OK, so we all know that a 4 speed behind a big block or even a small block GS is a desireable combination. what i'm wondering is how much does a 4 speed increase the value of a GS. for example, take two 70 GS455 cars identical in every way except one is a 4 speed, how much more (or less) is the 4 speed car worth? and is the difference in value applicable to all years the GS was made from 65 on up to the last year for GS . Bob :3gears:
It depends on who is buying. Original 4 speed cars bring big bucks because most buyers have been looking for a while and are willing to pay the extra $$$ when they find what they want.
John from a rarity stand point I think the 3-speeds would be a real find in any model. When was the last time any of us saw one in any model and year Buick.
I used to see 3 spd cars quite frequently back in the 80's, primarily 65-67 cars, but in just regular loafing around I haven't seen one in years. They are definitely a novelty and are very rare, but other than the stage 1 3 spd convert I'm not sure that they will be worth more than 4 speeds in the long run.
so by that logic a 70 GS455 automatic car could sell for 20,000.00 while a 70 GS455 4 speed would be worth 21000.00. We all know that would be the case. i would venture to say that the 4 speed car might bring 3-5 K more in that scenario. Bob
Guidelines in N.A.D.A. and Old Cars price guides are junk when it comes to price increases on options. I would say 20% for HT's and higher than that for converts.
I was just posting what's written in N.A.D.A., not really agreeing with it and other information they print on values. I would agree to the at least 20% speculation mentioned here and hope so, being an owner of a 4-speed GS Convertible. Mike A.
Well, heres another twist. What about "original" 4-speed cars vs. converted 4-speeds? I wanted a 4-speed, and as we all know, there arent a lot of them to be had, for short money anyway.:3gears:
4 Speeds I purchased my '70 Stage 1 off an individual who deals in all types of musclecars, mostly Buicks, Olds, Ponts, and mopars. He had my car nearly 14 years (in need of total restoration), and for sale probably 10 of those years. It is an all no's matching 66k mile, 4 speed car. He told me on countless occassions that everyone that looked at it, told him had it been an automatic, they would buy it to redo. I bought it BECAUSE it was a 4 speed, and a Stage 1. With the no's of all rare musclecars somwhat dwindling, and being gobbled up and stashed in collections or museums, where is the limit on the value of these cars? I know very few people that remember driving model "t"s when they were realatively "new", with the popularity of a stock model a or t dropping off. Will our musclecars drop off in value after those who bought them new, or couldn't afford them new are gone? Just a thought
I too believe 3-5k is a good estimate on the 4 speed vs. the auto. Probably closer to 5k. I don't pay attention to any of those supposed price guides. Those price guides are out of whack with the current market at most given times it seems. If you go to buy a car which is desireable and you flash that price guide to the seller they will laugh at you as we all know the prices are dynamic and driven by "current" market value and whatever someone is willing to pay. For a beginner I think the price guides can be useful at times, depending on the make and model. I still think they are out of touch with reality on many models though. Just my humble opinion of course.
Here's today's NADA book on my car... Of course, if you've seen the pictures, you'd have to go with the "Low Retail"... Nonetheless, I think it's a pretty good guide for me, or at least something to go on....of course, I could maybe get a closer hint of what it might be worth by eBaying it with a real high reserve and let the bidders decide what it might grab....o No: Low Retail Average Retail High Retail Base Price $8,050 $15,700 $31,400 Options 4 Speed Transmission 5% 5% 5% Factory Air Conditioning 5% 5% 5% TOTAL PRICE $8,855 $17,270 $34,540
>>I have my doubts about the future of the automobile...and find it hard to believe there will ever be anything created in mass, more appealing than the American Muscle cars were in the sixties. << QUOTE I don't know... in 35 years a 320 horse LS1 T56 may be popular too... and maybe even Rustangs... they really are quite capable muscle cars (well, maybe pony cars), too... Frank
I really don't think the drop in price / lack of popularity of Model A's, Model T's, or other cars of that vintage is due to no one remembering them. The real reason is that they simply aren't driveable in todays world. Wanna get on the interstate in a Model A? Drive one in 90 degree heat? Drive one in 20-degree weather with ice on the road? No, no, and no are the usual answers. A factory-stock Model A with air-conditioning, power windows, disc brakes, AM/FM, a respectable 0-60 time, and an 80-mph cruising speed would be a big hit. Too bad no such car exists. Musclecars of the 60's and 70's will continue to be popular not simply because they are old and fast and rare, but because they are driveable, comfortable, and (occasionally) reliable. And if nothing else, they make the guys jealous and the wife crazy, which is always a plus. -- Steve
I agree that value guides are not very reliable, at least not consistent. Ever compare the value of a car in more than one guide. They rarely ever show the same figure. I think the difference in price between a 4 sp. and an auto is hard to put a number on. Overall condition still plays the primary role and I doubt a GS of average unrestored condition would get 5k more just because it is a 4sp. For example a non-stg. 1 car with a undesirable color and auto that is maybe worth around $12,000. If everthing else stays the same except the tranny I don't think $17,000 is realistic. If, however, you have two cars that are popular colors and well optioned, perhaps even a Stg.1, then it would be a whole lot easier to ask $5,000 more for a 4 sp. simply because the car is very desirable in the first place and more people will be willing to pay a premium to get it regardless of tranny. The value of a car is determined by many factors(condition, options, color, level of orginality, etc.) and trying to place a value on one component while not considering the rest of the package I don't think is realistic.
