So like im curious what made you guys decide to buy a 3rd gen. - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

MarkB · 01-24-2003, 08:33 PM

what influenced you in buying a 3rd gen? just a pure love for the car? or a pure love for the fbody in general?

i'll share my reasons..heh

growing up watching dukes of hazzard and knight rider got my arse hooked on muscle cars and american sports cars. ever since then i wanted a "KITT"

so far ive owned quite a few 3rd gens. 2 1982 T/A'S, an 89firebird,a 1987 formy,and a 87 base model 305.

so lets hear it guys n gurlz...

why yua own a 3rd gen?

btw throw in an age qoute too

Im 19..going on 20 in march.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on ThirdGen!

FastElectrics · 01-24-2003, 08:44 PM

I love the body style of the Camaro.. Birds are cool too. But I really like the interior of the Camaro's over the Birds. I loved them ever since my dad had his 82 Berlinetta. He sold his back in 86. But I'm never gonna sell mine.. if anything I'd buy more

1982chevycamaroz28 · 01-24-2003, 08:47 PM

i got hooked when my brother got his 86 sport coupe about 4-5 yrs ago i think and he put a flowmaster on there and i liked the way it rumbled and then i got hooked and now i have my 82 z28 thats been fun workin on, i just hate this cold crappy weather.

fast83camaro · 01-24-2003, 08:49 PM

Ever since my brother brought his Camaro home, I have wanted one of my own....So, I got what I wanted

I'm 15...going on 16.

easySPEEDcamaro · 01-24-2003, 08:50 PM

why? because it's the hottest looking sports car under $10,000

1982chevycamaroz28 · 01-24-2003, 08:55 PM

very true easy

MartyMcFly · 01-24-2003, 09:23 PM

34,150 miles for $5300. Need I say more.
No, but I will anyway.
I'm friends with the mechanic that inspected my car when it came in to the dealer, and he was like "Get this car now!!! You're gonna be real happy with it." I was unsure. Then I took a test drive. The car spoke to me as I went in to the first hard turn. It said "buy me." I did. And shear bliss has ensued.

LagomorphPrime · 01-24-2003, 09:33 PM

I'd actually been looking for a 4th Gen for about a year. I had it all set up in my mind, too. Green Formula with T-Tops and a tan leather interior. I'd been waiting and waiting, and had a few slip through my fingers. I work at a car store, and every now and then we'd get a 3rd Gen Camaro or Firebird in, but they were almost always in terrible shape.

Then one day we get this '85 black Trans Am in, and the body and interior are in really good shape, it ran, and it had the T-Tops I like. I was thinking to myself "Self, this is a nifty ride. I wonder what we bought it for," since I can buy it from the wholesale lot for the price we paid for it. I looked it up, saw the $800 price tag and said to myself "Self, I think that Formula you've been wanting is gonna hafta wait."

And that was that. I didn't originally care for the 3rd Gen styling (int or ext), but it's really grown on me, and I'm glad I got it.

Firebird 383 · 01-24-2003, 09:42 PM

I was 19 at the time and was Cutlass/Regal/Monte shopping when an 86 Sport Coupe turned up for sale in the local paper and it was 1/2 mile from my girlfriend's house. It was a V6-5 spd and I didn't know how to drive a stick. But it was bright red and mint and I had to have it. After buying it, I learned how to shift on the way home.

stiers · 01-24-2003, 09:49 PM

Was looking for a really cheap car(under $2000) that had some style, power, and under 100k miles. Didn't really matter if it needed a little work as long as it was drivable. Saw a '92 RS with 89xxx miles, black, T-Tops, 305 V8 and in autotrader for $1750 and knew it was the car for me, talked the guy down to $1400 because it needed a tranny seal and it was mine! I have always liked the 3rd gen styling and am definitly on the search for another.

brodyscamaro · 01-24-2003, 09:59 PM

i was looking for a fox body stang, ended up with a camaro. im stuck with it now due to the amount of money i have in it, but a mustang could have probably gotten me more performance cheaper and quicker.....

85SportCoupeto89RS · 01-24-2003, 10:05 PM

I've wanted a camaro ever since 89. I was in kindergarten at the time and my dad was taking me to school and this deep blue IROC with t'tops pulled up next to our van. Eversince then I've been hooked on 3rd gen Camaros. Then when I was 16 I bought my SC after getting a job. Even though I've gone to hell and back fixing the car up to the condition it is now I still get captivated by the look of the Camaro. Especially how my baby looks like shes smilin back at me

Soon and hopefully soon I am going to go looking for a 88-90 IROC with t'tops to fully restore.

CrazyHawaiian · 01-24-2003, 10:22 PM

I originally bought my first 3rd gen because of the sound. I didnt know anything about thirdgens at the time. It was a v8 and it had mean sounding exhaust .... 16 year old kid with $3000 in my hand ... car was sold. Now I'm 22 and I laugh every time I start that car up (its my maroon 90 RS in my sig). The L03, the lack of headers, and those 2.5" pipes --> flows dont sound very impressive compared to other things I've heard. After having abused the car on the street freeway racing, and on the track roadracing and drifting ... I have to say the 3rd gen is a very, very tough car. I really respect the strength of the thirdgen. Now I have 2 of them ... My plans are to make one for show and one for all out roadracing.

iroc4ever · 01-24-2003, 10:44 PM

My first car i ever drove was my dads '91 RS. Its only a v6,but i fell in love with the sleek look of the car so I bought it off of him.
But I got tired of the lack of power, so I bought my Iroc and the RS is my winter car now

Its hard to find a better looking car than a well maintained 3rd gen Fbody IMO
I'm 21

1982chevycamaroz28 · 01-24-2003, 10:59 PM

On an additon to my story up top. i was 16 at the time serchin the classifid ads for used older muscle cars like TA's , camaro's , chevelle's and gto's. after lookin at a few in newark a 77 and a 79 TA i could have had if not for the parents, i was over my friends house and my brother comes over and says get in (his sport coupe w/headers ,glasspack) anyway he stops by i tell me friend ill be back and he takes me around the block and theres a 82 z28 for sale for $500 and the sign was made with 2 2x4's that said for sale $500. later that night me and my parents come back so they can see it and after takin it around the block about 5-6 times, i knew right then and there it was mine. next night i bought the car for $500 and took it home and it sat in the driveway till registered. and in the deal i got a 86 sport coupe (yellow hardtop) v6, not runnin or anything. so me and my brother stripped the thing of anything we needed and then donated the car to the american heart asscoiation (sp). and ive owned the car since then and that was almost 3 yrs now.

sorry about the long story how i got mine, even though i would still love to find a 70 gto with a 400 in it.

icebird_1981 · 01-24-2003, 11:01 PM

my step dad had a trans am and i was in luv with it would find any why to use it. anyway one day we were driveing and we seen a firebird hidden in the back of this store, he orignaly wanted it just for some inside parts. when he talked to the guy he said 200$ and take the whole car because it was taken up space (mind u the body was not so nice shape, but the motor was mint) . i had that car the next day.

MdFormula350 · 01-24-2003, 11:08 PM

my friend at my high school had bought one, and i wanted one!

91dubZ28 · 01-24-2003, 11:11 PM

My best friend picked up a 1987 tans am for 1500 bucks and I fell in love with it. But I didnt want to get another transam so I got my self a Z28.

Orinackra · 01-24-2003, 11:39 PM

I didn't know a thing about firebirds when I was looking for a car. I actually looking for a truck and I took a look at at a 73 440 Road Runner when I found my bird. The only thing I knew was that they were in Smoky and the Bandit. But I figured what the heck, I'll take a look...and when I saw it, I was like, DAMN! thats a sexy car...and I knew I had to have it!! And the rest is history

lonsal · 01-24-2003, 11:46 PM

MY decision was made mainly on looks. I'd seen a Camaro 'vert twice in one week at the same gas station. It just looked so right. I was in the mood for a convertible again. I'd previously owned a FIAT 2000 Spyder and really enjoyed the open-air experience (still do). I went shopping that weekend and by Wednesday I drove a used (sub 5K miles) 1990 RS Camaro convertible off the lot with a big smile on my face.

110K on it now and still smiling.

Lon

Ions91Z28 · 01-24-2003, 11:54 PM

Brother used to own a 91. He went to a 95, and now a 99.

Dad owned a 85 when I was young, maybe that had some effect. Brother was without a doubt what got me into these cars.

Bought my 1991 in 99 or so, now it looks the way it does in the sig. Still many more plans.

Only car I was more than it is a C5. Maybe C4. But I wouldn't sell my car to get either, just keep it on the side.

FLYNLOW92rs · 01-25-2003, 01:27 AM

Look at sig for answer to that question
l
l
l
l
l

86NiteRider · 01-25-2003, 05:10 AM

Back in the late seventies while in college I had the EXACT '69 pace car that's in the picture attached. I was the man on campus. All of the women loved the convertable part and I loved the POWER. I mean this car had an attitude. I used to whip my friends brand new Smokey and the bandit Trans Am just for fun by 2 car lengths. I bought it for next to nothing because the doctor that originally owned it died and his wife just wanted to get rid of it. I would still have that car except the car thieves paid me a visit one night. Auto alarms were not prevelant back then. I found my car 3 days later stripped to the bone.

Now the thirdgens come out in '82 and I feel in love with them especially the T Top version. Alas I was a newlywed and just could not afford one. 15 years pass(with a heavy hole in my heart for a Camaro) and I get to chance to buy this one for $300.00 Since my financial situation had change I bought it. The rest is history.

I love the interior, body lines, but it is no where near the power of that '69. At least as I remember it. I also love the respect it gets on the street from everyone especially Mustang owners.

SuperchargedRS · 01-25-2003, 06:28 AM

I used to just like British cars, When I firt saw my car I was on a test drive in a Jag XKJ V/12. I bought the 89' Camaro that day instead of the jag. I think that the third gen camaro's are the best non british car bar none. Besides find a car that has the same ata2d as a black on black third gen. They look...well sinstier, love it

MarkB · 01-25-2003, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SuperchargedRS
I used to just like British cars, When I firt saw my car I was on a test drive in a Jag XKJ V/12. I bought the 89' Camaro that day instead of the jag. I think that the third gen camaro's are the best non british car bar none. Besides find a car that has the same ata2d as a black on black third gen. They look...well sinstier, love it

hehe i know wutcha mean...my 82 transam is black on black

btw kickass stories guys.

it apears everyone has either...been in love with the cars since they were a kid...or fell into a 3rd gen and hasnt looked back.

you guys rule! its totally kickass to know theres thousands of other guys around that loves these cars like i do.

polishdevil · 01-25-2003, 08:29 AM

I fell in love with the car when KITT came out. Then my uncle got an 85 firebird, i loved it. Then my dad got a bright red 87 GTA, fully loaded, i loved that car and cried when he sold it. We were going to my aunt's house one day and saw this at an auto place, we stopped look and a week later it was in my garage. Car was a 305, blew that, got a 350. Looking for a nicer GTA or a 4th gen.

Later,

Dave

Z28DJP1987 · 01-25-2003, 08:38 AM

Was looking at the Corvette in 1987 and was turned off by the $28,000 price. I the purched a 87 IROC-Z for $16,000 and still have that car today, it was a good buy.

Z28DJP1987 · 01-25-2003, 08:38 AM

Was looking at the Corvette in 1987 and was turned off by the $28,000 price. I the purched a 87 IROC-Z for $16,000 and still have that car today, it was a good buy.

Nitroburn · 01-25-2003, 08:54 AM

As far back as I can remember (I'm 37 so this is REALLY going back many, many moons) I always had a love for cars. Before I even started kindergarden I had over 100 Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars and such. My Dad was into cars as well, but I just didn't know it then. Our family car when I was 4 until 7 was an 68 Olds Cutlas 442 with stripes and all (gosh, if we only knew then what we know now).

Anyways, getting back to the thirdgens, I just love the f-cars in general. I blew a nut over the Smokey and the Bandit car back in '78 and I knew at that time, I wanted a Pontiac Trans Am. Two years later, when I got my license, my father got me a 73 Trans Am 455 SD 4-speed.

I had that for a couple of years, then got a 71 Camaro RS and other misc. fast cars (71 Mustand BOSS, 73 Mustang).

As far as the 3rd gens goes, I never liked them when they came out. I always like the 2nd gen body better. But in 89 or 90 I saw Formula pull into the shop and my jaw hit the ground!

So, guess what year I have?

I also have a 2nd gen T/A and will probably end things off getting a Firebird from each generations. :hail:

85TPI400 · 01-25-2003, 09:59 AM

Back when I was 15 years old and the 85 Iroc came out it was my highschool dream car. I knew that I would have to own one some day, I loved the car back then and still do. Unfortunately I did not get my first one until I was about 24.

87WS6 · 01-25-2003, 10:52 AM

I was 4 or 5 when Knight Rider was on TV. I just thought the TA was the most awesome looking car on the road. I knew I had to have one. My dad had told me they wouldn't be making them like that when I was older. But if they were still around I could get one and fix it up. I knew then that's what I would have to do.

Fast forward to 2002. The last two vehicles were F-150's. I love trucks but I yearned for the power of a V8 car. Then I saw the Columbia House add for re-TV. So I ordered the pilot episodes of Airwolf and Knight Rider. Knight Rider revitialized my love of the Trans-AM mostly forgotten. Then I found one and bought one. Been working on it ever since.

Special K · 01-25-2003, 01:27 PM

It runs in the family for me. My dad had a 70 Firebird Formula 400 when he was younger. But i fell in love with his brand new '94 Z. And when my older brother was 16 he bought an '89 RS which was his first of 3 thirdgens. And so when i was 16 I bought my '92 RS and have been in love with it ever since. i'm 19 now.

My dad bought a '02 SS in aug. My family just cant get away from f-bodies.

smallwood · 01-25-2003, 01:30 PM

Knight Rider and my neighbor's red 82-84 Z28 had a heck of an influence on me when I was a kid.

Squeeks83 · 01-25-2003, 04:18 PM

well a kid that loves the world Chevrolet, and Camaro, i had a 2k limit on what i could buy for my first car. checked all over on e-bay for ideas and found what i wanted, for 1500 asking a 305 V8 camaro, nice low grumble at idle, no problems, and looked sweet,

now has a 355 for a heart and drinks gallons of gas. im happy with it, by the way ive owned it for 8months now, and ive only driven it for about 2, the rest of the time its been gettin new trannies, the dirst went from going into reverse while doing 35 because shift knob is stuck down and it got kicked, then engine stuff, meaning blew the 305, and then again the new engine blowing the tranny. and now she is for sale. looking for a 5sp 3rd gen.

nolanr0413 · 01-25-2003, 05:50 PM

i'd have to say a few things influenced me, my dad for one. he has a 1977 trans am that he bought in 1976 and i think thats what made me love the trans am. i wanted to get a 69 firebird but i couldnt find one and the prices were too much. we then went to a car show and saw an 88 formula and i liked how it looked and then my dads friend was storing a 85 trans am for his brother in law and i looked at it and the price was right and then i my dad bought it for me.

blue86iroc · 01-25-2003, 06:27 PM

Like so many people, my father had the biggest influence on me. When I was younger, he taught me that there were no other car manufacturers besides General Motors (ain't it the truth

)... and his '67 Camaro SS-396 could back up that claim. Knight Rider interested me in the Thirdgen body lines, and ever since I was eight or nine years old I wanted a Camaro IROC-Z. I got my wish when I was 15, and I'm 17 now. A lot of my friends are into cars, and one time they asked me, "If you could have any car ever made, which would it be?" Smiling, I replied, "Any car? You're looking at it."

SLOWFIVEOH · 01-25-2003, 07:26 PM

The $200 price tage. I had been looking for a Nova for 2 or 3 years...Wanted a muscle car to build up. Friend ran it into a ditch and praked it for 3 years. Gave him $200 drove it home and fixed it. After 4 months I have endless plans and love it soo much more then a nova! Best investment EVER!

bubbakutz · 01-25-2003, 08:47 PM

really wanted to buy a 4x4 chevy truck......but my sisters friend at work was selling the camaro for 2,000 bucks so i figured i would get it.....i thought it looked nice and i am glad i bought it because i grow fonder of it everyday
oh yeah i just turned 17

YellowIROC305 · 01-25-2003, 08:58 PM

My parents bought a red '86 IROC brand new when I was two years old. I grew up in that car, I'll always remember my mom or dad picking me up from kindergarten in that car. They gave it to my older sister when she went to college, and she sold it in '96 i think. When I turned 16, I had my eye on a '91 Z that was for sale near my house. I never bought it, but finally got a '91 RS with a 305. It reminded me of the IROC I grew up in, but it wasn't enough. So about six months ago, I bought my yellow '86 IROC that I have now. After I bought this car, my dad never stops saying "I wish I would've kept mine" as well as my sister who always tells me "I miss MY IROC..." I guess I'm the lucky one in the family now.

fast86z28 · 01-26-2003, 01:09 AM

it was 2400$ it had a 350 and a 5spd, the body and paint was near perfect, the interior was in great shape and Ive been raised around f-bodies all my life waht more can you ask for?

IROCThe5.7L · 01-26-2003, 01:35 AM

I was in this girls 5.0 and we caught a light with a 85-87 marron IROC. Just like this

Then I fell in love every since

Almost bought one just like that with a LG4. I didnt have the $ so I researched the car for a good year. Found out ALOT of stuff I didnt know. After that I wanted a 350 car (Liked 88 + the best). Then I searched around for a while and after some crappy cars, found the one I got today

kristopheer · 01-26-2003, 01:59 AM

well, i turned 16, worked 6 months saving every penny and dime saving up for a honda civic that was going to cost me $6000, and by the time i had $3500 i saw a 92 camaro with $3000 on it, so i decided i needed a car , so i went to the bank got the money out of the savings and bought it. i've liked it ever since.

(just turned 17 in october)

wyclefsirocz · 01-26-2003, 02:32 AM

dad had a red 84 z28 305ho/5spd decent mods
then sold it when i turned 16, cauze he didn't want me to get it

i turned 17 in last july,stated saving up, and then bought a 89 iroc that needed tlc in may. worked on it til august which by then i was 18 and am hooked on my iroc i love it to death

joshp14 · 01-26-2003, 03:46 AM

i liked the look of the trans ams over the camaros, but i was willing to get either...whatever i found. i didnt have enough $$ for a 4th gen, and 2nd gens are too big of dogs, so i went with the third gen cuz of looks, style, performance. BTW, i didnt want a FORD either....

Ratstix · 01-26-2003, 09:51 AM

i'm gonna get stoned for this, but i never really liked third gens till i started shopping for my first car and found a 85 iroc with tpi 350 for a good price, so i said what the hell and took it for a drive and fell in love. but then to my dismay. the day i told the guy that i had the money and to meet me so i can buy it. and guess what he shows up and tells me that he sold the car the night before. NUUUUUUUU!!!!! but then a few months later i found my 89 rs lo3 auto, i guess she'll do for now till i get a 350 5sp third gen.

92blackbird · 01-26-2003, 10:07 AM

I had a 70 1/2 Z-28 in 1977 and loved it. 3 kids and 25 years later I was so sick of driving 4 door sedans I could puke. Found my 92 sitting on a small used lot. Had been there 6 months. I picked it up for my 95 Cutlass siera and $1500. The 95 had 170, 000 miles on it. The auto equal to vanilla ice cream and white bread. Couldn't be happier with the 92.

roxieshotrod · 01-26-2003, 10:20 AM

I too was addicted to Knght Rider as a kid, but once the '90 camaro with the gfx came out I HAD to have one (I think I was 11 or 12).. Soo... after a '78 bonneville (puke brown no less), '85 Skyhawk, '89 Ranger, and '85 Coupe deVille, I FINALLY got my baby.. and wow was it worth the wait. I love the smooth lines yet sharp "Im gunna eat you alive" attitude that car has.. Im 23.

:lala:

Silver87S.C. · 01-26-2003, 10:42 AM

My Mom was the one who actually had me drooling for a thirdgen.
She had a red, 85 SC which I loved to death and wanted for my first car. She decided, however that it needed to much work and wasnt dependable enough for me to have as a first car and she sold it.

After that I just HAD to have a thirdgen Camaro or Trans Am. Couple of months after Mom sold the '85 she brought home an '87 Camaro and I was in love.

novass · 01-26-2003, 10:48 AM

I have had "classic" cars for some time. First car "69" Chevelle!! Even though it had 100k plus. Was my dads. Then 73 Nova SS, (still have) was my grandmothers, yup you read this right.

Then a bunch of other forms of transportation during bad weather. Years back when my dad bought his formula new I told him when he was ready to sell it I would buy it.

He bought a vette, I bought his. Since he never drove it during the winter it is in great shape. I snatched it up.
However, I wanted 100 more HP so I am in the process of gettin rid of TBI and Putting in TPI , heads, porting, polishing, Torque converter, headers etc.

Come to think about it I have only bought 1 car that was not from a family member. The formula is number 8 now! The only down side is haveing to find storage for 2 cars during the winter.

MetalliCamaroRS · 01-26-2003, 12:49 PM

When I was like 10 or 11 and would ride my bike around town, there was often a sweet black Camaro parked a few blocks from me. When it was parked there, I would ride by it like 15 times. It was a black 91 or 92 Z28 Convertable... I LOVED that car. Also, my favorite Hot Wheels car was a maroon Camaro I had. Then when I was looking for cars, I found out third gen Camaros are rather cheap, not too slow, and they look damn good so I decided to buy one