[PontiacJim1959]

That's a more realistic price than the other SD listed here lately for 88K which is an absurd price. I figured 52K and now here is this one for 53K. The days of high prices for these cars is over, and they will go lower still.

[keith k]

Originally Posted by PontiacJim1959

That's a more realistic price than the other SD listed here lately for 88K which is an absurd price. I figured 52K and now here is this one for 53K. The days of high prices for these cars is over, and they will go lower still.

There's a big difference in condition and originality between the two...

[PontiacJim1959]

Originally Posted by keith k

There's a big difference in condition and originality between the two...

Perhaps to a collector who is just looking to add it to his collection as an investment and garage it so it doesn't get any more miles on it and drop its value - kinda a high price and waste for a trailer queen. For the guy who is going to actually use the car, get it dirty, rack up the original miles and wear out parts, 88K is an absurd price and that's why it is still for sale. 53K is a driver you can have fun with, take to car shows, and still have bragging rights that it is an SD.

Never could understand why anyone would go to such lengths to restore a car, or purchase a rare original, and put gobs of insurance on it so they can't drive it only under certain conditions, and then put 100 miles a year on it.

I'd rather have a presentable car, put regular car insurance on it, and drive the hell out of it and enjoy. If I blow it up, wear out parts, or get whacked, it'll be because I am using it and out enjoying it. It's only a car, not a delicate and expensive Fabrge egg. Did you forget, "Turn it on, wind it up, blow it out, GTO?" Drive it like there is no tomorrow because for some, there won't be.

[Judge273]

Is there any proof it’s a x in vin SD? Not see a lot of correctness in engine bay, interior.

[johnta1]

If it's the one starlightblack wrote about, it is a real SD TA. (not original engine)

[chris malish]

Originally Posted by johnta1

If it's the one starlightblack wrote about, it is a real SD TA. (not original engine)

John, how can you tell it is not the original engine? It's a real SD engine in a real SD car.... seems like that would be hard to replicate...

Thanks,

Chris

[chris malish]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Is there any proof it’s a x in vin SD? Not see a lot of correctness in engine bay, interior.

What all is wrong with the interior? Is it not a correct standard interior?

Thanks,

Chris

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by chris malish

What all is wrong with the interior? Is it not a correct standard interior ?

The door panels are 70-72 Deluxe , definitely not the 73-74 cheapo standard.

The seats , i'm guessing 72
73 standard looks similar to those, but has an extra seam on the lower thigh side bolsters.

The ad wording implies it is not numbers matching original engine - but that its properly coded for 73 Auto SD.
Maybe that is not what he means, but it reads that way to me.

[johnta1]

I have an earlier ad or correspondence about the car where it states it had a 400 (73 I think) in it and was looking for a SD engine. Appears they may have found one.

[justincampbell]

Originally Posted by PontiacJim1959

Perhaps to a collector who is just looking to add it to his collection as an investment and garage it so it doesn't get any more miles on it and drop its value - kinda a high price and waste for a trailer queen. For the guy who is going to actually use the car, get it dirty, rack up the original miles and wear out parts, 88K is an absurd price and that's why it is still for sale. 53K is a driver you can have fun with, take to car shows, and still have bragging rights that it is an SD.

Never could understand why anyone would go to such lengths to restore a car, or purchase a rare original, and put gobs of insurance on it so they can't drive it only under certain conditions, and then put 100 miles a year on it.

I'd rather have a presentable car, put regular car insurance on it, and drive the hell out of it and enjoy. If I blow it up, wear out parts, or get whacked, it'll be because I am using it and out enjoying it. It's only a car, not a delicate and expensive Fabrge egg. Did you forget, "Turn it on, wind it up, blow it out, GTO?" Drive it like there is no tomorrow because for some, there won't be.

Not trying to start an argument. But, it really all depends on where you're coming from.
For example, there is a huge difference between a car that my neighbor thinks looks good vs a car that my Dad(who ran a body shop for almost all his adult life) thinks looks good.

Relative to the specific cars in question, I would love to own either one. However, I personally think they are both high. That said. Based solely on condition, I would call this car toward the more ratty end of "driver". Likewise, when I have in the past made the mistake of saying I'm looking for a "driver", I often have people trying to sell me what I consider closer to "beater" than "driver"(rust, dash totaled from the sun, seats blowing out, etc.) See what I mean about it depending where you are coming from?
Additionally, while I also think the 80k car is high, I don't think anyone would dispute that it appears to be a WAAYYYY nicer car. And BTW I would absolutely drive that car if I could afford it.

Which brings me to another point regarding where person is coming from. I about choked when I read "53k is a driver". Just wow! I am not denying that many of our Pontiacs now sell for that much or more. However, in my opinion, anyone who can spend 53k for a driver is either very literally spending their life savings or absolutely qualifies as "having money falling out their a**". As I said, it's all about where you are coming from.

Just my 2 cents.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by justincampbell

Which brings me to another point regarding where person is coming from. I about choked when I read "53k is a driver". Just wow! I am not denying that many of our Pontiacs now sell for that much or more. However, in my opinion, anyone who can spend 53k for a driver is either very literally spending their life savings or absolutely qualifies as "having money falling out their a**". As I said, it's all about where you are coming from.

Just my 2 cents.

So what do you think a real 73 SD "driver" is worth? Not much more than a base T/A? The same as a really clean Formula?

I think 53k is a pretty good deal.

[justincampbell]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

So what do you think a real 73 SD "driver" is worth? Not much more than a base T/A? The same as a really clean Formula?

I think 53k is a pretty good deal.

The quoted portion of my earlier post combined with the question really requires a 2 part answer.

First, as to the actual value of the car, I don't think it would be totally unreasonable to want to buy this car somewhere in the 40s because I really do believe it is on the bottom end of a "driver". Additionally, if you can see in the pictures that much stuff that looks subpar, it is a virtual guarantee that you will find more in person. I'm saying that based on the fact that, out of the probably 100 or more old cars I have looked at in my adult life, I can count on my fingers how many were consistent with how they looked in the pictures.

Second, with the quoted portion of my earlier post, I was addressing the distinction someone else commented on about a driver vs an investment. While I do drive my cars, I also buy ones that I believe will hold their value(if I lose $1,000 whenever I decide to sell a $30k car, I look at that as a disaster). That is because I have never been in a position to look at a high dollar purchase the same as I would a bicycle or the baseball cards we used to collect. If you are, more power to you. But, I am not and likely never will be. Therefore, even if it is a bargain, I am of the opinion that anyone who has 53k to spend on a "driver"(vs an investment to some extent) has money falling out their butt. Once again, back to the thesis of my original post: It's all about where you are coming from.

[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by PontiacJim1959

Perhaps to a collector who is just looking to add it to his collection as an investment and garage it so it doesn't get any more miles on it and drop its value - kinda a high price and waste for a trailer queen. For the guy who is going to actually use the car, get it dirty, rack up the original miles and wear out parts, 88K is an absurd price and that's why it is still for sale. 53K is a driver you can have fun with, take to car shows, and still have bragging rights that it is an SD.

Never could understand why anyone would go to such lengths to restore a car, or purchase a rare original, and put gobs of insurance on it so they can't drive it only under certain conditions, and then put 100 miles a year on it.

I'd rather have a presentable car, put regular car insurance on it, and drive the hell out of it and enjoy. If I blow it up, wear out parts, or get whacked, it'll be because I am using it and out enjoying it. It's only a car, not a delicate and expensive Fabrge egg. Did you forget, "Turn it on, wind it up, blow it out, GTO?" Drive it like there is no tomorrow because for some, there won't be.

PontiacJim you are spot on. these beloved cars are dinosaurs now. enjoy em. let the younger generation see em on the road so they'll want one and keep the era goin. nice post.