so, there's a 2002 Trans Am at a dealership near me. black, ebony interior, t-tops, auto ..they are asking $19,999..but it only has 11,000 miles on it. is that steep or is it a steal...just curious what you guys think...

 

Unless you are dead set on owning a trans am (this one would have to be in almost perfect condition), I would suggest putting that 20 grand towards a c5 vette... but that's just my opinion. It's your money, not mine.

 

mostly curious. i have a 95 TA stalled auto that i love but, the fact that it's an auto turns me off. if it was a stick i might be more into it.

 

I think you just answered your question right there. The worst thing you could do is buy something that turns you off. Be patient, what you are looking for will pop up eventually.

 

not really looking to buy it, just curious what everyone thought about it. just rare to find that car with that low of miles.

 

Waaaay steep. If it is just a T/A, it retails for $14k and if it is a WS6 it retails for $17k! Depending where they got it, they probably have $10k in it if it's a T/A and $13k in it if it's a WS6.

 

Too much money imo

 

its a ws6..just thought with that low of miles it might not be too far off.

 

Also, it being an automatic does not help with it being sought after.

 

yeah, i was pretty disappointed when i saw it was an auto. don't get me wrong, i love my stalled auto and it runs well but, nothing like rowing the gears.

 

Actually, I'd surmise that a lot of people who would be interested in such a vehicle for it's status as a low-mileage performance Pontiac would prefer the auto. These will be those of an older demographic with disposable income -- the price would not be necessarily out of line, and the transmission not a deterrent.

This is the clientele the dealer is hoping for -- not some 20-something looking for a car to mod on a budget.

 

Good point, although, I am in the age demographic (older as you say), I have no disposable income ... it all goes into cars and motorcycles!

 

I'm referring to retired, just to clarify. Nothing wrong with that or anything -- nor do I have any statistical information to back up my reasoning

 

I just got done shopping for a WS6 after about 8 months. My opinion is that the price is not bad at all. Being a dealer, you'd expect them to come down a bit and I think if they did that you'd be exactly where you should be from a price point standpoint.

I just paid $18,500 for my WS6 with 9,000 miles. It's a 6 speed though...

 

No offense taken .... I am afraid everything will be gone when we retire and will be put into a beach house, but I get to keep a bike. At least, that is the agreement .... lol.

 

Excellent post! You are right on the money.
That car is priced accurately with the low mileage premium figured in. Price guide books (KBB or NADA) are unable to factor in these real world premiums so throw them out the window when finding or pricing a one or two owner 11,000 miles car that is near mint. Cars with sub 10,000 miles are regularly in the lower 20's at dealerships. These type cars represent a wonderful opportunity for those that wanted a new LS1 back in the day but couldn't get one for whatever reason. With stickers in the mid 30's when new, buying one 'nearly new' for around $20,000 today (or less, if lucky) is a nice deal. Also look at this way; What would you rather have, a $20,000 new Kia or a 'like new 10,000 miles LS1??

 

First, I do not mean to be disrespectful and I apologize in advance if you take it that way, but customers with that attitude are a car dealer's/saleman's wet dream!

Secondly, IN MY OPINION, you cannot compare a 10 year old car to a brand new car (not that there is any comparison between a Kia and an LSx 4th Gen Fbody). Age is detrimental to a car as is mileage, although not as much in most cases, but no matter how you slice it, a 10 year old car is not a like-new car.

Ultimately though, a car is only worth what someone will pay for it. If it sells for $20k, then it was worth $20k to that buyer and, if it doesn't sell and they wholesale it, it will bring what it is worth to the highest auction bidder.

 

I would agree that a dealer is going to have a premium put into such a vehicle -- because it demands it. I'd personally have no problem paying such a price for the car if I wanted a ~10k mile, essentially new collector-type of car. Further, if it didn't have a premium, I'd be wondering what's wrong with it. This vehicle is not someone's leftover's, so it's in an entirely different class of f-body than the majority of the cars all of us have torn apart over the years.

However, I would agree that it's not really a good comparison to a brand new $20k car. I do not believe someone shopping for a $20k vehicle as new transportation would cross shop a $20k 10-year old sports car -- if they are, then they are the minority. However, I know what NC01TA was trying to infer -- the T/A has a lot more character than brand new cars in the $20k range.

 

BriansSF-GA, no offense taken at all, but 'live and learn'. You personally won't be owning a 10,000 miles 2002 WS-6 for much less than anything in the high teens. The dealership is spot on and will get that price or very close to it. There are 'premiums' involved with cars like these and buyers for them. As far as the new car analogy, I'm speaking to the LS1 crowd here on this site. $19,000 - $20,000 for a like new 2002 WS6 LS1 ( and yes, a garage kept 10,000 miles car can be like new despite the age) can be a deal for an LS1 lover.

Here are a few examples of what I am talking about. Yes, these are asking prices but these ultra low mileage examples are what the OP is talking about, and supports my argument as well about premiums for cars like these. No one has to to buy one, but to think people are suckers for paying $19,000 -$20,000 for one is an opinion not based on fact or real world sales. We are talking 2002 WS6 10,000 miles (or close) cars, not base T/A's, or other years, or higher mileage. Here you go:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...10054950&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...11591515&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...17644418&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...03045096&Log=0

 

nice stats..that makes it look just about right. maybe i can steal it for a little less...lol