Where are the $35k-$40K TRs?

You can find a whole bunch of decent condition $35k TR's in FANTASYLAND.

 

Last I heard they were kit cars for that price on a fiero chasis with a v6.

 

I recently paid $35k for a good 328, and THAT was considered a good deal!

I'd guess not less than $60k for a TR, and probably more.

 

I'm not sure - Sometimes it seems like there is a competition on this board to see who could quote the most ridiculous price.

TR's (Not including the 512TR's) can range anywhere from 40-75k.

The 40k range being pretty beat with some prior accident damage and the very rare 70k - 75k range for a absolutely perfect, low mileage, no excuses car (and that even may be in the too high range).

The single bolt wheels (86-88) trade for a little less than their 5 bolt brothers (88.5 and up).

Most good TR's look like they trade between 55k and 65k.

Hope that helps.

That being said, my mechanic heard of a TR selling for 18k - I can only guess what kind of condition that one was in!!

 

When I had my 88.5 TR for sale, a couple of years ago, I got offers from people who just wanted to "steal" it..........I just refused them. I was hoping to sell it this year, after doing the major, however, I didn't finish......and now it is too cold. I will finish it next Spring, when I will put it up for sale, again.

It was the mileage, about 65k miles, that seemed to scare most people.....thus the "steal" offers. It seems that it would be best to sell the car locally, thus, avoiding the overly "knowledgeable" buyer. These buyers seem to expect too much for their money.

 

There have been a few threads lately on TR pricing and the perception that these cars are selling REGULARLY in the low $40's. The problem is, buyers read these things and start to think they can get a pristine example for these low prices.

Henryk, When a buyer cannot back up an offer with facts they just go to the old standby,"I want a steal".

 

When I was looking for a TR six months ago the cheapest ones I saw that were in good condition were $50,000+.

 

The Autoweek writer with the collector magazine has some good examples. I remember a few years ago an 80s TR in silver went in the 30k range at an auction in Zurich. Looked ok.


www.sportscarmarket.com or marketplace I believe the name is

 

The junk yard and they aren't in decent condition

 

Henry, when you have it up for sale next spring, let me know

 

Here is an example of a very clean, low mileage TR :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2493617916&category=6212

Starting bid is $77k.

 

THe best I EVER saw was an '86 out of Texas, about 40k, service about 3 years old, seemed very clean and all records were in order. He wanted $42,000, knew he could get more if he waited, but wanted to move it before his 360 came in. Otherwise, nothing less than $49,000 on high miler with a few dings. I have also heard the "lots of mid $30's TR's around" statement thrown around on this site. Never seen one.
Jim

 

I must speak out here: I actually have one of these famous "cheap" TRs right now. BUT I bought it knowing it needed some work, but it did have a full service done just prior to my purchasing it. The car was repainted to a fairly high standard in it's original nero black metallic, but now has a few of small dings and chips. It is an odd color combination you either love or hate. It ran "okay" but not great, but was basically mechanically sound. I have had to do tons of work, like new weather strips around the doors, fix dash and console wiring that was botched up from a stereo install. Restored the wheels. Repaird the body panel below the rear bumper. Repainted the rear bumper. I had to find and purchase all the books and manuals, spare wheel and jack kit, and the tool kit. And I also ended up pulling the motor out TWICE to try and fix an oil leak, but it's still there...darn it. I replaced the cam belts and tensioner bearings again - even though the "old" ones appeared new. I also rebuilt the waterpump. And then while the engine was out I refinished everything to like-new. You can probably see pics of my car in the archives, as I've posted lots of engine out pics. But it has been two years of fixing and sorting out little problems, and I must say I have no regrets yet. I bought the car right....you get what you pay for....and I agree with others here in that you WILL NOT find a pristine TR for less than around 65k-75k. My car is good but not perfect. The up side is that I can drive it without fear of rock chips and such. And that is what it's all about. When I'm ready I will sell my TR for a good price because I admit it's not a show car, but a very nice driver that the next owner can be proud of and enjoy. And I will answer any and all questions, and point out every flaw because that's the way I would want it presented to me. The car has been VERY RELIABLE and never stranded me once. I have really bonded with the car and it's become a part of me. My next Ferrari will be another TR for sure. But if you want to pay in the range of 40k to 50k you will get a "driver" car like mine not a perfect one. And there's nothing wrong in that...actually it may turn out to be the best way to go, it has for me. But if your not mechanically inclined then you'd better spend a bit more for a perfect car. I do get VERY TIRED of all the negative press about TRs. It's like people enjoy bashing them, when in fact they are a real bargain for the money. Something about those twelve cylinders that just gets the blood boiling. My car now has 38k happy miles on it with many more to come. It will be for sale some day when I'm ready to move up the fcar ladder, and for a fair price. Just know that 40k for a TR will get you a "beater" fcar, not a perfect one.

 

Carguy,

I have seen your pix, very impressive.
You are the perfect buyer for a car that needs some work whether it is a TR or a 308. You are willing and able to do the work yourself.
To me, working on the car yourself is half the fun.

 

nothing wrong with ' beater fcars!!! just depends on what you buy them for !

 

Carguy - That is an EXCELLENT post. I agree 100%. The TR is a great car!

I bought more towards the pristine (only 2500 miles at purchase) example because I was ok with paying a few extra bucks for a car I wouldn't have to fiddle with as much.

There is a lot to be said for buying a driver & doing the work yourself - It makes for a lot fun.

Enjoy!

 

Well said, most people bash the car because they cant afford it. I would rather burn my 86TR than have someone try to steal it. Enjoy the car for many years. Hopefully once you work out all the bugs....it will be one of those prestine 100,000 mile beauties that was loved and cared for.

 

Heres what I got for $44k LOL 1992 512TR I then dropped at least $110k into it to turn it into my race car

Any clown who buys a TR for $35 better have at least another $35 for repairs

 

So true!

Wow, that is what your race car began life as!! Nice transformation.

 

I am humorously "slighted" by the comment "any clown who buys a TR for 35k" . It should be restated as "any do-it-yourselfer shrewd enough to buy a TR for 35k". Because if you do the work yourself, you not only save big bucks, but you gain priceless knowledge about the cars in general. I won't need a mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection for my next TR because I'll know these cars inside and out.

WILLIAM H: A Rolls Royce owner friend of mine was out in Monterey a few weeks ago and video taped the F50 GT that was practicing around the track. Later I saw in Autoweek on the back page that the F50 GT was crashed....what a shame! It sounded incredible. He also taped your silver bullit 512TR race car that was in the background. As I watched the tape I yelled Hey....I know that car! What a cool machine it is!

 

You mechanically inclined guys have a great advantage, especially on fixer uppers. I am limited to doing small stuff on my car. I cant even change the fuses without shorting out 2 other fuses

 

It seems that "do-it yourselfers" are at an advantage.
If you have a 308 or TR that has been sitting or needs some work done on it even if it is just time intensive. The car does not make financial sense to a buyer that has to pay to have it done, this is opening up a new mkt. for the f-cars.
You are seeing Porsche owners who are accustomed to doing a lot of their own work moving in to F-cars.
Wayne with Pelican parts is an example.

 

I've seen a more than a few in the middle forties US $......so I can vouch for that price level.

As to condition.....well......I think that "ANY" 15-20 year old, 12 cylinder, Italian car is going to cost you $10K "minimum" in the first year to make it the way you want....and about $5K a year thereafter "at a minimum" if you drive it regularily. If you don't drive it....it will still cost you money while it rots.

Point being.....the pristine later model is just as much of a money pit as the early car.....don't "drink the garage queen koolaid"......buy a less expensive, driven, older TR.