I have found something that is way way way way higher on my priority list to find and restore than a Fiero, and I want it, but don't have the cash, so willing to part with the Fiero already !
The one I'm looking at is a 78 short bed W10, my favorite body style, This one has a Manual Trans, virtually unseen in those days ! I got to have it and make it what I want !
Wow the Indy is a fantastic investment! I had an appraisal on my 88 GT T Top in 2010 and it was valued at over $17k! That was a decade ago, your Indy could probably in the $30+ range!
Well not to disparage any Fiero or yours but appraisals are just that appraisals. All are not equal and all are not representative of true realized market values as they ever fluctuate with demand.
The reality is there are a number of good clean models out there and generally today the 88 T tops trade a little less than your appraisal. Most are very low mile too. Yes some people may over pay but $13k to $15k is about where I have seen fully loaded rare color low mile TTop 88 models selling.
Pace cars are a mixed bunch. Original low mile unrestored are the best but their prices are below the 88 TTops. If restored they go down and if they need work they can go cheap as some of the parts are hard to find and are expensive so putting it back right can cost as much as a good car or more.
Even my car is appraised and insured for more than I would expect to get if sold today.
Interest in the 80’s cars are just starting as there is an 80’s retro movement starting. This should help with demand and prices.
Appraisals often mean nothing. Most are Copy/Past data from KBB or NADA that's a fake numbers published by Cox et al to artificially jack prices to sell used cars. Most Insurance Co laugh at that number. Try to sell at that number often fails too.
Cars parked for month often have problems. For years even decades then may drive to appraise/sell likely have big problems just not right away to find them. Fuel, Brake and Cooling system parts are well known for this. So often I hear very low miles on 10+ year old car is this or worse, an odo scam.
This is Why most "Barn finds" have iffy/bad brakes and more even when parked w/ all parts nearly new because Brake fluid and coolant goes "bad" just sitting allowing other parts to fail now or soon. Gas goes "bad" in a few months even w/o having Ethanol issues. New gas often make tank and lines to release crap in a week or several that can cause problems.
Then add most people do half assed "restoration" that cuts "collectible value" big time. Including "restored" by "Pro" mechanics.
------------------ 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)
I have an acre of land and a shop building with a lift. I have several Fieros on my property that have been sitting for a various number of years. This from my former daily driver 88GT that sat for 3.5 years to a Formula that sat for 13 years. I’ve been working on reviving 3 of them recently. All of them have a variety of issues that need to be dealt with. Like Ogre said, brake systems will have a host of problems. The brake fluid absorbs moisture and eats at rubber hoses and seals. Calipers and slider pins lock up, and rotors rust. Electrical system components oxidize and corrode. Fuel pumps freeze up, the sending unit corrodes and the tank can rust inside.
Any car that hasn’t been started regularly and maintained will need a TON of work.
We bought our silver 86 SE V6 as a garage kept 50K mile car. It had been stationary & covered for over 10 years. Ended up replacing all 4 calipers, rotors, pads & E-brake cables for the brakes; the rear exhaust manifold gasket, and yeah, replaced the fuel tank & pump as the tank indeed rusted; new plugs, cap & wires. And some mouse - house stuff. But, that was the end of it, ran great / looked great after that.
BR's,
Mark
------------------ 1965 Tempest 400 CID 2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 3.6 2017 BMW X3 3.0 T 2015 BMW 535iX M Sport 2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe 2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous
Well if you didn’t like the appraisal from 2010, then you are gonna hate the one I just had done 10 years later. Value was $34,092.24 CDN Now I am no expert, but I I don’t think it is fair to claim that vehicle appraisals are a joke. This appraiser began his career at Pontiac in 1978, who then began a career with ICBC as a specialty vehicle underwriter for the agreed value policy for ICBC and he also ran the Collector Vehicle Program for 8 years where he reviewed over 40,000 applications for Collector, Modified Collector and Vintage plates. He was instrumental in making significant changes to the Modified Collector program. He was also the Specialty Vehicle Appraiser for ICBC where he dealt with the high value vehicles that were involved in a crash. Some of his accolades are Former Director of the Specialty Vehicle Association of B.C. (SVABC) National NAACC Concours Judge Crescent Beach Concours and the NAACC Shawinigan lake Concours Vancouver Island CCJ Port Coquitlam Car Show Vancouver Car Show Judge
So despite this appraiser’s history, it has not become clear to me why some forum members are self proclaiming themselves greater experts in the field of determining a fiero’s value? Rather I suspect that these individuals would prefer to continue buying highly revered fiero’s to add to their collections, knowing well the fortunes they build in their garages, and maintaining their stance that fiero’s are just cheap fun and they will never amount to anything.??? I wonder how many people said the same thing in the 80’s about the 70’s firebirds and trans ams? Well look at them now. The fact of the matter is that there are two sides here, the groups of people who value these cars high, and the groups who prefer to value them low. You can find them anywhere from $800, to $60,000. So say or think whatever you would like, it doesn’t diminish the facts. These cars are going up wether people like it or not.
Please feel free to sell me your Yellow 88GT’s, your 84 Indy Pace cars, your Mera’s, and your 88 GT’s with t-tops. I will be more than happy to take them undervalued. No skin off my nose. You can keep the cars closer to your price points the 84-87 2m4’s, SE’s, formula’s and run of the mill GT’s. Leave the collectibles to the collectors who will appreciate them.
Please feel free to sell me your Yellow 88GT’s, your 84 Indy Pace cars, your Mera’s, and your 88 GT’s with t-tops. I will be more than happy to take them undervalued. No skin off my nose. You can keep the cars closer to your price points the 84-87 2m4’s, SE’s, formula’s and run of the mill GT’s. Leave the collectibles to the collectors who will appreciate them.
I think you mistake that we think they are a joke. Appraised value is appraised value it is what it is.
On the other hand realized sale prices are what people really get for their sale. By watching what Fiero’s really sell for you get a feel for the going rate. It also can vary around the country too.
Generally appraisals are on the high side and are not goo measures for expected selling price.
Yes there have been a couple go for around 17 k but some peopl3 over pay too. But when The One off Fiero 2+2 and other one off cars went cheap at Barrett Jackson it set the standard of what the market is thinking.
I am not trying to be disrespectful here just realistic.
I remember when the Fiero was going out of production. Many went out to buy and store them because they were going to get rich. Someone tagged them with a six figure estimate. Well I talked to one man who bought 5. He was not happy when I did not agree it was a good investment. I told him there are too many of them vs demand. Today many of these people are just trying to recoup what they spent.
Here is the simple breakdown. Appraisals are opinions. Realized sale prices are what people are really getting. It is the same in reall estate they use comps to set prices. Comps are realized sales prices in the area they are pricing houses.
It is ok to say you got such for an appraisal but generally don’t expect that for the sale price. Appraisals are great for insurance thought.
Keep in mind I have a 40k mile 2M6 T top with many rare parts including a Herb Adams suspension and a 1990 nose emblem off a prototype. I even polish the floor pan it is that clean. But there is no way I would ever get appraised value in a sale. Even to get top dollar it may take a while to find the right buyer even with the car show ready .
The last Pontiac show I attended I got best paint with about half the car still in original GM paint. Custom body panels had to be painted.
Note I agree the prices are going up. Maybe not as fast as you do.
I have been at this with the Fiero since before the first one was built. Bought mine new and followed values since.
Yes they were stagnant for a long time but that is natural even a corvette of the same era has to bottom out value wise.
They are now going up but still there is a factor of supply and demand also limits people will pay. I expect them to continue to increase just as the other popular cars of the era. The lower mile and best conditioned high option models will fair the best three rest just depends what they are.
As for TTops. Unless the car is prime many may be worth more in parts as many TTop poarts are going up in value as they are limited and not easy to find new.
Have seen NOS gasket go for crazy prices. This is common with many cars, Even Dusenbergs were getting parted out as they were worth more in parts for a while.
I respect your opinion. But I just don’t agree with it.
[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 01-12-2020).]
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