Recent G-body Prices - WTF?

[Ribbedroof]

I have a 96 Powerstroke. In stock trim/tune it is a turd. You literally can't cold start it and drive away. It has to be warmed up at least a little. Or plugged in for several hours prior to going anywhere. Has a TS 6 position tuner and it helps alot.

Oh yeah, my 97's EBPV got unplugged soon after I bought it (about the time we got our first coldish morning). I have a Hypertech programmer (came with the truck), mainly I used it to improve the shift times/quality.

 

[Turbolq4]

Oh yeah, my 97's EBPV got unplugged soon after I bought it (about the time we got our first coldish morning). I have a Hypertech programmer (came with the truck), mainly I used it to improve the shift times/quality.

Mine is a manual trans so I avoided the whole auto trans fiasco. I put that EBPV on a switch and use it for an exhaust brake. Works pretty well, especially when the rpms are up.

 

[86MCLS]

When I bought my Monte 20 years ago this year, I was a broke *ss 20 year old and REALLY wanted a Chevelle but it was the late '90s and the "true" muscle cars were starting to fetch stupid money as a 30 year old car. The G-Body had essentially the same DNA with the 4 link rear, A arm front, and full frame/rear wheel drive so that was my cheap "muscle car."

Now I'm a not so broke *ss 40 year old and my Monte is 32 years old... Starting to see the prices soar for these like the 30-ish year old muscle cars of the '90s. The 50-ish year old muscle cars are now in the stupid to the nth degree price range so more are turning to these who "only" have south of $20k to buy & build...

The other crazy thing: Even as recently as 10 years ago, G-Bodies were plentiful in the junkyards. My local Pick & Pull has none. Did an online search to the 2 next closest... None. 3rd gen F-Bodies used to be super plentiful too... None of those either.

 

[Opie Knievel]

I got really lucky and bought my running, driving '86 Monte Carlo for $500 a few years ago. The '83 Monte with T-tops in my avatar was the first car one of my buddies ever owned. He bought it for $100 or $150 (I can't remember which for sure now) in the late 90's / early 2000's and I'm pretty sure that it was a running, driving car. He and I bought a running '84 Monte with the 3.8 V6 for parts for $75 and drove it home 15ish years ago. I remember seeing a lot of good condition G bodies for sale for $500 or less when I was in my early twenties. I bought a solid, dependable '83 Cutlass 4 door for $350 and used it as a daily driver back in 2010. I've always been used to G bodies being "cheap" cars. I'm amazed at some of the crazy prices I see nowadays. $5k-$8k for completely stock Monte Carlo LS's...WTF? How is one of those cars worth that much money in stock form?

These prices remind me of stories my dad would tell me about his younger days. He said back in the day a muscle car was just a "regular" car as far as pricing went. A working man could afford a Chevelle. Now a really nice Chevelle costs as much or more than a brand new car. Personally, I hope G body prices don't get that inflated. Sure, I'd love it if my car was worth substantially more after I fix it up but I really want at least one more G body and I just can't see paying some these crazy prices to get one.

I wish I'd bought up a bunch of those $500 or less G bodies when I first got out of high school.

 

[HAFROD]

So to sum up 12 pages of discussion = Our G bodies are only worth about $500 running and driving. Anyone asking more money is crazy. They will NEVER be collectible or considered a classic. No one should be on THIS forum because you should buy an F body, apparently you get more car for the money. So sell me your very nice G bodys for $500 since the value will still be $500 in 20 more years. I build G bodys because I love them. I am being sarcastic here and not mad. Truth is the prices are mild to wild. People will pay up when they're hot for getting one. What I learned a long time ago, if you want more money, put it on ebay. I've sold many vehicles there. I got more money than what the average prices were around here. Not trying to stir up a sh&% storm but some of you guys are living under a rock. A salvage I buy G body parts from sells the bodys for $600 to the dirt track guys.

 

[motorheadmike]

This is my basic history with buying G-bodies:

c.1998 - '83 Monte CL (cleanish w/305) - $1000
c.1999 - '87 MCSS (rust bucket) - $1000
c.2000 - '79 Malibu more-door (sweet patina with a rod knock) - $750
c.2001 - '87 Turbo T (rusty) - $4500
c.2002 - '86 T-Type (cleanish roller) - $5500
c.2013 - '80 Lemans wagon (clean roller, US car, imported) - $5000
c.2013 - '86 Monte CL (cleanish w/3.8L) - $800
c.2014 - '81 Lemans more-door (cleanish w/350) - $1000

IT MAKES NO SENSE!!! 😉

The sale and appraised values of the ones I finished was/is pretty impressive. The rest went to scrap.

 

[86MCLS]

If you REALLY want your mind blown, take a look at what VW Vanagons go for. Even stupider is what a Vanagon Westfalia goes for. Make it a Synchro, and holy s**t!!!! They're frickin' Vanagons for crying out loud!

Example: https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/1986-syncro-westy-vanagon/6506098738.html

Another example: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1981-vw-vanagon-westfalia/6507719939.html

$7500 for one with a seized engine?!?!

Yeah, I wish I would have bought up a bunch of THESE when they were super cheap!!

 

[Clutch]

Malibus coupes did not sell well in the lower midwest, based on my historical observation here. I do recall seeing them pretty regularly when I was in Iowa, but they were still fairly new then. Went from Iowa to Dallas, hardly ever saw one and took me 3 years to find a decent one without a vinyl top.


For the early H/Os, there is a 79 a little ways from me, but I'm a little skeptical of anything the guy has to say based on the ad and photos

"Car was kept inside until late 2000s - clear coat is pealing but interior is still in great shape"

https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/d/1979-hurst-olds-30/6468026685.html

That's funny they weren't bace clear paint

 

[UNGN]

If you REALLY want your mind blown, take a look at what VW Vanagons go for. Even stupider is what a Vanagon Westfalia goes for. Make it a Synchro, and holy s**t!!!! They're frickin' Vanagons for crying out loud!

Example: https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/1986-syncro-westy-vanagon/6506098738.html

Another example: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1981-vw-vanagon-westfalia/6507719939.html

$7500 for one with a seized engine?!?!

Yeah, I wish I would have bought up a bunch of THESE when they were super cheap!!

I just saw a syncro on CL for $36K and was shocked, too, then I read up on them and it turns out its a hippie cult, so it all made sense.

The $7500 one with seized engine is a "bargain". Hippies can't fix anything but their bong. Put $5K in it and sell it for $20K. Hippies generally have rich parents/trust funds and pay cash.

 

[UNGN]

Auto '94 Corvette with 56K miles for $7,100.

Good C4's are getting cheap. If it wasn't an Auto, I'd buy it.