NADA "Blue Book"

NADA Blue Book (actually it is yellow) has wholesale and retail used
auto prices. I saw this at my local library.

In a bookstore yesterday I saw they were selling what appeared to be
same but is said "Consumers Ediition" or something like that on the
cover.

Anyone know if there is a difference?


Charlie Byrne * University of Miami * Div of Marine Biology and Fisheries
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 * Voice: (305) 361-4705
Usual disclamers apply.

3 Responses to “NADA "Blue Book"”

  1. admin says:

    Yes, there is a difference (my company get the trade NADA guides  …) The
    Consumer editions are issued on a longer cycle than the trade version (which
    is monthly) and so are not quite as up-to-the minute in their prices, though
    they do give a pretty close idea of what the going prices are.  The Yellow
    wholesale guide lists 3 figures for each car based on average sales prices
    over the past month from figures supplied by dealers across the USA.
    The yellow guide gives average loan, average retail & average trade in values
    together with additions/deductions for mileage & optional equipment.
    There is in fact a NADA Blue Book too which gives wholesale values
    (at auction)for cars in clean, average or rough
    condition. (the average is pretty much what you find in the yellow book)
    The NADA yellow book is also regionalised – there are 9 different editions
    covering the USA  and there are NADA guides covering all sorts of vehicles,
    from light aircraft,bikes/snowmobiles and boats to RV’s & trucks…

    You too can watch your vehicle depreciate monthly…;)

    Bob Hodgson

  2. admin says:

    Bob,
      I’ll take a crack at this one… IF the car was 100% original AND it
      was in good to excellent unrestored condition, it would be worth
      about $12K from what I have seen. Restored and original, about $15K
      which would be a great value considering the cost of restoration…
      another subject.

      As you describe it, this car is not original which decreases its
      value considerably. Collectors want 100% original, period. Also
      consider that it has been sitting for a long period. For starters,
      you will have to completely rebuild the brake system. The engine
      may be frozen, and if not, will have developed surface rust that CAN
      cause problems further down the road (so to speak). Was there
      antifreeze in the radiator? If not, count on corrosion in the cooling
      system. Automatic? Hardened seals… You probably get my drift. Letting
      a car sit is about the worst thing you can do to it, unless it is
      done properly. I learned this lesson the hard way…

      Within the last couple of months a friend purchased a 1974 Vette convert
      with a 4 speed in excellent original condition. It was a daily driver,
      but still needed about $2K worth of work he hadn’t anticipated. He
      paid $8K for this car, which was probably a fair price. From what
      you describe, the car you’re looking at would be worth somewhat less.

      Hope this helps…

    ***************************************************************************
    *  STEVE PAZAR           DoD #702           Kawasaki KZ440A
    *  E-mail:   pa…@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com
    *  Ether:    WA4DUT/6
    *  Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed…
    ***************************************************************************

  3. admin says:

    Bob,
      Ooops…I misread your original post. My response was based on a 1974,
      not a 1964 Vette. The cautions I mentioned are still valid, but the
      price at $10K is decent (of course depending on the condition of the
      car overall).

      Time to go get my reading glasses adjusted…

    ***************************************************************************
    *  STEVE PAZAR           DoD #702           Kawasaki KZ440A
    *  E-mail:   pa…@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com
    *  Ether:    WA4DUT/6
    *  Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed…
    ***************************************************************************

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