1980 Price Advice
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Millington NJ
1980 Price Advice
Hello all, I went and looked at a 1980 vette todat and need some helpl with its value. It had the 350 in it but it lacked in the visual area. The T-top weather stripping looked bad, the paint was flaked off on the nose where it was hit by a flatbed in a tow yard. there are a few other small sratches associated with that hit on the hood but the aren't very deep. The interior looked like it was taken apart and not finished being put back together (ie. the carpeted sides of the consol was loose and not attached). It had faded carpets and the interior was definately dirty. It did run well but i didn't get to move it. the engine compartment had light rust on almost all parts that can rust. There were also cracks on the fender right at the point of the door (he said they were stress cracks??yes/no?) The paint also showed areas were it looked like it faded through... those ugly circles (he said he repainted it a while ago with a thin coat of paint?) finally the hood latches were missing (the little u's on the hood) Anyway.. he wants 4000. which I felt was high for that... What is your oppinion of the cost of this car? btw it has 71,xxx miles and I couldn't find the vin.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Fl
Re: 1980 Price Advice (pvtpilot)
I have a 1980 and from what you have put in your post, I think I would offer much less than 4000 for what you described if I even entertained the thought of buying it. The car sounds like it needs alot of work visually, and who knows what else engine wise.
Just my 2 cents
Just my 2 cents
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: 1980 Price Advice (pvtpilot)
Sounds like it has been neglected for some time. If you are mechanically inclined and have a place to work on it and if you can get it for real cheap then go ahead and buy it. Really hard to tell how much it is worth without looking at it bt it will cost you a lot of money to get it in half decent shape I can assure you.
You have to get underneath and check the frame and if you can take the kick panels off and look/feel in there. This area can turn to dust on the older Vettes and is pretty expensive to fix.
Make sure you know what you are getting into because it could start costing you thousands to fix it up, a goood paint job costs $5000.00 alone. Sometimes it is better to start with a Vette that is in a little better shape to start with, a few forum members hav been selling their Vettes lately and that would be your best bet.
Basically what I am saying is you buy it for $4000.00 and you are going to sink another $5000.00 - 10,000.00 into it anyway why not start with a $10,000.00 '80 and save yourself some work :D
You have to get underneath and check the frame and if you can take the kick panels off and look/feel in there. This area can turn to dust on the older Vettes and is pretty expensive to fix.
Make sure you know what you are getting into because it could start costing you thousands to fix it up, a goood paint job costs $5000.00 alone. Sometimes it is better to start with a Vette that is in a little better shape to start with, a few forum members hav been selling their Vettes lately and that would be your best bet.
Basically what I am saying is you buy it for $4000.00 and you are going to sink another $5000.00 - 10,000.00 into it anyway why not start with a $10,000.00 '80 and save yourself some work :D
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Millington NJ
Re: 1980 Price Advice (pvtpilot)
Just to give you an idea of the guy that has the car... He definately didn't describe it the way it was... he said the interior was good just faded when it was partly assembled. I offered him 2k and he hung up on me... i figured that was fair for the condition. He's got one warped sense of the value of what that thing is worth. I figured if I could get it for a good price, with a little time and money (the difference) I could make it a decent car. oh well.. going to have to keep looking. Anyone know of any? BTW.. the cracks I described by the rear of the front fenders.. are they normal stress cracks?? thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,455
Likes: 462
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: 1980 Price Advice (pvtpilot)
These people with "the warped sense of humor" are usually the ones who die first, then the thing goes to an estate sale and usually will bring LESS than the 2K you offered. As said previously, you're farther ahead getting a nice car for 10-13K and making monthly payments then having a fixer upper that'll nickel and dime you to death PLUS however long it takes to finish it. One other thought, you get the car for 4K, eventually put 10K in it over time AND IT MIGHT be worth 9K!!!!! I have a little formula I always use. THINK what it might cost, then MULTIPLY X3 and then you'll get a more realistic cost!!!!!
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
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From: texas city texas
Re: 1980 Price Advice (pvtpilot)
The car is hardly ever the way they describe it. I looked at one recently that the guy said ran good and needed paint and a little interior. When I got there, the body was shot, the fiberglass in a lot of places was ruined and most of the interior was missing. I did not walk away from this car, I ran. Also, I would never buy a car I could not test drive. Even if you hear the engine run, you don't know about the tranny, suspension, brakes etc..
All very expensive stuff. I think you are lucky he hung up.
All very expensive stuff. I think you are lucky he hung up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,321
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From: Reno NV
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: 1980 Price Advice (pvtpilot)
Free is the best :) thats how i got my vette :) half butt restored and ALOT of work but ya cant turn down a FREEEE corvette! :cheers: :cheers: if i were to sell it as it is (very clean now but alot of electrical and suspention problems) i would ask 4 for it at most hehe
