[jhein]

Originally Posted by Skidmark

Currently considering a 78 TA 4sp 42k miles 220 hp, original sheet metal, engine never been out of car w/ all the bells and whistles minus t tops. 50ish range.

Sounds like a great find.

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by Mr Twister

A lot of people want the car they had or "could have had" in High School. Figure what generation that will be, and will have the disposable income to be buyers when you assume you will sell your car. Target your year range based on that. IMO model t, pre war, and 50's car enthusiasts are aged out and sellers, not buyers.

I agree. Actually have been looking at model t's cause their cheap now. So if someone graduated in 2007 they would buy a 2007 or so when they could afford one. Let's say at 45 yrs. of age. 45 yrs-18 yrs=27. I sell in 2034.
2034-27=2007 year car.

Buying the most highly optioned low mile Pontiac 1997-2007 firebird/trans am that one could afford would get the most money going forward. If one were only investing.

Problem is I don't like anything newer than 1978.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

The 78 4spd that MaryAnne PY Moderator's husband bought a couple years ago was a sharp car.
I don't say that about very many 77-78 cars..
Find a Great color combo with deluxe interior even if you have to overpay for it.

[The Champ]

Skidmark

I turn 70 next month and am a 3 time cancer survivor, so I totally get your thoughts. Luckily, I've been able to get three projects done in my younger years that I still own. But in 2022, when looking for a gift for our daughter's 50th birthday last February, so she could show cars with mom and dad, and I ended up buying the '09 Solstice Coupe from cammerjeff that was a turn key car. I just don't have the ambition to take a $600 car (what I paid for my '64 GTO convertible in 1992) to a show winning car. I've been driving that car for 30 years and now am considering a repaint (in Cameo Ivory again) and a new convertible top. That's as big a project as I want to take on at this time.

I still want to get a Solstice for myself, because it was so much fun to drive.

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by The Champ

Skidmark

I turn 70 next month and am a 3 time cancer survivor, so I totally get your thoughts. Luckily, I've been able to get three projects done in my younger years that I still own. But in 2022, when looking for a gift for our daughter's 50th birthday last February, so she could show cars with mom and dad, and I ended up buying the '09 Solstice Coupe from cammerjeff that was a turn key car. I just don't have the ambition to take a $600 car (what I paid for my '64 GTO convertible in 1992) to a show winning car. I've been driving that car for 30 years and now am considering a repaint (in Cameo Ivory again) and a new convertible top. That's as big a project as I want to take on at this time.

I still want to get a Solstice for myself, because it was so much fun to drive.

Man you're tough. I'm glad you are still doing well. I actually remember reading the post when you guys got your daughters Solstice. Nice looking car.

Since I've been back looking at cars for sale I've noticed the prices for the Solstice are strong.

[poncho-mike]

I'll toss out a few oddball things I thought about.

1) For years I wanted to build a 73 SD455 4-spd a/c clone. I have a super solid 73 T/A with tan interior and many options. My plan in retirement was to rebuild it with an original SD engine, and upgrade the suspension and drivetrain. Perhaps fuel injection (selling the original carb would more than pay for that). Adding a OD manual, etc. Not sure what plans are, but they will happen soon.

2) The car I miss the most was a 64 Buick Riviera dual quad car. Been looking for one of those for a while, not hard, just looking.

3) One of my favorite all-time drivers was a 73 Grand Am 455 car. Great ride, comfortable, handled well. I would convert it to 4-spd and modernize with EFI and OD, make it a touring car.

4) I already got one of my retirement cars. I bought a Sky redline 5-spd manual with 60K miles. Love the open air.

5) I also bought this car, a Sunset Orange 02 WS6 convertible, low mileage 6-spd manual. I am having trouble because the seats are not comfortable with my hip condition. May end up getting rid of that.

You have to declde what you see yourself in. Is it a comfortable touring car you can see the country and haul enough luggage for the trip? Is it something you can haul the grandkids around in around town? Is it a cool car to take to the cruise-ins or car shows on summer weekends?

[Skidmark]

So I passed on the 78 TA w/ 42 k miles. Owner was firm at 52k. Thought about it a couple days and decided the car was too nice to drive on a regular basis especially with such low mileage. Didn't think id feel comfortable parking it anywhere in public where I would not be able to to keep an eye on it.

So the hunt is on.

Now hoping to find a really nice driver. Top notch paint is a must. Prefer a 400 vs 350 ci.
Still A OR F body. Could spend 50k, but 40k would be better. A/c is important as well.

We'll see how it goes.

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Skidmark

So I passed on the 78 TA w/ 42 k miles. Owner was firm at 52k. Thought about it a couple days and decided the car was too nice to drive on a regular basis especially with such low mileage. Didn't think id feel comfortable parking it anywhere in public where I would not be able to to keep an eye on it.

So the hunt is on.

Now hoping to find a really nice driver. Top notch paint is a must. Prefer a 400 vs 350 ci.
Still A OR F body. Could spend 50k, but 40k would be better. A/c is important as well.

We'll see how it goes.

A car with top notch paint will be too nice to drive IMO. I've had a couple cars with top notch show quality paint. Sold them because they were too nice to enjoy.

[65madgoat]

Nice driver GTO:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285670581702

[65madgoat]

Maybe this can be had between $40k to $45K or so:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126299876249

[MUSLCAH]

52-53 ....with a stump puller 455

[tcom]

Forgive me, but... 2012, 2022 Challenger scat pack. No idea what it will be worth in 10 years but tons of fun along the way.

[jhein]

Boy, these days I don't think I'd leave any of these cars out of my sight. I don't do it with mine. Since I only drive it for fun it's not an issue. It may be less of a concern for something a bit more low profile but a 70 TA is a bit of an attention getter. That's probably the only thing I don't like about it. Kinda violates my general "gray man" approach to things.

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Maybe this can be had between $40k to $45K or so:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126299876249

Too nice for me...

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by 71GP76TA

A car with top notch paint will be too nice to drive IMO. I've had a couple cars with top notch show quality paint. Sold them because they were too nice to enjoy.

You're right. I think a sharp 10' footer is really what I'm looking for.

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by MUSLCAH

Attachment 627697

52-53 ....with a stump puller 455

Tempting, awesome car!

[kingbuzzo]

She's got AC!

https://www.streetsideclassics.com/v...ebird-trans-am

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Maybe this can be had between $40k to $45K or so:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126299876249

That's a nice car.

[b-man]

A 1953 Pontiac no matter how nice would be hard to unload once you’re done in 10 years.

Buy a popular body style with a factory performance engine (GTO or T/A would be two popular ones) and then you’ll have a good chance of either breaking even or profiting.

Buying oddball cars no matter how cool they are will be a tough sell.

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by kingbuzzo

She's got AC!

https://www.streetsideclassics.com/v...ebird-trans-am

Wow, that car is 3 hrs from me.