When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
I have 1992 firebird convertible that im currently restoring, about how much will it be worth now and then maybe 10 or 20 years from now when I get it finished? Also how rare is a 1992 firebird convertible 305 tbi auto?
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Originally Posted by 92FBirdVert
I know theres not many made but what would be the value of our cars?
right now? not a whole lot, in the future, who knows? Nobody will ever be able to tell you what its going to be worth, if anything, in the next 10-30 years. If people knew that kind of info, they would have all stockpiled 60's-70's muscle cars back in the late 70's when they were dirt cheap and made a mint on them in todays market.
IMHO, dont "restore" the car hoping to make tons of cash on it in years to come. Besides, its a base model firebird, not a more desirable and rare trans am or gta. Unless it has almost no miles on it, it will never have that kind of collector value. If its a higher mileage car, over 75k miles, it will never bring really large numbers.
any details on the car and how you are "restoring" it?
my 92 jamacia yellow bird is much more rare that your vert, around 200 or so base cars in yellow from what i can gather. That said, i honestly dont think it will ever be a really valuable car, if it was a formula/trans am/gta, different story. But i like it, its different, and i going to have fun with it.
Last edited by //<86TA>\\; 08-06-2010 at 08:27 PM.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
I'll sell my 92 firebird vert today for high 3's and you can consider it an investment.
That said even the ultra expensive 69 camaros(like in my sig) cost 10's of thousand of dollars LESS then a new 5thgen.
When you think of it that way are they really that high?
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\
right now? not a whole lot, in the future, who knows? Nobody will ever be able to tell you what its going to be worth, if anything, in the next 10-30 years. If people knew that kind of info, they would have all stockpiled 60's-70's muscle cars back in the late 70's when they were dirt cheap and made a mint on them in todays market.
IMHO, dont "restore" the car hoping to make tons of cash on it in years to come. Besides, its a base model firebird, not a more desirable and rare trans am or gta. Unless it has almost no miles on it, it will never have that kind of collector value. If its a higher mileage car, over 75k miles, it will never bring really large numbers.
any details on the car and how you are "restoring" it?
my 92 jamacia yellow bird is much more rare that your vert, around 200 or so base cars in yellow from what i can gather. That said, i honestly dont think it will ever be a really valuable car, if it was a formula/trans am/gta, different story. But i like it, its different, and i going to have fun with it.
so your honestly going to say your V6 firebird is more rare thn my V8 firebird convertible?
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Please don't bump threads that have less than 24 hours of activity. It's not fair to the rest of the threads.
I hate to say this, but a 174K mile 1992 base Firebird is probably not going to be a considerably decent investment. As mentioned, it's not a Trans AM - which is the highest level you could get for a 1991/1992 Firebird Convertible. GTA, and Formula, wasn't offered in a Convertible for the 1991/1992 model year.
The base 1992 Firebird has nearly double the production (approximately 1180) compared to the approximately 663 Trans Am Convertibles. In addition, TBI is usually not a desirable engine combo when TPI was available.
All said, I think the 174K mile is what hurts your car the most. You will be best off enjoying the car as-is or enjoying the car the way you want it, rather than consider it from an investment standpoint as I think you will be disappointed.
There was approximately 781 1992 base Firebirds Convertibles with the L03 TBI engine. There was approximately 699 1992 base Firebird Convertibles with the LH0 V6 - which helps put it into prospective that rare does not always mean desirable or valuable as I doubt few would pick the LH0 V6 over the L03 - other than for the initial asking price back then.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Originally Posted by JT
Please don't bump threads that have less than 24 hours of activity. It's not fair to the rest of the threads.
I hate to say this, but a 174K mile 1992 base Firebird is probably not going to be a considerably decent investment. As mentioned, it's not a Trans AM - which is the highest level you could get for a 1991/1992 Firebird Convertible. GTA, and Formula, wasn't offered in a Convertible for the 1991/1992 model year.
The base 1992 Firebird has nearly double the production (approximately 1180) compared to the approximately 663 Trans Am Convertibles. In addition, TBI is usually not a desirable engine combo when TPI was available.
All said, I think the 174K mile is what hurts your car the most. You will be best off enjoying the car as-is or enjoying the car the way you want it, rather than consider it from an investment standpoint as I think you will be disappointed.
There was approximately 781 1992 base Firebirds Convertibles with the L03 TBI engine. There was approximately 699 1992 base Firebird Convertibles with the LH0 V6 - which helps put it into prospective that rare does not always mean desirable or valuable as I doubt few would pick the LH0 V6 over the L03 - other than for the initial asking price back then.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Many good points here but one I want to say is if you're into fixing or restoring cars as a way to make money good luck. If you want to fix a car up the best thing you can do is have fun with it and not think about the money you are gonna lose. Even in this case if you have this firebird for 20 more years and never put a dime into it as far as improving the car there are still gonna be extra costs, think of 20 years of licensing, insurance, oil changes (I hope), it adds up. Also in my opinion a 3rd gen will never be worth as much as a 60-70s muscle car. The reason I think this, is in 1975 nobody cared about muscle cars and these things were scrapped and parted or just left in a field to rot so much that there just isn't many left. I would say starting about 20-25 years ago people started realizing that these older cars were starting to be worth money and lots of people started storing new muscle cars thinking they would make a killing in 20 years, but in the time I have been on this site I have seen a 1986 4.3 mile IROC that was basically forgotten about, a 9 mile 1982 Z28 pace car and I never did see the sale prices but neither were what I would have expected for basically a brand new old car (if that makes sense I know it sounds stupid), I have also heard of several under 1000 miles and I'm sure many more will start showing up. So if I had the money why would I jump at either of these cars? I'm sure there will be another one coming around in 6 months. But I haven't seen or heard of many or in that case any of the 60-70s muscle cars that received this same treatment. I heard that in 1978 people were paying $75,000 for a brand new Corvette pace car, how do you suppose they feel today? I also agree with the part about TBI hurting the value of your car, I had a car salesman (who my whole family has known for years and is very smart) tell me that "A Camaro, Firebird or a Mustang with a V6 will never be worth very much but if they had built a few mini-vans with a 426 Hemi it would bring big bucks today". I work with a guy who has a 69 Camaro convertible, sweet car right? Well it's a 6 cylinder, auto with bench seats I'm sure it's a beautiful car but he bought it for $6500 and it needed to have the interior finished, front fenders and a paint job, now that is what kind of a deal you can find for possibly the most desirable muscle car ever made.
In short I would say enjoy your car and remember a car is only as valuable as what someone will pay for it, it really doesn't matter what a book says if no one will give you that much for it. Also most people "say" they will never sell their car and if you truly never do who cares what it's worth?
I bought a 1992 Camaro RS with 124,000 miles which needs some bodywork, nothing special right? Well keep this in mind it's a 5 speed with t-tops, maybe that doesn't mean much to you but other than being a convertible it's the car I have always wanted and at least in my case I don't care if it's a Z28 or IROC, I know it means a lot to some people but when I set out looking for a 3rd gen I wanted a 5 speed with t-tops (convertible would've been sweet but way to rare and expensive). When I'm done with it it will look like a new RS Camaro did in 1992 but have an LS1 with a t56 and a great suspension and brake package, but how will that help the value of the car? probably not much at all even though performance wise, fuel economy wise, handling wise and comfort wise it will be way better than any american performance car you could buy in 1992. But you know what, my son loves the car and he can't wait to work on it and he already says it's his car so in that case the car is priceless even though it's an RS, LO3.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Just a personal opinion, here. The idea of buying a car, restoring it, and trying to make a profit is a shaky proposition at best. Consider the cost of parts these days, labor, (your time or someone else's) means you better have something pretty much in demand when purchased. And if you watch any of the auction shows, the market varies so widely and changes almost overnight, that I can't see the point of a restoration for profit. And trying to predict what will be valuable in the future is just (nothing personal) silly. I have a 92 TA 'vert, with WS6, and I'm doing a build that most "restorers" would have a cardiac over. I build mine to fit MY needs, and if someone else likes what I've done, that's great. Otherwise, I'm not losing any sleep over it.
Just a bit of advice (unsolicited, perhaps) Make it yours. Don't concern yourself over what's in the future, since none of us are guaranteed to live past right now. Build it and enjoy it...that's all that counts.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Asking what the value of what any third gen will be worth in the future is sketchy at best. A base model convertible will not be worth much considering how many 3rd gens were made. Look at the post 1973 2nd gen F bodies for instance. They are finally starting to rise in value. The last one was produced in 1981. They directly compare to 3rd gens due to the 10 year life cycle and ultimatly, no special factory options.
With all due respect there are a couple of truly special 3rd gen models, mainly the 1LE cars, FireHawks and 89 3.8 Turbo model. They are worth real money now.
Other than that, all 3rd gen cars are run of the mill vehicles that are associated with people that cant afford anything better. 3rd gens have a well deserved bad rap for this. How many of these cars are still parked in mobile home parks and or owned by kids 18 - 22 YO? Enough to keep the stereotype alive.
The 4th gen cars will have this stereotype soon. We just have to wait for another million more 3rd gens to be wrecked by kids before the value rises.
I believe that they will be as sought after as a 1st gen eventualy but the value wont be there unless most of the owners drive them into the ground. GM simply made to many of them and the resale price is still to low. Keep wrecking them, my cars will be worth more, I am betting on it.
With that being said, if you have the means and truly have the love ( and funds) restore your 3rd gen. They will be worth money in the future. Probably not the amount it will take to make it pristene, but you will have a car that alot of people will tell you they loved and would like to have another in the condition yours is in. I have put my cars in several shows the last couple of years and I hear this more and more now. Then again I have replaced almost every part of my 87 with GM parts over the last 20 years.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Depends on the car.....If you bought a like new car with 15K miles on it 10 years ago for $10K and today that same car now has 20K miles and still looks new then you could sale for about $12-$15K...to the right person, who understands what a TA Convertible is.
When you start talking about cars that have lots of miles and are showing wear, then the price will drop with each passing year or you invest $$ in it's up keep. I have found on fixer up'r cars the you will be luck to break even on your time and investment.
It's always best to find cars that are in great shape and go from there...if your wanting to flip them and make a little money.
That said, drive it as it or invest in it, but do it for you not the next owner and you'll be happier.
As for collectibility...yes, they are collectable due to limited production numbers and there good looks (especially with the top down), but like all collectibles, there is a window that opens then closes. I see the window starting to open on 3rd Gens now and expect it to peek in the next 10 years.
I show mine (just won 1st place in class at TA Nats ) and see a lot more intrest in these cars than in the past. Anytime you go to a Camaro or Firebird show, 3rd Gens are always the least in attendence. I'm starting to see more at shows, which tells me interest is growing.
The folks who were in their teens in the late 80's and 90's are now starting to see extra money (as their kids grow and they get promotions, etc) to have the 3rd Gen they wanted in their younger days but could not afford. Over the next 10 years expect to see the demand go up.
So what does that mean? I think these cars are holding there own. I bought my 7 years ago and it's worth about what I paid for it +have invested in it. I don't see prices going lower. Keep in mind the older and more worn a car becomes, it is worth less.
Of course...this is just my gut opinion with no facts to support it
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Interesting point. I have a base Firebird L03TBI auto in Green/tan color scheme that I would call a 20 footer. Looks good overall and 84K. Starts, runs fine, has an after market Sony CD player with remote and new sneakers. I came across it 2 summers ago and with tires and cat converter have under 5K tied up in it. Top is very good. Is it fast- nope-is a TA and deluxe interior -nope. But the cloth interior dos'nt fry me in the sun and the stereo helps me enjoy my CD collection with a remote that I can see rather than reaching for buttons I can't read with my Bi Focals.The fold down rear seat lets me carry a cooler for ice to the boat. And by luck I have collector insurance for around $200.00 agreed value of 5K. I call it my geezer pleaser and affordable in my retirement years. Love the new Camero convert but out of my price range unless I get out of boating.
Used to have British roadsters, now they are worth some money. British Racing Green favorite roadster color. So now I can go to NAPA or the US part suppliers at half the price or less cause its 3rd gen. Wind still feels the same.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
if you like the car, restore it per your preference. I would not rely on it to become a valuable collector item. Great if it does but enjoy what you have. any value is a bonus. I wish my parents kept their 1960 something convertible lemans but they didn't and it's probably not valuable like its GTO version, but it would still be fun to drive. I have a 92 convertible firebird we have owned since 1994 and still enjoy. It's an inexpensive convertible to own and fun on the weekends. I have to admit if it were a hard top I would have sold it a long time ago.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Holy 6 year old thread revival, Batman...
But a common mistake is thinking that rare equals valuable. It often doesn't. Just because a worn out car has a V8 doesn't mean it's more valuable than a nicer condition V6 as well. The market is a strange thing.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Over the past year of owning my 1989 RS L03 convertible with 34,000 miles, I get asked how much I'd take to sell it at least once per week - alot more if I take it to cruise nights and car shows. I've been offered 15, 17, and $18,500. Third gens (especially convertibles) are CERTAINLY climbing in value! The next 5-10 years should be interesting. The problem is, I can't ever see myself selling it because I absolutely LOVE driving it, listening to it, and enjoying the attention it brings! So although it's nice to get offers, I really could care less. After dumping a small fortune into it to bring the horsepower level up to something respectable, along with suspension mods, rear end mods and SPCs, I almost have it where I want it, except for the LS1 brakes install and T5 beef-up next season (yeah, it's starting to whine a bit). Thanks to Brian Harris from tbichips.com and Scott from Merkel Racing Engines here on Long Island, the motor looks pretty stock from the outside and sounds almost stock, but it can - really - get up and boogie!
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Honestly Values have changed a little over the past 10 or 20 years. They hit their low point about 15 years ago and are slowly inching up. Honestly the problem is too many people want to sell a car too quickly and ask too little and so they let them go for too cheap, which pushes the values down. The low miles cars are increasing in value, but usually on the higher HP engine cars IE LB9, L98, TTA etc.
My personal opinion right now is anything with less than TPI, you might as well modify, enjoy and have a blast. But that is me.
The low miles cars are going up, pretty quick, but don't buy a low hp engine car and expect to flip it for a huge profit.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
Flipping "low hp" or other third gens for big dollars... NOPE - not right now. But, I heard EXACTLY the same spiel back in the early 1990's when I had a "low hp" 1971 2.0 liter Porsche 914-6 with 50,000 +/- miles I sold for $9200. They're now going for $60-80,000!
Here's one starting at $99,000+ on eBay! So... a word to the wise: hang on to the convertible third gens, both low and high (?) hp versions! They'll most likely never be worth that kind of coin, but you never know!
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
If you buy a high mileage TBI or TPI car about the only way to make money is if the exterior and interior are in good shape and you can transplant a truck 5.3 drivetrain in it. You'd have to do all the work yourself and be able to pay a reasonable price for the 5.3 setup.
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
" If you buy a high mileage TBI or TPI car about the only way to make money is if the exterior and interior are in good shape and you can transplant a truck 5.3 drivetrain in it..."
Yech! ...sounds too much like work! (and a value robber)
Re: 1992 Firebird convertible value in 10-20-30 years and how rare are they?
It would only be a value robber if the car were worth something to begin with. Higher mileage cars TPI cars, TBI cars or cars with bad exteriors don't have value to begin with so the aim if profit is wanted is to make it fast with as little cost as possible and if you have the skills the best way to do it is with a truck 5.3
08-06-2010, 01:22 PM
. besides, sooner or later it will have a lsx 
) and see a lot more intrest in these cars than in the past. Anytime you go to a Camaro or Firebird show, 3rd Gens are always the least in attendence. I'm starting to see more at shows, which tells me interest is growing. 
