Came across a 98 WS6 A4 Vert 28K Black with Taupe top/int by word of mouth (incorrectly told Camel but reseraching Camel was not an option in 98).

Not sure if verts get a premium over a similiar hard top so I would be interested if there is a rule a thumb # to help in future comparisons.

2nd owner, garage kept, current owner owned for 8 yrs and never driven in rain. All stock. New tires (need to confirm brand). Meticulously maintained (contact was mechanic who has serviced this car and knows the owner personally).

Going to look at later today and will have some more details as far as to confirm condition and see what options it has and hopefully take some pics. Thanks.

 

Checking what's it worth threads in the last year...not many vert posts. My guess the mileage is a plus but the year vs it being let's say an 02 may be a negative demanding less $ ?

 

I know of a 2 owner local 2001 NBM auto vert in with 13K miles that sold last year for $18K or so which was a great deal. I'd put a 2002 about $1K higher. But anything in the $17K to $20K on these is fair game with miles under 20K. For the 1998 I'd deduct $3K for the model years (vs 2001) and $1.5K for higher mileage.... so $13.5K to $15K. Check autotrader.com for a listing of Trans Am verts (out of 62 listed there is only a single '98 WS6)

My own thumb rule for WS6 verts is to add $1.5K to $2K over the price of a coupe (basically it's 50% of the option cost when it was new). Others may have their own opinions. I'd still love to own a WS6 vert someday. I'm a buyer at that premium even for an automatic which works fine for those who just want to cruise around and not shift their arms off. While the 1998 doesn't have the performance upgrades of the 2001-2002 it is the first year of the model, features the desirable single left side exhaust, there's no Firehawk vert of that year to compete, and '98s are at least 2X scarcer than any following year. Try and find a clean "anything" low mileage '98 WS6 - coupe or vert. 2 years ago I was quoted $15K from a large mid-western for a 1999 WS6 vert with around 26K miles. I doubt that car is worth more today. But during convertible season the dealers ask some big numbers, and often get them from buyers who just have to "have it now." I'd rather have the '98 over a '99. Even though the later years are more in demand, there are so few '98's out there that the few buyers (like me and you) that would consider one, will keep the price up as well. 3 years ago I went after a white '98 WS6 coupe for around $14.5K with only 12K miles. It sold by the time I called on it. That same car today still has to be worth close to $14K if the miles are still the same. I'd value a 13K mile coupe about the same as a 28K mile vert if optioned similarly. You can search for non-anniversay '99 and '00 verts as well and subtract $1K/$2K respectively from their prices to compare them to the '98. You don't have to find just '98's.

At least with the '98 automatic you'll have a lot of people who will ignore it because it's not a 2001-2002, it's not a 6 speed, and it's not a super rare color or anything. Still, I like the idea of such a car that is very hard to find clean and unmolested. The 1998's just might be a sleeper someday as "no one" wants them. Even at $15K I think it's a pretty sweet car if well kept. You'll rarely run into another. For every 6 2002's you see, there will be 1 1998. The other years combined outnumber them 14-1. There are at least 3x as many 1999 Anniversary and 2002 CETA verts out there than the 1998's (probably 5X to 10X). And most of those anniv cars are in primo condition while the majority of 1998's have been thrashed. Overall I'd value a 1998 WS6 vert at about $4K to $5K less than a 2002, with most of that coming from just age. The 1998 is also close to fully depreciated too...another plus to the value-minded buyer. Give both cars another 5 years and I bet that gap closes a lot.

Someday, people are going to wake up and realize the poor 1998's didn't get saved. It wasn't until 2001 that everyone realized these cars were going to stopped being made. Then they all rushed to order 2001 and 2002's. By that time most 1998's had 30,000 or more miles on them. I'd bet there are less than 50% of the verts still in existence (200 cars) with <50% of those having under 30K miles (<100 cars). Compare that to the majority of anniversary verts that probably have <30K miles (500?). There will always be very low mileage cream puffs among the anniv verts and the 2001-2002's. It's sort of late for the earlier years. The 1998's may never realize their potential but I still like them. And bang for the buck, they are probably the most inexpensive WS6 you can get into.

Let us know what you think of it if you go to see it.

 

Firebrian I appreciate the post and you taking time to really provide some great insight and info on the 98's ! Thanks.