Who You Callin Snowflake: 1980 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
This next car might look like something that Jim Rockford would have chased down the bad guys (with a paint color change, of course) and done some serious J-turns or Bandit would have evaded Buford T. Justice across scores of county lines…but with the base (Buick sourced) 231ci V6 mated to a 3-speed auto, this car would have a hard time chasing down a kid on a bicycle, much less evading some baddy with a Pontiac LeMans or a full sized Ford. Despite that…I can appreciate that someone looking to get into the classic car hobby with an affordable and approachable classic could do much worse. Find this 1980 Pontiac Firebird Esprit bidding for $3600 no-reserve in Tempe, AZ with less than 1 day to go on BringATrailer.
From the seller:
BaT Essentials
Lot #34356
Seller: mitch5
Location: Tempe, Arizona 85281
Chassis: 2T87AAL135414
22k Miles Shown, TMU
231ci V6
Three-Speed Automatic Transmission
White over Tan
Esprit Package
15″ Snowflake Wheels
Cruise Control
Maintenance Log
Build Sheet
Recent Services
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party
Model Page: Pontiac Firebird
Category: American
See a better starter car for the new classic car enthusiast? tips@dailyturismo.com
I see a prime candidate for an LS swap. Or a built 455. Or take a later version of the Buick V6 and boost it to the moon if, like me, you’ve got an over-developed sense of dare to be different. Whichever way you go, this takes care of the hard part, finding a muscle car with a good body shell and clean interior. The horsepower’s the easy part.
A link to BaT? This feels like Best Buy posting a link to a Circuit City sale flyer.
I know…it does seem like Joe’s Hardware store suggesting someone go to Walmart to buy a box of nails…but here’s the thing. DT is dedicated to helping buyers find the best deal, while BAT/Hearst is trying to maximize opportunities for the sellers (at least that is their business model since they transitioned to auctions and they are making a killing at that!)– and sometimes those two paradigms cross and I feel that by not mentioning when something is a good deal (and I think that 80 Fbird for $3800 + 5% buyers premium is a good deal) i’m doing a disservice to DT readers.
There was a time when our business models had significant overlap, and I wouldn’t have linked to a BAT feature..but that was a few years ago.
What do you guys think? This is as much your place as mine since you tippers/commenters/readers are the reason I do this.
-Vince DT E-i-C.
I’m pro-BAT if only because the site saved my bacon selling our 944 last fall. Nothing but bozos responded to the local ad whereas every bidder on BAT was vastly more knowledgeable than I was. Buyer flew in from 5 states away. I do find the prices are wildly inflated of course.
I feel that the internet is large enough that you can always find material to post on your site without linking to BaT. On the other hand if BaT refers readers to your site, then it probably makes sense.
Feels like when my wife puts ketchup on my spaghetti Bolognese. I’m no Marcella Hazan, but I make an effort and it’s pretty good for what it is.
I’m not on BAT very often anymore since they often go well over my daydreaming budget. Seeing a car priced this low on BAT is newsworthy and not something I would have noticed had DT not run the car.