T-Bird values

[tomnan24]

Re: T-Bird values

KBB is useless in determining values. Dealers used it on webisites to provide a sorce that makes them look good. Retail values are really high and trade values tend to be really low so the dealer comes out looking good.

NADA is used, but its not like it used to be. Most dealers have switched to using Manheim Market Report (MMR). Its a average and listing of cars that Manheim auctions have sold so its more up to date than the other books. It also lists each car so you can see color variance (red Mustangs for example bring about $700 more than white ones) and condition listings.

For this case MMR doesn't have a huge number of sales due to the rarity of the bird. They did sell a Red average condition 36,202 miles at Lafaytte for $15,800. With this small sample, its harder to trust the numbers. Our dealership Uses NADA loan and MMR and experience to come up with a wholesale number.

After all that, I can tell you the letter was sent to owners of a huge block of cars to try to generate business. Many dealers are doing this regularly as if you sell them the car they get it at less than wholesale or below so they win, and many will buy another car soon after selling one so the dealer can win again. We don't do it but we get companies wanting to send out letters like this (and many others). They continually call wanting us to buy these direct mail pieces.

Very interesting(and useful) information, thank you.

[keithwand]

Re: T-Bird values

Don't forget to add the buyers commission on auctions like Mecum and BJ; usually 10%.
First $100,000 takes our 2005 Inca Gold with 2,300 miles. Hardtop extra!
LOL

[EllisonCal]

Re: T-Bird values

2002 - 2005 Thunderbirds of any color with or without hardtops are priceless. Ask any current TBN member. Low mileage cars are even more priceless. But they are so much fun to drive that I just can't help piling on miles. Next month I'm putting a couple thousand more miles on to attend the 55th Anniversary celebration at Ford in Dearborn.
Does anyone else have this problem?
Cal

[steelblue5505]

Re: T-Bird values

YEP!
I sure do.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: T-Bird values

I am looking at buying a 2003 with hardtop and 28,000 miles. Price is listed at $21900. It is as close to perfect as you could find. I looked at Kelley and Edmunds and a bird in excellent shape s/b $18,000. NADA says $22,000 including $5,245 in mileage adjustment, Of course, most people selling are in the NADA range.

I went through Ebay motors and averaged 9 listings that actually sold(included all years). The year sold averaged 2002.9, mileage averaged 32448, and price sold averaged $17,116.

Any comments?

It's very hard to imagine that $22,000 is a good price.

In 2006 I found our 2002 with 30,000 for under $20,000.

In 2007 I picked up the '04 with 18,000 for $22,000.

The cars truly are headed up in value if what this guy is asking is an appropriate price.

Given the credit situation today and uncertainty that limits demand vs when I bought our 2 T-Birds it really seems pretty unlikely that you should have to pay anything close to his asking price.

[tomnan24]

Re: T-Bird values

It's very hard to imagine that $22,000 is a good price.

In 2006 I found our 2002 with 30,000 for under $20,000.

In 2007 I picked up the '04 with 18,000 for $22,000.

The cars truly are headed up in value if what this guy is asking is an appropriate price.

Given the credit situation today and uncertainty that limits demand vs when I bought our 2 T-Birds it really seems pretty unlikely that you should have to pay anything close to his asking price.

Thanks for the input, that's pretty much what I think. I have gathered details on all completed sales I could find on the internet, 10 from Ebay motors, 1 from Mecum and 1 from Manheim. They are from a variety of years but average out at 2003 with 34,000 miles and an average price of $16,923(left out all special edition models). In a couple of days I will be offering $17 and will settle for $17.5. I'd have to mull it over for a few more days to go to $18. Any thoughts on this plan?

Anyone else care to share their purchase year, price, model year, and mileage?
Anyone know of any other price paid sources on the internet$

[Kokomo]

Re: T-Bird values

There are a number of other variables that affect price. Hard top or no? That is worth about $1500 alone. Stand for the top? Cover and tool? Boot cover? Heated seats? Premium wheels?

If you find the car with the color and options you want, low miles, etc. then how far will you have to go to get it and bring it home. Or pay to have it transported to you. All of those things are factors, too.

Averaging the price of cars sold is going to give you a low end number because a lot of them have high miles, no hard top, and problems known to the seller that you may not be able to detect easily.

Remember, if you find a real bargain price, there may be a reason for it. Good luck to you.

[tomnan24]

Re: T-Bird values

There are a number of other variables that affect price. Hard top or no? That is worth about $1500 alone. Stand for the top? Cover and tool? Boot cover? Heated seats? Premium wheels?

If you find the car with the color and options you want, low miles, etc. then how far will you have to go to get it and bring it home. Or pay to have it transported to you. All of those things are factors, too.

Averaging the price of cars sold is going to give you a low end number because a lot of them have high miles, no hard top, and problems known to the seller that you may not be able to detect easily.

Remember, if you find a real bargain price, there may be a reason for it. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the input. Not really looking for a bargain price, but am looking for a fair price as I mentioned above somewhere, I believe in profit but not obscene profit. My due diligence in looking for other prices paid is trying to avoid feeling like I was taken advantage of. This, like no other item, can ruin the ownership experience.