I found nova that is in great shape. It has been sitting since 1988. before that the car was only used for racing. Heres the problem, the original motor is gone. It now has a 327 which hasn't ran in 19 years, it also has a 4sp which is stuck in 4th. When I opened the door the interior looks like it was never sat in, but it smells like mice piss. It has a bench seat and is just a plain jane car. So I have a price in my head, for this car and I ask her how much they want, she says 12,500. I was like ok, then. So I thanked her and left. I called an interior shop and asked how to get rid of the mice piss smell and they said, most likely the interior has to be replaced. I know all the brakes and seals are probably toast. I guess what I am saying is that what I would like to pay, and what they want are worlds apart. I do like the car, it looks cool.
What do you think it would be worth.

What do you think it would be worth?

I'd subtract the last zero... :(

It has a bench seat and is just a plain jane car.
The "disco" bumper Novas are not that desirable, IMO.
Plus, needs interior work and drivetrain, at least. If mice have been in it, figure a complete wiring harness too.

Of course an interior shop would tell you that the interior would need replaced. That's what they get paid to do. I'm sure you could get the smell out of the interior with a good washing followed by a little sun and a lot of air.
Sounds like a very neat car. Do they have pictures of when it was raced? Is it all lettered up?
In my opinion you are gonna pay a lot for a car with that low of miles. It's not my favorite year but I would love one with that low of miles.
Most of all people are gonna want to see pictures of this car to give you an opinion on the value.

I ask her how much they want, she says 12,500.

OK..I like these cars too. Even if this car was in the wrapper with 65 miles and it was museum quality it might bring 12,500
So,with that it mind and the fact it is no longer stock,doesn't run,etc. I would offer her $2500
I don't know where some people get these prices from...usually its the people that have no clue.
Not to get of topic,I looked at a clean 86 Jag XJS this week..111K miles,needed tires and some little details and the owner wanted 13K
An 86 XJS is worth maybe 5K tops..even NADA guides peg a mint one at the high of 9K

Well the interior shop I called is owned by my wifes uncle, so he was being honest to me. The car is lettered up, which for the most part I would leave on. I never asked if there is any pictures of it. I know the history of the car because my Dad use to help the guy that ran the car. When the guy passed away they put it in the garage and it has just sat there. If the car had the original engine and ran good and the interior didn't smell like that, I would say the price is right. But the way it sits, it's pretty much a rolling shell if the interior turns out to be no good. I would pay 6k or a bit more. I want to talk to them but I don't want to insult them.

The only reason I would offer her 6k is because my Dad has history with the car, I thought it would be neat for us to do up.

This is only a guideline, not a quote. Without pics, it is hard to state a valid value. But, NADA shows about 7,500 for a high price. That price is for an original car in excellent condition.

The car you are asking about sounds like it would only be worth half of that.

Go to NADA on the computer and make a copy of it and show it to her. Maybe she needs to see something in print to help her understand.

Sounds like a good idea. I just might try that.

I am not sure if the car was an SS. I did not see any SS emblems or anyhting. What is the VIN for an SS car does anybody know?

Sounds like another person with Barrett-Jacksonitis. 4th gen Novas don't normally sell for that much.

W/O pics it's hard to say, but it doesn't sound like it's worth much more than 2k at best....

As for if it's an SS or not the only way is if you find the build sheet. In '76 the SS could come with any engine, any transmission and the vin doesn't tell you. In a nut shell for 73 and onwards, an SS Nova was just a stripe package.............and that's it.

One of my friend's kids just picked up a really clean 77 2 dr, one spot of rust on the bottom of one of the front fenders. Just over 100k. Interior is decent, not perfect, weatherstripping dried out. 250 straight 6 w th350. He paid $900. Bought it from the original owner. I think he did pretty good. Even in perfect condition, the big bumper cars aren't desirable.

My .02

Devin

Well I think I am just going to walk away from it. It's to bad that people get crazy numbers put in there head. This would've been a really cool car, not worth much but cool to see. Kind of a throw back in time at the track. Oh well, thanks for the advice. I will continue the looking.

The SS had a few items more than just decals. The grille is different with different parking lamps in it, the center caps on the wheels are different. The steering wheel should have an SS emblem in the center. Thats about it, though. Don't think they were coded in the VIN.

The 4th gen Novas do not bring much money. This is a good thing cause they make great hot rods. I have purchased and sold or parted out about 7 of them. I bought a non running 75 hatchback for $350 with no rust and a few dents. A four door for in perfect shape and running for $500 and sold it for $800, I just didn't have the heart to part it out. The 77 in my signature I gave $600 for it just because the body is perfect and it has factory AC. I have a complete drivetrain that will be going in soon. The rest were all parts cars that I got either free or for under $100 and sold everything usable to others. There is nothing available aftermarket for these cars in the way of restoration parts. The few pieces available are items that fit other years of Nova and Camaro. The suspension is basicly the same as a 2nd generation Camaro. This gal wants way to much money for the car no matter how much history it has. Also if it was run hard it will have body twist/flex/cracking issues unless connectors were installed.