$4,345
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
$4,345
That's what Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) says my 87 Z51 is worth.
When did my $38,000 car become worth less than my Dodge pickup?
When did my $38,000 car become worth less than my Dodge pickup?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
The May, 2004 Vette magazine pricing guide lists your '87 Vette by condition as:
$13k - Excellent
$10k - Good
$8k - Average
If Kelly says it would only bring $4k on a trade in you would be better off selling it outright.
$13k - Excellent
$10k - Good
$8k - Average
If Kelly says it would only bring $4k on a trade in you would be better off selling it outright.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I heard it's a buyers market right now, but thats ridiculous. 
Well, dont worry, unless your wanting to sell. Just hang on to it and take care of it and it'll be worth more some day. Just look at the guys who hung on to the 52-69's back when they had book values of two or three hundred bucks. They're grinning now.
Well, dont worry, unless your wanting to sell. Just hang on to it and take care of it and it'll be worth more some day. Just look at the guys who hung on to the 52-69's back when they had book values of two or three hundred bucks. They're grinning now.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
I heard it's a buyers market right now, but thats ridiculous.
Well, dont worry, unless your wanting to sell. Just hang on to it and take care of it and it'll be worth more some day. Just look at the guys who hung on to the 52-69's back when they had book values of two or three hundred bucks. They're grinning now.
Well, dont worry, unless your wanting to sell. Just hang on to it and take care of it and it'll be worth more some day. Just look at the guys who hung on to the 52-69's back when they had book values of two or three hundred bucks. They're grinning now.
confusing) i think another year or so and all the values will rise again 
.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by ynk1121
i think another year or so and all the values will rise again .
.The C3's are finally on the upswing. When the C7 comes out, our cars will be on the rise and the C5 guys will be in our shoes.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Missouri
Originally Posted by ynk1121
yea, the new c6 is screwing everything up value wise. good for buyers but not for sellers. most c5 owners are getting a c6 so alot of c5s are for sale. supply and demand. there are more c5s for sale then buyers which makes them cheaper. then the c4 owners are selling their c4s to get the cheaper c5s. so now there are alot of c4s for sale which then made the value of the c4s drop. (confusing) i think another year or so and all the values will rise again .
confusing) i think another year or so and all the values will rise again .
Yep, and i hope that the c5 value just drops through the floor so i can buy one of those too!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Originally Posted by 65Z01
The May, 2004 Vette magazine pricing guide lists your '87 Vette by condition as:
$13k - Excellent
$10k - Good
$8k - Average
If Kelly says it would only bring $4k on a trade in you would be better off selling it outright.
$13k - Excellent
$10k - Good
$8k - Average
If Kelly says it would only bring $4k on a trade in you would be better off selling it outright.
What really gets me is we just bought a 1970 mustang (that needs a total resto) for $4k. And, last time I checked, parts for Corvettes aren't any cheaper (I'm still payin' a quarter of my car's value for an aftermarket intake).
All I can say is: WTF?
Last edited by loiq; Aug 14, 2004 at 07:36 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 0
From: Mountain Home AR
I struggled in selling my 96 because all the "deals" on the C5 came out. But I held my guns and decided to keep it. After all it is my first Corvette after all these years. And it is almost paid for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by jabez
Only cheap azzes use Kelly Blue book when purchasing a car.
KBB is only a guideline, not an absolute.
KBB is only a guideline, not an absolute.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by loiq
No, this is their private sale value. Apparently Vette magazine has a whole different set of values than the used car market guides.
What really gets me is we just bought a 1970 mustang (that needs a total resto) for $4k. And, last time I checked, parts for Corvettes aren't any cheaper (I'm still payin' a quarter of my car's value for an aftermarket intake).
All I can say is: WTF?
What really gets me is we just bought a 1970 mustang (that needs a total resto) for $4k. And, last time I checked, parts for Corvettes aren't any cheaper (I'm still payin' a quarter of my car's value for an aftermarket intake).
All I can say is: WTF?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Vehicles of our vintage are generally sold at auction - New car dealers rely on lease returns for the vast majority of their used car inventory and very seldom will you find a used car on a new dealer lot older than 5 years. Used car specialists will buy the average, older car and hope to sell it for a few grand over their winning bid and supposedly, that's where KBB gets it pricing. Astute buyers can attend a couple of auctions and either buy there, or at least get an idea of the what the vehicle they're interested in goes for and negotiate accordingly.
The C5 right now, relative to my $35,000 sticker, is a bargain with advertised discounts ranging for 10 to 12K. The C6 has relatively few (at least for me) "gee whiz I just gotta have it" things going for it. The Boomers that bought the C5 have had their Vette experience, and I don't see them gravitating towards a C6. I think that after Chevy sells it to those who always have to be the first, there will be some tough sledding ahead for the Vette. The next generation just doesn't appear interested.
The C5 right now, relative to my $35,000 sticker, is a bargain with advertised discounts ranging for 10 to 12K. The C6 has relatively few (at least for me) "gee whiz I just gotta have it" things going for it. The Boomers that bought the C5 have had their Vette experience, and I don't see them gravitating towards a C6. I think that after Chevy sells it to those who always have to be the first, there will be some tough sledding ahead for the Vette. The next generation just doesn't appear interested.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Run your 87 through NADA it is more along the lines of what's it's worth.......KBB is what the dealers show you when you're doing a trade.
usually kbb puts the car a good bit below what it's really worth.
usually kbb puts the car a good bit below what it's really worth.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
The vette magz are probably closer too what Vettes are worth on the street in a given condition. Not counting for certain markets. The KBB and such are generic numbers for annonomous cars. I usually check out my local auto trader and check out Vettes of similar quality. What the book say and what people are really selling them for could be way apart.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,190
Likes: 145
From: Snake handler
Depreciation is an evil mistress. We love her when we are buying but hate her when we are selling. My 99 Saab 95 is worth under $9K! I'll keep it. One of these days I'm going to buy a '96 Vette. If the trend continues, I'll have enough money to do some performance mods!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 1,181
From: La Mesa CA
As it has been said above, a car is worth what someone is willing to sell it and buy it for. While the soft market may be painful for the person owning a vette, it also opens up the opportunity for others to get a vette who otherwise not be able to, such as myself
A couple of months ago I was able to get a 86 Z51 4+3 with 112K miles for $3000. It wasn't in the greatest of shape, but it was fun fun fun to drive. So fun in fact, that I sold it and got a 90 Z51 6 speed with 98k miles in much better shape with a beautiful interior for $4600. It needed a clutch and some injector work, but the end result is I have a great vette for relatively little money.
A couple of months ago I was able to get a 86 Z51 4+3 with 112K miles for $3000. It wasn't in the greatest of shape, but it was fun fun fun to drive. So fun in fact, that I sold it and got a 90 Z51 6 speed with 98k miles in much better shape with a beautiful interior for $4600. It needed a clutch and some injector work, but the end result is I have a great vette for relatively little money.