WS6 pricing around the country?

**speedyWS6** · 02-17-2013, 09:40 AM

Guys,

Further to my recent question about dealers and taxes if i export to the UK.....
..... what advice can i get from you guys about pricing of these cars across
the States?

I have been spending ages trawling all of the usual suspects such as Autotrader, ebay,
oodle and others, and the prices seem very creative!! Yeah, i know they don't make them and all of that, but....

Take this one for example Red 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula for Sale in Buffalo, New York $16,999 54,308 Miles
Is it overpriced or is it about right? ( apologies if links to cars are not allowed!!!)
If i tried to beat him right down would he cave do you reckon as we all know dealers add on
big chunks, "because they can"!

I have seen, since i have been on this site, that people say there are expensive and less
expensive areas to buy across the States? If for example the West coast is cheaper then because it would incur more in
shipping costs it would even out from a dear car on the east coast, so......

Looking forward to some help in my quest to get a good one for realistic money!

Trev

**Valor X** · 02-17-2013, 10:26 AM

It all depends on the seller...
But I honestly have to say that low mileage 98+ f-bodies command a high price...
11-15 yr old cars with under ~50k miles are hard tto find
And I'm a firm believer that these cars will become a classic
So to answer your question... that price seems about right
The other day I saw this 02 firehawk with 6k original miles and it sold for 49k...
I can't really justify the price for that one unless its simply a collector car

**BBATCAR** · 02-17-2013, 08:07 PM

I recently purchased my 2002 WS6, Black/Tan with 59K miles for $12,200 from a private party. I had to drive from CA to UT/NV border to get it (about 12 hours) but worth it. Made it a weekend trip. Interior and drivetrain are like new. Body/paint/wheels were an 8.5 out of 10 but the money I saved got new tires, WS6 wheels, painted some panels/hood and detail. Car is now like new !!. I had the owner take it to a GMC dealer to do a "Used Car" inspection because of CA emissions/scan the PCM and well worth the $90 before I made the trip out there. They called me and said everything was there and car was very clean, then I drove up and purchased it. There are other inspection companies and escrow companies you can use. I also ran a Car Fax on it. Unlimited Car Fax's is about $50.

Dealers are always going to be $2K-$6K higher, plus you have to pay "full" sales tax. Not sure how that works for overseas. My car was stock except muffler and wheels. He threw in a new car cover, mats and T-Top bag.

Just have to keep looking on craigslist, eBay, and auto trader. My wife is the one who actually found mine online. You will find a good one for a good price, it just takes time hunting online.

The guy who bought my 1978 Trans Am was from Norway. He just had someone locally do the transaction and I was a private party. He found my ad on Craigslist. Maybe you can find someone here who's business does the inspection and shipping. Just a thought.

**speedyWS6** · 02-18-2013, 12:16 AM

Thanks guys,

Good stuff in there and i will keep looking hard!

Just one thought.... is Craig's list "reputable" as i have heard
and seen many odd stories and bad listing tales?!

Trev

**Valor X** · 02-18-2013, 01:51 PM

Only do Craigslist if its local...
If you're in the UK looking at cars here in the US they are going to think YOU are the scammer

**speedyWS6** · 02-18-2013, 02:17 PM

Hiya,

Well.... i hear you but i have to say importing of US cars to the UK is really pretty big and
although i understand your thoughts there i have been looking extensively at Craigslist today,
found a few good results to follow up and i have heard back from two who understood my
looking for a car and apologized as the cars were sold.

I see all the "warnings" on Craigslist but my approach is very comprehensive to each seller
and i make it quite clear i am genuine by various means. Besides, if they show a number,
as most do, then i pick up and call them!! Always works that one.

I appreciate your input Valor but it is a rather cynical, sweeping statement i feel. besides,
aside from ebay and Autotrader it is a pretty rich source of cars and already starting to
bear fruit. yes scams happen, but there are mature enough ways to safeguard both seller
and buyer. Also, and i don't expect you intended it, but it came across as extremely negative
and a real kick in the teeth at my efforts to enjoy these cars.

Trev

**2002ssslp** · 02-18-2013, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Guys,

Further to my recent question about dealers and taxes if i export to the UK.....
..... what advice can i get from you guys about pricing of these cars across
the States?

I have been spending ages trawling all of the usual suspects such as Autotrader, ebay,
oodle and others, and the prices seem very creative!! Yeah, i know they don't make them and all of that, but....

Take this one for example Red 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula for Sale in Buffalo, New York $16,999 54,308 Miles
Is it overpriced or is it about right? ( apologies if links to cars are not allowed!!!)
If i tried to beat him right down would he cave do you reckon as we all know dealers add on
big chunks, "because they can"!

I have seen, since i have been on this site, that people say there are expensive and less
expensive areas to buy across the States? If for example the West coast is cheaper then because it would incur more in
shipping costs it would even out from a dear car on the east coast, so......

Looking forward to some help in my quest to get a good one for realistic money!

Trev

I know of a 2002 WS6 convertible with 11k for sale if you are interested

**sjgreen6** · 02-18-2013, 05:11 PM

Trev,

Here's a thought. Place a car wanted ad in the European Stars and Stripes newspaper describing what you are looking for. Lots of military personnel in Germany bring nice cars over with them. It would be a lot easier for you to take a train to Kaiserslautern to pick up a car than having it shipped from the states. If you find a car you can also look at it in person before buying. Checkout Europe Classifieds | Stars and Stripes for information on submitting an advert.

Steve

**speedyWS6** · 02-18-2013, 11:54 PM

Hi all...

2002, thanks for the heads up on the convertible but one of the big
boxes to tick for me are T tops and not a convertible.

If i had a decent garage i may consider one but the car will have
to reside under a decent all weather car cover and that's not really
do-able for a convertible!... but thank you!

Steve... I'll look into that and thank you both for the positivity

**pajeff02** · 02-20-2013, 03:44 AM

Getting ready to head out the door to work and didn't read all the above -- but here's a thought. If you find a U.S. car you are interested in, post up and see if someone on the site is close enough to go check it out in person for you. I have seen several similar requests on here over the past few years.

**speedyWS6** · 02-20-2013, 08:39 AM

Jeff,

Some real good thoughts and advice from this and my other post regarding dealer
pricing.

I expect a lot of people would not slate Craigslist... and i'll tell you what....I was on
the phone at length last night to a very genuine sounding fellah North of Jacksonville
via, yep, Craigslist!! It took a couple of explanatory emails to convince him i was not
a Nigerian prince

But once we got chatting we both knew we were completely
legit!

The car is a 2000 pewter WS6 with 54k on the clock and in pampered sunny day only
condition... great price too as he understood my financial commitment to get it to
the UK.

This is perhaps a good moment to explain why i am after another as my avatar shows
a silver 2000 car, which, stupidly i sold about a year ago "because i didn't think i used
it enough" There was a woman involved in the decision

I have tried to buy
the car back to no avail... certainly would not want to buy her back!!!!!!

I digress.... I just have to have another WS6 in my life and as an aside... i was watching
the new series of Top Gear the other night and Clarkson said "you can't drive a bank
balance". This REALLY struck me and over the last few days my search has gone from
solely the UK (for convenience), back to the States for a wider choice and better prices.

To Jeffs thoughts of an inspection.... The car is in the Jacksonville area and i wonder if
anybody here is able or willing to pop round and check it out for me?

I do have to say though that, having done this before i know all of the things to watch for
both with the car and also the whole shipping process. He is going to take a whole raft of
pics for me and email them off. But a picture cannot capture that moment you turn the key
and listen for hideous noises or way too much piston slap!

My checklist last night covered all of the usual suspects such as panel cracks,pimply sail
panel,darkened rear light,CEL, and so on.

Anyhow... if anybody is in the area and feels benevolent then stand up and make yourself
known as you would be doing me a great service for peace of mind!!

Trev

**speedyWS6** · 02-20-2013, 01:41 PM

Darn,

The seller is a great, accommodating guy and i have just received about two
dozen pics of the car and the body is just too dinked up for it to be a goer.

The dash is a tad carved up too with the Monsoon missing and some cheap
looking pioneer in it's place. Not a major issue, that's not but i do crave originality.

Body work is doing it for me though...

Best get searching again.

Trev

**pajeff02** · 02-20-2013, 06:15 PM

Too bad about your first find. Good luck with the search!

**Nutball** · 02-22-2013, 07:51 AM

As to that link.....Is it a Formula/Trans Am? My question is.... it a TRUE Formula? If I did my homework on my car which is a Formula/Trans Am then something is wrong there. I was under the impression that a Formula would be RPO code Y82 and WS9, does not have Ram Air and comes with the TrueFiber hood that's only available on the Firehawk and a Formula. I don't think the Formuls comes with TC (traction control) like all other WS6's.That TA looks to be a WS6, although I can't make out the emblem. The hood looks to be a typical Ram Air without the heat extractors like the TrueFiber hood.
I only paid 12,600 "out the door" for mine with only 24k miles on it in Dec of 2012. From a dealer, not a private seller. This is what I found when I ran my RPO numbers. I may be wrong here, but it's what I found. Please correct me if you know something I may have missed.

**speedyWS6** · 02-22-2013, 10:46 AM

Hmmmm...

Well, after speaking to the seller he assured me it was a genuine WS6 but i have to
say though that if this was the one i ended up buying i would have seen to it that i received
at least 100 hi res pics of it as i did my last car, including pics of the RPO codes on the door, the vin,
you name it i would have asked for it!!

Correct me if i am wrong by all means but trufiber hoods are an aftermarket item and not fitted
to factory WS6 cars??!!

My last WS6 (yes, absolutely genuine) had both Y82 and WS9 on the code sticker... along with
of course... WS6.

Have to be honest in that your take on all of the specs confused me a tad, but mine was as i
have said. I look forward to a real RPO guru perhaps focusing this info a bit better?

Trev

**Nutball** · 02-22-2013, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Hmmmm...

Well, after speaking to the seller he assured me it was a genuine WS6 but i have to
say though that if this was the one i ended up buying i would have seen to it that i received
at least 100 hi res pics of it as i did my last car, including pics of the RPO codes on the door, the vin,
you name it i would have asked for it!!

Correct me if i am wrong by all means but trufiber hoods are an aftermarket item and not fitted
to factory WS6 cars??!!

My last WS6 (yes, absolutely genuine) had both Y82 and WS9 on the code sticker... along with
of course... WS6.

Have to be honest in that your take on all of the specs confused me a tad, but mine was as i
have said. I look forward to a real RPO guru perhaps focusing this info a bit better?

Trev

First off.....What I have read, ALL T/A's have the RPO code Y82. Having a WS9 makes it a Formula. And having those with the WS6 makes it a TRUE Ram Air WS6. The TrueFiber hood was not only an aftermarket piece but also available only on Firehawks and Formula's. As for being a RPO guru, If I had all of the RPO numbers...I can certainly find out what that car is.
Sorry, I didn't word it like you would have wanted it. I will from now on keep my opinons and comments to myself!

**speedyWS6** · 02-22-2013, 02:04 PM

Sorry bud,

You mis-construed! never meant anything against you or your post... Just that there are
some really knowledgable RPO guys i expect and i would expect them to know more
than me!!

Post away as i respect all comments on here.... we are here to learn, eh...

Trev

**Nutball** · 02-22-2013, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Sorry bud,

You mis-construed! never meant anything against you or your post... Just that there are
some really knowledgable RPO guys i expect and i would expect them to know more
than me!!

Post away as i respect all comments on here.... we are here to learn, eh...

Trev

Thanks Trev...means alot. I'm no expert by any means, but I did my homework when I purchased mine. And learned quite a bit.If I had all of the RPO numbers, I can guarantee I can explain every code number.

**79TransAm** · 02-22-2013, 08:50 PM

It is my opinion that a very large percentage of these cars are over priced. Some will try and argue that they are collector cars but they have not really reached that status yet save for a few examples. They also really are not that rare.

**speedyWS6** · 02-23-2013, 12:33 AM

Jon,

Well said,

I will really try and keep hold of these thoughts as i look around.

I agree totally and i damn well WILL find one at a sensible price
that hasn't been to the moon and back laying rubber the whole way!!

Trev