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Tom1200
Tom1200 PowerDork
2/29/24 3:32 p.m.

So a new dilemma has arisen.

In talking with my buddy who is selling me his 90 LX hatch he mentioned he had a notch back LX.

He was only asking $7500 for the hatch but that one does need various things; Power steering pump, bumpsteer spacers, wheel studs' fix passenger door latch, and rebuild of the LSD.

I like the notch backs better and this particular one has a stroker motor in it as well as 18" wheels with Michelin Pilots. Only catch is he told me 15K.

Do the notch backs command a higher price in general? If they do I think I can justify it.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
2/29/24 3:38 p.m.

I've always preferred the looks of the hatch, but the notches are lighter and rarer, and hence more valuable.

Rodan
Rodan UltraDork
2/29/24 3:40 p.m.

Notchbacks are considerably more valuable than hatchbacks.  All else being equal, a notchback will bring 2-3x the price of a hatch.  One thing to watch for:  many notchbacks that are now V8 cars were originally 4 cylinder cars that were swapped.  These will not bring as much premium as an OEM V8 notchback.  Clean, mostly original notchbacks have been bringing over $20k pretty regularly on the auction sites.

ETA:  if that car is an original V8, and hasn't been totally hacked (most have), $15k could be a very fair price.

stroker
stroker PowerDork
2/29/24 3:44 p.m.

Dunno if it's true, but I read decades ago the notchback is a couple of hundred pounds lighter than the hatchback.  Somebody here prolly knows for sure.

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa MegaDork
2/29/24 3:45 p.m.

Personally, I go 'vert, notch, hatch.

But I'm a heathen.

Rodan
Rodan UltraDork
2/29/24 3:48 p.m.

In reply to stroker :

It's lighter, but not that much.  The chassis is arguably more rigid... al dente vs. fully cooked noodle. wink

Tom1200
Tom1200 PowerDork
2/29/24 3:51 p.m.

In reply to Rodan :

I belive it is indeed an original V8 car.

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand Dork
2/29/24 4:00 p.m.

Notch, no question.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/29/24 4:03 p.m.

I’m also a fan of the notch. 

OLDYLR
OLDYLR GRM+ Memberand Dork
2/29/24 4:20 p.m.

Another Notch vote

Tom1200
Tom1200 PowerDork
2/29/24 4:22 p.m.

Ok more information.

It's a former California patrol car and the motor is sporting 375hp.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
2/29/24 4:32 p.m.
Rodan said:

In reply to stroker :

It's lighter, but not that much.  The chassis is arguably more rigid... al dente vs. fully cooked noodle. wink

Yeah, the difference was less than 100 pounds, from what I remember. The difference is bigger if you are talking a notch vs. a GT, though.

preach
preach GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
2/29/24 4:52 p.m.

notch

Datsun240ZGuy
Datsun240ZGuy MegaDork
2/29/24 5:19 p.m.

Notch, old cop car?  I guess $15,000 isn't bad.  That guy who just bought that rust free red one got a smoking deal....

Feedyurhed
Feedyurhed UltraDork
2/29/24 5:28 p.m.

Notch all the way.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/29/24 6:21 p.m.

Definitely notch for me.  And no GT.  LX 5.0 all the way.

neverdone
neverdone Reader
2/29/24 6:24 p.m.

Notch.  I owned a 79 one.

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
2/29/24 6:44 p.m.

Hatch for me. 

chknhwk
chknhwk Dork
2/29/24 7:13 p.m.

Notch, hands down. 

Ranger50
Ranger50 MegaDork
2/29/24 7:39 p.m.

Hatch because once you bar/cage either they are the same to fix the limp noodle.

Cooper_Tired
Cooper_Tired Dork
2/29/24 7:46 p.m.

I prefer the hatch, but notches are cool and appreciably more valuable for equal trim/condition. 
A clean, factory v8 car is a good buy to keep for a while. 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/29/24 8:27 p.m.
Rodan said:

One thing to watch for:  many notchbacks that are now V8 cars were originally 4 cylinder cars that were swapped.

 

This makes it hell if you WANT a four cylinder notchback.  I don't want a V8, I want a four cylinder car.

 

Really I want a MkII Escrot but if you thought notchback Mustangs were expensive,  yeesh....

Stealthtercel
Stealthtercel Dork
2/29/24 8:34 p.m.

Another vote for the notch; the hatches always looked to me like an incomplete afterthought that nobody had the time to go back and fix.

That white one in the photo looks goooood. Do it.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/29/24 9:25 p.m.

Hear me out: 5.0 LX notchback with a five-speed in almond.

And, yes, on 10 holes. 

LukeGT
LukeGT GRM+ Memberand New Reader
2/29/24 9:26 p.m.

Notch all day!! 

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