evaluating for sale tc's

Topic: evaluating for sale tc's (Read 2131 times) previous topic - next topic

evaluating for sale tc's

July 04, 2006, 08:06:49 PM

Going to look at low mileage (72,000 mi) 1987 tc this week and was wondering if there is a quick and dirty way to evaluate turbo condition. The car is reported to be an untouched original, and was wondering how many miles the turbo (and original clutch) usually went with normal usage before rebuilding or replacing. Need a way to evaluate how much life is left in both. Is indicated boost a good indicator of condition? Also, any other year related tips on what to look for in an 87 would be appreciated. Asking price is $6000. Does that seem a bit high or is it me? From watching Ebay, most of the low mileage cars dont meet their reserve.

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #1 – July 04, 2006, 08:30:15 PM

6000 seems alittle much, the only way to really check a turbo is to pull the inlet tube and check for side to side shaft play. at 72,000 the clutch and turbo should be fine. make sure to take pics for us......we like pics:D

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #2 – July 04, 2006, 08:36:04 PM

depending on the condition of the car, i'd probley go between 4-5k assuming i had the money. and that would have to be one hell of a nice car... everything iv gotten so far has been in pretty good condition, 7or8 outa 10 with 130k+ miles, and i pay 1200 at most. check for rust too, underneth the body, and behind the rear wheels, and around the deck lid area.

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #3 – July 04, 2006, 08:42:47 PM

Like showroom condition, maybe 5 1/2 k everything replaced with original parts and super upper clean no rust....

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #4 – July 04, 2006, 09:00:25 PM

The turbo should be fine as long as the car wasn't overly abused, I pulled the original engine from my TC, which still had the original IHI, with 145K on it and it still worked great.

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #5 – July 04, 2006, 10:49:47 PM

Yeah, fox Tbirds in regular condition just don't go for that kind of money right now. Maybe in a few years, but right now, I don't see why it should be more than $4k unless it was really something special.

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #6 – July 04, 2006, 11:02:29 PM

thanks for tips. I kinda felt like that was a bit much by watchin ebay and the forums. dont know if the original knows what they tend to go for. Kinda of a shame to keep a car that nice and get no return on it, but these cars just dont get the following of some others. Here in the rust belt, I've looked at ton of well used coupes with the usual rust problems. I kinda decided to look a little more up-scale pricing but most everything close to me has been automatic and I just prefer the 5 speed just for the fun of it without changing anything. I'll be checking it out Sat and will post the outcome. thanks for the help

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #7 – July 05, 2006, 09:01:41 PM

that does seem really high. i bought mine about 2 months ago for about 2000. it has 81000 miles no rust, unmolested, and overall is in good condition, its an 85 5 speed car.
just my 2 cents

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #8 – July 05, 2006, 09:05:17 PM

my ihi went at 190k

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #9 – July 05, 2006, 09:28:17 PM

218,000 mi. on my IHI, and still going. All depends on the maintenence and driving habits. And 6000?, maybe for a 20-30k mile mint one. You can do better for sure.

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #10 – July 05, 2006, 11:41:17 PM

well, my light blue TC has 278K on the odometer, and the origional IHI on it. NO side to side play. and I beat the hell out of it for the last 100K or so. Turbo is just fine. I paid 850 for it with 156K on the odometer. It had some rust issues, and a rather large shopping list that came with it. It will probly be my 351 conversion car soon. On the other hand, I paid 2900 for my griggs tc with 95K on the odometer and no rust. That was an extreemly good deal in my opinion. Look for rust in the passengers side strut tower too, when you get a chance.

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #11 – July 05, 2006, 11:59:07 PM

Thanks for the posts.I'll be sure to check the shock towers for rust, thats a place I havent been checkin too carefully on the cars I've been seeing. I knew these cars were really good road cars and would go a lot of miles but how do I convince an owner that his asking price is well above the market without g him off? I loved the TC's when they were new but had little kids and well you know the drill. Now that I can afford a small project, can't find one that doesnt need a laundry list of items to restore. I've been readin the posts and truthfully getting a little scared by what I read. Seems these cars always have issues, or is it just the age showing. I've learned a ton from the forum and have a few dyed in the wool blue oval guys near me to consult. (truthfully, I'll have to turn in my all Chevy card for a TC)

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #12 – July 06, 2006, 12:02:45 AM

What boost numbers should I expect from a bone stock 87 TC with 76,000? 12-15? higher?

evaluating for sale tc's

Reply #13 – July 06, 2006, 12:38:48 AM

i say give him an offer that he cant refuse

no really act like its nothing specail and give it a good look over, make so weird faces while doing so, point out every little thing that is wrong, take a buddy it helps

at this point he should start to get highly pissed off then say its a nice car or something like that, then say thanks and leave

give him a few days or a week to chew on what you said and then go back and say i thought about the price and think its over by bout $$$$$ and i was thinking some were around $(3-400 less than what you want to pay)$ and walk if he goes to far over on bidding it. he might cave and give you a deal or youll repeat this step again.

if he gets no more offers that it yours for a good price but then again you might lose a shot at a great car.

just a though but it sounds like they dont know what they have and think it somthing amazing and mint!

just rambing but you should already know those bargaining skills but that is how i would go about it