I need your feedback on a 1984 T-Bird I looked at today. The car was purchased here in Florida, has no rust anywhere, yellow in exterior color (car needs a good cleaning inside & out), power options include: windows, locks, driver seat, mirrors, trunk relase, PS, PB, AC; 3.8 litre V-6, 47,000 original miles authenticated by clean Florida title, no oil drips or leaks. Regular maintenance; The car drives smooth, tranny shifts smooth; weatherstripping needs to be changed out as do the tires. To be really nice, it needs a fresh coat of base coat/clear/coat (which I can do). What would you you be willing to pay if you had the cash? Thanks or your feedback. Tim
Probably somewhere along the lines of 2500-3500 or so. Have any better pics?
Looks in good shape from the rear
Well, the trunk lid looks nice. lol. It's tough to determine a car's value just from pictures, but more would definitely help. Do you have any side/front/interior/engine shots?
Attached are three additional pics of the 1984 Bird I looked at yesterday. Car was not sitting in a good position to shoots full pics. Let me know what you might be willing to pay for such a vehicle if you were the buyer.
Appreciate all the feedback I can get.
I still would like to know one additional isue as well: Where can I obtain new weather stripping for these cars?
Thanks, Tim; tcole1@tampabay.,rr.com
I would say 2k............jmo
Off the subject but are you the same Tim from Fl that was into 77-79 Birds?
What are they asking? It looks like it is in nice shape. I would go around 2kish. Depends on the market around you also.
Here is a little info on weather stripping.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=8969
Since you have vents this is even more useful to you.
I would give somewhere around 1200-1600. Of course this is coming from a guy who is overstocked on Birds anyway.
it looks to be really solid, betcha the only problem is faded paint,but the yellow would have to go anyway....................
The only thing I see that it could have that a regular bird is, is straight body, and vent windows. If that is worth it for you, then get it.
-didnt i see where you just bought this?????
and if you wanted to part it out, i would really be interested in some interior trim pieces......:hick:
Honestly?
Contrary to popular vote here on a T-Bird web site, I wouldn’t give you 1k for it. Not trying to sound like a dick but you asked “What would you you be willing to pay if you had the cash?” !
What are the possible uses for that car?
As a low mile collector car THEN it has some value, but then you need to find a collector, IF you find a collector, that has $ then the sky is the limit. I seen a REAL NICE one on e-bay for Buy it now $7500. (http://"http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1984-ford-thunderbird-20-500-miles-elan-edition_W0QQitemZ270365827388QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item270365827388&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318")
I see 2 hours left and it looks to have NO bids.
As a Daily Driver… for 2-3k you can find good economical Hondas and Toyotas etc with twice the reliability, twice the gas mileage and half the age (read seals still ok) why would one spend 2k+ on a 24 year old gas hog for a DD?
So what’s left?
The elite few on this site, that all already have their bird’s and cat’s that like to think there’s are worth more than they actually are on the open market.
Here is another on e-bay (http://"http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1984-ford-thunderbird_W0QQitemZ220390423681QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item220390423681&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"), not as nice as the one you show.. but a Buy it now of $500, Starting bid of $400. 4 days left and NO bids.
here is another.. this one looks as if it could be nearly as nice (no millage listed however) as the one your showing
http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/1082975431.html (http://"http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/1082975431.html")
$600.
The interior is nice. But being that it's not a turbocoupe or 5.0 then I'd say $500-800 at most.
Obviously, Tim, if you ask for opinions, everyone's got one. That could be a dangerous thing around here. ;)
The facts:
- The car looks to be in GOOD shape. Maybe a 6/10. Some cleaning up of the exterior, minor touching up of the grey molding, could get that to a 7/10 or even a little higher.
- With the paint fade, though, it would almost certainly need a full repaint, especially if any rust is starting to come through. That would get you to 8/10 or 9/10.
- That is a one-year-only interior color. I see that the original leather on the steering wheel probably cracked and came off, and is being covered by a non-matching aftermarket cover. It won't be easy to find a correct wheel if someone were to restore the car. The seat belt covers can be purchased and painted the correct color, though. Otherwise it could use a good cleaning.
- The car has the "normal" popular options, with vent windows as a nice bonus.
It's not a terribly desirable color, that's for sure. But if the car were buffed out and cleaned up, the minor things fixed, etc. then you'd probably have a car good enough for a collector. A friend of mine had an '84 Cougar in this color combination once, and I kinda dug it. Would I want one like that in my garage? That's a tough call. The V6 engine shouldn't be feared but it's no V8 either.
It's tough to tell a lot of things from the photos, but if it's as solid of a base as it seems, then you have a pretty good change of getting good money. If you find the right buyer, more power to you.
Well I think its a very nice car and even the the color works. I hope if you do sell it they appreciate it very much.
Yes, I am the same Tim who was and still is into 1977-1979 T-Birds (see pic of my restored 1979 Daily Driver; For the Bird's 30th anniversary, I gave it a fresh paint job. Just finished wet sanding and buffing it: 3 coats of base, 3 coats of clear).
Thank you to all who replied to my question. I bought a new 1984 Bird back in '84 and drove it for 200,000 miles; then gave it away to a needy family. Loved the car so much that I thought I'd find another one and restore it ( I can do the mechanical and body work myself; just need to know where new parts can be purchased) and drive it daily (and put my 1979 Bird in storage). But, I been out of touch with these 83-88 Birds for so long that I needed feedback from the experienced crowd--such as yourselves.
No, I haven't purchased it yet. But, at this point, I plan on it. Any other advice you want to pass on is welcome. Owner is asking $2,400. Tim, St. Petersburg, FL
I think the price is worth it. And depending on what it needs, it could be easy or hard to find... but eventually I'm sure you could find everything you need for it..
Yea, you could probably find most things here on the forums.
79 looks nice! My dad used to have one. White with red top and red interior. Seats were amazing. Ended up sitting and being donated. Wish I would have been older then. Would have kept the 351.
I would try and get him to 2k. It looks nice but at the same time it is a 3.8. Nothing against them just dont have the same value in general. Also it looks like it might have a few hidden issues from "repairs". The duct tape on the buckle, looks like there are screws in the side of the dash. Still 2400 isnt too bad considering the miles/age/overall shape. Assuming the underside is just as clean at the rest of the exterior?
With the info on here, the support of the members, and the networking to find parts restoring shouldnt be too hard. Sure it isnt going to be easy or as fast as a car with aftermarket support but still very very possible. Look at Dan and Paula's (mercury-man) car, done very very well. Looks like new. Dan hunted for his parts and got it all pieced together nicely.
With the base you are building off of you should have no problem making it what you want.
Nice Older tbird, I used to ride in a 77 tbird that looked just like that one in high school. That was a fun car.