I'm So Undecided - Should I Sell?

[The Fixer]

I'm guessing us older guys with kids/houses and a bazillion other responsibilities must have these thoughts that keep them awake night after night - or maybe it's just me. ;) I've owned this Monte SS in one form or another since 1997. It's always been a pleasure car, never a daily driver, but as the years go by it's become more of a garage ornament than anything. Don't get me wrong, every time I get behind the wheel of my Monte, I have a ton of fun driving it - the problem is, I have so little time to actually drive it that I only put on about 500 miles a year (if that). In short, is it really worth keeping??

Honestly, I would only sell it if I could get what it was worth (maybe around $10-11K). I'll just keep it if I can't get that much. Does anyone else feel the same way?

[LuvMyF8LWS6]

If you haven't already, get collector car insurance and collector vehicle registration, and leave it sitting. Won't cost you much to keep and will be paid for God forbid anything should happen. You always need to have that little happiness, even if it means just looking at it :-)

[JL8Jeff]

Not to be harsh, but I would be surprised if you could actually get half that for it. I see a lot of cars priced too high for today's economy which is why so many of them end up staying in the garage. You would probably be better off leaving it covered in the garage until the kids get older and either you can find time for it again or they take an interest in it.

[The Fixer]

If you haven't already, get collector car insurance and collector vehicle registration, and leave it sitting. Won't cost you much to keep and will be paid for God forbid anything should happen. You always need to have that little happiness, even if it means just looking at it :-)

Yep, I have it insured through Hagerty - cost me under $400 a year for a stated value of $13K, and I got the Collector sticker about a year after NJ started the program.

[LuvMyF8LWS6]

Yep, I have it insured through Hagerty - cost me under $400 a year for a stated value of $13K, and I got the Collector sticker about a year after NJ started the program.

I'd keep it then. :nod:

[LS1Hawk]

Not to be harsh, but I would be surprised if you could actually get half that for it. I see a lot of cars priced too high for today's economy which is why so many of them end up staying in the garage. You would probably be better off leaving it covered in the garage until the kids get older and either you can find time for it again or they take an interest in it.

Kind of what I was going to say. If you are going to sell, I would wait until the market for collector/hobby cars improves.

[maroman88]

keep it

[usp55]

vote to keep

[Wolfblitz]

Keep it, once your kids hit highschool they'll be out of the house all the time and you'll have your time to go out driving again.

[Fleetwiz]

Older guy here....keep it...once it's gone it's tough to get a replacement....

[69BirdX]

im 23 and i was thinkin about selling my 69 bird project....not just old people

[Squirrel]

if its not an inconvenience you might as well keep it..

[r0nin89]

Keep it. I say that because not that I dont think its worth it but you'll never get that kinda money for it. Therefore if you settle for the 6 or 7 g's the right person might be willing to pay for it you'll be extremely unhappy with yourself, especially down the road.

[BonzoHansen]

Keep it unless you need money. Make time to drive it (I know how hard that is). Come out ot some club meets :p

[The Fixer]

Thanks for all the opinions so far. I've only been thinking about selling it because I'd love to get a new DD - something fun and LS-powered (like an '06-'07 Monte SS or TB SS). If I sold the XJ and Monte for good prices I'd be a loooooong way towards one of those with virtually no payments.

Keep it. I say that because not that I dont think its worth it but you'll never get that kinda money for it. Therefore if you settle for the 6 or 7 g's the right person might be willing to pay for it you'll be extremely unhappy with yourself, especially down the road.

I wouldn't let it go that cheap - my blood/sweat/tears are worth a lot more than that - even selling at $10K would be a gift in my opinion, since you couldn't build one for that price. The car has virtually no rust, nice paint, a really nice interior, plus everything mechanical has been upgraded, rebuilt, or overhauled.

[edpontiac91]

I get those same thoughts every so often and then I go to some car shows and people come up to me and say that they hardly ever see 3rdGens at all, no less one that is in really mint condition. I have had it now for close to 20 years and have done stuff to it that I now have neither the money nor the time (or energy) to redo. Daily drivers come and go, but cars that you put your heart and soul into are very hard to come by! :nod:

[r0nin89]

Thanks for all the opinions so far. I've only been thinking about selling it because I'd love to get a new DD - something fun and LS-powered (like an '06-'07 Monte SS or TB SS). If I sold the XJ and Monte for good prices I'd be a loooooong way towards one of those with virtually no payments.



I wouldn't let it go that cheap - my blood/sweat/tears are worth a lot more than that - even selling at $10K would be a gift in my opinion, since you couldn't build one for that price. The car has virtually no rust, nice paint, a really nice interior, plus everything mechanical has been upgraded, rebuilt, or overhauled.



Believe me man I dont doubt anything your saying. My only point is the market for classics sucks right now and the market for an 80s classic, especially a custom one with blood sweat and tears in it is even worse.

[baddest434]

i know just how you feel steve. my car has not been out of the garage since last october's track rental. after 2-3 years of thinking about selling it i finally list it in NHRA magazine, we'll see what happens. tough to let go of something you love but if your not using it the $$ would come in handy. good luck selling her steve.

[BonzoHansen]

i know just how you feel steve. my car has not been out of the garage since last october's track rental. after 2-3 years of thinking about selling it i finally list it in NHRA magazine, we'll see what happens. tough to let go of something you love but if your not using it the $$ would come in handy. good luck selling her steve.

at least steve can drive his whenever he wants. you can't do that really. I hope you get your $$ for it. Maybe get yourself; a nice 12 sec bracket car!

[nj85z28]

Steve, my advice is sell the Monte and the XJ. Get that new DD with no payments and then down the road get another project that you and your son Anthony can work on together

[r0nin89]

at least steve can drive his whenever he wants. you can't do that really. I hope you get your $$ for it. Maybe get yourself; a nice 12 sec bracket car!

Please hed be ok if he stayed out of the rain. :lol:

I'll give ya $100 if you purposely run the red light camera on Chambersbridge doing a fakin wheel stand LOL :rofl:

[baddest434]

I'll give ya $100 if you purposely run the red light camera on Chambersbridge doing a fakin wheel stand LOL :rofl:


wheelstand-$100
ticket -$85
total profit -$15

i'll think about it. :mrgreen:

wait i have no plates how are they going to catch me?

[LTb1ow]

wheelstand-$100
ticket -$85
total profit -$15

i'll think about it. :mrgreen:

wait i have no plates how are they going to catch me?

I will throw in some money to the pot, I just want a copy of the picture taken for the camera. :nod:

And to stay on topic, in all aspects I really can't understand being responsible for others etc etc, but my car is completely impractical for me, it gets horrid MPGs, smells, and currently has only one seat... but I could never part ways with it. I get by with all its downsides. Dunno, just could not put a price on how much I have poured into the car...

[Slow-V6]

Pass it along to your kids when they get older.

[BonzoHansen]

Steve, my advice is sell the Monte and the XJ. Get that new DD with no payments and then down the road get another project that you and your son Anthony can work on together
A new car is such a money loser no way I'd do that in 5 years you're right back here with no SS. And even if he gets 7500 for the SS he can't build another for that

Steve, why do you want a new car anyway?

[Squirrel]

Thanks for all the opinions so far. I've only been thinking about selling it because I'd love to get a new DD - something fun and LS-powered (like an '06-'07 Monte SS or TB SS). If I sold the XJ and Monte for good prices I'd be a loooooong way towards one of those with virtually no payments.



I wouldn't let it go that cheap - my blood/sweat/tears are worth a lot more than that - even selling at $10K would be a gift in my opinion, since you couldn't build one for that price. The car has virtually no rust, nice paint, a really nice interior, plus everything mechanical has been upgraded, rebuilt, or overhauled.

ill say it, no way youll get 10 g's for any g-body unless its a turbo 3.8... monte's, cutlass's, hell, even clean 442's cant fetch high 5's.. best bet is to hold on to it

[qwikz28]

I will never condone insurance fraud but 13k agreed value is a heck of a lot of money...

[The Fixer]

I will never condone insurance fraud but 13k agreed value is a heck of a lot of money...

When I applied, I had to give them a whole writeup on the car, along with pictures. Once they saw what's in the car, they didn't question it.

[Z28 Heritage]

When I applied, I had to give them a whole writeup on the car, along with pictures. Once they saw what's in the car, they didn't question it.Could i see some Photos?

[The Fixer]

A new car is such a money loser no way I'd do that in 5 years you're right back here with no SS. And even if he gets 7500 for the SS he can't build another for that

Steve, why do you want a new car anyway?

Scott, I've got a few reasons, but none of them are really "good reasons" since you're right - cars suck money like no tomorrow. I went through that in my early 20s and pissed away almost everything on my cars back then - I was single, and had 2 '85 Monte SS's and a '96 Impala SS all registered, driven, and insured. Plus, the Imp was only 2 years old at the time, so I was paying it off, and modding it at the same time. What a dumbass I was, looking back.

Anyway, the simple truth is, I'm just tired of driving my Cherokee - I miss driving a real car. Don't get me wrong, it's a great truck, but I've had it 5 1/2 years already, and that's the longest I've ever owned any DD - I'm getting bored. Plus, the later Cherokees are holding their value, so if I sold it now I'd still get decent $$ for it. And my logic was since I only drive the Monte 500 miles a year, and spend the other 8-9K miles of driving behind the wheel of my Cherokee, I could just buy something newer and fun to drive everyday, rather than have something fun for a few hundred miles a year. I've been thinking about buying a GM Certified used car, since they've already taken the major depreciation over a brand-new vehicle.

My other alternative would be to just sell the Cherokee and buy another used car, just not as expensive as a GM Certified car. That way, I could still keep the Monte but at least drive a car everyday, rather than the Jeep.

And hey, I know the classic market kinda sucks right now, but I'm offended you guys think my car isn't even worth 8Gs. ;) I know a few of you have seen it in person, is it really that bad? :cry: :)

[The Fixer]

Could i see some Photos?

Sure thing, here's a few -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/Monte%20Updates/IMG_0854.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/Monte%20Updates/c55_front.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/Monte%20Updates/88SS_billet_vcs.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/Monte%20Updates/IMG_0947.jpg

[Z28 Heritage]

Looks good. But i HATE THE center console lid. In my fathers 88 its broken and even if it wasent i cant see it being any good. lol

[BonzoHansen]

Steve, drive it more. drive it to work on some nice days

ill say it, no way youll get 10 g's for any g-body unless its a turbo 3.8... monte's, cutlass's, hell, even clean 442's cant fetch high 5's.. best bet is to hold on to it

yes they can.

[The Fixer]

Steve, drive it more. drive it to work on some nice days.

I'd love to take it to work, but I have to park on the street since they lock the teacher's lot and I leave early to pick up my kids. Unless I leave it at my in-laws and walk the few extra blocks...

[BonzoHansen]

so you can't get let out of the lot?

[r0nin89]

yes they can.


Sorry but I'd like to see proof of that. We just bought a 30,000 mile 86 Grand Nat for $10g's and your gonna tell me that anything but a Turbo Regal, GN, or GNX will bring that kinda dough?

Monte SS not a chance unless MAYBE someone imported a Mexican 350/4speed.

Cutlass, HA

442s, even a hurst tripple shifter car all original is only worth 5-6 grand. I've seen half decent 442s on craigslist for $1000-$2000.

El Camino, just no.

I'm not saying it to be a dick or argumentative. I LOVE 80s G bodies but the only reason the turbo cars bring money is because they have a serious following and because theyre a great platform for a fast car without a super lot of work.

[BonzoHansen]

I was replying to the "cant fetch high 5's" comment. I'm saying they can if the circumstances are right. I've seen really nice G bodies go 7500+ range, especially very clean ones with good, tasteful mods like Steve's. And 80s cars are going up as well as getting more press which only drives demand.

[r0nin89]

I was replying to the "cant fetch high 5's" comment. I'm saying they can if the circumstances are right. I've seen really nice G bodies go 7500+ range, especially very clean ones with good, tasteful mods like Steve's. And 80s cars are going up as well as getting more press which only drives demand.

O roger that.

Yeah I agree a properly done tasteful G body can fetch 5-6k from the right buyer. But its gonna take time and work to get it advertised to the correct people.

[BonzoHansen]

yeah, i'm not talking craiglsits cars. more like these

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1987-Chevrolet-Monte+Carlo-279531.xhtml;jsessionid=8738EFE46E96221024FA933A45 980D65?actionMethod=find%2Fvehicle%2FvehicleSearch Results.xhtml%3AuShipController.init&conversationId=5806

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1987-Chevrolet-Monte+Carlo-269087.xhtml;jsessionid=8738EFE46E96221024FA933A45 980D65?actionMethod=find%2Fvehicle%2FvehicleSearch Results.xhtml%3AuShipController.init&conversationId=5806

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1987-Chevrolet-Monte+Carlo-311502.xhtml;jsessionid=8738EFE46E96221024FA933A45 980D65?actionMethod=find%2Fvehicle%2FvehicleSearch Results.xhtml%3AuShipController.init&conversationId=5806

[The Fixer]

so you can't get let out of the lot?

Doubtful, since they took my key last year. :( Guess I could ask the principal if he could have a custodian let me out when I take the car, but it's a PITA.

O roger that.

Yeah I agree a properly done tasteful G body can fetch 5-6k from the right buyer. But its gonna take time and work to get it advertised to the correct people.

No offense, but I'd burn my car to the ground before I sold it for 6K. Did you see the few pics I posted of my car? Bother to read my sig and see the list of mods and details in the car? Sure it's not a GN, but it handles better, rides better, and stops better than one. Also, it's probably a helluva lot more fun to drive because you're rowing your own gears instead of having the car shift for you. :)

And not for nothing, but they're asking $8950 for the silver '87 Aero in the link that Scott posted, and that car has been repainted (check the silver air dam on the front, it should be black), the stripes are not in the correct location (too low), and it's got the wrong steering column in it too so it's not as "all original" as they claim. So why can't my car bring at least that much?

[baddest434]

i hope we both get our asking prices steve.
your cars very clean and sweet!

[r0nin89]

Doubtful, since they took my key last year. :( Guess I could ask the principal if he could have a custodian let me out when I take the car, but it's a PITA.



No offense, but I'd burn my car to the ground before I sold it for 6K. Did you see the few pics I posted of my car? Bother to read my sig and see the list of mods and details in the car? Sure it's not a GN, but it handles better, rides better, and stops better than one. Also, it's probably a helluva lot more fun to drive because you're rowing your own gears instead of having the car shift for you. :)

And not for nothing, but they're asking $8950 for the silver '87 Aero in the link that Scott posted, and that car has been repainted (check the silver air dam on the front, it should be black), the stripes are not in the correct location (too low), and it's got the wrong steering column in it too so it's not as "all original" as they claim. So why can't my car bring at least that much?

Dude look I wasnt trying to offend you. I never said that I dont think your car is awesome or that you poured a ton of your heart and soul into it. Its just the fact of the matter. I work in the classic cars market everyday. Advertised price is exactly that, advertised price. It doesnt mean its going to sell for that much or even close.

I love your car man. Hell I was going to idolize your car as my reference when I still had my 87 until it got hit. I'm sorry if it came off that I dont think your car is worth 11-13G's. I certainly do but the market is just so small for guys that can actually look at something for what is invested into it, then its even smaller because its a "newer classic", then add the economy and it just doesnt add up to a person being able to sell a car like yours for that kind of money.


5 years ago when Mopars were still selling for $200k, and ****** corvettes were worth $80,000 cause they were "survivors" you probably coulda gotten that kinda of money for your car easily. The fact of the matter is I just sold an all original 61 red/white convertible corvette for $45,000 damn dollars. It was a $55,000 car a year ago and a 65-70,000 car 4 years ago.

Thats all I'm saying man please dont act like I think your car isnt worth squat or something like that. And I'm certainly not sitting here say "Eh its worth just as much as any other clean Monte SS 3-5 grand".

[BonzoHansen]

I understand that is asking price. It's all I could find in 5 minutes. But I've seen them sell at similar prices. If you dial them back 25% it is still $6600-$9600. So I stand by my point about nice ones running over $5k.

But you are right the market is soft, just another reason to hold the car and enjoy it. However nice 80s cars are holding and even going up because the car buying generations are moving that way because those are the cars they wanted in high school or whatever. My goofy generation +/- a few years is into them and compared to older cars and they are still reasonable in price. My generation grew up with later 2nd and then 3rd gens. Not tri-fives and challengers. Those guys are 10-20 years older than me and many have already bought their toys. Half the guys I went to HS with would love to have a nice 80s g or f-body. They will never grab the insane money of the old cars, but they are appreciating.

[V]

steve, its really up to you and you alone. Im in a similar situation with my SS. After a while i finally decided to let it go IF my price was met, which is 11K, no less. Some have told me thats too much, but i dont see how, so i just ignore them.

[Slow-V6]

Put it for sale on a Miltary base or around a Military base and you could probably get 15,000 for it. Point is if you are patient there is a buyer for everything.

[Frosty]

Sorry but I'd like to see proof of that. We just bought a 30,000 mile 86 Grand Nat for $10g's and your gonna tell me that anything but a Turbo Regal, GN, or GNX will bring that kinda dough?



I'm not sure if that's a fair comparison because you got that WAY, WAY cheaper than you should have.

[7998]

I go through this all the time. I say keep it. Your bored with it now but that will change. I sense your more bored with the DD than the Monte.
Buy a fun DD to drive and you'll be happy.
You can't buy a car at any price that is going to have what you have invested in your Monte, and once its sold its gone.

I wanted a 4th Gen 6-spd vert since they came out with one. I finally got around to getting one last Oct. I also have a lot of money wrapped up into the intial purchase of this car that will sit for months before I even start it.
Mines in the classifieds now. If I sell it fine if not thats fine too.




wheelstand-$100
ticket -$85
total profit -$15

i'll think about it. :mrgreen:

wait i have no plates how are they going to catch me?
I'll throw down a few bucks to see that.

Steve, drive it more. drive it to work on some nice days



yes they can.

This always works too

[Fast92RS]

I say keep it. Down the road you will be sorry you let it go.

[BurninrubberGT]

my dad went through the same thing in 07, he needed a new dd and was looking to get a gto, he was debating selling his 84 trans am that he had since new, didnt drive it as much as he wish he could, but after about a week of debating he decided to keep it, he just couldnt let it go, and still got the gto. now he has been driving the trans am more, and definately has no regrets.

dont know if it will be less to insure, but look into american collectors. my dad has it on the trans am and i believe he pays ~100 and the car is insured for 10k

[r0nin89]

I'm not sure if that's a fair comparison because you got that WAY, WAY cheaper than you should have.

I wouldnt call $4000-$6000 less way way cheaper but I see your point

[12secondv6]

Don't sell it - trust me