The original car at the beginning of this thread will require A LOT of time and money. If you have both and like a challenge then cool - have at it and start a thread to show your progress.
You asked everyone’s opinion on a fair price so we all chimed in. There’s a lot of us on here who have spent lots of money and time on our projects so we’re just trying to advise you based on our experiences. I’ve been working on a car for over 10 years now (it is a show car but it didn’t start out that way). If I could go back in time I don’t know if I’d do this again. It has been fun but also extremely overwhelming / frustrating at times. Also lost motivation and let it sit for periods of time over the years. As I got older I’ve learned my time is very valuable and I don’t like wasting it. I probably should’ve saved up all that money I spent over the last 10+ years a bought something insanely cool.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

Yep. A month ago I would probably have given a different opinion but now that I'm actually tearing into my car to get the real work done it's been roadblock after roadblock due to tools/equipment/work space. I'm doing a relatively straightforward restomod-ish build on a much cleaner starting point that what OP posted and I'm already fed up with it for the time being despite having almost all the parts here already. If the base of my build was as bad as the car posted, I would have already rolled it into the creek and walked away, lol.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

That's pretty big talk right there. :lol:
There's fun money and there's fool money. That car is fool money.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

It's not big talk, it's really not even an opinion. Jobs are to make money, hobbies are to do something you enjoy.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the general mentality here is way different than most other automotive enthusiast forums.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

In what way? I'm not active on any forums for anything that would be considered rare or necessarily valuable, but the forums I am on tell people to steer clear of obvious junk as well.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

This is the History/Originality section, one of several sections on an automotive enthusiast forum, where a lot of knowledgeable members in this section tend to prefer originality and a "show car" as you point out.

Post this car in the Body section or Members Firebirds section and you might get an overall different response.

That said, going back to your "This is supposed to be an enthusiast site" comment, even though this is an enthusiast site, it's good that it doesn't come with a blanket bias.

Re: How much to offer - 87 TA
 

It doesn't work that way. You actually have to start with a really good car when putting 400 - 1000 Hp in the engine bay. :)

Fortunately from a mechanical perspective it makes no difference whether you start with a Trans Am or a V6 base model, it's all the same car after stripping it down for the swap. Just find the best car you can. Starting with something of inherent value though would be smarter since the car will be worth more in the end.

Contrary to popular belief, nicely done fast cars are worth more than stock most the time. You just gotta lose money at a 2:1 ratio to get the value up there. ;) Bottom line is you can't buy a fast car when there were no fast cars made, you have to build it, so people will spend money when a really nice one comes up for sale. It's got to be a legit car though, nobody wants to spend lots of dough on ordinary.