1985 Pontiac Firebird

Hatchback

305 Carburetor

Automatic

1G2FS87H5FN206607

Clear

Gasoline

I bought the Firebird in 1985 new from a Pontiac dealer. I should have sold it a long time ago but I kept repairing it for a total repair cost of 24.000. The car still runs good and should considering I have done many repairs recently on the car such as the following:6/7/11 Replaced strut assembly, and windshield washer pump.6/6/12 Replaced entire exhaust system pipes, muffler, and front tire.12/17/12 Replaced starter assembly, and battery 2/5/13 Engine tune up, replaced spark plugs, air cleaner, distributor cap, fuel filter, air filter adjusted ignition timing, and idle speed.6/18/13 Replaced shocks.12/11/13 Replaced rear brake wheel cylinders.3/5/14 Replaced water pump.At what point do you stop repairing a car and sell it or trade it in for a new one? Since I'm now retired and only receive a small monthly income from Social Security, I can't afford to maintain the car anymore. I have the option of replacing the two front tires at a cost of 170 dollars and change the front brake pads at a cost of 160 dollars for a total cost of 330 dollars. Then I could keep driving the car until the inspection stickers expire on 12-31-15. I have already had the car inspected using a 30 point courtesy check on 6-15-15 and know that the car needs some repairs done for a cost of 600 dollars before it would pass the PA safety inspection. The body on the car is wearing from age and could be repaired but it would cost too much money for me to repair. Some buyer with the skill could repair the body. The problem is that I have spent so much money on the car on repairs that I have to try to get the highest price possible for the car for it to be worth selling. My only other option is to keeping driving it and hope it doesn't have a major breakdown because at that time I would have no choice but to junk it. Since I have owned the Firebird for so long, I have an emotional attachment to it and would hate to see it end up in the junkyard. I know this is silly because it will end up in a junkyard at some time in the future just as I will end up in the cemetery at some time in the future. Therefore, I have a dilemma. Do I sell the car now or wait until I have to junk it at some time in the future. I could spent 330 dollars and keep driving it until the end of the year or sell it now and try to get the most money I can get for it. I think it's a matter of how much is a reasonable amount to expect from selling the car and can I live with that amount.Based on Nada Guides Classic Car Prices for a 1985 Pontiac Firebird 2 Door Coupe with a 305 V8 engine the following prices are indicated:Low Retail Value Average Retail Value High Retail Value $2,129 $4,920 $7,920Low Retail Value This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable ‘as-is’.Average Retail ValueThis vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A ‘20-footer’.High Retail Value This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well-maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition. Note: This value does not represent a '100 Point' or '# 1' vehicle *. * '100 Point' or '# 1' vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concours judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility. Note: Vehicles/Vessels in exceptional condition can be worth a significantly higher value than the Average Retail Price shown.Now the question is where does my Firebird rank based on the above prices? I would say it would be in the low retail value "as is" category but what would be a fair price for the Firebird? Since it needs repairs to fit into the low retail value it's a matter of how much it would cost to make the repairs. If I deduct 10 percent for the air condoning that doesn't work that drops the price 1,952. As far as the other repairs, it depends on who does them. If the buyer has the skill to make the repairs, it would cost a lot less than if an auto body shop did the repairs. If I deduct only what is needed to pass the PA safety inspection. I already have been told that price is about 600 dollars and I know it would cost 330 dollars to replace the two front tires and change the front brake pads for a total of 930 dollars. Now these repair costs are if an auto repair shop does them, which is a much higher price that if the buyer who had the skill did them. For example, front brake pads would cost around 25 dollars at a auto parts store. However, I will deduct the cost of repairs done by an auto repair shop. If I deduct that cost from 1,952, the price drops to 1,022. Therefore, I should expect to sell the Firebird for around 1,000 dollars. Based on previous experience I should make the starting bid at the price I expect for the Firebird with no reserve price, which is 1,000 dollars.