I recently spoke to a seller of a car I had some interest in, and after making my offer, he told me that he had well more into the car than I was offering. Now, most of us understand this sentiment of not wanting to see our investment lose money simply because someone else doesn’t want to pay for our improvements. However, as this supposedly frame-off restored 1989 Pontiac Safari station wagon here on craigslist goes to show, sometimes there’s no feasible way to ask for a price that covers your investment.
Supposedly, this Safari was restored by a professional shop in Rhode Island, the state I called home until about two months ago. The thought of performing a frame-off restoration on car like this confuses me quite a bit, for two reasons: one, it’s not a car that has come up in value so much that you can justify a total restoration of one (aside from just having the money and wanting to spend it) and two, there are still many good examples of these land-yachts still roaming around and in very good condition thanks to the many grandmas that have held onto them all these years. Supposedly, this is a new old stock interior that replaced what was in the car.
The seller points out that this Pontiac variant of GM’s long-lived wagon lineup is fairly rare, with just over 5,000 units produced. I suppose this could serve as motivation for wanting to restore one of these, as those numbers, if accurate, make this Pontiac quite rare. The listing notes the previous owner spent upwards of $60,000 on cleaning this long-roof up, and that the work included “…(a) brand new Chevy 350ci Hi-Output motor, from Blueprint Crates/Summit Racing, a brand new exhaust system, a new transmission, and PMD Rally II wheels.”
My favorite detail is the fake woodgrain that extends up into the rear spoiler. Overall, this is a gorgeous specimen, at least in pictures. and one wonders if the $60K spent on the restoration included replacing rusty sheetmetal and floors. Given it was restored by a shop in Rhode Island, it’s entirely possible this was a decent wagon with bad floors stemming from years of living in the northeast. Whatever the motivation behind the restoration, this Safari wagon looks like a stunner with a heavy discount over the cost of hiring someone else or taking it on yourself.
Another example of confusing rarity with value.
17 grand isn’t bad, as nice of condition as it’s in.
I guess someone is going to have to explain to me why anyone would do a body off restoration on a station wagon like this one. Nothing special before and after.
Maybe it had sentimental value.
Hey Jim, my name’s Levi, and I’m actually the seller of this vehicle. She actually spent most of her life in Florida in the Ft Lauderdale area, and was only sent to Xtreme Restorations in Rhode Island to be restored because the gentleman I purchased her from has had 16ish vehicles professionally restored through them.
This was either his dad’s car, or the exact same make and model of car that his dad had when the gentleman was growing up, thus the reason he sank so much into it. He had initially tried selling it for $59k, before eventually dropping the price down to $23k.
Happy to answer any other questions about this vehicle.
I come here for 3 or 4 ‘things’ and wagons R sure 1.
Here we have a make/model that went thru the ‘nomad’, gto, and now this to end in mid-oughts (’00). The Paraseen was the big boy so I’d opt for this ‘un, a mid-size. It almost fits me (I chose an ’85 105 inch WB ford ‘fox’ wagon as beddah fitting) smaller is beddah 4 the SCCA livery. Most take the big boy parts to become the choice speedy bits in the lil guy but not 1 too small like traditional foreign (Japanese or Continental).
“…he had well more into the car than I was offering…”
most car guys no the truth of the statement. Unless having some tricks up ur sleeve this is standard (& we certainly do: bought low, having parts around, cheep, having a shop, doing this work already, having extra time, a Y/M/M in hi demand, etc)
“…there’s no feasible way to ask for a price that covers your investment…”
see above for difference btwn real investment and personal. Then there’s the guy(s) who dont care and just enjoy tinkering on a system (car rest0mod is that if nothing else) and bringing it back or seein how close a match they can achieve w/oem.
“The maker is as varied as the buyer.” As much as we think we no – gauging either isa exercise in vexation. Its a wonder ANY deals are struck (cept for those must-have, hi demand Y/M/Ms). And I say this as 1 who can go thru it several times a yr
8^ )
One thing’s for sure, this poor guy’s
gonna take a huge loss on this car.
Seems like his labor of love has become his worst nightmare. Even if
you pay the asking price, what will you
do with it? Drive it and hope you don’t get creamed by some irresponsible
jerk using his phone while driving or
store it away in your garage and just
look at it and long to use it? It’s a
really nice ride but if I’m gonna spend
that much cash, I want a car that my
family and I can enjoy. Good luck on
the sale.
The previous owner who did the $60k resto already took the loss
I bought it. Paid between $5K & $10K.
It was not a total restoration, but I have receipts showing every bit of $30k. Wagon has a beautiful repaint, ery high quality and I know as I have 8 classic cars. The woodgrain applique is a quality job as well, wrong color I know but looks decent. The trim around the woodgrain applique was all redone in original OEM applique. I know the wheels are not period correct but I love the styled steel Pontiac rally along with the near new white wall tires.
The interior is amazing, don’t know where they found a NOS interior but it is spot on. I know, I bought a new 1989 Pontiac Safari wagon back in ’88 when my kids were toddlers. I know the dash color is off but it’s all in excellent condition.
Everything works ! Except the cruise. The wagon now sports a 350 H.O. 330 horse crate motor without the original computer. The transmission is new as well, very solid shifts. Also a new Dynomax exhaust, sounds great, just the right rumble.
Drives great, stops great. A little thirsty tho but don’t care.
There’s a short list of minor cosmetic and mechanical improvements I am already in the process of doing and the replacement Pioneer sound system w/Bluetooth and hands free option, sounds really good. Already have my phone paired.
I read comments on various sites about the skepticism that the claimed $60K that was spent on the restoration. Highly doubtful $60K was thrown at this wagon but I am convinced every bit of $30K was put into this woody wagon.
The suspension needs some tightening up, bushings, tie rods etc to make it handle a little better but for $7,500 bucks I gave for it, I’m totally satisfied and glad I bought it.
He’s asking $18,000 or best offer. I think that is reasonable.
That’s a lot better than asking the $60,000 that he put in to it.
What’s the saying …….His loss is your gain.
“IF” what the seller states about a frame-off being done is true, common sense tells me he has no choice but to take a loss in order to sell it. Nobody is going to pay $60K for an `89 ANYTHING, let alone a full-size station wagon. And besides; these are on absolutely no one’s wish list, and I doubt they ever will.
Weren’t they making Testa Rossas, F40s and 959s in ’89?
WHY, I have 67 fully loaded Tempest Safari I wouldn’t spend 60 k on. If you are going to spend this type of money on a car. A, you do it overtime, yourself mostly or else you go broke and are in a financial situation as seen here. B, Doing this is fine if you are going to die with it and you love the thing. The car has sentimental value and so on. I don’t think he will get 18k unless a foreign buyer and there are some that have interest in these, “atleast there was some years back”. These cars are not rare and really aren’t unique compared to their predecessors to put it in perspective. They produced roughly the same amount of 58 Caballeros, a very unique wagon. They produced around the same amount of 67 Tempest Safari wood sided wagons. Those are unique, as they have their own drivelines, you cannot bolt a chevy fender on it. I wish them all the luck with the sale but given this cars location and age, unless this was a low mileage well cared for unit, I would pass. Not really knowing what big time body and fender actually did to this unit. You may find yourself disappointed a few months down the road as secrets make there way to the surface. Finally why do all the folks toss the original air cleaners for those Chinese Auto Zone things.
You almost never get back out of what you have invested into a vehicle, and this is one such example..
Seller obviously has a strong case of Barrett-Jacksonitis
You mean Jacksonville, AL, right?
NVM, read that too fast, but OP was funny anyway.
Interesting vehicle, but interesting =/= Barrett-Jackson prices for sure.
I don’t do Barrett Jackson, I am more of a Barely Jacks Up guy. The cars are much less serious and way more fun….
Frame-off resto?
You’d think there would be underbody pics for proof.
That steering wheel looks worn.
Is that an aftermarket air cleaner?
The hood springs are rusty. About the only chance we get to see anything that normally rusts away from use.
Yeah, the “previous owner” did a “frame-off resto.”
Sure, Craigslist.
I can believe sixty grand – IF he did not encounter any rust issues. People don’t realize or want to acknowledge how much it cost to properly restore a car!
The more I look at it, the more I like it. I wonder if it has the 3rd row seat.
The comments on this listing (as with most on BF) leave much to be desired, I just don’t understand why some people are so bent on imparting their “wisdom”. Most of them need to just shush.
The one who restored this car obviously did it out of love and care, certainly not for economic reasons. One of us enthusiasts, especially a Pontiac one, will greatly appreciate his investment. Also by todays standards $18k is a decent price for a car in this condition.
I can see that there’s an ashtray in the back of the car, so it does have a third row seat.
True. Completely restoring any car – from a 1989 Pontiac wagon to a 1970 Chevelle SS – seldom makes sense financially. So long as one understands this and has the money, go for it. My concern, however, is that too many people don’t understand the true cost, and end up getting in trouble. Often, projects get put on hold once the costs mount to a certain point.
Hey Jim, I’m actually the seller of this vehicle. The restoration was through Xtreme Restorations in Rhode Island, through whom the previous owner has had roughly 16ish cars restored.
Much rather have the SS wagon that passed through last week.
I don’t know what everyone else paid for their daily driver, but price seems fair for a nice dependable ride. Something I can repair and will out last me if maintained. It will haul anything a $40k SUV will.
The ad states a previous owner spent the $60K on the ‘restoration.’ Why did that owner do what should be called a resto-mod to this car? An acceptable answer would be “becau$e I can.”
My only question is decades later where did they find a NOS interior for such a low production vehicle.
Could be they stumbled on an interior in a warehouse that somebody ordered but never picked up, and that could have been the spark that started the project…I was going to have a motorcycle cylinder bored last year, until I saw an NOS cylinder for sale that inspired me to do a standard-bore top end.
SMS sells all of the original fabrics used for nearly every year vehicle. They buy ALL of the old stock from every manufacturer/OEM supplier, every year. It’s easy to find.
Weren’t those a unibody?
The frame consists of just where the engine is…. right? Not right?
Hmm, now I’m curious.
No, body on frame. Not sure why you’d think that car is unibody. Even the underhood picture in the ad should show you otherwise.
I wish I would stop seeing vehicles on B F that I want. I can’t have any more vehicles and I keep seeing what looks like a decent deal on here and can’t buy it. This wagon is beautiful to me and I would love to have it. I think the asking price is very fair, if not too cheap. If you needed a new car, would you rather have this comfortable and stylish wagon for $18K, or pay $50K for a little blend in with every other little non stylish bean shaped rough riding car? For myself, I’ll take the wagon. The shop that did the restoration is named in the ad so you could contact them if you have any doubts about what was done. They may have before and after pictures of what was done. Sometimes I think some of you people who comment on here are not really car people or have totally lost touch with reality.
I responded to this comment but it didn’t post for some reason. You are 100% correct, most of the commenters here are not car guys at all. They don’t own classic cars, they aren’t in the market to buy any, and they don’t have any stake in the game whatsoever. They just want to tell others what kind of car they should have and how much they should spend for it.
Maybe there’s a few older guys who used to own a “cool” car back in the day, sold it many years ago and are now priced out of the market and bitter about it.
Either way, most of these people are to be ignored, they bring nothing of value to the conversation.
This is a beautiful wagon, yes, there are some nits to pick, but a nice wagon at a reasonable price. However one would be better off looking for a 94-96 Buick Roadmaster. Much more bang for the buck and are still readily available.
This comment misses the point. They aren’t comparable cars. If you’re buying based on bang for buck, you buy a Toyota Camry. If you buy what you like, you buy what you like. Most people who are looking for a specific type of car are not going to just go buy something else totally different because it’s a little cheaper.
Body-off, Jeff. Think about it.
The ad states the previous owner was the one who supposedly dropped $60k.
Would be intetesting to see the itemized receipts for the restoration.(including any storage fees)
Regardless, we have no idea what the current owner/seller paid for it or under what circumstances.
Note that the ad doesn’t include the usual enticements such as “My loss is your gain”, “must sell” or “price reduced” so a flip after owning it for only 6 months indicates the $18k is at a profit.
I paid $23k for it. I’m a mechatronics engineer, and I primarily rely on contracts all over the country for work. I bought this Pontiac because 1. It was reliable, 2. It looks like and drives like a brand new car, and 3. It reminds me of my first car, which I restored with my dad, a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Unfortunately, I moved out to Vegas which had new emissions laws go into effect just before we came out here, and I need to install an EGR valve and smog pump for it to pass the city’s asinine emissions laws, unless I want to register it as historic or a hot rod, but then I need classic car insurance which is retardedly expensive here. After waiting four months for the parts to come in, only for the EGR valve to arrive broken in the box, I’ve decided to part with her, as the constant Uber rides, DoorDash and InstaCart deliveries, and rental cars have taken their financial toll on me. It’d pass emissions/an inspection as a daily driver anywhere else in the country except for maybe CA. Got unlucky and didn’t do my research on the local laws in Vegas until after we arrived.
I could probably find someone willing to pick her up for $25k if I waited a few months, but I’m running out of time, and priced her like I did, because I need to recoup what I can.
I really do not want to sell it, but I don’t really have a choice.
Sadly, this lovely beast was restored for what had to be sentimental reasons. This was followed by the demise of the person who loved this car beyond all reason. Then she was quickly disposed of by auction to this guy who now wants to fling her for a few bucks.
Oh how the loved hath fallen. 😢
The four D’s of a good deal…
Death
Divorce
Disease
Delinquency
I’m selling her at a loss.
I paid $23k for her, and I love this car more than you can imagine.
Unfortunately, my situation is such that I’m out of options, and need to recoup what I can, which is why I’ve priced her so low.
It’s only Clark county that has the draconian smog laws, right? You can’t find a place in Nye county or elsewhere to register it?
I’m completely befuddled as to why this car was tapped for a frame off resto.. it was obviously a sentimental thing, because this particular car, regardless of it’s condition, will never be worth 18 grand, unless the one person who disagrees with that statement falls in love with it and has unlimited funds. But I guess understanding the thought process behind the restoration is just not possible, so it will just leave us all shaking our heads and rolling our eyes.. maybe they should try rolling it across the Barrett Jackson stage and see if that one person I spoke of just happens to be in the audience… glwts
Fair price, nice car, but definitely not a “total restoration” by a long shot. It is a partial restoration, and looks good, which is why it is a fair price and not $30-40K (or more).
Pablo Benwa bought the car and currently has It listed for $21,500 on Facebook marketplace He is in Mohave Valley Arizona, I’ve been chatting with him about the car as I also have an 89 Safari Wagon with 60,000 miles in Light Saphire metallic that’s been in restoration for two years at a cost of $20,000 to redo. Bought the car in Arizona for $800 it sat for about 13 years with a transmission issue, Previous owner had it custom built by GM for him and developed health issues and passed on.Pablo has now added BF Goodrich T/A’s to the car.
The car is now in Mohave Valley Arizona Listed on Facebook Marketplace for $21,500