1989 convertible price?
What kind of tires are you pricing out? Excellent quality Firestone Firehawk tires can be had for about half your estimate.
03-25-2019, 11:17 PM
#22
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 2012
Location: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
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I have an 89 vert and can quote prices on most of what that car needs.
Top - $1,500 installed, with a conversion to a glass rear window.
Tires - $600 installed, for a good set of all seasons.
Weatherstripping - The kist run from $500 to $1k, depending on what you need.
Headlight motors - ~$50 if they just need new "pellets".
The low coolant sensor is a common problem, new ones are cheap, but check the level in the radiator.
If the seats are shot that can get very expensive, as can the paintwork. As that car sits I would think anywhere from $2,500 on the low end to $4k if you are feeling very generous. If you just want a 20 footer that is fun to drive and can work on the car yourself I would go for it, but if you are going to pay someone to fix everything that is wrong with it then you will be upside down before you know it.
Top - $1,500 installed, with a conversion to a glass rear window.
Tires - $600 installed, for a good set of all seasons.
Weatherstripping - The kist run from $500 to $1k, depending on what you need.
Headlight motors - ~$50 if they just need new "pellets".
The low coolant sensor is a common problem, new ones are cheap, but check the level in the radiator.
If the seats are shot that can get very expensive, as can the paintwork. As that car sits I would think anywhere from $2,500 on the low end to $4k if you are feeling very generous. If you just want a 20 footer that is fun to drive and can work on the car yourself I would go for it, but if you are going to pay someone to fix everything that is wrong with it then you will be upside down before you know it.
03-26-2019, 12:36 AM
#23
I have an 89 vert and can quote prices on most of what that car needs.
Top - $1,500 installed, with a conversion to a glass rear window.
Tires - $600 installed, for a good set of all seasons.
Weatherstripping - The kist run from $500 to $1k, depending on what you need.
Headlight motors - ~$50 if they just need new "pellets".
The low coolant sensor is a common problem, new ones are cheap, but check the level in the radiator.
If the seats are shot that can get very expensive, as can the paintwork. As that car sits I would think anywhere from $2,500 on the low end to $4k if you are feeling very generous. If you just want a 20 footer that is fun to drive and can work on the car yourself I would go for it, but if you are going to pay someone to fix everything that is wrong with it then you will be upside down before you know it.
Top - $1,500 installed, with a conversion to a glass rear window.
Tires - $600 installed, for a good set of all seasons.
Weatherstripping - The kist run from $500 to $1k, depending on what you need.
Headlight motors - ~$50 if they just need new "pellets".
The low coolant sensor is a common problem, new ones are cheap, but check the level in the radiator.
If the seats are shot that can get very expensive, as can the paintwork. As that car sits I would think anywhere from $2,500 on the low end to $4k if you are feeling very generous. If you just want a 20 footer that is fun to drive and can work on the car yourself I would go for it, but if you are going to pay someone to fix everything that is wrong with it then you will be upside down before you know it.
03-26-2019, 12:41 AM
#24
I wouldnt even consider it by nature of whose car it is. No good can come from it. You offer her 4000 under her perceived value, you're a cheap ***. You fix it up and you took advantage of her. If it has more issues than you go into, it's going to cause resentment. If you dont take care of it, you will never hear the end of it.
Just don't do it. Nothing about the car, but the WHOLE SITUATION is a bad idea.
Just don't do it. Nothing about the car, but the WHOLE SITUATION is a bad idea.
03-26-2019, 08:17 AM
#25
Race Director
Just be aware, people here always think these cars are worth less than they are. They price cars based on the cost to make them perfect, which isnt how cars are priced. That's why you don't make money on restoring cars unless someone pays you to do it.
Pull a KBB on it in faor condition. This sounds like it's fair to slightly better since it runs, everything works, and the paint is good.
If you're serious about getting the car, dont try to say "it's worth x", try to make the conversation about what you're comfortable paying. Trying to convince someone their car is worth 30% what they think it's worth is what craigslist buyers think they can do, and just doesnt work. You just push people off.
Pull a KBB on it in faor condition. This sounds like it's fair to slightly better since it runs, everything works, and the paint is good.
If you're serious about getting the car, dont try to say "it's worth x", try to make the conversation about what you're comfortable paying. Trying to convince someone their car is worth 30% what they think it's worth is what craigslist buyers think they can do, and just doesnt work. You just push people off.
03-26-2019, 09:55 AM
#26
Just be aware, people here always think these cars are worth less than they are. They price cars based on the cost to make them perfect, which isnt how cars are priced. That's why you don't make money on restoring cars unless someone pays you to do it.
Pull a KBB on it in faor condition. This sounds like it's fair to slightly better since it runs, everything works, and the paint is good.
If you're serious about getting the car, dont try to say "it's worth x", try to make the conversation about what you're comfortable paying. Trying to convince someone their car is worth 30% what they think it's worth is what craigslist buyers think they can do, and just doesnt work. You just push people off.
Pull a KBB on it in faor condition. This sounds like it's fair to slightly better since it runs, everything works, and the paint is good.
If you're serious about getting the car, dont try to say "it's worth x", try to make the conversation about what you're comfortable paying. Trying to convince someone their car is worth 30% what they think it's worth is what craigslist buyers think they can do, and just doesnt work. You just push people off.
03-26-2019, 03:06 PM
#27
A few months ago I paid a little over $6k for an 89 vert with half the mileage in MINT condition new tires etc aside from some paint oxidation on the hood, a completely yellow back window, and running a little WEAK...
well after some wet sanding and buffing and and a complete tuneup which I both did myself car runs and looks GREAT now but I think I got a GREAT deal, look around though an 89 with similar mileage and in great shape needing nothing is probably worth about $10-11k so I don’t think $6500 is totally unfair for that car I think $5k would be great though especially since it looks like it needs new leather seats too?
Also, white vinyl plastic window tops are roughly $200 for these cars and a shop Ive had install a couple tops for me over the years is going to charge me $300 for the installation for mine so I think some of those prices quoted are
well after some wet sanding and buffing and and a complete tuneup which I both did myself car runs and looks GREAT now but I think I got a GREAT deal, look around though an 89 with similar mileage and in great shape needing nothing is probably worth about $10-11k so I don’t think $6500 is totally unfair for that car I think $5k would be great though especially since it looks like it needs new leather seats too?
Also, white vinyl plastic window tops are roughly $200 for these cars and a shop Ive had install a couple tops for me over the years is going to charge me $300 for the installation for mine so I think some of those prices quoted are
Last edited by Y-bodluvr; 03-26-2019 at 03:25 PM.
03-26-2019, 06:43 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
The tires on my 92 without last years discount (30% off) would have been $1,200 total.
03-26-2019, 07:41 PM
#29
03-26-2019, 08:43 PM
#30
Race Director
03-26-2019, 09:30 PM
#31
Last edited by Y-bodluvr; 03-26-2019 at 09:31 PM.
03-27-2019, 12:53 AM
#33
OP, here is my suggestion on how to proceed on this deal. I would let her know that you will help her sell the car and be earnest in your help to do so.. I would list the car for what she thinks it is worth, in this case $6500.00 then I would list it for $6500.00 and see what happens. If the car sells for anywhere near what she thinks it is worth you will be her hero for helping her sell it. If on the other hand you get nowhere near an offer close to what she thinks it is worth than let her hear the low ball offers and then you can tell her you will pay her more than the lowest offer and you will still be her hero.
Perception is a funny thing. If she really feels this car is worth $6500.00 you owe it to her to see if she can get that or close to that amount. If she gets a few legit low ball offers she will know what the market will bear on this car and then you can decide if you want to pay over the low ball offer. At least she will respect that you helped her either way and will not feel like you took advantage of her.
My guess is the few people who will be willing to come out and look at the car will try and talk her way down on price but it is only fair to see what happens first before you make an offer.
Perception is a funny thing. If she really feels this car is worth $6500.00 you owe it to her to see if she can get that or close to that amount. If she gets a few legit low ball offers she will know what the market will bear on this car and then you can decide if you want to pay over the low ball offer. At least she will respect that you helped her either way and will not feel like you took advantage of her.
My guess is the few people who will be willing to come out and look at the car will try and talk her way down on price but it is only fair to see what happens first before you make an offer.
03-27-2019, 08:55 AM
#35
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: Park City, TN
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2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
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$500 total.
03-27-2019, 09:09 AM
#36
Melting Slicks
03-27-2019, 09:44 AM
#37
Safety Car
It all comes down to what you are happy with and what you felt comfortable spending on them. I personally would have never spent that much when so many other lesser price tire options are available. I would've wanted to smoke a cigarette after spending that much because I just got fauked. Just kidding. 
03-27-2019, 09:54 AM
#38
Melting Slicks
Nice tires for sure. It all comes down to what you are happy with and what you felt comfortable spending on them. I personally would have never spent that much when so many other lesser price tire options are available. I would've wanted to smoke a cigarette after spending that much because I just got fauked. Just kidding.
It all comes down to what you are happy with and what you felt comfortable spending on them. I personally would have never spent that much when so many other lesser price tire options are available. I would've wanted to smoke a cigarette after spending that much because I just got fauked. Just kidding.
03-27-2019, 10:15 AM
#39
Pic in post #2 shows it’s an A4, $3k isn’t a bad estimate but maybe closer to $2k if you go cheap on the tires and seats(leatherette) the car has pretty low miles for an 89’ so I would try and keep the car as original as possible and stick with original leather covers and maybe go cheap on the tires now to get the car road-worthy and maybe get a nice set of Goodyear’s on the next set...
03-27-2019, 10:44 AM
#40
Melting Slicks
You should show her this thread.....then show her cars in the for sale section here. Most '89 in FS section will be in great condition and she should be able to get a realistic idea of a fair value