I got this today in an email:

"1992 Pontiac Formula Firebird WS6…I Bought it from the original owner which he special ordered from Sunrise Pontiac GMC in Memphis, TN back in 1992.

He had all service work done at Sunrise over the last 19 years. He was a 78 year old man and he traded it in for a 2010 Buick Lacrosse which he too special ordered from Sunrise.

This car has one thing that makes it kind of special. It has the Tuned Port 350 and it is an option delete car. It is 1 of 22 made. It has cold A/C and everything is still all original other than the new tires that were just put on yesterday. This car is nice and highly collectible."

Assuming this car was well taken care of, with great paint, decent miles, and a clean engine / interior....what would one expect to pay since it's supposed to be a "collectible"?

Here's my craigslist ad, I have a restored 1982 Corvette that needs some engine work to be fully running.... I pondered with swapping for something else but I don't want to screw up and trade a mint car for something that's not nowhere near it's value.

I may ask the guy for pics and details....should I ask for some cash to boot?

 

Id much rather have the Formula than that vet.. but what makes it one of 22?

 

Just figured out the guy works at the dealership the formula was traded in at.

I'm most likely not going to do it, I've been looking at values of these cars and most for sale ads are showing these going for in the range of $1,800 - 4,200 depending on the condition.

I wouldn't take less than 10k for my vette as it sits, so he would have had to come up with at least $5k cash or more to go with the trade. It wouldn't be an even swap for sure.

 

I guess because its Tuned Port 350 and it is an option delete car.

 

Sounds like it has AC.. thats a option the 350 is a option ?? need more info.
Id still rater have the formy if its nice like they say it is.

 

Yeah but if you have no idea what condition its in, how many miles or even what it looks like how can you judge how much its worth? If its all original Im assuming it would be in fantastic shape with low miles and could be worth more than the vette you are selling.

 

You don't want to hear this but:

A 82 Vette with a motor that don't run, frame damage and other issues
for $11k?
vs.
A 92 WS-6 350 low mileage one owner..............

Not too hard to figure out whick one is worth more.

 

It probably has the radio delete, as not many people did that option. Also I agree that 11k is too much for a non-running car even if it looks nice. If the firebird is in good shape then I would trade the vette for it, but thats just me. So yeah if it is as nice as they say then take the deal.

 

option delete, but has A/C?

...isn't that one of the first things to go if someones trying to get every last tick off the clock?

it sounds nice, but i'm curious if it's as rare as they're making it out to be.

 

methinks that the owner heard too many people talking about 1le cars and may have accidentally (or accidentally on purpose) made up the option delete thing.
specifically, what option was deleted?
is he trying to say that its a 350 with a T-5. and the 700r4 was the option that was deleted?

who knows.

nice vette, but 11000?!?!?! sorry, but no.
i'd take the offer, but i'd look at the car seriously first

 

What he said^^^^^^

You can get a very, VERY nice C4 for $11,000 that's worth more than a comparable '82...with all due respect, I'd take the deal and run. Much rather have a TPI 350 Formula...

 

In 1991-92 A/C was standard on every Firebird with a V8. The only way you could get a Firebird without A/C was a base model V6.

If the Formula is in nice condition it's probably worth more then an 82 Corvette.

 

Well if someone was going to delete the ac then you would have to get a V6 any model could have radio delete.

 

Well first off I don't think your vette is worth 11k it looks nice but who knows what the issue is with it not running not to mention the economy. That being said I would've never even contacted you with the way your ad is written up. And I'm not trying to be rude but you don't sound like you want to sell the thing you are just frustrated with it since it won't run. I think you truly need to decide what you want to do. I love 3rd gens but I would take any complete vette over a 3rd gen any day so if I were you I wouldn't take the trade or any trade. Just finish the vette and have fun with it.

 

I've got a 55k mile '79 Vette. They're fun cars, for sure; although mine's a 4 speed. I can't say which I'd rather have. I'm a 3rdgen guy through and through, but they Vette (being a Vette) may be more fun to drive. Does the 92 have TTops (ducking before anyone tells me you couldn't get 'em with the 350 in 90-92)?

As for trading with money, its really not the right trade (or economy) to expect any extra money with the trade. Its just the nature of the car world.

 

I so want that interior out of your vette for my 82 vette!

 

So...how many miles on the Formula? Have you seen any photos? If it's as nice as the guy says it is, and has less than 50k on it, I think that trade would definitely work in your favor.

I'm assuming your Corvette is not an original Red/Black car, and I'm also assuming it's not the original engine either. Together with the frame damage and no factory style t-tops, I really don't think you're going to be able to get $11,000 for it. I work at a dealer that sells nothing but used Corvettes (with 4 or 5 1982's in stock right now), and your car looks like something that we'd probably pay no more than $6-7,000 for (assuming the above) if it's as nice as you say it is. Color changes and engine changes REALLY hurt C3 Corvettes, and the frame damage is the nail in the coffin.

If the Formula checks out inspection wise and is super nice, I'd do an even trade in a heartbeat.

 

If you don't mind could you post pics of one of the 82's you have in stock? Particularly something you would compare to mine or value higher than mine? I would like inside and outside shots if it's no trouble?

 

PM sent to 88TransAmFreak.

 

Ok, with all due respect and I appreciate the link. But this was the point I was trying to make...even with my car not running, it is still in better shape than some of the cars on the site that your asking 16,000 + for

Again I'm not going to debate this, just pointing out that my car is MINT cosmetically compared to the $16,000 car that is listed in the site. Regardless if it has been repainted a different color, different color interior, or has some engine issues. I would NEVER sell it for $7,000.

I really don't care what you guys think my corvette is worth...I was just asking what a stock 1992 formula was worth.

I need to finish my 76 camaro (which I traded a 88 TA for) and then I will jump back on the vette.

Go ahead and have fun with this thread guys

 

Not to interrupt with some common sense, or anything... But, this is www.thirdgen.org. As a general rule, we like thirdgens.

The guy that emailed you is a salesman. F his stupid background story and his best guess, '1 of 22' non-sense. We know the cars that were built in limited numbers that are actually valuable and collectible in our community. 91-92 Formula's are fairly uncommon, and low production, and certainly are collectible, even if they're not highly sought after or valued. Things like 1LE, B4C, Firehawks, TTAs, etc stand out as the true collectible cars, and aside from the Firehawk we still don't care about the "1 of" numbers. We don't care about any of that when determining what a Formula is worth. Fact is it could be 1 of 1 and if it's trashed it's not worth $1000. What's important is the true condition and the true options. If it's a well equipped car, with all the go fast options (L98 or LB9/5spd with the performance package), it's going to be worth more then a stripped down L03/auto.

You've given us all this background on why your Corvette is worth so much, but honestly we really couldn't care less and it's off topic for this forum. If you want to know what the thirdgen is worth, get us a real description of the car (without the side of BS please). A couple pics would be nice, mileage (though it's not as important as condition), and maybe a list of RPO codes or the VIN would be nice. With the air travel sized portion of information you've given us it could be a $1000 car or a car worth 10 times that or more. But we simply don't have enough information to answer your question with anything better then "We like Thirdgens, trade your Corvette and never look back".

 

I can certainly appreciate fiberglass replacement bumpers, but unfortunately very few people take the extra effort and cash to replace them when repainting. It looks like you're one of the few that demanded the best when you had the car painted. My father is talking about repainting his '80 which he's invested over $20,000 on in repairs and new parts over the last year, and I can't even convince him to consider spending $500 to replace his wavy front bumper even though he wants to spend $7,000 on a paint job. While we're on the subject...my work only offered $6,000 to purchase his car, which is its correct colors with a straight frame, comes with the numbers matching engine, and a new GM 350 HO installed with just over 1,000 miles on it. Sure, the original paint on it sucks, but everything else is there. Nonetheless, it is what it is. If your car was an original Red/Black with the numbers matching engine and a straight frame, I could see upper teens easy if everything else checked out as it looks like the cosmetics are there. Those three items (colors, frame, numbers) are probably among the biggest deductions to most Corvette buyers.

If you want an opinion on the Formula, then we need some more info on the car.

 

Umm in all fairness, I was giving you guys all the info I had on the car at the moment. To get a basic idea of the car...I don't have anything else.

I posted my craiglist ad to give members an idea on what I had to trade in comparison. I don't know about you but I didn't want to get the shaft on a trade and the only real info on this trade I had at the moment was my car so i posted it.

I then immediately get personally attacked on the price of my car....which in my opinion is off topic too....which I didn't start. So what am I supposed to do...sit back and let you guys beat me up??? I never mentioned the price of my car in my initial post.

I wished I could have given you more info...the guy was supposed to send pics yesterday and never did.

And yes I know you guys like thirdgens.....I owned two in the last two years....traded my 88 trans am for my 76 camaro last year.

If you want to search my previous posts on this site.....I provided a TON of tech how to's in regards to thirdgens....with pictures that I'm sure members are still using. How many members take the time to do that?

 

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Very nice , I would say 4 to 5 for it .

 

Here's what I see... The front bumper has a few lines across it, which are probably from the paint cracking. The lugnut caps should be silver, not black. The Formula logo on the back bumper is missing. Is the passengers side seat belt guide gray? R134A conversion, does the air blow cold? Everything else under the hood looks stock, unmolested, and appropriate for a 92 Formula.

It's a crank window, no rear defrost, no hatch release, no cruise control car, but yet it has the 5 band EQ am/fm cassette deck and power antenna? wtf. I'd say that's where he's getting the 'option delete' BS from. 83k miles isn't super low mileage, but it's much better then average. With that kind of mileage it probably drives really damn nice for a thirdgen.

The problems I see are easily resolved, and not all that expensive. The lugnut caps are probably still available if you can stomach the $3/each pricetag. The black caps on the car look fairly new, they turn grayish after exposure, they could probably be painted silver easily. The Formula decal is reproduced by Phoenix Graphix. Overall the paint looks original, I don't see any delaminated spots, which tells me it's not failing, or any overspray to indicate a repaint. The dash pad, radio pod, and center console are all in nice shape.

I'd want to double check the VIN and RPO codes (in the trunk glove box) before making a deal, but assuming it's really a L98, and it looks as good in person as it does in pics, I'd consider it to be a pretty nice example. Figure it'd cost very little to fix the problems, and give it a quicky resto. I'd say it's easily worth between $5,000-10,000. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see it on a large car lot with a $7,000 and change price tag. When you consider that the Formula 350 is the highest performance thirdgen that the average person could get, and this one doesn't have T-tops, supposed heavy options, and it hasn't been beaten to hell, it's worth a premium price tag. It's a final year car, with very low production numbers, so really it's about as nice as you can get for a Thirdgen. To a collector that knows what it is, it's probably worth a lot more.

Let me put it this way... I've seen a lot more late 70's, early 80's Corvettes around town this week then I've seen 91-92 L98 Formulas in the last couple years.
I really don't know what your Corvette is worth, but the Firebird is a cooler car in my opinion and far more unusual. It probably drives better too.

 

Thanks for your input, that makes me feel better. I agree I think it could be a good investment with a little reconditioning. Wife gave me the go ahead, and I may do it.

 

Thats a pretty nice lookin' car from the pics!
Power antenna too! Shouldn't that Formula say 350 on the door also?
I would like to see that 66 Chevelle in the garage up close too!

I doubt that guy would trade that choice Formula for a modified Vette that
don't run along with frame damage. Looks good tho. but not $11,000 good!

 

That's where your wrong, I disclosed all the known issues of my car already and he is fine with that. Supposed to meet with me Thursday if I go through with it. He wants my car.

How many times do I have to keep re-stating that I KNOW my car isn't worth 11k in the market, but that's what it is worth to ME to turn it loose ...I don't have to sell or trade my car. I really don't give two cents what anyone thinks it's worth jeez

 

and your right...I didn't catch that...I hope it's not a 305. Definitely pulling the vin check.

 

Looks like a very clean car -- I don't see anything in the photos that hasn't already been pointed out. My only objection would be the lack of options, but that's entirely personal taste and probably the main reason why both my cars are well-optioned. As you said earlier, I'm sure that's got everything to do with this car's rarity as well.

I'd definitely run the VIN through compnine.com to verify the options that are on the car. That might be where the dealership got their '1 of 22' claim as well.

Let me know if I can run a Carfax for you.

 

He told me in 1992 they put the 350 indication on the hood.

 

If you can run a carfax that would be great, he wants to come this weekend and do the trade now, just told me to go get the title from the lock box and have it ready.

 

This has got to be a joke and somebody is foolin' with us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just can't believe somebody with a mint 350 Formula worth say $7000
on a good day is gonna trade for a 82 Vette that DON'T RUN, has frame
damage and is modified and the owned wants $11,000 to boot...............

I just don't see that guy buying/swapping a clapped out non running car and a
$4000 cash difference for a mint Formula that he already owns!

I can see tafreak swapping that Vette AND $4000 for that Formula tho!

Sorry.........I didn't just fall off the Amish hay wagon to fall for this one!

 

When you talk trades, folks some times just want what you got.

I traded a 68 Galaxy 302 2bb with around 75,000 miles, rusted out rear quarter bottoms and a clunk in the front end and got a 9sec drag bike with 2-3 seasons of spare parts. Straight up trade, he even loaded the stuff and delivered/gave me a ride back home.

We were both ready for a different project, he wanted what I had n vise versa. I used a spare title n plated it


But agree, its not a 10K car, its an 82 vette, thats like a 82 Camaro status wise. That's a 5k obo car around here.

 

only person that is being fooled is yourself....just don't hurt yourself getting up off the ground from the fall off the amish wagon, treat those wounds well.

Let me clarify for people such as your self who can't read or pay attention....never said I wanted his car and 11k to boot..

This guy wants to do an EVEN title for title trade for my corvette in stated condition (not running, frame damage etc). I am also supplying a perfect frame. He will trailer my car home and I will get his car.

If the car is indeed a collectible then I will do a even swap and not ask for any cash to boot.

And yes this is legit, and if the guy shows up this weekend I will post a pic of my car leaving on a trailer and the title to the new car.

Sometimes things don't play out the way YOU see it.....

 

Since this is a dealer, he most likely gave the 79 year old man $3,000 trade in for the formula, I highly doubt he has much money in it...so to this guy he may be coming out ahead. It's all in the math...

 

Carfax came back clean, not many records, but that's understandable on an older car with low miles.

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...FS2387NL211725

Let me know if you have any problems with the link, doesn't always work the first time I tell Carfax to add the VIN to my online inventory.

BTW....compnine lists that car as 1 of 1 built like it with those colors and options. They listed both my cars as 1 of 400+ I think.

 

awesome, thanks again for doing that for me.

 

Actually, the "Formula 350" door decals only apply to 87-90 cars. 91-92 Formulas with the 5.7L engine say "Formula" just like the 305 cars did. There's some debate about the hood bulge decals, but 5.7L cars have the decals on the bulge indicating the 350.

The VIN also has the 8 in the 8th position, decoding as a 350 TPI car.

 

http://compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1g2fs2387nl211725

The compnine RPO list shows it's a 1SA car, which means crank windows, very few options, and it verifies the power antenna and radio are original. It also shows it has the R6P package, which means oil cooler, dual cats, 3.23 gears, limited slip, etc. J65 is also listed so it's a 4 wheel disc car which was kind of unusual in the 91-92 runs. I wouldn't pay much attention to the compnine numbers, cause they seldom make any sense, but I'd say it's an unusual car and if you can swing it, it'd be a nice thirdgen to own.

 

No problem -- glad to help.

 

the formy looks really really nice. I would pick it up if it were closer.

 

When you stated that it was claimed to be 1 of 22, it got me thinking... Is it a 1LE??? With the VIN we were able to deduce the options, and my conclusion is that the car is unusual, however it is NOT one of the 22 1LE cars that it would claim to be... It is a nice looking car, I would think in MI you could sell it for 5K to 7K easily enough... I think being a NON 1LE car, Power options would make it a better/easier sell. My opinion is with the exception of 1LE cars, the more options the better. T-tops are a take it or leave it. Beyond that, the more the merrier.

John

 

When I was looking at the pics, before seeing Drew's comment, I was thinking to myself it was worth $7,000-7,500. I've been shopping these cars non-stop for 10 years, so I feel like I've got a good handle on what that's worth.

Without getting into the p!ssing contest over what the Vette is worth, having an appreciation for both cars, I do feel you're getting the better end of the deal. It'll be a blast to drive...all the performance goodies, none of the fluff. Enjoy it, and if you ever wanna sell it, remember my screename

 

There's a lot of HYPE behind the 1LE, at the end of the day a 1LE 92 Formula L98 probably isn't measurably faster then this car. It'd potentially have a small weight advantage, but would it REALLY matter? In my opinion, the 1LE's bigger brakes are nice, but not worth the premium prices and all the hype. For the regular Joe off the street, a 1SA car was the entry level stripper. It doesn't mean much, except if you only care about going fast and let the luxury be damned. If you wanted the best bang for your buck that's what you'd order. It might be easier to sell with power windows, locks, cruise control, etc... But honestly I've owned a few thirdgens with manual locks, manual windows, etc and they were just as fun to drive. There's something to be said for the simplicity.

 

Deff tony the formula is a very sleek looking car. has lots of potential,so i would go with the formula. and i dont think they had ac delete as an option... maybe im wrong on that and tony can straighten me out

 

Hmmm, maybe the dealer guy is not a thirdgen fan or maybe his dad had a vett just like it or he got his cherry popped in one, who cares! and if for the OP his car is worth 11k or 100k is his car, respect that no need to be a d1ck about it

Nice Vett by the way, I would keep it!