How much should I ask for my Vette?
 

Hello all, I am putting this out here for your opinions as I am going to be selling my 87 Corvette. Below is the detailed description of what I have come up with so far. It is quite long and detailed, but I value my fellow forum members opinions and experience. Thank you in advance. This is certainly a sad day for me, but things have to be done. I am in South Jersey if anyone is interested. Thank you all...:salute:

Here is the link to my slide show

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/k...view=slideshow

1987 Chevrolet Corvette
65,XXX Original Miles
Automatic Trans
Clean New Jersey Title in Hand
Inspection Good Until July 2011
I bought my Vette on May 9, 2008 from Pellegrino Pontiac in Williamstown, New Jersey. It only had 57,XXX miles when I purchased it. I have only put about 7k on it since I have
owned it. It was my first Vette, the car I always wanted. Unfortunately, I need to get car that is a little easier on my back. I am a disbaled vet and have back issues. I have toughed it out as long as I can, but getting in and out of this thing can be cumbersome. I will be completely up front and honest about this car. There will be no surprises for the new owner.
Here is a list of all maintenance that has been accomplished since I have owned it: Please note that all parts installed were new.
Regular Oil Changes every 3,000 miles or every 6 months.
15 May 2008 - Blower Motor Resistor Replaced
15 May 2008 - Transmission Power Flush and Filter Replaced
15 May 2008 - Coolant System Power Flush
12 Jun 2008 - PCV Valve Replaced
12 Jun 2008 - Rear Brake Pads Replaced
22 Jun 2008 - Speed Sensor Replaced
22 Jun 2008 - Fuel Filter Replaced
05 Jul 2008 - Throttle Body Removed, Cleaned, and Re-installed
05 Jul 2008 - Neutral Safety Switched Replaced
13 Jul 2008 - Front Brake Rotors and Pads Replaced
04 Aug 2008 - Throttle Position Sensor Replaced
20 Sep 2008 - Performed Compression Test #1-178psi #2-180psi #3-183psi #4-187psi #5-180psi #6-175psi #7-184psi #8-177psi
10 Oct 2008 - Wiper Blades Replaced
10 Oct 2008 - Battery Terminal Bolts Replaced
13 Jul 2009 - Serpentine Belt Replaced
14 Nov 2009 - Intake and Exhaust Valve Stem Seals Replaced
14 Nov 2009 - Spark Plug Wires Replaced
14 Nov 2009 - Summit Racing 1.5 Roller Tip Rocker Arms Installed
15 Dec 2009 - Bosch Battery Installed
17 Dec 2009 - Drivers Side Power Window Ribbon Replaced
03 Apr 2010 - Passenger Side Power Door Lock Switch Replaced
05 Apr 2010 - Custom Fit Red and Black Seat Covers Installed
11 Apr 2010 - Air Filter Replaced
10 May 2010 - Removed Mufflers and installed straight pipes with chrome tips and muffler hangers (Sounds Great)
31 May 2010 - Black Leather Steering Wheel Cover Installed
15 Oct 2010 - 17" Chrome Z06 Style Wheels and 275-40-17 BF Goodrich Tires Installed with the proper 3/4" Wheel Adapters (NO RUBBING)
27 Nov 2010 - AC Delco Spark Plugs Installed
27 Nov 2010 - EGR Pipe Insulation Installed
04 Dec 2010 - AC Delco Water Pump Installed and Complete Coolant System Flush
04 Dec 2010 - Coolant Hoses with Tee Fitting to Oil Cooler and Water Pump Replaced
20 Jan 2011 - Leather Shift Boot Replaced
20 Jan 2011 - Corvette Spec Plate installed on ashtray cover.
Extra Parts that will be included (not installed on car):
Fuel Injector Connection 22lb Bosch Design III Flow Matched Injectors
Fuel Rail Service O-Rings from FIC
Intake Runners Gasket Kit from FIC
Orginal 16" Corvette Wheels with 255-50-16 Tires with approx 40% tread remaining. Still roadworthy and hold air with no leaks.
Heavy Duty Custom fit car cover designed specifically for the C4 corvettes.
Lowering kit for the rear suspension.
Stock OEM Rockers Arms and Nuts (They are labeled to their original postion on the engine)
Car runs great and transmission shifts as it should. No leaks from engine or transmission. Car will run even better once the Bosch injectors are installed. Car has 1 leaky injector but runs fine and can be driven anywhere. Occasionally gets a puff of smoke on startup from the leaky injector. I would not hesitate to drive this vette anywhere. 90% of the maintenance has been performed by me. I have been working on cars and airplanes for over 18 years; it's my passion. I do not like having any joe blow mechanic putting their hands on my pride and joy. The red paint shines very nice with a good waxing. It is a 10-footer. There are some swirl marks and a couple scuffs and the third brake light has the clear coat peeling. It currently has a black half mask bra installed. The nose of the car has some rock chips on the nose and I did not want any more chipping to occur. Interior is clean, no stains or weird odors. It has a red dash mat and cargo mat installed. The carpet in the cargo area had sun damage so the new cargo mat was a more cost effective alternative. Looks nice. The interior in my opinion is better
than the majority of other 24 year old cars I have seen. Not perfect, but very presentable. Wheels are virtually new. Tread on the tires have about 95% remaining. Handles alot better with the wider than stock tires.

Okay, now to things that will need attention, but do not affect its drivability or reliability.
Air Conditioning does not work. The AC compressor works fine, but one of the AC lines going into the accumulator is cracked
which explains why I had to keep putting in cans of R134. AC blew very cold until I had to add another can. The car was professionally converted to R134. There is a sticker on the blower motor of the shop that did it. It was done before I purchased the car. The AC Line that needs replaced is the one that connects to the back of the compressor and goes into the accumulator and the condensor. It is 2 lines but they connect to the back of the compressor as one unit. Car may need an alignment. Since I put on the new wheels and tires, it seems to pull a little in either direction. It could just be the wider tires, but I am not 100% sure. Passenger Side Emergency Brake needs to be reassembled. I have all of the parts to do this which will be included. For safety reasons, I would fix the E-brake before driving a long distance. Drivers Side Power Seat Motor - it grinds when going forward or back. You can still adjust it by pushing or pulling with your feet. Engine Compartment could use a good detailing, just have not had time to do it. Orginal Bose stereo was removed long before I purchased the car. It has a sony cd player and alpine speakers. Power antenna works just fine when turning the radio on and off. The car could use some door/window weather stripping. Drivers side window at the top front will leak when going through a car wash. Since I do not drive it in the rain, the car cover is always on it, so no issues with water inside the car when sitting.
The top, passenger side window, and rear hatch seals do not leak.
I know it seems as if there is alot wrong, but in reality, these are normal things for a 24 year old car. I get looks everywhere
I go and it is a blast to drive. It is a wonderful low mileage Corvette with many years of driving still to go. I just wanted to be
upfront and honest becuase I know purchasing a used car can be stressful. I am an honest guy and would not try to pull the wool over anyone's eyes.
If you have any questions whatsoever, I will be happy to answer them. If I remember anything else, I will be sure to add it.
Please remember this is a 24 year old used vehicle, but is a very presentable daily driver.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long description. But more information is better than not enough.
Take care and God Bless our Armed Services. And thank you Corvette forum members for all your help and support.

I'd say $8,500

:iagree: Good looking low mile car. :cheers:

Not trying to burst the bubble here the car has alot going for it especially the maintenance that has been done to it but it is an 87 and from what I have seen for sale lately I would put this car in the $6500-$7000 range max......I hope you do get more as I am a true C4 fan....:rock:

+1 - that is the high end. 24 year old car in a crappy market.

good luck with the sale

I could only dream...

Thanks to you all for your input, I certainly appreciate it. 6-8k is kind of what I was expecting. And it is definitely a crappy market right now...At this point, I would be happy with getting the lower end price wise... Certainly one of the best and most informative auto forums I have ever been part of, although I lurked and read alot. Thanks again...:thumbs:

I would start there for sure

Ask Judge Judy....:bigears

8K seems about right.

:iagree:

Saw the thread, before entering it, I'm thinking I'll post Dr Evil.
:toetap:


One Million Dollars.

I would go $2500 delivered to my house

:lol:

You are getting good advice so far price wise. I would start off asking $8500, but be prepared to field offers between $6000-$7000.

I bought my 88 in January 2010 w/ 69k miles (garage queen, from a multiple Vette owner with lots of well kept toys) for $6900 right at the time of the Barrett Jackson Auction (I live in Phoenix) when prices are usually a bit inflated anyway. I probably could have found a similar car for a few hundred less had I looked... but considering this one's condition and obvious pampered status I figured it was worth a few extra hundred. Turns out I was right... 10k miles later of trouble free ownership and I know I made a good choice.

Anyway, you can probably expect about the same money wise.

Good luck... so are you going to try get into a C5 or C6 (a little easier to get in and out of) or is this the unfortunate end of your Corvette dreams?:(

There is a lot of competition in the $6k-$9k market. Low mileage is nice, but condition is more important on a 24 year old car. I realize there is the school of thought that you can always go down in price, but never up, but in a tight market that doesn't always work. A lot of buyers have a set ceiling on what they will spend, and ignore your car if it's above that. I've seen a lot of sellers take a lot less than they would have got if they had just started off more realistically. In another month when spring hits back there you'll have a brief window when people will be buying on impulse. I would recommend starting around $6500 and being flexable with a serious buyer. JMO

Start with an $8500.00 asking price. Your 87 is not in the category of the ones going for $6000.00. You sound like an honerable and honest guy and that will be noticed from your potential buyers. Don't list it on the auction sites or this forum as these are the places where buyers will want to only pay rock bottom price because they have a few to consider. Be firm pricewise and the right buyer will notice that you know you have a great vehicle for sale and will not give it away. I'd figure with that being said you should get around $7500.00 to $8000.00. That last muscle car I just sold had a very high price on it. I sent alot of people walking away saying "no way". Within a few days, some of them returned with much higher offers. When I got within $500.00 of my selling price, I sold it and the buyer then realized the car was well worth it. And by the way, :salute: THANK YOU!

Does every one on this forum suffer from low self esteem ?

Man inquires as to what would be a reasonable ASKING price for a very nice 87 and the advice he gets is to start low and go down from there. No one even suggested the seller to ASK (not sell) for top dollar. When C4 enthusiasts beat down each other, it's no damn wonder C4's are perceived as having no real value.

Before I quit ranting, let me end by saying I just went online at Corvette Trader and the ASKING price for the first ten 87 vettes (of varying condition and mileage) that I found were as follows: $14,900; $9,900; $7,500; $13,900; $10,000; $13,900; $9,988; $15,000; $14,000; $13,000.

Moral of the story ? You're free to draw your own conclusions.

I know that you are just asking for opinions, but the number of variables is so great that it's difficult for anyone to offer a really helpful number. I've seen prices that vary so much it makes you scratch your head wondering what's going on. And in the end the car's value will be determined by a buyer, not you or us or any valuation website.

If it were me -- and there was no urgency --I'd start at the higher price point with a listing on Craigslist, and work down week by week if it doesn't sell. Sooner or later the price will match a buyer's willingness to pay.

Put your ad on CL for other cities in a several hundred mile radius for better exposure. Anybody who really wants the car will travel a little to get it.