Question On Car Value - 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition?

[provocating]

I am looking at a 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition.

The car has approximately 80,000 miles on it; the seller is at least the third owner, if not more.

I see light defects in the paint, a bubble on the bumper, and chipped paint striping.

Interior-wise, the dash has a few minor cracks, and the seats do not currently appear damaged, but I can see that the lines in the seats will likely crack in the future.

No visible rust, car sounds good.

They are asking 50k, which seems really high and will not budge much lower than that.

Looking around, I think this car may be worth $25,000, with a maximum of $35,000, but that would be a special case at the high end, such as a vehicle with almost proven original miles, or perhaps a 4-speed stick.

This is an automatic with a 403 Olds engine.

Am I right in thinking the buyer is treating this car like a unicorn?

 

[Pontiac Trans Am]

They are missing the price on their TA.

Tops 30K with that kind of miles on it.

They will be sitting on that for a long, long time at that price!

Thank you,
PTA Staff

 

[provocating]

They are missing the price on their TA.

Tops 30K with that kind of miles on it.

They will be sitting on that for a long, long time at that price!

Thank you,
PTA Staff

That's what I thought, too.

I have been tracking prices on Bring a Trailer, looking at the same cars and their selling prices.

Things that seem to drive a slightly higher price, such as whether it has a manual transmission or not, include an Olds 403.

Matching numbers, low mileage, and single owner also help.

However, I have never seen that car go for $50,000; it would be a rare find.

They already have had it a long time, but they are not coming down so I will be patient.

 

[Pontiac Trans Am]

That's what I thought, too.

I have been tracking prices on Bring a Trailer, looking at the same cars and their selling prices.

Things that seem to drive a slightly higher price, such as whether it has a manual transmission or not, include an Olds 403.

Matching numbers, low mileage, and single owner also help.

However, I have never seen that car go for $50,000; it would be a rare find.

They already have had it a long time, but they are not coming down so I will be patient.

That is why they have had it for a long time.

Make, offer, and walk away.

Thank you,
PTA Staff

 

[JohnRogers]

I watch these malaise-era cars as well.

For 50K, it should be a low-mileage car, so nice and clean that you'd almost feel guilty driving it.

 

[provocating]

Interestingly enough, they delisted it from Facebook Marketplace.

Then, 2 days later, it showed up again.

Luckily, I had saved pictures that he had sent me, plus I saved a screenshot of the last time they posted it there.

On this listing, the pictures did not match, not even the same car.

I did a reverse Google search and found they stole the pictures from websites, not the same car.

In my opinion, the car is not a 10th anniversary model, just the graphics.

I think someone redid the seats with covers for a 10th anniversary, which looks pretty shady.

I am monitoring Bringatrailer, is that an okay place to buy from?

There is nothing in my area, and even cars like this in a 250-mile radius are way overpriced.

I know they are rare, and I have time on my side, but other places to look?