realistic Fiero selling prices (Page 1/6)
sledcaddie NOV 11, 04:44 PM
So, according to auto insurance ratings for "classic cars", and NIFE's Fiero pricing guide, a 1988 GT with 5 speed, if in EXCELLENT condition, is around $11-$12K. That means, everything working, in driving condition, low mileage, well maintained, etc. My buddy sees these Fiero's listed on the internet, with ASKING prices of $14K or higher. Just because they are asking that, doesn't mean they are getting that. He has a 1988 Fiero GT, 5 speed, low mileage, that has been stored (untouched) in a garage for over 20 years. No battery, no keys, 4 flat (original) tires, no locking lug nut socket, etc. He thinks HIS is worth at least $14K. I told him it would take at least a couple thousand just to get it up and running again (battery, tires, fluids, possibly fuel pump). What do you all think?
Patrick NOV 11, 04:51 PM

quote
Originally posted by sledcaddie:

I told him it would take at least a couple thousand just to get it up and running again (battery, tires, fluids, possibly fuel pump).



Don't forget the seized brake calipers, and a water pump that'll most definitely start leaking.

$14,000 ??? Your friend is dreaming.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-11-2019).]

pmbrunelle NOV 11, 07:14 PM
I don't think it's that hard to bring a dormant car out of its stupor... I'd do that and drive it around a bit, then put it for sale.

A running car will be worth much more than a non-running car.
theogre NOV 11, 07:35 PM
NIFE's "Guide" is BS too and worse now after years push by morons.
Likely was based on NADA and/or Kelley's (KBB) books that's full of fake numbers use by Most Used Car dealers.

KBB Owned By Cox Auto no longer list any vehicle > 25 years old so doesn't list any Fiero.
NADA "Guides" Owned by J.D. Power and Associates, yes the same that give fake awards to any w/ big money to burn, list any since the '60s but their "Values" Means little to nothing too.
Is why many "Dealers" sell any old cars and say "Blue Book" list is 2000 to 5000 $ even for worse crap on the lot.

Most Car parked for years has a lot of things wrong.
Brakes, water pump, and more will go bad just park in a garage. You might get it to run but likely very soon have to replace many parts. WP and other shaft seals love to leak/die after sitting parked for months to years then run.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 11-11-2019).]

sledcaddie NOV 11, 08:37 PM
Hey, Ogre. Always enjoy your input. The appraised value my insurance company put on my 85 Fiero was pretty close to what NIFE's had. Normal insurance coverage would have given me about $500 if my car was a total loss. Now, I would get $6500. Of course, I could go to someplace like Hagerty's and claim my car was worth $20,000, and they would insure it for that (for a price). My point about the internet is that just because someone is asking $15K doesn't mean that it finally sells for that. I saw a Fiero listed last year that was asking $18K, but sold for $13K. Another example was an 88 GT that was asking $6500 last May, but is now listed for $3500, and still not sold. I'm just trying to explain to my buddy that his car isn't worth as much unless it is cleaned up and driving, AND what it would take to get it that way.
California Kid NOV 12, 12:10 AM

quote
Originally posted by sledcaddie:

Hey, Ogre. Always enjoy your input. The appraised value my insurance company put on my 85 Fiero was pretty close to what NIFE's had. Normal insurance coverage would have given me about $500 if my car was a total loss. Now, I would get $6500. Of course, I could go to someplace like Hagerty's and claim my car was worth $20,000, and they would insure it for that (for a price). My point about the internet is that just because someone is asking $15K doesn't mean that it finally sells for that. I saw a Fiero listed last year that was asking $18K, but sold for $13K. Another example was an 88 GT that was asking $6500 last May, but is now listed for $3500, and still not sold. I'm just trying to explain to my buddy that his car isn't worth as much unless it is cleaned up and driving, AND what it would take to get it that way.



I have the Kid insured for 20k through Hagerty. When I called them up we reviewed all the modifications and the guy thought 20 was a fair assessment in terms of replacement cost. Realistically I think the sell value would probably be lower.

Of course with a car like ours the market is quite fickle, you're looking for someone interested in a mid 80s GM product (with all the baggage that brings) with a shrinking parts market as a second car. Original cars ARE easier to sell though... Not to get cheeky but it's worth what someone is willing to pay

It's not a '66 911 though, keeping it in barn find condition does not help the value. if he wants north of 12k it's got to look new and run.

D
cam-a-lot NOV 12, 07:30 AM
I really think that value is dictated primarily by the socio/economic "class" of people that tend to be interested in a particular type of car. For a long time Fieros were often driven (I am generalizing...) by people who wanted the look of a sports car, but could not afford one. So they were popular, but due to their abundance and low price, many people who wanted a status symbol or viewed themselves as car collectors would shun them.

I think that this is starting to change due to the relative rarity of the car now, and the fact that the design is still attractive after 30+ years- A unique looking and driving car. And most people have no idea what kind of car it is, so the negative connotation linked to the Fiero in the 80's and 90's is mostly gone.

My feeling is that clean, rust free and well preserved examples willl hold their value and possibly even rise, particularly 88 models. Not sure about Indy, since GM put a lawn tractor motor into it, so it is really just an 84 with some cool stickers and graphics on it.. Would have been much nicer with the 1.8 or 2.0 Turbo engine that ended up going into the Sunbird..

Long story short, I think valuation is based mostly on the wallet size of the average buyer. The cars are too old to be a practical daily driver for most, so "poor" people, or young people getting their first car will not consider a Fiero. What's left? People who are collectors and hobby guys who have more disposable income, who will pay more money for a clean example since it is "play" money. Just my 2 cents
sledcaddie NOV 13, 10:00 AM
Just some examples I've seen on the internet car sites (all 1988's) : An 88 GT with only 300 miles - a couple years ago was ASKING $40K. Last I saw, it had been lowered to $30K. I think this one was in Seattle.
Another GT with only 20,000 miles was ASKING $14,500. Salesman said it sold for $13,500. I think this was in Georgia
Saw a GT in New York, with only 8,000 miles on it (daughter selling after dad died) was ASKING $14K. I was told it was sold, but not for how much.
Was a yellow GT in Montana, that had only 1,700 miles on it. Was ASKING $18K. I was making bids, then seller told me he had sold it. Wouldn't tell me how much.

So, ASKING prices are all over the board.

What's amazing to me is how the price plummets when it is an automatic. There are lots of REALLY low mileage 88's out there, that are much lower in price, just because they are automatics. Many have been listed for a long time, so interest is not there.
exc911ence NOV 13, 01:58 PM
A clean 23K mile white t-top 88 GT 5-speed just sold on Bring a Trailer for $9300 US. It was being sold locally for $15880 Cdn but was stagnating... likely why it ended up on BaT.
FieroMontreal NOV 13, 02:26 PM

quote
Originally posted by exc911ence:

A clean 23K mile white t-top 88 GT 5-speed just sold on Bring a Trailer for $9300 US. It was being sold locally for $15880 Cdn but was stagnating... likely why it ended up on BaT.



I offered them 11k cad for that car in July or August.

No dice.

He said the owner of the dealer had refused several offers higher than mine at the time.

[This message has been edited by FieroMontreal (edited 11-13-2019).]