PROPHET69

Hi peeps, I know this isn't much of a subject for thirdgen.org but I have an out-of-the ordinary question. Something that is nagging me.

Not sure if this is because of the price of gas or perhaps because we WERE just in a Fast and the Furious stage... but...

Have you all noticed a BIG drop in any car considered out of the ordinary? I've noticed in the last couple of years wherever i travel, but especially this summer, that everyone seems to have a new/ordinary car. I hardly see any muscle cars, tuners or exotics at all anymore. Tuners especially seem to have zonked out from earth. The only tuners I do see are old, rotten, broken up USED-TO-Be nice cars.

The very few muscle cars/classics and hotrods I see on the road belong to the same people who have been gathering on Saturday nights for the last few years. And even they have dropped a lot. Third gens, I've only seen about three different ones this summer.

I spent a whole week looking out for nice cars during my daily commute and my late-night cruisings, but out of the thousands of cars I see daily...the only nice cars I've seen were A classic porsche, two porsche boxters and a third Gen, all of which I have seen riding around before.

I don't believe the price of gas could be affecting people to stay away form nice cars this much, anyone know what's going on?

Mavro

I've noticed a similar trend driving around NYC and I think it's a combination of several factors.

First, gas prices are definitely at the top of everyone's list of reasons not to take their nice car out. When 3rd gens were steaming off the production line, fuel efficiency was not on anyone's mind. I pay $4.55/gallon for 93-octane fuel and only get 13-16 mpg. Luckily I take the subway to work every day and only bring out the TA during the weekend, but can you imagine the cost for someone that needs to commute with it every day? Nowadays, people's wallets are driving them to the hybrid instead of the horsepower.

Second, times are changing. What was once considered a nice car in the 80s and early 90s is now considered a relic by the new Fast & Furious generation. Younger kids prefer a car full of computers, sub enclosures that look like NOS tanks, and stickers, more appealing than a sleek sports car with natural power under the hood. My LU5 isn't the fastest in the world, but I can still burn a Civic with the popular coffee can exhaust, three-tiered spoiler, and 10lbs of stickers.

And C, as our cars become classics (mine turned 25 this year) and parts become more and more scarce, people will be less inclined to take them out. The amount of 3rd gens in the street has drastically declined in the past five years. Whenever I see another 3rd gen in the street I always make eye contact with the driver and either wave or send a Hasselhoff thumbs-up, but that doesn't happen as often anymore.

The same thing that happened to the 2nd gens is now happening to us. In another five years, I suspect the only place we'll see nice 3rd gens will be at shows and meets.

Hopefully the new 5th gen Camaro wakes people up a little.

I don't know. Writing this response just put things into perspective for me. Friggin' depressing.

-Mavro

P.S. - I wonder if anyone picked up on my Home Alone reference.

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

Was that the reference? I don't remember it from the movie, but it stood out to me.

jim91gta

Your are right.

Most cars have no personality
I look at my 91 GTA and think, Bad A$$!
I have been unable to find a car I would purchase that has the power/handling/styling and cost less than $60,000.

Lot's of boring out there, even in luxury segment.

PROPHET69

Yes, I know exactly where you're coming from about third gens... it's normal, happens to all nice cars... they're nice when they come out, become outdated a few years later, become trashy after 10-15 years, 20 years start to become a thing of interest, then after 20-30 years, people want them again.

And although all sighting of muscle cars are on the decline, probably because of gas prices... what I find stranger, is the fact that I no longer see at ALL people with tuned up cars with NOS tanks and body kits, neon glow, crazy sound systems and so on. What happened to the tuned up Civics, neons, miata's, 350z's, rx 8's, rx 7's subaru's etc?

To me, it seems as if for the first time in decades, people no longer seem to take interest in their cars at all. They all want to buy a new 13 grand disposable car, I remember when I'd see or drive my third gen 3 years ago, people would look once and that was it... if I'd see one I'd think "cool, another nice one." but nowadays, when people see my car, they just stare or smile, because they're a rare sighting and just don't see any Nice cars at all anymore.

I guess I'm just hoping that times aren't going to change to the point where no one will have nice cars to display anymore and after market parts become a thing of the past.

PROPHET69

Precisely what I'm trying to say in shorter tems, lol.

Mavro

That's the one. I was watching the movie with my cousin this past weekend and was inspired by it.

Megan McCallister: "You're not at all worried that something might happen to Kevin?"
Buzz McCallister: "No, for three reasons: A, I'm not that lucky. Two, we have smoke detectors and D, we live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen. Period."

----- Back to cars. -----

Prophet, you're absolutely right about the "disposable cars" thing. A few months ago, my girlfriend half-jokingly suggested I sell the TA and buy a Prius to save money on gas. I died a little inside that day. I calmly stated that "...the car ain't goin' nowhere" in the thickest Brooklyn accent I could muster. Not that the Prius is necessarily a bad car, but I'm a strong believer that the kind of car a person drives says a lot about them; and my personality isn't very Prius-like.

Jim, amen to your third point. It seems like the biggest advantages to driving a car have now become options available only in luxury models. Too many car manufacturers are designing "artsy" cars whose styling has to grow on you, rather than cool ones whose styling catches your eye and holds it on the first glance. The only thing that should grow on you is something you need to see a doctor for, not the beauty of a car!

TADailyDriver

iTrader: (8)

you all are right, i live in a town that used to be full of old carmaros, firebirds, and other hot rods. I used to see 5-6 other third gens daily on my way through town. Now i see maybe 1 hotroad or old school car a week if that. I drive my Trans Am every day and people are always telling me who they love seeing my car around town. Now that the paint is going to **** i dont get as many looks, but its still nice to be reconized.

Fyrstorm

iTrader: (1)

Totally agree with that. You want what you grew up with in your teens. So right now, people are buying cars that are what... 5-10 years old? Because they liked them in their teens. And I don't know about you but a 10 year old car is pretty cheap. For me, I got the 86 T/A because I loved that car in my teens, but I didn't get my hands on one until '96.

I used to see what you saw, cars with interesting paint, interesting tints (not that I would get purple metal flecked tint....but to each their own...) or generally stuff had been upgraded. I think the price of insurance is playing a HUGE part in that for people under 25. Maybe I'm generalizing, but most of the time it's younger folk that are sprucing up their cars.

You can't afford to do that now, when you are paying anywhere from 3000-6000 a year for insurance on a $3000 car that's 10 years old. And I'm speaking in Canadian terms, maybe the insurance hasn't gone loco in the states like I hear it hasn't.

GICATA

I admit I miss seeing cool "kid cars" around...Z-28s with big tires, Novas with jacked up rearends, and what I miss most is crusing. The lot owners complained, the dang cops ran us all off and the everyday driver complained about our loud exhaust and crazy driving. To me the cool guys left town in the late 1980s. Now to see cool cars you have to go to a show where they sit in silent rows.
My T/A sits on blocks at the moment, waiting for me to finish up a cam swap and get some detailing done, but when it's ready to roll you can bet it will. Cudos to all of you who still drive your "cool cars" around town!

calamitascamaro

iTrader: (5)

My car friends and I used to hang out in the local parking lots, the cops would harrass us, we'd find a new parking lot. Then one by one we all started not hanging out in the parking lots and moved to the bars. Then I joined the Army, came home after two years, and people just aren't around anymore. Not even the new generations come out. The economy sucks..... but I still drive up and down the local streets and think about what it used to be like to cruise up and down Rt. 6 thinking about the next girl in my passenger seat, not the next fillup at shell. Times suck.

BladeX10

I barely see any pre 90's Mustangs, Camaros, Trans Ams.. Its kind of a shame that people would rather drive around 2008 toyota camaries then older muscle cars.

calamitascamaro

iTrader: (5)

Not that it's a shame, but the people who do own the cars would rather drive their "other" cars. fortuneately for me, I don't have one of those "other" cars.

ezysk

Wow, you Canadians are getting screwed by the insurance companies.
I am paying $450.00 per year on mine and I thought that was too high.

I see less huge SUVs on the road, and less tuner cars as well.
SUVs are fewer definitely for gas prices.
I think the tuner craze is kind of dying, so now the ones you do see are just the die hards that personally like that style.

I still see a lot of muscle cars on the road, and actually this year I have seen more just driving around than I normally see. Perhaps after selling their SUVs to buy Hybrids, and “Smart” cars, they long to feel the power again, so they take their Muscle cars out more often.

As for 3rd gens, I see less and less of those every year. Which is to be expected as they get older. I guess they really can’t become classes if everyone still had one.

calamitascamaro

iTrader: (5)

Personally I hope the tuner craze doesn't die, my car needs to feed regularly to keep its muscles lol.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

I am also paying $450 per year with only 1 speeding ticket on my record. I still have 3 years till I hit 25. Then again I only have liability and property coverage(if you don't have this...get it).

I have noticed a decline in body kits and neons on cars in the past 2 years. They are still around but, not as many. Same with F-Bodies, still see them but not as many. I get a lot of looks and compliments on my car and it is missing front ground effects/paint fading and chipping/the car is gray with primer black front bumper, hood, and spoiler. I still see a lot of mustangs and C5/C6 vettes though.

Ricco

Since when was a Porsche Boxter a nice car

Maybe if you're a girl or a hairdresser....

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

I still see tons of nice cars in my area, Porsches are a normal car, I see about 20-30 every day dueing the summer while working, there are a lot of hot rods and muscle cars in my area, And as for 3rd gens, I see a good number still too.
I just saw a new lambo about a month ago in my area and I saw a new ferrari the other day. And for tuners well I have seen a small infux of supras and sti wrxs that are modded,
There is a saleen mustang just down the street from me, Someone around here also just bought a hennesy viper, Mustangs are a dime a dozen and are every where, I have already seen the new shelby gt500KR on the road and I already know someone who owns a new challenger,
So I guess it al depends on where you live

TheBigJ

iTrader: (1)

Amen!@

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

I hate to say it but third gens will be dead one of these days. at the way aftermarket is growing we are dead on parts and for the people who restore theirs, how many cars do they use? z28s and rs and irocs are being used in the process as long as normal camaros.

Down here in houston(humble/kingwood where i'm at, I used to see thirdgens all the time. EVERYWHERE.. including 4th gens. Now there all gone. every last one of them. It is In part with kids buying them and wrecking them.NOT including me. Im a kid. have a 92 rs and plan to take care of it. but my brother wrecked my dads 1991 camaro rs with 25k miles..

Its also like the 2nd gens they made a billion of them and theres none on the road anymore. that has to due with people using them with dragracing, and them simply being driven and destroyed.the next time you go to the drag races, count how many 2nd gensand third gens are there. My dad saved one of the last cheap 2nd gen camaros (81)that has 53k miles and is all original. he paid 9k for it and now it is worth atleast 14-15k.

All in all When you go to cctol, ebay, autotrader or any other website, its also full of people who are trying to jack the prices up with a 100-200k mile car. that is also another reason they are drying up. Its just everything that plays into effects that is why they are driving up

god makes me so depressed :-o



I live in a Nice neighbor hood and i see lots of these cars all the time, not lambos but the point is all of the general people who come here dont live in the nicest places in the world. Another thing you have to take into place IS also that, In michigan where you live cars are only driven 4-6 months a year. thats why they are more plentiful. thats why they also have alot of low mileage ones because there all stored up

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

In my old hometown when I go home on some weekends and check out the local crusiers, the nicest car in town is a custom fox body mustang. It just seems like few people around here restore/customize an 80s car but when they do its something amazing. All the newer mustang/camaro/firebirds look the same anymore.

Thirdgens are disappearing.

RS Reaper

I’ve defiantly seen less moded cars on the road. Where I’m at, it seems like most people are not spending money to change there car in anyway. I have friend that are still buying stuff for their cars but with gas prices and college it's small things here and there. While the gas price doesn't stop me from driving my Camaro daily, it did stop me from getting an LS series engine.

1984Z28HO

mine is hiding in the garage under a cover... i run her once a week, but i have noticed the same thing, less muscle cars around.... but a crap load of lifted V8 trucks.. makes no sense

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

theres alot more of the v8 trucks for cheap now.. no one wants one. and the people who do drive one probaly got it cheap

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Many of the good low mileage southern cars are making their way north via ebay.

FYRCHKN

Exactly. That's why my '03 2500HD has been sitting in my driveway since November with an expired inspection sticker. If I did try to sell it no one would buy it.


As far as 3rd gens disappearing, it kinda bothered me at first. Now, it doesn't bother me as much anymore. Every time one gets crushed, wrecked, or just completely fubar'd mine goes up a little more in value.

mercdeking

My camaro is my daily driver! To work and from work, drive around town, buy groceries, etc.... I weep for my wallet!
My only other complaint is that you have to be the first one in the junkyard after a camaro comes in or the parts get scavenged quick.

When I went there and i was just looking for a headlight switch I found to 91 camaro's being picked at but luckily for me they weren't scavenging for the same parts. (they were looking for trim pieces but the but the camaro's had been sitting under the elements so the trim pieces were a little beat up.).

upincomin

Man, I wish I lived back there, lol, I'm thinkin of the "grocery getter car" and Honda is definitely NOT on my list. Out here in Hawaii, Import cars are the number one stolen/stripped cars. You can have your car stolen at night and stripped of every bolt by morning. I've seen it done driving up to my base. I'm very glad to still have my '92 Camaro. I'm in a car club out here. There are a few
----------
Man, I wish I lived back there, lol, I'm thinkin of the "grocery getter car" and Honda is definitely NOT on my list. Out here in Hawaii, Import cars are the number one stolen/stripped cars. You can have your car stolen at night and stripped of every bolt by morning. I've seen it done driving up to my base. I'm very glad to still have my '92 Camaro. I'm in a car club out here. Don't get me wrong, we still occasionally cruise, but nothing like it used to be. We had 30+ cars comin out every saturday night for cruises, that was just 2 months ago. Now, we haven't really cruised in about a month and a half. Gas is definitely an issue. I know I won't give up on my baby. Just paid $6,000 for a 383 stroker, and have plans for suspension/rear/trans coming up in the next 6 months. I'll post pics up on the sight as it gets better.
Don't give up on the third gens. Ours will just be that much more special.
Mine was the first I drove, I bought it off of my mom after she had it for 8 years. I'm turnin 21 in Sept, and rebuilding the whole thing buy myself.
So as a "fast and the furious gen" kid, I'm saying there are still some of us newer aged kids interested in the old muscle..

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

Amen!+1 for the younger ones like me. (16)

Spitzfiya

I agree 100% with what you just said.

EvilCartman

iTrader: (1)

I've only seen a couple 3rd gens in my area and both were trashy, not well kept. As for other cars, I see the ocasional 30's to 60's cars. Lots of old people where I'm at and a few of them have some really nice classics. One uses a 55 chevy as a daily driver, nice car. But yeah, most cars seem to be the ordinary cookie cutter cars now. Seeing quite a few more motorcycles out now too. I get a few looks when the Camaro is out and about, especially from the cops dang loud car.

crytical point

I have a chevy vega and when was the last time that you saw one on the road?

The chevy vega hit over 1,000,000 production in 1975 and discontinued in 1977 but continued to 1980 as the chevy monza or pontiac astre. Though in the Orlando area the tuner scene is far from dead and I have like 4 living on my street. Around here I see like 3-4 camaro's and a handfull of birds and they are regulars and I know of one guy around the corner from my house restoring a third gen firebird. I drive my V8 RS camaro daily but I remember when gas hit 3.70 a gallon and I took my 83 Z28 off the road because it got 10mpg and 17mpg if I was lucky on the highway and it only ran on premium. As gas prices go up and the economy keeps on this downward spiral (I don't care what bush says I live in the real world) people will have less money to put into their cars other than gas of course. Now with emission laws and more computer controlled crap the cars are drinking up gas when really they shouldn't.

This could go on forever but to make a long story short "If you lower the price, They will come".

DrummerDad

Around here most of the 3rd gens are just "white trashed". They buy them cheap, slowly choke the life from them, and then crush them. And they have a reputation of being slow, because everyone has always raced that one guy you all know that never tunes or services his car. And thats our reputation.

Most drivers today dont even look over anymore when they see another f-body.


I look forward to keeping mine for as long as I can afford repair parts. Screw gas prices and fuel economy. You can keep your ugly hybrid cars. And you can pry the keys of my 3rd gen from my cold dead hands.

89ROC-Z

iTrader: (7)

Thats the same thing thats happening here. we got atleast 10 third gens in my hometown, some are decent, but the majority were baught for a 100 bucks and they just dont care about there $100 camaro anymore.

Guro 305

I've always been told there are two things that shouldn't "grow" on a man. His car and his wife!!!!!
----------
You S.O.B.!!!! You took the words outta my mouth.

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

I Beg to differ that from that, where Im at Third gens Do get looks from other people. especially My 86 Iroc-z. Man 2 years ago people used to never look at that car b/c of the white trash image or w/e but now it gets looks from EVERYBODY. makes me so proud to own a thirdgen.

My 92 Rs gets looks but not as much as the 86

Guro 305

I live in Palm Beach Co. so a shortage of "nice" cars is not going to happen anytime soon. Lambos, Ferraris and Maybachs I don't even notice anymore.

It has to be something classic or rare to catch my attention. At the least another Corvette cause Corvette etiquette is to wave at the other guy. I would love to agree that thirdgens are dying off, but if that was the case, I wouldn't be 75% of the time "too late" to ****** good parts at the junkyard.
Even fourthgen parts are becoming a pain because both thirdgen and fourthgen guys are taking 'em.

Screamin86

iTrader: (1)

when i take out my 82 i get stare's especially when i roll up to a light and let it idle "rumpity rump" and once i put my 17's on it it just multiplied by how many stares i get and the car is still in rattle can flat black lol.

im 20 and i currently own two thirdgens and have had one 4thgen camaro and a couple other v8 dd's i hate rice my yukon xl does too oh i see a big suv everyday my yukon that i mentioned above and i DD it i get 16-18mpg around town and 20+ hwy and its the one thats the size of a suburban. there arent many "nice" cars running around anymore a few here and there i did recently meet two guys in town that have built thridgen camaros.

i do the same in my area kinda depressing though

1991CamaroRslow

iTrader: (3)

I have the good fortune of hanging out around the big fish in my area. In Southern Indiana the real guys hang out at the speed shops. What I noticed happening REAL fast was all of the cars in town driven by 16 year old kids who thought they were invincible have all but disappeared. Now these kids are sporting around in early 90's Buicks and other garbage! Most of their Camaro's, old Chevelles, Firebirds, etc have been junked out, or sat in the side yards. This leads to all of the guys with the nice rides not coming to town anymore because when all of the little fish are gone, the big fish don't come around anymore. I get asked all the time where the street racing is anymore, my answer is it's dead due to the **** economy. That along with the issue that people don't think much about showing off their nice stuff when they don't know for sure if they can make their next mortgage payment really takes the fun of it down a notch. I myself have taken my 3rd gen to town a few times and every time the cops gave me the stink eye like never before! I'm not sure if this is from no other cars around like mine (loud and on drag rims), or if they're feeling the hard times too and compensating by being dicks to the locals. Either way until these gas prices drop and the entire mood of the economy changes we won't see people out sporting about. Alot of the local guys I know aren't even going to the track anymore. It's really just taken the steam out of the whole thing, it's hard to have a hobby anymore with the way things are and cars were our hobby.

Ricco

Didnt think anyone had even noticed my comment

GodSpeedGTA

iTrader: (1)

I dont drive mine much because Ive worked so hard to get it where it is that the last thing I need is some moron running a red and destroying my work. I still take it out every other weekend or so. When im not busy and something starts eating at me to go for a drive, i do.

People have been scared into thinking that if they dont start driving these more efficient cars, the planet is going to explode. And really, Im glad they dont want thirdgens anymore, bec if your not die hard enough to still drive one despite gas prices, economy, and the environment then your not BA enough to deserve to drive one.

Let all the tree huggers and worry worts drive their prius and camrys, Ill be the one that everyone looks at when we roll to a stoplight.

Mavro

I recycle my trash and drink tap water instead of bottled water. There we go. As far as I'm concerned, I've done enough to help the environment that I can still drive my car with complete piece of mind.
I noticed it, too. I almost spit coffee all over my monitor, thanks to you.

myvmax1

AMEN brother, preach that gospel!!!

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

Another thing that I have noticed even though we are in an economic crisis is that all the cars that are on eBay and everywhere are still going. up. I guess its because theres less of them or just people like us who keep swooping them all up.. whether its an old 70s mustang II or a late 70s impala there are no good "finds" anymore. there all being reused and used.

That statement has to do with still even though we dont see these cars on the road anymore, people are still buying them

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Anybody got $11k I can borrow? ( drool)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-....c0.m245.l1318

DrummerDad

Almost everything on Ebay is overpriced. Ive noticed that the best place to buy a large item is on a forum, like this. Ive always liked VWs (aircooled), but to price them on ebay is crazy. I go to another forum and look. Much better pricing. I was amazed at some of the good pricing on 3rd gens here in the for sale section. Of course you always have your dreamers.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Only 26k miles and unmolested, seems like a fair price to me, I just don't have it.

iroc-z666

that's not as bad as someone wanting 28K for a 86 camaro
"fully restored bolt for bolt" he says