Just curious to know what some of you would realistically take to part ways with your machines. I am looking for an already swapped 4.9/ls/v8/3800 that is a no issues having vehicle. I'm looking for a car that someone has done right, brakes upgraded, interior upgraded. Basically looking to buy someones baby. I see them on ebay for extreme amounts of money but they do not sell. Im sitting with a max of 7k to spend on a donor so I am curious to know what it would take to buy some of these complete builds?
It kinda of goes like this...when you are speaking about the modified class of Fieros.
The guys that modify their Fieros with an engine swap (upgrade)...and if you are doing things correctly...that means at minimum also a brake upgrade (i know some will argue this point...but I hate to say anyone that does has no common sense).
If you are upgrading both the brakes and the engine and then stop there...then with in "X" amount of months you will have other parts start to give & fail.
The brake upgrade will require special mounting brackets, new front machine hubs, replace the rear Wheel Bearing setups.
So to do it right, it kinda of makes sense to upgrade the following as well: steel braided brake lines, new brake cables, replace all the bushing with poly or poly and aluminum cradle bushings, NOS TRW (Moog) suspension parts (tie rods, tie rod ends, ball joints).
Now once you have done all this, it only makes more sense to flip the rear suspension over to the rear coil-over upgrade...Now the car is upgraded to a larger engine and also the car is solid enough again to handle the additional power.
Now at this point...we are only to the point where the engine is in and we have made the car safe and dependable to drive.
Now comes the rest.....body customization, upgrade parts, interior upgrade or swaps, better rims and wheels to go with that brake upgrade (which is necessary with the upgraded brakes and now larger rotors).
So needless to say there is way more money put into one of these modified Fieros then the owner will get out of it.
Perfect example...the 1986 Fiero GT with the nothstar and firebird interior swap I have currently.
Originally (within the past 5 years) this car had almost 30K sunk into it. It has Fiero prototype side vents, one of handful of Fieros with a power sunroof, power steering upgrade, 300Z power antenna upgrade and of course a Northstar engine with less than 10K on the engine.
I am willing to take $10,500.00 at the current time even though it if I wait I could sell it for more, but my wife is wanting a classic 50's truck and I have the "MyTestarossa" showing up at the end of July from having her frame lengthened, raised, and fitted with her new body.
I have built cars as ground up restorations and purchased completed cars...much less headache to purchase one that is completed...then all you have to do is tweak it and make it yours.
[This message has been edited by TXOPIE (edited 06-07-2015).]
I had to rate your vehicle as out of the picture due to myself being in the retirement/separation stage of my career. I will not be stateside until late September. My wife is also active duty and she will be stateside in October. I am getting out after 17 years(medical) she will stay in. We are both being stationed in Nebraska in October. If I appeal my condition I would be in Texas for 4 days, but the appeal is not what I want so I would be using it just to get closer to a vehicle, that I wouldnt be able to get anywhere near home. I'm in Japan so there is truly nothing I can do at the moment but look and search. Your vehicle is definitely one of the nicest that I have seen for sale recently. Our follow on is Offutt Nebraska, trust me I would love for this to be the 1st of my post retirement gifts to myself.
Money is not the issue either, however I would offer $8000 cash. I'm just in Japan and stuck at the moment. I hope it doesnt sell(that sounds terrible) because if it is still available I will 100% take a run at it.
Like said, just keep an eye out. This forum is a wealth full of knowledge, cars, parts, and people. Good luck with the search. That is half the fun. Keep an open mind, but a watchful eye. A lot of good bargains out there, but a lot of swiss cheese also.
A lot of good bargains out there, but a lot of swiss cheese also.
Yep, it's amazing the "swiss cheese" that's being offered, and the vendors will say nothing of the issues. Here's one that I looked at... and ran from.
I would take $60,000 for mine as it sits just because I want a Tesla roadster. That's what I have in it. I will have $80,000 in it when it's done. and that will be the price because if you want one like mine it is the only one in the world and if it doesn't sell I'll keep it. If you hired someone to build one like mine you would have more than that in it and I've had the mechanical done for two years to get the bugs out. I don't expect a rush to buy here.
[This message has been edited by dratts (edited 06-07-2015).]
I'm on the fence, as I have an Indy and don't know if I want to mod it or not.. I think I'd trade for a 86-87 gt, but most likely will buy the alum superduty block and make it silly fast 4 banger
The only one that I would consider selling would be my Kona Blue GT, but I wouldn't even blink for less than $22,500. The amount of hours of detail I have into that car, I'm really not looking to unload it. Dave
Originally posted by bmwguru: I'm really not looking to unload it.
This. Mine is a pos with a to-do list longer than the what's been done list. With every effort I've made to keep the care through difficult times in my life, there is no sensible reason for to expect a buyer willing to shell out any amount of money to change my kind.
TXOPIEs car looks like a steal to me at that price. I also have an unfinished 355 bodied N* Fiero and Fieroaddictions turbointercooled N* Fiero. I haven't done anything with the turbo N* in over two years so I would consider letting it go. Too many projects and not enough time left in my life to complete them. I would advise getting TXOPIEs car. Sounds like it is everything you want and more.
I know the only way you're going to get an LS3/F40 V8Archie swapped Fiero for $7K is if the person is desperate for cash, or died and whomever was left with it is selling it just to get rid of it. The crate motor itself costs that much. Double that just to buy the full master kit for both engine and trans from Archie. Then however much you paid for the trans (the F40 can be had cheap, but going rate right now from a GM dealer is around $2K for a brand new F40). Then add up the cost of labor, and shipping/transport if it was done at Archie's shop instead of somewhere local. And that's only the cost of the drivetrain.
You're talking about maybe buying a car for maybe 10-15% of the total build cost, for those builds.
Now, a 3800 or 4.9 you can find for $7K or less, because they tend to be engines from junkyard cars, and were done much more cheaply. There are a few that will rival the cost of the LSx swaps though. You can find moderately decent builds with a 3800 or 4.9 for the price you want to pay, but don't be expecting to buy a high end show/track car that has $30K in parts on it, for $7K. You aren't going to get it unless you can practice extreme patience and wait around to take advantage of someone who needs the cash or just wants the car gone and doesn't care about the loss.
This is a great question because it separates two obvious questions "what do I want for my car" vs "what will the market pay for my car".
ignoring completely the second question my 1986 fastback has pretty good paint (red), aftermarket side scoops, leather seats, lowered, aftermarket round dash gauges on center console which includes an areoforce gauge, R134 A/C, working cruise, aftermarket stereo, hardly any rust other than surface, SC3800 with a PLOG, LS1 Throttle body, spintek, corvette tips, 3.4 pulley, new 3 core champion, Lebaron rotors/Seville caliper upgrade, automatic, tires are almost new, engine/trans has maybe 49,000 miles. would I sell for $8,000? probably would. would the market pay that? doubt it. lucky for me I have way less than $8,000 into this car. I bought it from someone else who was motivated to sell. Wasn't looking for it but when it surfaced I didn't hesitate. For a little more I'd even throw in the Gen V, intercooler, pump, hoses, heat exchanger, MPS, 3.1 and 3.4 pulley's, 1.9 rockers, N* I picked up to add a little more zip.
I'm feeling pretty safe I'll continue to own the car. But remember you only asked the first question, not the second. lol. good luck with your search. I'd rather keep the car btw.
------------------ 1986 Fiero GT fastback SC3800 3.4 pulley, LS1 TB 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee with "big boy" 5.9 motor 1986 Honda Goldwing SEi 1200 fuel injected
[This message has been edited by Grantman (edited 06-08-2015).]
It is very difficult to put a value on a Fiero. I paid $2300 for my stock 87GT w 60K miles on it. With the new series III engine swap and many other mods I estimate that I have roughly an additional $9,000-$10,000 in it. Would someone ever pay me $10,000 for it???? The answer is no for this Fiero and for any other modified Fiero. When you mod them heavily you had better hold on to them
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
That is an easy one. I would sell both my '86 SE with fast back AND my '84 SE for a low mile '85 silver sport coupe 2.5 liter auto with sunroof power windows and air. As you can see I really miss my '85 silver sport coupe. She died of cancer a few years ago.
The fact is most of us have more in our cars than they are worth. Common issue for most people who play with cars.
In the end you need to find someone motivated to sell that is realistic and then you will get a real price.
Also if the car is modified the better it is documented the more value it holds. Too many people build up cars and never document the changes and how it was done. A good builder will keep a book out lining the changes and receipts of that was down and how it was done. This really gives the buyer a real idea of the true value of the work done. I see many cars exspcially pro street and street rods that are not documented and it really kills the value.
A friend just bought a sold a Camaro SS with a ton of work done and most of it by a shop that is one of the best in the country. They used to build a lot of NASCAR Bush series engines including Dale Jr's. The car had a note book out lining all the work and bills including documented dyno sheets and more.
Other than that price is just a simple formula of how bad someone wants to sell and how bad someone wants to buy the same car.
My 88 Choptop with 4.9/F40... I've never added up what I have in it because it's ridiculous, but I know it's north of $40K. $7K to $8K is probably close to market value, but I would never sell it for that unless I was desperate for cash. I probably would let it go for $20K in cash though.
Technically everything has a price. However, if a vehicle is sentimental or has history, the price can go nuts. After all, a car is just a car. Having said that, I would not want to sell my IMSA. I'm not even sure what offer it would take. IF I needed the money, then I guess I would have to be practical and sell it for the sake of my family, but fortunately that is not the case. There are a LOT of other things I would sell first. I have 3 kids that would be interested in having it.
My 88 Choptop with 4.9/F40... I've never added up what I have in it because it's ridiculous, but I know it's north of $40K. $7K to $8K is probably close to market value, but I would never sell it for that unless I was desperate for cash. I probably would let it go for $20K in cash though.
Sounds like you have a very nice car -- Any pics of it you care to share here?
My buddy has TWO cars available, one has a tricked out V8 and the other is ready for a 3800 SC to be put in, just needs the engine harness. an 88 and an 87 respectively. $7K takes BOTH, make an offer.
My cars are both appraised and insured for appraised value. The '87 GT is $30,000 and the '84 Indy is $40,000 Cars never sell at appraised value (watch Barrett-Jackson auctions) I'd only ever see those $ if they were totaled...
My cars are both appraised and insured for appraised value. The '87 GT is $30,000 and the '84 Indy is $40,000 Cars never sell at appraised value (watch Barrett-Jackson auctions) I'd only ever see those $ if they were totaled...
Sad when you sometimes wish your cars would be totaled.
$8,000.00 cash - but the caveat is that you'd have to convince my wife to "let" me sell it. My Fiero is a modified SC3800II. Mr Mikes, newer carpet, digital dash, suspension rework to include 12 inch Vette brakes, I have the low profile Hela Headlights, and a WHOLE bunch more on this Fiero. I have MUCH, MUCH more than what I consider to be market value in my Fiero. I actually had it all but sold a little over a year ago, but my wife talked me out of it - which was a nice surprise because she is not a Fiero fanatic, but she really values the amount of time, blood and sweat that I put into making the car into what it is today.... that and the money that I put into it. In her words, "if you sell it, you are giving it away, and it is too nice to give away". My Fiero is parked in a garage 99% of the time, and comes out for an occasional drive and car show. I have less than 200 miles on it in the last 2 years.
I have one 1988 Mera with a fuel injected 383 engine swap. It needs paint and the interior (Beechwood) reinstalled as well as a good dyno tune. This could be released from my Mera herd but would not be cheap ($20,000 minimum and the price goes up the more work that I do on it). BTW, all F car stuff is now gone.
Nelson
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 06-16-2015).]
Sold my 86 a couple years back for $8k: GT body, 4.9l, all new suspension/brakes/etc. Firebird interior. Be a bit hard pressed to sell our stock 88GT (unless offered insanely stupid amounts of coin).
[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 06-17-2015).]
Sold my 86 a couple years back for $8k: GT body, 4.9l, all new suspension/brakes/etc. Firebird interior. Be a bit hard pressed to sell our stock 88GT (unless offered insanely stupid amounts of coin).
Didn't realize you sold the Firebird interior... I would have offered you insane amounts of money for the door panels alone.
IF I needed the money, then I guess I would have to be practical and sell it for the sake of my family, but fortunately that is not the case. There are a LOT of other things I would sell first. I have 3 kids that would be interested in having it.
I initially read you last line as: I have 3 kids I would be interested in selling.
------------------ 1988 GT Medium Red Metallic Manual, Gray Leather K Beck LEDs & StuWipes Frazee: 2011, 2014
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