StreetRoc85 350

I know a lot of you probably don't recognize me but I have been a member of this site for almost 10yrs now. I have always had a passion for thirdgens and have had an 85 Iroc, a 90 'Bird, and an 88 Iroc. I got my '88 Iroc about 5yrs ago for $3300 in VERY good condition with 102k miles on it. Loved that car to death, but had to sell it to pay for school. Now I have a little bit of money on my hands and as Im looking for another one I am shocked to see how high the prices have gotten! It was only a couple years ago that $3500 or $4k would get you a nice, low mileage Iroc all day long. Now they are up around 8-10k! What the hell happened? Did thirdgens suddenly become classics or is the US dollar really that weak? Have I just been out of the game for too long?

Mods- If this isnt the right place for this I apologize, I wasnt sure where to post it.

birdman_29

iTrader: (1)

my guess is that, people that have them don't want to get rid of them so you don't see as many out there. When you do see a nice one for sale, it probably has a history of work that has been done to it, so it's probably worth what they are asking for it. An like me I would want what I have put into if I did sell, regardless if in reality I couldn't get it. All this is just my opinion on your question, I'm not really sure why they are selling for so much.

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

When you say " nice 3rd gens " I assume you mean
No rust, dents, faded // bad paint, & very clean no work needed interior,
and mechanically sound, with the exception of maybe a basic tune up & oil change.

If it's been very well taken care of & adult driven, and garaged during snow, then yes, 6 + may become the status quo.

However, you can browse the For Sale section & find some projects needing little work up to needing full drive train.

Want a turbo Camaro?? Pajama Sam has a very nice one for sale!!

Yes, very clean, straight, decent 3rd gens are becoming expensive.

StreetRoc85 350

I would be glad to pay 3 or $4k for a decent 87-89 Iroc that needed some minor work but it seems like all the ones Im finding are either immaculate show cars or total pieces of s***. Did the rest of you TGO members buy up all of the nice daily drivers? lol

MI ROC-Z

I am very interested in this thread because I regularly check ebay, craigslist, and autotrader to see what Camaro's are for sale, what shape their in, and how much they are selling for. I too have noticed that prices are kind of up lately and I hope that trend continues.

I bought my 89 IROC with 76,000 miles on it back in 09 for $5000.00. At the time I thought I paid about $1000.00 too much considering some of the electrical gremlins I had to sort out, but after buying a $120.00 remanufactured ECM the problem was solved and I was completely satisfied with what I paid for my IROC.

19camaro83

I happened to luck out with my 3rd gen. I had a cousin that drove my 83 sport coupe in high school and he had been saving it for a restoration for the last 20+ years. I talked to him one day about it, and he said if I brought a trailer and pulled it home, it was mine. I hooked up a good battery and dumped some fresh gas in it and it fired right up. It had been sitting and had not run for at least the last 14 years. It needs some clutch/trans. work, and I plan on giving it a fresh coat of paint this summer, but overall I can't complain for a FREE 3rd gen! I also got a 2nd gen 81 camaro as a parts car for free, simply by asking the owner what he planned to do with it. He even trailered it to my house, free of charge, over 60 miles. Supposedly runs and drives as well, but I just gutted the seats for my 83.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

Several reasons. I'd be that close to half don't exist anymore.

Young drivers wrecked a lot of them over the years so many were scrapped. Many were hacked up into race cars, used as a base for kit cars and modified beyond recognition. Lots were just driven to death and parted out.

Most people that own a thirdgen now are enthusiasts or have an emotional attachment to the car. They're not going to let their baby go for cheap.

Plus, the demand for good project cars and "hobby" cars from these years is on the rise. No one wants to build anything from the late 70's. Early to mid 90's cars suck and newer cars (like LS1 fbodies for example) are holding their value and many can't afford 8-10k for a "toy" right now. So unless you want a fox 'stang, that leaves a thirdgen as one of your only options.

The good news is that they're not out of reach. You can still find straght, rust free, L98 cars for under $2k if you're patient. It seems that if you can bump your budget to $4k you can get a super-nice thirdgen still if you're patient.

bubbagump2001

Well at least im my area I was able to find decent 3rd gens for the 2-4k range. I picked mine up for 2k just a year ago off craigslist. Found it in a day, very solid not show quality but a little tlc she is coming together.

jensen73110

iTrader: (4)

I've been hearing this for the past 10 years, but haven't seen it.

Running v6 cars can be found under $1000. Running v8 cars under $1500. $5000 can still buy a flawless L98 car.

I said it 10n years ago, and I'll say it 10 years from now; these aren't 1st gens. Similar cars, but completely different situations. Just as a'70 Opel GT is rare but cheap now, a 3rd gen in 2025 will still be cheap. Rare, but cheap.

19camaro83

^^^ what he said. These cars are fun, not valuable.

jkrustchinsky

He nailed it, i know just by direct human contact, 5 different guys who have totaled a thirdgen in that last 10 years!!!! i know a few more that part them out for a living!!!! those arent stories, real friends of mine. i love it personally, if i could crush one everyday i would

yall might think it ridiculous but its not like anybody is going to restore them, cars with no usuable parts should be destroyed so that our cars can live on. i mean really do you think even maybe 1 in 50 will get restored, 1 in 10 get turned into race cars, hardly,

they are still plentiful, but only in a state that needs total restoration, and if i see one for 400 or 500 bucks ill buy it and salvage its usable parts then off she goes, i get 300-500 depending on whats left from the scrapper.

19camaro83

Mine would easily be considered a "crush car" to you guys, but like someone else stated previously, it has personal meaning to me. It was my cousin's, so I won't junk it or part it out, I chose to restore it and drive it instead. Also, starting the project with $0 invested helps immensely, because the most costly of the items is already there, the car itself.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

well its because these cars are 20-30 years old. Thier is more and more getting taken off the road. and the really nice ones are collecting good money. Not to mention you can see them selling on mecum and whatnot. and they are great looking cars.

johnjm22

Thirdgens are probably some of the most abused cars that have ever been made. You hardly ever see nice ones.

Looking at prices on eBay lately, it seems like any IROC or Z28 that has under 100K miles on it, is going to get over $5K. That's pretty good considering gas prices and a crap economy.

Yahtzee

In 2007 I bought my 89' IROCZ with 83k original miles. Only thing changed on it was a complete aftermarket paint job that cost the PO 3200. I got it for $5500 and he was asking $7200.

These cars are gonna start to be the new 1st gens as all the 1st gens are being bought up and restored/re sold.

ROCFATHER

I feel the opposite about 3rd gen prices lately. I'm always brousing CL or car ads in general and I have found alot of well kept low priced Irocs, especially convertibles which are always going to be rare and somewhat valuable. Just keep looking and keep in mind you may have to travel out of state for a cool looking ride in your budget.

Yahtzee

Where is SOCAL are you finding low priced Verts? Im looking for one in SD.

camaronewbie

I think it comes down to the bad economy in general - everyone is hurting and wants top dollar for everything that they "don't want to sell but are forced to sell".

OP - You should keep an eye open in the eastern/central NC area - get some pretty decent priced cars around here sometimes. I've been through 4 3rd gens, and although none were perfect by any means, all were good running cars and I have never paid more than $800 for one. I've seen many really nice ones that were above my maximum willing price, and they were in the area of $2000.

drknow90rs_ss@y

iTrader: (3)

I have noticed a slight rise in prices for well cared for thirdgens here in AZ. IROC verts in nice, low mileage condition are selling for over 10K. I guess it really depends on where you live. We dont have rust here, so these cars live forever. You can, however, find RS V-8 cars on CL for around $1,500 and RS Verts for around 3k. It's the IROC and Z-28 models that are commanding the high price.

Keegan84

iTrader: (1)

I bought a early thirdgen for 400 dollars that had been in no major accidents and was 99% rust free. Granted the interior was shot and so was the engine, tranny, fuel tank. I feel I got a deal considering I saw ones that were all rusted up that weren't running for 600-800.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

If I could find another car as nice as mine was when I bought it for similar money, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but I can't prices have gone up at least 50% in the last two years, maybe more

luvmy64

I blame the tv show Fear Factor....they were always abusing a third gen.....

Arizona IROC

iTrader: (4)

Honestly though that show is one of the reasons I got back into them. They just looked so cool flying into those boxes or doing precise J turns...

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

I think it's a good thing the prices are increasing. It keeps hoosiers from picking up these cars on the cheap and letting them beat the crap out of them and run them into the ground. Keeping the prices somewhat higher will make them better candidates for collectors items and restorations, plus those of us who HAVE nice examples will be sitting in a better position with the prices climbing. I say let the prices rise even more!

project89

iTrader: (1)

man i remeber when i picked up my first low mile iroc back in 98/99 i paid 2500 bucks for a mint condtion white/gold iroc, but they were everywere at that time so it was the norm.

alot of these beat up cars with high prices are just cause of the owners they think camaro = money,not to mention u have ppl that want one so bad they will pay 3-4 k for some beat up junk 3rdgen, which dosent help the prices at all

but deals can be found i just picked up not 1 but 2 3rdgens in a package deal for 1500 bucks

89 iroc originally an l98 car but somone swaped in a sb 400 and converted it to carb. ive since converted it back to tpi and am installing a large frame turbo on it.
lil paint and some factory rims and it will be a really nice car

and a

87 firebird base model 305 lg4 / auto needs paint and a motor but other then that the car was in really good shape if u could look past the horibly oxidized paint


so deals are still out there u just gota look a lil harder

this last pair of 3rdgens i just bought makes numbers 14 and 15 since i got into these cars when i was 16

58mark

iTrader: (3)

Not yet! I want at least one more!

19camaro83

And I still need parts for mine!

camarosrock1989

iTrader: (1)

Streetroc85 there is a really nice one here in Az on CL with or without motor TPI, For $500.00 and if you want the motor $700.00 more, Body is clean! In Tucson Az Post reads>

Its a1986 tune port camaro bought it as a project don't have the time or funds to complete the muscle car im asking $500 for it needs motor and transmission. I have a 5.7 trans am tune port that can fit the car asking $750 for the motor. I can sell as a package for $1200 or individually. Please text me at 520 891 3989 thx.

camarosrock1989

iTrader: (1)

Oh and here is picture of the motor>


And you know there is no rust on cars in Az..

mav75

Amen! I paid $7500 (~$8,100 with sales tax) for mine last year, which had only one owner and just shy of 47K on the clock. It was completely mint and rust free. Or so I thought.

Before I got it, I knew it needed a new set of tires, and I had negotiated for it in the price of the car. Here is what I did not know about:

Last year:

Tires (planned) 800
Detailing: ~100
A/C Charge/Conversion/
Serpentine Belt: $1,200
Failed Alternator: ~250
Failed Fuel Pump: ~400
Replacement Injectors
from Southbay: ~150
Tuneup: ~250
___________________________
~$3,150

What a summer that was! Good thing I have AAA! The total above doesn't include the insurance because I elected to get max coverage.

This year:
Shocks/Struts ~800
Left Headlamp Motor/
Idler Arms/Lower Ball
Joints/Gearbox adjust/
Alignment: ~500
Oil Change (Mobil 1)
plus inspection: ~75
Probable fuel filter: ~15
Probable air filter (K/N) ~40
_____________________________
~$1,430

Subtract routine mx: ~$1,300

So when you tally up everything from the sale until today, I spent roughly $12,500...well, maybe round up to $13K for gas and detailing. But what I have now is a perfect, unmolested ThirdGen with a hell of a lot of pampered life left in it. It was worth every penny. I doubt I'll ever sell it, but if I were forced to, I would definitely ask for a ton of money.

lonestar7

iTrader: (1)

I've been looking for an IROC-Z for 5or 6 months now and have been watching all the internet classified sites pretty closely every day. I've seen a lot of nice Third gens start out with asking prices of $8000-$9000 end up selling around $5000 or less. Same thing on ebay, I've seen any number of nice IROC's not sale because the top bids aren't getting close to the reserve or "buy now" asking price, they generally get 60~70% of the asking price. I agree with your observation on the convertibles, they seem to be selling 10~20% below what a hardtop or T-top model in similar condition would bring. I've also noticed the cheapest prices seem to be in the northwestern states, Oregon, Washington, N Calli.

skirtz

I am in SW Florida and I found my 91' RS for 1800! The car was immaculate when the chick I bought it from, bought it. The car now has the infamous clear coat fading problems associated with the hot weather down here and also a few key marks from the girls ex-boyfriends. Other than a few bumps and bruises, the car has 177,xxx miles on it and I have only done a valve job on it and replaced a heater core. I need to now do the fuel pump but other than that, the car is in decent shape for 1800, especially since the AC still works!

Most thirdgens are classics now. Only takes twenty years for a acar to be considered a classic and we only have one more year to go before all thirdgens are classics. I agree though, that almost every one you find is either a POS or they want over 10grand because it has a lot of work done to it. But there are still some good deals out there so keep your eyes peeled!

jeff_blake

iTrader: (1)

yeah u can get mostly any thirdgen here in wa anywhere from 900-1700. and decent shape ones 1800-3500. of course there's some more then that but there usually cheap

mav75

I had mine shipped down from Michigan.

xX89RSXx

iTrader: (1)

Keep your eyes on peoples yards too. You may see some sitting in not so bad shape, but not advertised for sale. Knock on the door, you may strike a reasonable deal.

MYLILREDZ28

Your'e right about seeing a camaro sitting in somebody's yard. Doesn't hurt to ask if the car is for sale or not..

19camaro83

That is exactly how I got my 83, and my 81 both for FREE.

REDTAIL

iTrader: (1)

Another problem is the banks like to use KBB for loans, I been looking for the right TA/GTA for about a month now being a little picky on what I want so I'm not getting to discourged. Well i found a 02 firehawk with the options I wanted plus it was local to boot.it had about 67k on the clock and they wanted around 16,900 which I though wasn't a bad starting price. Well i wanted to talk to the bank before wasting someone elses time and KKB doesn't have pricing for the hawk so they had to go off a TA which was $11k range and that was for execallent cond.Yet i could get a full loan for used $45k z06.but if you want a good laugh look up the values of the 3rd gens sometime

mav75

KBB rapes the consumer in every way possible.

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

It seems to me that the prices for third gens are slowly rising for the nicer ones but there are still quite a few that are for sale that would be worth fixing. The only thing is that I believe that the prices for real nice cars all work done is going to max out well below a 1st or 2nd gen. I would hope that I am wrong but it isn't how rare the car is but how much in demand it is. Due to the stigma that is attached to these cars and ready availability the prices will probably stay down somewhat. My prediction is in general maxing around 12-15,000 in time. My T Bird will never be worth a great deal because though rare no one wants that year range.

jchaussee

I see them in seattle craigslist cheap all the time. Seen an 89 vert with 80K miles for 6k. Lots under 4.

IROC#1

It doesnt make any sense either because our cars have NO RUST and the interiors arent cooked to death like in alot of other (sunnier) states.

--Clean ones though are hard to find.

jchaussee

Where in renton are you?

Shadow Z

iTrader: (2)

I've been tossing around the idea of getting rid of my IROC as a roller with all of it's parts included that are for sale now, plus the 700R4 and the 4 bolt 350 block for around $1,000, just because I went to the dark side and I'm having way too much fun with the Mustang.

Then I realize how awesome the IROC will be even if I just throw an L98 in it and a manual 700R4 from Bowtie Overdrives. At least the fact that it's a 99K mile T top IROC with no rust keeps me motivated.

I noticed a long time ago that people were wanting more and more for these cars, slowly going up in price.

AKcamaroAK

Actually... yes? 25 years old is considered a classic, so 86 and back are classics. or at least thats what the last cop that pulled me over told me

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Even 5.0 mustangs are going up in value... Good luck finding a clean one that hasn't been beat to **** for under 3500...

And Thirdgens are going up in value. I plan on picking up a roller to do an Ls1 swap in and DD... Try California, I still see good deals every now and again.

IROC#1

Fairwood area

IROC#1

BIG difference between an Opel and a Camaro. You seem to forget how cheap the 60's muscle cars were back in the 80's (same age our Camaro's are now)--My first car was a 1967 Mustang Fastback with a 289, red, chrome cragar wheels and I picked it up for $2500 (this was back in 1983)! I remember seeing Boss 429's selling back then for $5000-$7000.

To say in 14 years that 3rd gens will be rare and cheap is just a ridiculous statement--they will be 40 years old at that point. I wont go as far as saying our cars will hit 1st gen like prices but to think that clean IROCs will be selling for $5000 or even $10,000 is just silly.

jchaussee

I am just right down the hill from ya then. I am on 128th or 4th depending on where you are on it. East highlands area maybe?

IROC#1

Yeah, you are in the Highlands (I used to own a house there a few years ago). Your profile says Bellingham...Did you move?