Pro52R

iTrader: (15)

Wow..

As most of you know I am looking for an LS1 F-bod.

Trying to not spend more than $8k....so my options arn't limited,but there not many

I don't mind 90+k miles..and want an a4..t-tops don't matter nor does leather...

But wow..some of the prices people are asking for cars with 120+k miles..

I did a 300mile search on auto trader...max price $8k..

The cheapest car was $6100...the average miles of these cars are between 120-160K miles...and they all want $6,500-8K..for bone stock a4's

I did a quick edmunds and the most they should be worth is $6300 and thats w/ 120K miles,and in good condition..i am most certain these cars will not be pristine..

So when it comes to the time that I am ready to buy,do I tell these people they are ******* nuts? I will not swollow my pride and pay $8k for a 150K Z28 w/ a few minor problems..

I mean **** I do come across some steals sometimes,but never have the money at

r3dberry

I know I am in a similar situation except I am willing to pay up to $18,000 for a clean
low mile
01-02 trans am but I see people selling their 30k mile 02 trans ams with an asking price

of 23,000 and dealerships asking about 25,000 I know damn well they are not worth that
much. How much did trans ams cost when they were new?

I once saw a convertible 2002 yellow collector's edition trans am with 20k miles and
the owner was asking $33,000 for it I was thinking man this guy is tripping ***** if he thinks he can get that much for it.

Pro52R

iTrader: (15)

LOL...Barret Jackson on there mind?

95FbFormula

iTrader: (25)

I would wait and look something will come up I was in a rush and undereducated about the ls1-Lt1 so i didn't care which i got so when i couldn't find a nice ls1 around i bought my 95 formula for 10K granted it was in 2004 and it only had 54k on it and was in great shape but still was about $3k to high.

r3dberry

serious, just because the 02 says collector's edition doesn't automatically mean you ask
a ridiculous amount of money for it maybe 30 years from now but the one I saw isn't
even considered collector's mileage.

and then they get all mad when you offer them the actual price and say that you are low balling them

corum

im in the same position, i want either a hawk or the collectors t/a. but people want 25-30k for a car with about 30k miles on it. its truely only worth around 20k if that. i wouldnt mind paying that much if the car was actually worth it. i kelly blue book everyone im interested in and i will never offer any more. and if they dont want that screw them ill come back in a couple of months and see if they still have it. if not oh well wasn't meant to be!! but i know what your saying, alot of these cars are WAY over priced!!!

coolformula

iTrader: (21)

Yea I know, sometime I see great cars for 8500, with low miles and you turn around you see a 140K stock ls1 for the same price. Autotrader stinks I never see anything for around that price around here fo ran ls1 car.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

You have to remember that local market prices will be driven by what the consumers are willing to pay, not what the book value says. These cars are still popular within the enthusiast community and many people are willing to pay the "higher than book value" prices.

KBB and the like don't mean much when it comes to special interest cars like these selling on the private market. As long as there are some people willing to pay more, and as long as the seller doesn't need to move the car quickly, then you will see prices well above book value.

It's not just about cars either. Houses are the same way. In my area, home prices have gone stupid in the last few years. There are houses not far from me selling for $400k+ that IMO, aren't worth more than $150-200k. But there are people willing to pay for the location so that brings the prices up.

cyphur

iTrader: (10)

RPM speaks the truf, its not about what they're "worth", its about what someone is willing to pay.

30thanniv

iTrader: (2)

It is all about supply and demand. Demand is currently high for ls-1's.
I have to agree alot of people have Barret-Jackson on their mind.
You see the post here all the time..." is my car rare?", "can I get my build number?", " how many NBM, A4, hardtop formulas with pink tire valve stems were made? and can I retire off the sale of it?" LOL

RMC_SS_LDO

As a guy who just listed a car, I went with KBB, the condition of the car and the local market to help determine the price. I'm not trying to gouge anyone, but I'm not hurting to sell it. It actually kills me to even think of selling mine since it is still "new", but too many forces working now and it's time to part with her.

One thing I think may contribute to the high prices is a number of folks have these cars as "week-end drivers" and take very good care of them; at least that's the case for me. If the weather is questionable, she stays under cover in the garage- I have never HAD to drive her as my only transportation. There are very few options on the market that compete with them (Corvette is a diffrent leage; Mustang- get real) which helps keep the prices up. Then when you add in the fact these cars can EASILY go 150k miles plus with no major work (stocker w/o serious abuse) yea, they hold value!

Why am I selling mine again? j/k

In some cases the old addage "Ya gotta pay to play" holds true.

Mr.Powers

keep looking... specifically around your local lots...


I found a 97k Mile NHRA Formula with 6speed for 7k... and mostly highway miles... So they are there.


Btw, internet prices only are one thing... calling and jewin' him down a little isn' a bad idea at all.

slow

iTrader: (7)

There are also a lot of people who have these cars as extras, and put a price of what they will sell for, but not what they expect to sell for.

If you want to pay me $13K for my 98 Ws6, It's yours, but I am not listing it for sale, that is just what price point it would be for sale.

Thanks,

Ryan

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Supply and demand. People will sell cars for what other people will pay for them. Simple.

Sounds like you guys are limiting your choices due to local sales only. You need to check out how cheap 1-way airline tickets are to most major cities and then expand your searches to up to 1000 miles away sometimes. I do this to find the cars I want. Fly out, drive it home on the weekend. It is totally worth it if you find exactly what you are looking for. Waiting around for local sales only is a waste of time.

Shinigami2x4

Nine ball is right - i was fairly lucky with a local sale of mine however i am not completley happy with it due to events in my life right now and the mod bug that i shot and stomped on but it keeps coming back.

alw041

iTrader: (2)

I had to drive 15 hours round trip get mine. Excellent Condition 2000 z28 with 76k miles for 10k...

Pro52R

iTrader: (15)

Thanks for the thoughts guys...I searched out 300 miles..and usualy do a any distance search to see whats beyond that 300mile mark.

What cracks me up though is it seems like alot of these people who want these high prices,don't know much about the car they own..Such as LT1 350,corvette engine,5speed trans,etc etc

crazy02ss

iTrader: (1)

i bought my O2 SS with 28k and only paid 16k out the door at a dealership

Ntimid8r7

iTrader: (9)

My 01 SS I bought at a stealership too with 32,000 and I paid roughly $16,900 otd. They had it listed in the paper for $22,000 and on the net for $17,500 at the same time.

02NHRAtransAm

iTrader: (17)

cheapest ls1 i purhcased was a 98 formula like 7500 otd.... my current ride i bought from a dealer 2 years old w/ 20k on the ticker needless to say they didnt budge a whole lot... but you do get what you pay for remeber that!