Car Value

[Holaday1185]

Hey all:

Was doing some thinking the other day concerning my 97 PA with 120,000 miles. I'm not in the current mood to sell it, but if I was, does anyone have any idea what I could get for it concerning either a private party sale of a trade-in at a dealership. I've tried different sites like KellyBlueBook, but was curious to see what you all thought about my cars actual value. Here are a few specs:

1997 Buick Park Avenue
120,000 miles
All options except - sunroof and supercharger
In pretty good condition - I'd rate it an 8 out of 10 (body, engine, etc)
The only thing that doesn't work is the AC ---- Had it checked out a few years ago and it might be the compressor.

I'm NOT trying to sell it, but rather I'd like some honest feedback. Thought this would be an interesting thread to start.

Thanks,

-DH

[bigsky]

Before going into any talk of value, I would be concerned about the upper intake ready to go and needing a smaller diameter stove pipe. My 97 was on its third intake at 120k. Finally had a sleeved intake and smaller stovepipe installed and now at 170k.

I would say 3k maybe, 4k might consider if excellent, 5k too high. Does depend on condition and options, but the upper intake is my worry. Even still...brakes, tires, struts/shocks, alternator, battery add up. And I suppose one of the seat motors does not work lol. Windshield good? Rust? At this stage of the lifecycle, if car runs well you probably will not get the worth. "Year" seems to be everything in the pricing market.

Taxable value on my 97 in MT is 3k. Also, plates went way down at the 10-year mark.

A dealer offered me 1.5k on a trade a few years ago, but it did have a transmission issue with the pressure control solenoid at the time.

[Holaday1185]

Just got my form to pay property taxes on my vehicle and they appraised my car at $1,500! What the hell?

[bigsky]

Originally Posted by Holaday1185

Just got my form to pay property taxes on my vehicle and they appraised my car at $1,500! What the hell?

The good thing here is your plates were probably very cheap. A good "benny" if one can keep an older car in good condition.

Again, year seems to be everything in determining general value. A 97 is 10+ years old.

I knew someone in Singapore; if you ran a car over 10 years old you payed extra to do so. A motivation to keep your car updated and keep the old ones off the mega-busy roads.