Anyone know anything about Firebirds?

[GutRat]

Talking with a guy about trading my 03 Harley for his 68 Firebird vert. The bike is worth about 11k (at least this year) and he wants 3k cash as well. I've seen things go for some good money and would like to get one and enjoy appreciation vs depreciation.

The car is #'s matching 350ci, runs good, but does need a little love. Trim is kinda jacked up and needs new carpet and could use paint. A real good cleaning on it would go along way. The glovebox door is off, put in the car. The body over all seems pretty straight and clean. I noticed a touch of rust starting to bubble under the paint on the trunk lid, but pretty much all I found.

The bike is paid off and I don't really have any use for it, at least not since I bought my Centurion. Plus, I feel a hellaofalot safer in the Buick, vs the bike. I think I put about 250 miles altogether on the bike last Summer.

Anyway, any opinions? I registered over at the Firebird forums, but been waiting to be approved, so thought I'd see what some of the folk here have to offer in the meantime.

Here's some pics, let me know if I get red X'd

Thanks

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc319/gutrat/DSCF0188.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc319/gutrat/DSCF0197.jpg


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc319/gutrat/DSCF0191.jpg


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc319/gutrat/DSCF0192.jpg

[centurion 455 ragtop]

My take? Unless you are really into Firebirds, I would think the price seems high. Your talking about $14K when all said and done, and this car needs work.

Me? I would sell the bike take about 4 grand if needed and invest it in your Centurion, take about 3 grand and take the family on a nice vacation, by the Mrs. something nice to make up for money & time spent on the car and bank the rest.

If your into Firebirds I would still pass and look for one in better condition. Maybe one with a 400 engine. Or if the guy would take a straight up trade.

[GutRat]

Me? I would sell the bike take about 4 grand if needed and invest it in your Centurion,

Honestly, Half of me is thinking the same thing.

[GutRat]

OK, got into the bird forums, those guys really weren't to impressed. they figured 8-9 k tops, and thiers been major body work as they say fenders aren't right, etc.


Think I'm gonna take Rick's advice and just sell the bike out right and dump half into the Buick. May be a trip to Vegas with my lady.

Told her what Rick said (minus the Vacation part of course. lol) she was all "I told you, I told you..." blah.

[Phil Genario]

i have to go with the rest here, that clearly is not a real nice car, he clearly will be getting the better end of the bargain here and he knows it,keep the damn harley! and try to sell it privately if thats what you want.firebirds are worth a fraction of what a camaro is worth, which like our centurions, make them a bargain, providing it doesnt need a ton of this and thats.making a restoration on a firebird only worth it if it were free and you could do the work yourself.sure, you could run the vin through pontiac historical services ,all thats going to confirm that its a real car as far as numbers go.but ,thats not going to help you if it needs a total resto, which im sure it does. how nice you want it is your call,but i find people on the other end of the swap always want what you have, and have already figured it to their advantage. period!

[dewbers]

Hey Gut - As much as I love any ragtop, I must agree with Rick and Phil. If you can grab this for $7k or less, that's one thing. But not your Harley and some greenbacks. It's not worth it. I checked some value books here and see that it should go for $7 - $9K. Tops. (I'm in the Insurance field)
Rick's advice is dead on, as is Phil's. Both as more experienced in this game than I am, but I do have the technical backup of the book values. Sell your bike and either invest in your current toys (and bride), or find another toy once the bike goes.

By the way, where are the pics of your Centurion ?? I haven't seen you post any in the thread we got going last week!

[Eric B]

I have a '69 Firebird. I believe his price is way too high. The most important thing to look for is rust. It's a unibody so if there is ANY rust anywhere, even surface rust, forget it, the frame will crack like mine did. It also rides like a covered wagon. Reminds me of the Ford Maverick my Dad had when I turned 16.