I've got two Oldsmobiles, a '85 Cutlass and a '90 Regency 98. Both are two owner cars purchased new by family members.
I see mostly mid-seventies and older discussed here, I'm wondering if any of you know of a site more suitable for me.

I've been put in charge of selling these cars and I'm trying to get a feel for the market so that I can put decent prices to them.

Appreciate any help offered.

 

I think this is as suitable a site as you'll find. It's true that there isn't much discussion of the most recent Oldsmobiles, but I see a lot of talk about the 80s Cutlasses. If you're just looking to sell the two cars, you really just need to consult some price services to get an idea of what to set as an asking price. The NADA website is one.

I've got the June 2010 issue of the Old Cars Price guide. You don't say what kind of '85 Cutlass you have (Supreme, Supreme Brougham, Salon, Ciera, and Ciera Brougham were all offered, and in different body styles), but the value of any of these cars in #4 condition (good running but needing restoration) is in the $1000 to $1500 range and in #3 condition (good car-show quality) is in the $2000 to $3000 range. These are very rough averages, and if yours is particularly low mileage, for example, that will affect the value. But these numbers might give you some idea.

As far as the '90 Regency (there was also a Regency Brougham that year), #4 condition values are in the $1600 to $1700 range and #3 condition are in the $3000 to $4000 range. Being "only" 20 years old, the '90 isn't really old enough to be on most people's list of antiques (generally taken to be a car 25 years old or older), and I think most people would look at the '90 as just a used car. It might be a very good condition used car, but I doubt that it would be looked at by most people as a collector car, yet. In my totally uneducated opinion, a 20-year-old car is pretty much at the bottom of the value curve. I'd say you need to give it another 5 to 10 years if you want to start seeing some appreciation in value.

 

Thanks for the info.
I'll make up a tentative add with pictures and a good description. I'll check into some price guides too.

I appreciate all the feedback I can get.

 

Google "Oldsmobile Forums"

and check to see which sites have the most traffic by looking at the threads, and how quickly they are responded to.

This site doesn't have that much traffic as the Chevy sites I'm on like Nastyz28 for 2nd gen Camaro's.
But, its' the best one I've found for Classic Oldsmobiles. Those 2 Olds are newer, so I'd look to see what else is out there.

 

There is a site like this one but more geared to modern Oldsmobiles rather than being more focused on the classics like this one is. It's called "The Oldsmobile Connection." In my few visits there, I haven't seen as much traffic as this site gets, but it does get some.

http://www.oldsconnection.com/forum/

 

Well, I think, even with a newer Oldsmobile, this is probably as good as it'll ever be. Heck, they accept (pretend to accept? lol) me, and I don't even have an Oldsmobile anymore, just an old Ford. But, there are NO ACTIVE FORUMS for my 78 Tbird. You'd think there would be. So, I throw in a question here and there, being careful not to jabber about my car too much, and I tend to get the answer I'm looking for.

So, if they'll help out a Ford owner (who really really wants an Olds again), I'm sure they'll help someone with a newer Oldsmobile. Can't wait to see the pics, I like the mid 80's Cutlasses. Used to own an 87 Ciera Brougham.

--Ryan

 

In the case of most collectibles 50 years old is "Classic", 100 is antique ...

For cars, since they are new to the scene, 25 is classic, and 50 is antique ...

So the '85 just turned Classic, the '90 is close enough ...

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

These were taken last year but I plan on taking some new pictures in the next couple of days. I want to get the '85 up on jack stands to get some shots too. It is a Supreme Brougham with the 3.8 2 bbl carb. 27,xxx original miles.

hitch007Small.jpg
85oldsand68steeringcolumn011.jpg

85oldsand68steeringcolumn016.jpg

 

Classic= American Made!

 

That's a fine-looking car. Given the very low mileage as well, I'd have to raise my estimate of the value to the $3500 to $4500 range, maybe higher. In #2 condition, which is considered showroom condition, and this car is not quite that with 27,000 miles on it, the value is listed at $5500. The Supreme Brougham 2-door coupe is the most valuable '85 Cutlass in any condition level, according to the price guide I have. New, that car had a base price of $10,468. I would guess that it will not be difficult to sell.

 

I haven't had a chance to get any new pictures yet but I'd be happy if I could hand $3000 to my mother.
Almost gave it to my niece for college but that would have meant year around daily driving.

I'll get those pictures and place an ad here for awhile asap.

Thanks everyone.

 

LOL well in MHO:

Cars of the 50-70's are more interesting to people for a variety of reasons.

1) American cars made in these decades were considered world class in their price range and in their genre (for lack of better word).

2) Not only were these cars mechanically superior (to what existed then), but they had a flamboyance....interesting styling and mechanical innovations.

3) The people who can afford these cars today grew up with them for the most part. These folks are done with kids and probably have the time (as well as money) to pursue dreams of their youth.

4) 80's and 90's cars became weak in terms of HP and torque. Technology to increase HP and reduce pollution just wasn't around yet. So, the sense, or the thrill of unbridled power is not there.

5) 80s and 90s cars suffered some serious design issues. In efforts to lighted the cars, to achieve some aerodynamic streamlining the cars became clones without style. Also the recessions of the 80's and 90's may have contributed to the cheapy look these cars tend to evoke.

6) In the 80's and 90's the foreign cars (Germany and Japan) became the style and quality leaders. People therefore were not so enamored with most American cars this in turn results in less "nostalgic" yearning for cars of the era.

 

I would agree with that for the newer models because they are scrapped very quickly after leaving the lot so become rare much faster!!

 

5 years ago I was looking for a car to replace my aging and impossibly rusted out daily driver. All I knew was that I didn't want any of those Lumina look a likes. I wanted to be driving in style with a "long hood/short deck" rear wheel drive V8! And of course, low mileage! Answering a paper shop ad, I found a triple black 89 Caprice Classic with 30k miles. Owned by an elderly gentleman that had passed on, it had it's share of door dings but otherwise was pristine inside and out, and even beneath.

Fast forward 5 years...I've had it repainted, the dings taken out and all of the dented side chrome replaced. Now the car seems to be the rage of generation 'Y". I've had many offers and even had a bunch of teens give me the "Burnout" gesture. Amazing how they identify the car with the Muscle Car era. "Bottom Of The Curve?" No way!

 

I just lowered the price for the '85 and added a few pictures of the '90 to my for sale ad if anyone is interested.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...85-1990-a.html

The pictures are on page 2&3 of my photobucket account for sale album. I'm sure I forgot some stuff.

They both have the 3.8 liter engine and the 85 cutlass comes with I believe every piece of paperwork possible. I offered this to a member here for $2800 so that is what I'm offering it for.
The '90 I'm looking for $650

Here's a link to the photo's
http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...Sale/?start=80



Any questions or picture requests will be addressed ASAP.

 

Updated this in case you missed my FS ad.