value [Archive] - The Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Forum

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jasperpso

26th April 2007, 18:03

i was at the car wash the other day and saw a old friend of mine washing his corvette.. i hadnt seen him in a while and i showed him my sportster... he fell in love with it.. now he is wanting to trade me his 1976 corvette for a even up trade.. i have done some research and am fairly sure about what the vette is worth.. but what is my sportster worth? that is the question.. it is a 91 sportster deluxe, upgraded to 1200 with 18000 miles total, about 5k since 1200 upgrade.. it has many other upgrades, from a mikuni HSR carb and hypercharger to chrome twisted spoke wheels and chrome everything else.. i have posted a pic.. If i was to sell it, what should i ask? not that i really want to lose the bike, but there is just something about a corvette stingray that i will always love.. thanks for any input on this..

http://www.users.qwest.net/~photovisions/IMG_4441.JPG

bmcdonau

26th April 2007, 18:07

i was at the car wash the other day and saw a old friend of mine washing his corvette.. i hadnt seen him in a while and i showed him my sportster... he fell in love with it.. now he is wanting to trade me his 1976 corvette for a even up trade.. i have done some research and am fairly sure about what the vette is worth.. but what is my sportster worth? that is the question.. it is a 91 sportster deluxe, upgraded to 1200. it has many upgrades, from a mikuni HSR carb and hypercharger to chrome twisted spoke wheels and chrome everything.. i have posted a pic.. If i was to sell it, what should i ask? not that i really want to lose the bike, but there is just something about a corvette stingray that i will always love.. thanks for any input on this..

http://www.users.qwest.net/~photovisions/IMG_4441.JPG

Dollar value is easy to establish. Just look in the NADA book and add about 25% of what you paid for upgrades. Sentimental value is harder to define. I'm not sentimental at all, and if the dollars worked out I'd trade. Other people become attached to their posessions and have a harder time letting go. Which one are you? Very nice bike BTW.

biknut

26th April 2007, 18:10

The vette is worth more.

83XLX

26th April 2007, 18:50

Depends on how nice the Vette is. If it's straight, looks nice inside and out, and is mechanically sound, it's probably worth a good bit more than your bike. If it's only average, the trade is probably a toss-up.

74cixl

26th April 2007, 19:02

If the Vette is in top condition eg looks new it is worth a lot more than the bike, be sure to check the trans and brakes on the Vette, your bike is probably worth 4-5 grand and if the Vette is driveable it should bring at least 3-4 grand up to 15 grand if it is near perfect. Just a note I am really into old cars, I have a Corvette also, so I follow the old car market closely as my old cars are always for sale if someone is willing to write me a big enough check, good luck.

jasperpso

26th April 2007, 19:11

the body has no damage, but has some rock chips here and there.. the interior is black leather with woodgrain inserts on the door panels, carpet and dash and console are GREAT. seats have no tears, but do show a little wear on the outside edges.. it only has 64000 original miles on the matching L48 engine.. i figure with a repaint and MAYBE new front seat covers, and it would be a 8.5 out of 10 with 10 being impossible.. my friend is just the 2nd owner.

74cixl

26th April 2007, 19:17

FYI I manage a collision shop and you will pay $5- $10 grand for a quality paint job for a Corvette, if you put a cheap paint job on a Corvette you will be sorry at resale time.

jasperpso

26th April 2007, 19:18

i know a good body man.. and labor is what you pay for at a collision shop. besides, resale isnt my main concern.. i like the car, or i wouldnt conisder it.. i just want to know i am not losing in the deal.. i bought this bike in this condition.. i dont know what it cost to build, i bought it cheap from a close friend.. i saw a rough 76 vette that didnt even have a intereior in it sell on ebay today for 4900.. i would guess this cars current value at about 7-8k.. i have had a number of old chevys, including a '65 impala, '50 5 window pickup, and '64 malibu s/s.. nothing quite this new actually.. : )

snowman

26th April 2007, 19:42

Only other thing I would check is the drive shaft universals (6 total, two half-shafts) and brakes. They are one other expense that goes up quickly that hasn't been mentioned....:geek:geek:geek

jasperpso

26th April 2007, 20:15

here is a pic

http://www.users.qwest.net/~photovisions/PICT0075_005_1.jpg

reedj24

26th April 2007, 20:22

IMHO, if everything is as you say, I'd make the deal.

mucrew

26th April 2007, 20:25

is the corvette gonna be more fun to drive than the sporty is to ride? if so and you like it, then go for it. but you may end up missing the bike.....

adam

83XLX

26th April 2007, 20:27

I'd seriously consider a trade if it's as nice as you say - the pic looks good! I almost bought a '77 a couple years ago with similar mileage, but it wasn't that nice, for $6000. Don't buy it as a daily driver, though - there are too many "Corvette-specific" issues to deal with on these late 70's models.

FredrikK

26th April 2007, 20:54

Why does your friend want to trade his vette for your bike? The vette should be worth more and there are quite a few Sportys to chose from on the market even if yours looks very nice. It sounds like a good deal for you but there could be other costs with the vette than the gas...

Gone

26th April 2007, 21:29

Keep in mind the factory smog motor for that year has pretty pathetic performance compared to your bike. Your first thirty days of ownership could be spent shoving a 383" kit, decent heads, headers, and accessories into it, just like your Sportster, to wake it's anemic chassis up.

UGOZ

26th April 2007, 21:47

Get a quote for insurance on the Vette before you trade.You may change your mind.

jasperpso

26th April 2007, 22:03

83XLX

26th April 2007, 22:32

Keep in mind the factory smog motor for that year has pretty pathetic performance compared to your bike...

That's one of the mid-to-late 70's Corvette issues I referred to earlier. The stock engines had less than 200 hp, and the rear-end gearing ratio was changed to provide decent acceleration. This means the engine is turning close to 4000 rpm at 70 mph. Bad gas mileage and accelerated engine wear, or spend $1000 on a higher geared rear end. Then the car will be slow unless you do a bunch of engine mods.

On top of that, the starters fry because they're too close to the exhaust, the motor overheats with the air conditioning on while driving in the city (poor airflow to the laid-down radiator), the dash vents supply hot air from the engine compartment instead of cool outside air, etc.

I checked on insurance when I thought about buying one, and it wasn't too bad, but I'm in a low rate category. I'll bet he backs out of the deal, though.:doh

jasperpso

27th April 2007, 05:35

after driving the car, i think i am going to stick with my hog.. i am 6'3" 250lbs, and truth is, i dont fit in that car.. i felt closterfobic.. it was nice, dont get me wrong, but i just dont think it is me.. i am gonna sleep on it i told him, but i think i made up my mind as soon as i got in..

nice to look at, but i can do that for free..

wabiker

27th April 2007, 06:27

Trade it..!! Refinace the vette...buy another sporty...

opiewontaylor

27th April 2007, 07:48

all very good points.. i think the biggest point is i will miss the bike..

i havent decided yet, but i am gonna take the car for a drive tonite and try to make a more informed decision..

thanks guys

Maybe it depends on the region you live in, but mid seventies 'Vettes go for 5-8k in my area (metro-Detroit). They are not that highly prized, even by Vette fans, for reasons already stated. Anemic motor, and rattly as hell. Might be a good trade if it's had some upgrade work. (I had a '74 Vette, and it was a miserable, cramped, rattle trap of a dog car. Couldn't wait to unload it)

Detsuh

27th April 2007, 12:25

garyharden

27th April 2007, 12:52

:smoke :smoke Keep your bike man, I think that year, model vette is crap. Never met a biker I did not get along with, never met a vette owner that was'nt a Dickhead.

74cixl

27th April 2007, 12:56

The cost to maintain your sporty will be way less than the vette, and the cost to mod or upgrade is way less with the sporty, good luck.