I wonder what made it a salvage title?? Does this one have a back seat?
My experience has been that if an insurance company "totals" the car, you can get only a salvage title after it is repaired. In AZ, you can have the car inspected and clear the salvage title. My daughter's car was stolen, and recovered with only "minor" damage, but because the insurance company deemed the repairs to be over 75% of the value of the car, they totaled the car. In the end they "paid off" the car and sold her the hulk and she ended up with an amount greater than the repair costs--go figger. There was a proviso that they would not insure a car with a salvage title. She had the car repaired at about half the cost of the insurance estimate, paid the state $50 to inspect and "clear" the salvage title--retitled the car and insured it with the same company for a lower premium. Go figger, again.
So the prototype is for sale? What's the asking price? What is the groups feeling on the value of a MERA?
I have mine insured with an agreed value of $16k. I think, with a little looking you can get a pretty nice one for 10--unless of course you want t-tops and an engine swap ;-) Unless it's local, you can add $500 - $1000 for shipping.
I am toying with the thought of selling Mera # 8151 ......... If I do, I will be including an 88 Fiero GT with T-tops in the sale. The T-top car was purchased to transfer the T-tops to the Mera. Both cars have the Beechwood interior making the transfer more hassle free. My Mera has exhaust Traps which I do not like and was planning on also transferring the T-tops car exhaust system over to the Mera than purchasing Rodney's Mera tail pipe. I am posting this here in request that the Mera experts will suggest a selling price for this package sale. I know what I have invested but I'm not sure where the Mera market is today. I would list the sale on Ebay, Craig's List or this forum. I love the Mera but there is another Ferrari replica project out there, that is tempting me and the Mera sale would be required.
Well Holmes, acording to Paul V my MERA is worth about $6000-$8000. An average MERA with high miles. I would like to think mine is worth a bit more. As for the prototype going for ONLY $16,000 I would say that is a good deal for any MERA aficionado.
I guess because I'm here in this forum I may lose sight as to what the rest of the world thinks the value of a MERA is. In my honest opinion, I would of priced mine close to $16,000. I guess I'm about $10,000 too high. Not that I ever plan on selling her.
------------------ Julian - MERA #8071
[This message has been edited by Julian (edited 06-06-2011).]
so truth be told....i got mine for $8840 off E-Bay. that is almost the highest price paid for one in recent transactions. i had 69000 on it when i got delivery. good paint still running like a champ...2 1/2 driving seasons later. so i think $10,000 is a good start maybe 12,000 and a little hassle room for price to end closer to $10,000. hot swaps (3800, V8's) will go for more but that may top the $12,000. the Proto is worth the asking for the fact it IS the Prototype, but condition will dictate a discount for me to buy it!!
I would not consider selling any of mine for even the higher price that you quoted. My red T-Top is insured for around $40k but I would not expect to get that much for it on the open market. A $6k Mera is normally a major restoration project unless you really get lucky or have a very motivated seller that needs quick cash.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by Julian:
Well Holmes, acording to Paul V my MERA is worth about $6000-$8000. An average MERA with high miles. I would like to think mine is worth a bit more. As for the prototype going for ONLY $16,000 I would say that is a good deal for any MERA aficionado.
I guess because I'm here in this forum I may lose sight as to what the rest of the world thinks the value of a MERA is. In my honest opinion, I would of priced mine close to $16,000. I guess I'm about $10,000 too high. Not that I ever plan on selling her.
you guys better quit....this talk makes me want to get a $10,000 1988 Mera i know of in Hawaii, insure it at $22,000 and crash it!!
with the settelment money i would buy the 1986 prototype and pay for the trip to Hawaii. I would get to meet Tommy and have US (Me and #8044) delivered back to the states and pay for all the gas to drive home from Cali
hahahahaaaaa!! speculation is one thing but the market says a good Mera can be had for around $10,000. the Prototype is fair at $16,000 but i tell you tire kickers will want a discount if seen in person.
i wanna know the difference in price between a Ferrari-fied Mera verses a "Stock" Mera??
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 06-06-2011).]
....talking with folks about the history of the Mera, and not having to explain "if its so collectible, why is badged out like a Ferrari?"
Says it all.
I think the big difference is the Stock Mera is just that....and should be worth one price for one in good stock condition.... where as the "Ferr-ero" (I like that word) is worth as much as you put into it or at least what you think you can get for it....Lambo doors, V8 conversion, modified head lights, badging, modified gas fill, roof spoiler, rins, lowering.......etc. This Ferr-ero should have prices all over the board.
General Question (Dan may know this) How many owners have a stock Mera? Nelson, Tom, ......any others? ------------------ Julian - MERA #8071
[This message has been edited by Julian (edited 06-06-2011).]
A few pages back, I mentioned that I saw a low miles T-Top in STL selling for $16k--it had all the right stuff. I was a day late, but certainly not a dollar short--I would have paid it. As for me, I would have rather had that car than the proto--just me.
Yes, I suppose we tend to over value our cars, but we are a very small segment of a rather small community--Meras of Fieros! As yet, however, I've been unable to put a value on the fun I've had with this car, and I felt the same way about the 87 GT (RiP) I drove for 20 years.
quote
Originally posted by Julian: General Question (Dan may know this) How many owners have a stock Mera? Nelson, Tom, ......any others?
#8046 is stock except for the badges on the transom:
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 06-06-2011).]
8088 is stock...with the exception of the "F..." nose badge and the missing rear "MERA" letters...both will soon be remedied!
As for prices, it all works out to be what kind of money the seller wants as compared to what type of price a buyer is willing to pay. I bought 8088 in near mint condition, with no mechanical problems, with 68k on the clock. I did have to give her a good cleaning but other than a couple small things (pin on e-brake handle missing, cracked aux guage case, one bolt missing from under ash tray area, all now fixed), a bit of reglueing, and a headliner needed the car is cherry! $10,000 was the asking and selling price which I think was fair and reasonable. Then again, I wanted one. I was going to look at one in New Jersey but the owner insists on $24k minimum for it. Maybe she will get it one day, but it won't be from me. As for 8151, I hope to hear from you soon on your asking price.
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 06-06-2011).]
Mera X misses the OEM Fiero wheels, the damn sticker if there was one issued that early in Production and......the orginal Mera Badges if available then....Rodney has mentioned that the first may not have had the M-E-R-A on the back but the proto did i think. i saw the witness mark left, but it has been repainted but i felt that the mark was under the paint not above. still on the fence about this! if the proto has it i should have it....but the PO's had it Ferrari-fied, till i got it.
i think i even have the orginal paint.....at least on the roof and the spot directly above the eng on the rear deck. thems the most faded spots minus the headlight covers. now that may be evidence of a repaint but not a complete one. which is stupid....why not paint the whole car at once??
for the record Mera X has everything Mera cept, the wheels, sticker and Emblems if available back then.
i see #6001 has the GTS and the 2.8 V6 stupid previous owners loosing my blankety blank emblems!!!
d
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 06-06-2011).]
8088 is stock...with the exception of the "F..." nose badge and the missing rear "MERA" letters...both will soon be remedied!
As for prices, it all works out to be what kind of money the seller wants as compared to what type of price a buyer is willing to pay. I bought 8088 in near mint condition, with no mechanical problems, with 68k on the clock. I did have to give her a good cleaning but other than a couple small things (pin on e-brake handle missing, cracked aux guage case, one bolt missing from under ash tray area, all now fixed), a bit of reglueing, and a headliner needed the car is cherry! $10,000 was the asking and selling price which I think was fair and reasonable. Then again, I wanted one. I was going to look at one in New Jersey but the owner insists on $24k minimum for it. Maybe she will get it one day, but it won't be from me. As for 8151, I hope to hear from you soon on your asking price.
yeah i talked to that lady too...."good luck" i said to her. it is a 1987 tho....so i had to call.
i guess i never think about my cruise not working and/or the e brake cuz i do not use them. course it was not mentioned in any sales add i read prior to sale back in 2009. it doesnt matter now, but back them i would gleen for a $1000 off or maybe he pay for delievery!! that was $700 stuff like that does make a difference when buying and selling.
Just a side note.... I like the proper exhaust tips
I also like my chrome ovals...
I specially like the chrome duel tips....
One more observation on MERA's and Ferrari's.... how many times have you seen a MERA or Ferrari with the Amber and red tail lights reversed? LOL always makes me wonder how bad the car was rear ended. http://www.cardomain.com/ri...055/1977-ferrari-308
------------------ Julian - MERA #8071
[This message has been edited by Julian (edited 06-06-2011).]
Most of you should be receiving the badges today or tomorrow.
For a really cheap but effective restoration, think about re-doing the reverse lights. With the careful use of an xacto knife, the lens splits apart from the housing pretty easy. Sand the inside a little, wash in Dawn, let dry completely, and then use a few coats of Duplo Chrome paint. (Goes on a little dull, but dries pretty shiny.) Put it back together with some silicon or crazy glue, and you have modernized the rear end look.
Gotta run! Tom Edit: Some REALLY nice photos everyone!!!
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 06-06-2011).]
By the way did I mention that I may be taking my wife on a surprise birthday vacation next summer? She'll be turning 50 and she has always wanted to visit Hawaii.... I will deffinately look you up Tom on our Hawaii Five-O trip.
I have a note in my mail about a package to pick up at the post office..... sounds like your stuf came in!
Why do I suspect that your tail light restoration procedure was directed at me! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll get to it--I noted with great interest your description of same early on in this thread.
Thanks, for your ingenuity--and the gentle kick in the rear ;-)
wonder if them wheels are Cromodoras?? and it appears to have some kind of pin striping to mimic the true 308 rear deck. if this is the case the only real giveaway would be the sun roof
I looked at Mera's for a long time till I purchased 8011. I wanted a one owner. It had to be rust free, with a clean Carfax, not Black, a 5-speed manual, and an 88, to replace my very dependable yellow 88 GT 5-speed. Wifey would not let me keep two Fiero's, because I also have two other Pontiac's as well.
After doing all the research I could on the Mera, I almost did not purchase 8011 because I was sure it was not a real Mera. All the information I found said all the 88's were built on Formula platforms. So how could this car be a Mera with factory 88 GT leather seats, a leather GT three spoke steering wheel, factory leather shift knob, and a factory "Performance Sound" sub with EQ cassette radio. It had to be a kit! Only when the owner sent me pictures of the car with all the Mera emblems, and stickers intact, ID number, copy of the title showing the car was actually a GT, and Mera paperwork, did I start to believe him, sort of.....
Well I was about ready to purchase another one that was silver and matched everything I had read about on the Mera's. Then the owner of 8011 called me and told me he purchased the car new at a Pontiac Dealer in Florida. He selected this one because it was the only one with the factory sub, The leather seats were a different pattern than the other Mera's equipped with leather, and he liked the steering wheel compared to the others on the lot. The car had stayed with him thru all the years and was always garaged. When he told me it was still rolling on Gatorback's I had to wonder how hard those tires were by now.......
After purchasing 8011, I ended up with a solid car that sat like a 4X4, had minimal wear for its age, and rock hard, but new looking Gatorbacks, and some rather cheesy looking chrome quad exhaust tips. The owner also shipped me two new Dunlop 265/50/15 tires along with all the other paperwork, manuals, and accessories. The only mods from stock were, a cold air intake pipe with a large cone shaped filter (easily replaceable with a stock air cleaner assembly I had), nice MSD 8mm ignition wires, KYB struts, and all the factory rear suspension links had been replaced with some hi dollar tubular chrome moly pieces with poly bushings.
Well as nice as it looked and drove, I was underwhelmed. My stock little yellow 88 GT could kick the Mera's tail. The Mera ran fine but the additional weight of the bodywork could be felt in the cars performance. Also, it sat too high. My yellow car was on stock springs, with one coil removed in front, and looked great.
Not wanting to change the the stock appearance of the Fiero engine, my only option was a 3.4 PR swap. I was told there was not a tremendous difference in performance, but I was pleasantly suprised. My motor was built by West Coast Fiero, and is noticeably more powerful than the original 2.8. The Mera could now easily out run my speedy yellow 88 GT, even thought it was a heavier car. I even have had owners of SC 3800 Fieros that were impressed by how well this 3.4 pulls and sounds. If you have read my previous posts you already know how I lowered the car, and replace the "pep boys" exhaust tips with factory C6 Corvette tips. Once I am done with a little more detailing, I will post pictures of the engine compartment. The paint is original, has some small chips and is a little thin in spots. That will be the last thing I address on this car.
I bought this Mera to drive, so it will not be a garage queen. Later this year I plan to drive it to Gunnison Colorado for a car show there along with some of my Fiero buddy's from El Paso. I hope to have most of my other mods done by then. In the mean time, I am having a great time driving this little car.
[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 06-07-2011).]
Why do I suspect that your tail light restoration procedure was directed at me! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll get to it--I noted with great interest your description of same early on in this thread.
Thanks, for your ingenuity--and the gentle kick in the rear ;-)
Actually...... I need to do the same thing too. Tom's reverse lights put mine to shame.
Nose badges arrived today!!! Unfortunately, I have to sign for them and I am at work 20 mins from teh post office during their "bankers hours" days. They won't deliver without a signature...crap!
wonder if them wheels are Cromodoras?? and it appears to have some kind of pin striping to mimic the true 308 rear deck. if this is the case the only real giveaway would be the sun roof
stupid previous owners loosing my blankety blank emblems!!!
