Advice on pricing a 91 GSX Auto

[MATCHBX]

Hello everyone! Been a while since I've been on here. Life has kind of got in the way of my fun time.

Anyways, I am thinking of getting back into the DSM world again. Mainly it's because I pass this car for sale on the way into work everyday and am starting to get the itch. Here is what I know about it just from the short glance that I took at it a few days ago.

1991 Eclipse GSX automatic. 48,000 miles
Dark Green w/black hood (not carbon fiber) and black headlight covers.
Stock turbine wheels with one missing center cap and regular salt eaten finish to the paint on them
lightly tinted windows
passenger seat has a hole worn in the fabric on the right thigh bolster
aftermarket cd player
fair paint for it's age with the normal faded windshield cowl
no bodykit of any kind
front bumper cover is torn slightly on the bottom of one of the uprights

I don't know of any mods that have been done or anything. Overall looks to be in fair shape. I am just trying to figure out what would be a good price range for it if it hasn't been molested. I'm thinking somewhere in the $2000, maybe $2500 range at the top end depending on engine condition and such. I haven't been in touch with the owner yet. I would rather be armed with a more accurate starting point for pricing.

I know I haven't given a huge amount of info, but I am merely looking for a place to start. I've been out of the DSM game for so long, I don't have the firsthand knowledge I once had.

[b00sted_spyder]

48,000 miles only? I bet the owner would want at least 4k.

[jeremy1375]

If the mileage is important to you, make sure to check the carfax. My odometer said 46k when I bought mine. IIRC, the carfax said 200k+.

[MATCHBX]

I'm not hung up on super low mileage. I plan on doing the carfax too. He has it advertised at $4500. If the mileage is correct, it still doesn't put an average dsm to that kind of a price. I'm really curious about the black hood and headlight covers though. Was it from an accident rebuild or what? I've never seen a factory 1g with a black hood unless the whole car is black.

The other thing is, they tried selling last year and it sat there all summer. Then it disappeared for the winter and reappeared this summer. I think I'll go back and get the vin tomorrow and run the carfax.

[jeremy1375]

Price discovery is always a tough one without hard data on the prices that actual sales took place at. Having said that, if the mileage is actual, it runs and drives well, the body is otherwise rust free and has had no structural damage, and it's up to date on maintenance; my personal opinion on price would be a fair value in the $3k range. An average of 3-4 decent opinions would be one way to price it.

[AJ]

Show up with $3k in cash. Offer $2k and if after getting more detailed view you feel it's worth $3k then you have it to bargin. There is no way I'd pay more than $3k for a 1G auto that has flaws listed (hole in seat, faded paint, salt eaten finish on wheels). $3k if it's rust free tops.

[MATCHBX]

I was thinking the same about not going over 3K. It would have to be pretty built before I would drop more than that.

Like I said, by just a preliminary inspection of it, it doesn't appear to be anything special and definitely not in "show" condition. If the mileage is correct, it only adds a few hundred dollars to the price on any of the book value sites. I guess there is a reason it didn't sell last year or this year yet.

[Kracka]

Personally, I'd pay more for a bone stock DSM in fair condition that was driven as a normal DD than one that is "built" (aka modified/hacked up) and been driven like a racecar for the past decade.

[MATCHBX]

I've always agreed with you on that point. I should've clarified my earlier statement. The only way I would pay more if it was modded is if it was done right and it would have to be heavily modded (i.e. Steve's car or similar). And a modded one is not what I'm looking for right now. I just want something that will be a fun car that gets better mileage than the Commander does. That damn Hemi V-8 sucks the gas down quick!! But it is fun to drive!