I think I'm gonna cry

Topic: I think I'm gonna cry (Read 8659 times) previous topic - next topic

I think I'm gonna cry

February 28, 2008, 10:13:57 PM

Mrs Paint was coming home from shopping in the '86 the other day, and a 68 yr old woman pulled out in front of her. To Mrs Paint's credit, she did everything possible to miss the old bat, including leaving the road, but still wound up making contact. Caught the left front fender in front of the wheel, so at least no suspension damage. But, apparently she got hit hard enough to shove the cowl/rad support about a half inch to the passenger side. My old bird's crooked now :disappoin .

I bought the car new in November of 1985, and have babied it since to keep it going. I still love the looks of the old fox bodies, especially pre 87, with the four eyes. It qualifies as a vintage vehicle, because it's all original, but I'm sure blue book on it is next to nothing. I don't even want to look. I'm just hoping the damage isn't too severe to repair. I hit a coyote running 80 MPH with it one time, and had to pull the rad support back down. These old birds are TOUGH.

I don't have a ton of money to roll into it, and was pinching pennies to build my sleeper from a pristine body and mechanically sound drivetrain. Looks like those pennies may go to just patching it up if I want to keep it. Gonna have to have a new front clip, left headlight door, bumper cover, and left front fender, and get it to a frame shop to pull the nose back to the left some. I guess that would be as good a time as any to get it painted. Goin back with original color (dark blue metallic) if I do get it done.

It was a hard enough shot to jam the right fender back into the door. There's NO gap on the left front corner of the hood, and nearly a half inch on the left front corner. I'm sure the hood's stuck. I haven't had the time to try to open it. The LF fender also has a roll in it where it hit/meets the hood. The damage looks minor, but I think it's worse than it looks. I haven't seen the other vehicle (Grand Caravan) yet, but Mrs Paint said she's gonna need a new door.

Sad to say, though, if it looks like it'll break the bank, I may wind up parting it out and getting something newer for Mrs Paint. The engine (long block) has only 45K on it, but it isn't going to fit anything else I have. The old C5 is the original, but still pulls strong and shifts true. It's got close to 110K on it. So, hopefully I'll get something outta the old bat's insurance to fix it up. I guess my big question is whether to get it 'straightened' before the new parts go on, or put the parts on then straighten it. I would think the replacement parts would fit better if I get it straightened first.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #1 – February 28, 2008, 10:58:53 PM

blue book on my 87 bird with 5.0 and 110,000 miles is 7,000 is good condition. Go get it appraised and make the insurance company pay.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #2 – February 29, 2008, 01:39:57 AM

Quote from: Haystack;206903

blue book on my 87 bird with 5.0 and 110,000 miles is 7,000 is good condition.

What?

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #3 – February 29, 2008, 01:42:24 AM

Maybe if it was a Blue Book on a Buick T-Type i don't know a ton of 80s cars worth $7,000. Thats not a good story i hope it all works out for you.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #4 – February 29, 2008, 01:44:03 AM

Quote from: Haystack;206903

blue book on my 87 bird with 5.0 and 110,000 miles is 7,000 is good condition. Go get it appraised and make the insurance company pay.

Wow you are a piece of work! Kelley Blue Book only goes back to 88. An 88 sport with 110k miles books for a touch over $1000 in good condition.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #5 – February 29, 2008, 01:49:22 AM

How old is the book you where looking at 1987-1991 maybe?

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #6 – February 29, 2008, 06:39:58 AM

The blue book on my 20th anny with only 50k is only 1500 Haystack, I hope everything works out for the best for you Old paint.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #7 – February 29, 2008, 09:26:20 AM

I looked at KBB for my car (only as an '88 since they don't go back to '87) and I get the following:

Trade-In Value:
Excellent: $775
Good $670
Fair $435

Private Party Value:
Excellent: $1265
Good $1085
Fair $755

Suggested Retail Value:
Excellent: $1785

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #8 – February 29, 2008, 09:52:36 AM

Here's the pricing from the NADA Guide which includes older and collectible cars.

PRICING 1985 Thunderbird V6

Original MSRP: $11,020
Low Retail $3,375
Average Retail $6,650
High Retail $10,150

6 Cylinder Engine -10%
Air Conditioning 10% 10% 10%

Low Retail Value
This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable "as-is".

Some of the vehicles in this publication could be considered "Daily Drivers" and are not valued as a classic vehicle. When determining a value for a daily driver, it is recommended that the subscriber use the low retail value.

Note: This value does not represent a "parts car".

Average Retail Value
This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A "20-footer".

High Retail Value
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition. Note: This value does not represent a "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle *.
* "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concourse judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility.

These numbers are not bad, eh?

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #9 – February 29, 2008, 01:06:39 PM

Quote from: Haystack;206903

blue book on my 87 bird with 5.0 and 110,000 miles is 7,000 is good condition. Go get it appraised and make the insurance company pay.

Koo-koo, koo-koo

Make sure you're not using the 1993 version of blue book.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #10 – February 29, 2008, 05:57:45 PM

worthy of noting...nobody who deals with cars use KBB. banks and dealers use NADA in general...not that it realy makes a differance here...

7000 huh. must have been a typo and meant 700. i can understand that.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #11 – February 29, 2008, 06:33:38 PM

bank gave me a loan of $3000 on my 86 cougar last year, and that wasn't the max...

I dont know how it all works out.

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #12 – March 01, 2008, 01:54:13 AM

Try this NADA link below for my 88' XR7.

Original MSRP: $16,266

Base Price -- Low Retail - $1,750 / Average Retail - $2,900 / Value High Retail - $4,350

Options 302 V8 Engine - add 15%
Air Conditioning - add 10%

TOTAL PRICE -- Low Retail - $2,188 / Average Retail - $3,625 / High Retail - $5,438

(*) Average retail price represents a clean vehicle in good condition with a Clean Title History

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-22-1-5013-0-0-0&l=1&w=22&p=1&f=5014&y=1988&m=1204&d=4288&c=7&o=40630~40631&vi=99951&z=97401&da=1

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #13 – March 01, 2008, 05:54:31 AM

Sorry to hear about your Bird, Paint. I'd definatly try to get it fixed somehow.

I imagine it makes you feel much better to know it started this kind of childish argument, doesn't it? :rolleyes:

I think I'm gonna cry

Reply #14 – March 01, 2008, 07:55:48 AM

My view on this is, what does it mean to you.
Thats what YOUR car is worth.