Help on Value 1988 3.2L G50 Coupe

[CPN]

Hello - I'm looking to buy a 1988 G50 3.2L Guards Red Coupe, no whale tail. It is very clean, well maintained and all original car but with 162K miles. Clutch was done about 20K miles ago. No top end work. Asking price is $30K. What price can I offer the seller? Thanks in advance. Conrad

[christiandk]

As little as possible.

But if the car checks out the price is not off.

[NYNick]

No top end work and 162K? How long do you think that'll last?
Unfortunately, the market might bear his asking, but I would never pay that.

[MrBonus]

If it's someone who has listed it anywhere, I'd ask right around asking price. If it's someone who offered it to you before officially listing it, I'd offer $28,500 and settle at his asking price if he's firm.

[Matt Monson]

No top end work and 162K? How long do you think that'll last?
Unfortunately, the market might bear his asking, but I would never pay that.

If the valve guides aren't already bad they aren't going to suddenly shyte the bed. I consider that engine just broken in. I'd be budgeting for gearbox work and bushing work on that car instead.

I don't think there is much room to negotiate off that price but would go in with an offer 10% under his ask. Just don't mess around with it too much. If it is a solid car it won't last at that price.

[COLB]

It sounds like a fair price to me given the limited information you provided.

Mileage is high for a car without a top end. The question is about the rest of the car.

- Are the paint & interior in good condition?
- Does the car start, idle smoothly, accelerates without hesitation, shifts without grinding or slipping?
- How much oil does it leak? (it is going to leak a little)
- Has it ever been wrecked? All the panels should have vin stickers.
- Is the handling sound? Does it track straight and brake strong without pulling? Does it rattle and vibrate or clunk over bumps?
- Is there any maintenance history to show that the car has been routinely serviced (valve adjustment, oil changed, fuel filter, O2/cylinder head temp/flywheel position sensors, fuel lines, etc)?
- Does the A/C work?
- Does it have books and tool roll?

If all the rest checks out, the price is in line with the mileage. You might get a little under $30k if you are a no-hassle, cash in hand, face-to-face buyer. But don't expect to knock $1500 off the ask unless there is something wrong with the car.

[CPN]

Thanks to everyone for your help! I will probably offer $27K and see what happens from there. The car is nice and it runs good. I will post some pics if I can close the deal.

[tdw28210]

Seems about right.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by CPN

Thanks to everyone for your help! I will probably offer $27K and see what happens from there. The car is nice and it runs good. I will post some pics if I can close the deal.

Offer $27k, but be prepared to pay the whole $30k. Assuming the thing doesn't drink oil due to valve guides, and that the motor and trans are in otherwise good shape (shifts well, no funny noises), and that the paint and interior are in very good to excellent shape, $30k is fair.

[Jesse16]

I paid 15k for my red 87 5 years ago. Similar miles then, smoked during decel so I did the motor myself but others will tell you that can be 6k to 15k. 30k seems high but if oil use is not excessive you could drive it for 10 years easy doing very little. Wow on prices!

[Nachtfalter]

What would you sell it for? I doubt it's less than 30k.

[Jesse16]

According to others, I ruined mine by doing a poor quality paint job (I didn't do bare metal, complete disassembly). So mine is no longer worth selling, a big relief as I no longer need to lock it and can park it outside in the rain or at Wally world.
I love my new color, that's important as I plan to look at it for a long time.

[CPN]

PPI is scheduled on Friday. Here are some pics of the car. Thanks for all the help.

[MrBonus]

Original paint? Looks good.

[Derek911]

I looked at an 89 this week. 150,00 miles, no receipts, no work history, leaking oil, smoke on start, no ac, paint chipped and re sprayed fenders that didn't match... The car was not worth it but they would not even accept $30. I refused to pay more than 30. I would have run all over you to pay them 30 for that 1988 G50. Times are not changing, they have changed. If they accept anything less than $30, consider that you got a deal... Even with needed top end work. If it had the work done the car would be north of $30. Sad but true. The best deals are dealing with individuals, if a dealer were selling this car the asking would be north of $37.

[Nico911]

Asking price seems fine, well, in today's market (I would not pay that, but that's my perception). It looks pretty good though, but if the engine needs a rebuilt, you're looking at a 5K$ bill, unless you have the talent to do it yourself. The fact that it's a G50 is a big plus.

[Matt Monson]

That looks like a nice car. Worth every cent of $30k.

[Sox Fan]

Car looks good in the pictures! Good luck with the PPI on Friday.

Really curious after reading all these 3.2/G50 threads what my 89 is worth now. Just shy of 50k miles on mine.