ok fella's after finally fixing the problems with this car, the kid has $6700 into it..... his parents are giving him pure HELL about this car they have never seen... but what i got him was this....
1989 GTA
5.7
ttop
leather.
loaded even with steering wheel controls
1 woman owner with all paperwork even original title
67k miles
needs NOTHING
repainted in 92 by dealer,
everything works
interior has 1 crack in leather seat by right leg,
rest of interior is MINT like it's never been used.
tan leather interior too has not 1 spot original floor-mats are near new
not a scratch that i've found. no door-dings etc.
i've told him if he EVER sells it to give me dibbs.
front has never been "bumped" either as most are, not even any nose scrapes....
now, knowing all this (it looks like a 99 model with 10k miles it's that nice/clean) what price range could this car sell for realisticly? i think i found him a VERY good deal and he loves the car. even the center console lid is like new!!! (that's amazing in itself) sorry to drag it on so long but his parents are giving me and him guff and i'd like ya'll's opinions (being yall are the experts) deal or dud? did i mention it's been garaged it's whole life

 

It's a little steep, Kelly Blue Book shows retail as ~ $4,500 to $5,000 for it, but 2 things I suggest:

1) a car is only worth what someone will pay for it

2) A good value is purely subjective. If you got the car, will enjoy it, and take care of it, it is a deal, no matter how you look at it.

Case in point: Most people will pay the overhead and the depreciation to have a new car. Sometimes the depreciation is like 20% as soon as you drive off the lot, but hey, if they are willing to pay it then, they can't complain. Me personally, I'll NEVER buy a new car, 2 years old newest! I won't pay the depreciation, I'll let someone else do it!

Hope this helps

 

Yeah, if you treat a car like an appliance (microwave is getting old, lets replace it!), then you'll come up with a totally different value than what a third gen f-body enthusiast would.

 

thanks, my main point being he loves the car, and even finding a 3rd gen f-body being it a z28 or T/A in this condition is getting near impossible.... i was going to fly out-of-state to get one because of the lack of them, most are in wrecking yards and thrashed as were the "ss chevelles" that i also build keyword "build" since you can't find 1 owner cars anymore. it's got me in the mood to buy one for myself. so im looking again but $$ is tight so may be a while.

FYI his father (without seeing the car) gave him a "kelley blue book" print out showing $3500, i told him to tell his dear old dad, if he could find them in this condition for $3500 i'd give him a $500 finder fee and buy every single one he found

also a funny note, he's new to owning these. and he popped the trunk today and the motor went back down, he didn't know how to "trip" the motor so he had to call me and ask how to close the deck lid LOL....

 

Sounds like a decent deal to me. THe big question is, IS HE HAPPY WITH IT. If he is, who gives a sh*t about what the parents think. THat is probably just becuase his father has not drove it. Bet if he does drive it he will want it.

 

I think it is worth it. Other than the paint, the car is all original in MINT condition. An 89 GTA was not a highly produced car. In comparisson (sp?), it would be like the equivalent of a boss mustang of the 60's. I am not a ford fan but the car is rare, it has factory upgraded performance, and of the limited production, not many are MINT or one owner with all documents. If the kid takes good care of it the car will eventually be a collectors item. The car could be a great investment.

It is not the most practical purchase for a daily driver for a young person, but if dad remembers wanting the boss mustang and would love to have the rare and almost priceless car now, maybe he will relate much better.