I am not trying to start a war. But I have always wanted a 3rd gen Camaro. I came across a 89 GTA in pretty good shape(at least in the Pics) I like that car too and the price is right I think.
The question is: it seems that the camaro's have a higher resale. Am I wrong on this or is this right?
Also, what would a 89 GTA auto be worth ballpark. In decent shape.
Resale depends on so much these days that its hard to debate. The Camaro name is more closely linked to performance, has more history than the Firebird for example LT-1, RS, SS, Z28, IROC and so on... maybe people recodnize the marque?
I like 'em both just as much. I've had two WS6 cars an '88 and '91 and two IROCs an '85 and '90. I think the WS6 is a slightly better suspension if its in good shape. Otherwise they are close enough that it just gets down to which design you like better and more important these days what kind of deal you can find (if any). Good cars are getting harder and harder to find you are fortunate to find a good example of ether.
The IROC is without doubt emerging as a collectible for the era. The GTA and Mustang are not doing anywhere near as well.
IMO you need to test drive an IROC, and a GTA. I have one each myself and i kid you not they feel like totally different cars. They both have the same equipment and the gta just feels different. In my opinion i like to drive my iroc more, but gtas definetly have all the nice goodies [ coolest interior, lumbar seats, etc.]
Im not here to start something, this is just my opinion, if i was driving my girlfriend, id want the gta [very comfy ride] if i was touring by myself id want the iroc. do yourself a favor and test drive one of each and you decision.
with speed drive them both. i also have owned both an Iroc and now a GTA. IMO the gta is much better. but thats all in what you like or you want in a car. if you are worried about what car "will be" worth more look at the numbers. one thing you have to remember also is the GTA with the top dog of the third gen f-bodys. and no i'm not trying to start a fight either. but Iroc could come in just about any set up. the GTA only came with the best of everything tpi, posi, 4w disc, ws6, and so on. then again the Iroc feels like a real race car when you're driving it. so like speed said drive them both and see what one you like best.
I do agree you have to drive them both, but... you have to live with your choice. Or like most of us, sell it and get what you want later. I've owned both as well. I bought the Camaro first, then 2 years later, sold it and bought my Firebird, still own it today. At the time, my insurance dictated my choice, a GTA was like $600+++ more a year than a Z, so I bought a Camaro. I did like my Z, alot too. It's just for me, when the GTA's came out in magazine's in the 80's, I said "WOW, that car is beautiful, it's gonna be for me someday" I even liked them more than the 'Vette's. Why? I just was smitten with the style and whole look and package of it. The car just made me smile.
I LOVE the Iroc (3rd gen) styling, I think almost the most of all Camaro gens, that's just my taste though. BUT, I just like the GTA more. That's why I sold my Camaro and bought what I wanted.
You can make any either car drive the way you want (suspension upgrades, etc), so that is only a minor issue. Do go out and drive both. Look at both inside and out. THEN decide which car you would like most in your driveway.
If the Iroc's look is more appealling to you, buy it. Don't settle for what may be a nice car, there are a good number of nice cars out there - just be patiant, you'll just end up buying what you want later anyway.
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Here's a link to a really sweet Camaro for sale. I have no idea who owns it or if it's still for sale, but it was up on the Eastern F-body board. Looks really nice, and the price is starting to look better. Just food for thought.
Last edited by Buddy : 08-01-2007 at 04:50 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I should have mentioned both my WS6 cars were Formulas. I found there was a very noticeable difference in driving between the GTA and the Formula. I liked the Formula alot better. In fact I am still looking for another '91 with the right options. When I find it I will buy it. I want one of each, IROC and Formula.
For what its worth if optioned correctly, I found the braking and handling the best in the Formula over GTAs and IROCs.
But these days I think its pretty much a case of get what you can -- the pickings are getting pretty slim for good cars.
We own a Formula, an IROC-Z and a Camaro S/C (all 1987s) and all are VERY different animals. I prefer the Formula but you gotta pick for yourself. Price wise we paid a lot more for the IROC and since it is an L98 car with T-tops and all the options (Tier 3 with Cruise control etc) I suppose it will hold it's value better. But that means we have left it stock appearing and limited the mods somewhat.
You can make any either car drive the way you want (suspension upgrades, etc), so that is only a minor issue.
That's the bottom line right there particularly as the cars are now ancient and the original suspenders will be long since crapped out and possibly replaced with garbage from crap tyre. Some of course will have been upgraded to better than OEM.
Another thing is that the original factory suspension was just that - a factory suspension so it was nothing special in the first place on either car.
To get them to handle at all well you have to spend quite a bit on suspension upgrades and then there's the brakes which is another story.
That's the bottom line right there particularly as the cars are now ancient and the original suspenders will be long since crapped out and possibly replaced with garbage from crap tyre. Some of course will have been upgraded to better than OEM.
Another thing is that the original factory suspension was just that - a factory suspension so it was nothing special in the first place on either car.
To get them to handle at all well you have to spend quite a bit on suspension upgrades and then there's the brakes which is another story.
brakes, thats what they call these pieces of crap that are on my car, all i know is that now that i have done the motor up a bit, i definatley need some attention in the braking department. The brakes (which were all brand new replacement parts) are the worst of any vehicle i have ever owned,
with speed drive them both. i also have owned both an Iroc and now a GTA. IMO the gta is much better. but thats all in what you like or you want in a car. if you are worried about what car "will be" worth more look at the numbers. one thing you have to remember also is the GTA with the top dog of the third gen f-bodys. and no i'm not trying to start a fight either. but Iroc could come in just about any set up. the GTA only came with the best of everything tpi, posi, 4w disc, ws6, and so on. then again the Iroc feels like a real race car when you're driving it. so like speed said drive them both and see what one you like best. 
