Classifind Cut: 1997 Pontiac Trans Am Convertible – Sold?

February 17, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

GM might be (infamous) for cost-cutting when designing new cars, however, the Marketers often didn’t help the Bean Counters’ cause.  A prime example is in the naming of colors.  While each GM division gets a free pass for applying different names to colors (Chevrolet Hugger Orange and Pontiac Carousel Red is a famous example), applying that technique across a division’s own models didn’t make sense.  Exhibit A is this 1997 Mystic Teal Metallic Pontiac Trans Am convertible originally for sale in January 2021 on Craigslist in Buffalo, New York. Back in 1997 while I pined for a Trans Am in this unique color, I ended up settling for a Bright Aqua metallic Sunfire 5-speed convertible as it was $10,000 less and the GM Card points I had were burning a hole in my pocket.  Fast forward 24 years and the only thing holding me back from buying this 54K original survivor (besides an already full garage and the need to start auctioning many more cars!) is it’s an automatic-equipped, non-WS6 example.  Currently offered at $8,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Trans Am priced value priced below this guide’s current #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) appraisal of $10,700 even before factoring a twenty percent discount for the slush pump.

The color is very polarizing but I can assure you the pictures taken in the seller’s garage (it’s been snowing in Western New York) do not do this paint color justice, regardless of what Pontiac’s Marketing department called it.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“54,000 miles
California car
Rare color (mystic teal)“

Yay or Nay: what’s your take on the color of this Trans Am?  Comment below and let us know!