well some of you know that i have a 91 camaro rs vert. well my question is..i was wondering what i should do.. i want to change all my seats in and swap for 4th gen and put a 4th gen or do something different with the center councle (put new stereo in)...BUT my dad thinks that i should just keep the car totaly original, i love the originial thing but i think im going to keep this car for a very long time


also if i keep the car all original will the car have way more value in a few years compared to the change?

 

The 3rd gen convertible is a really nice and somewhat rare car, but the value will not change dramatically over the next few years, or more. It's still at a stage in it's life where the right mods can still make it even more attractive to some buyers than being totally stock.

The mods you're talking about (especially regarding the 4th gen seats), is a fairly simple bolt-in swap. Easily reversible if you save the old seats. And changing out the console might be too if you save the old one (also depends what and how many changes you make to how it's installed).

But the question I'm asking is what does this, "way more value" mean to you? Do you own the car for the enjoyment of the driving experience, or does it need to be sealed away in a zip-lock bag for future value down the road?
It's highly unlikely you're ever going to base your retirement hopes on it's appreciation.

And what I think is sadder is if you drive it for the next 5-10 years wishing it was modded the way you like, and you end-up selling it one day for maybe only a few grand more (unless you've racked up a few miles) and regretting that you should have made the mods (that were mostly reversible) and had the car of your dreams all that time.

Some like their car to be original (like I do), but it has to be one exceptional untouched car. Others enjoy taking what they think is a great car and making it even greater for them. While you dad's heart is in the right place, the choice is yours.

 

You didnt say if it was a V8 or not But if its the V8 (305) car then only about 721 (or so) were made of that car.
My brother in law had a red one that had stripped seats in it,was not to happy that he sold it but I guess he got a better deal wtih a 71 Chevelle vert lol.

 

When you say only 721 made are you referring to the 305 TBI and TPI, or just the z28s (305TPI)? Cool Z says he has a 91 RS, like mine so I would assume it is TBI. I thought there were way more than that made. Now I'm curious since I'm about to mod the heck out of mine.

 

sorry wrong year it was 90 that they only made 729 RS V 8 Verts ( thats both tpi & TBI)

 

I agree. My neighbor has a mint Iroc vert, I wouldnt dream of modding it. But mine wasnt, paint is about gone and the top is vinyl(gag) and seats trashed.
I enjoy mine more and more with everymod I make.

 

I was gonna say, there was 3,205 Z28 convertibles in 1991 and about double that number for the RS convertibles.

 

 

Cars are only original once. And sometimes it can be a pain is the a$$. There are soooo many cool mods a person can make. I have to fight the urge to do a lot of them. What I need to do is find another vert that's already not original, then I can go hog wild.
Now, how to convince my wife that it's in our family's best interest!!!

 

I had your philosophy until I realized that the only reason why originality would make a difference is if you were selling it to a collector. Since I am going to hold onto my car for my kids to enjoy, which I'm not even married yet or have kids, I don't think I have anything to worry about. I think that tasteful mods can add just as much value to a car than keepint it original. For instance, swapping out drum brake rears for disc brake ones, putting a new top on the car with a glass window, upgrading the front brakes, subframe connectors, etc. These all are very tasteful things that just about everyone does at one point in time. I don't think they would hurt the value of a car even if you were trying to sell it.

 

Ok I stole your original post of when you got your car for some context. With the miles that are on it, I don't think you are going to have to worry about the value on it. Collectors that are going to pay $$$ for a car are going to be looking for a low mile example. At 135K miles, you are past that point. Plus I noticed that the wheels are not original either, so there could also be some other changes that you aren't even aware of at this point.

I do understand what you are saying though and is the reason I bought the one I did. When I was looking at Trans Am Verts, it seemed like the prices were pretty high, and they are very rare considering 91 and 92 were the only years they were "officially" made as convertibles. The one I bought had 160K miles on it when I bought it and had a salvage title. Those two things combined made me feel comfortable in making any changes in the future as I wanted, because the miles and title would make it no more than a parts car to a true collector. Plus the $2400 price and 5 speed also played a roll.

Like I said in the other thread, your car makes me miss my old 92 Camaro, even though it was only a V6. Sold her with 206,000 miles on the original engine. Damn good car.

 

I totally agree. As I stated above . . .It really becomes a personal issue.

 

what i mean about keeping it original is to keep the original engine and i was talking keeping it original bye getting the original rims and putting it into all to original form or try

and if i wher to mod it i would try and get a 350 or somthing bigger and paint it totaly white, shave the door handles and change all interior to black and get some 4th gen seats and put a new councle in.. but i am poor and dont have enouph money to pay for gas now days

 

Mine has a fantasy of becoming a LS1 6 speed someday... that damn money thing is getting in my way too...

 

If i had a ls1 i would be in heaven and on the road alout more

 

Agreed with the above statements.

Since I bought my truck last month, I can move the Camaro into the garage this winter and repaint it and get all the nasty dings out of it. Next summer I'm going to be picking up a lot of overtime at work, around 50-60 hrs per week. All extra money I get that doesn't go towards bills and my girlfriend is going into a seperate account to go towards a totalled LS1 car so I can swap over the drivetrain to my convertible and then I'll part out the rest of the car and get some or most of my money back.

 

I think you have to consider some things.

1) typically speaking modifications are a no-no for resale, if your not considering selling the car then do what you want, its your car. For the most part I really try and avoid cars that have been modified unless I am buying it for a parts car.
2) Look at your car and consider the changes you will be making, then consider your car as an all original car, then decide which one would you pay more for if looking at two cars side by side. That may change your perspectve.
3) Keep in mind that you may be the only one that likes the changes you make.
4) If you make changes, KEEP the original equipment then when you sell the car you can give the items to the new owner. Try not to modify things that will not be reversable.
5) Are you making an improvement, or are you you changing things for the sake of changing them. When I make some mods I try to make them in a mannor that some people ask if it was originally that way, to me thats a huge complement.

John

 

I HAVE AN ORIGINAL 1989 IROC CONVERTIBLE. IT'S GOT 60,000 MILE ON IT. I WAS WONDERING IF I SHOULD KEEP OR SELL IT. I FEEL IT'S WORTH MORE NOW WITH LOW MILES THAN IF I DRIVE IT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.I'VE OWNED IT FOR 12 YEARS AND I DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE.I FEEL MAYBE I'DBE BETTER BUYING SOMETHING NEWER AND DRIVE IT MORE

 

I have the same ride with about the same mileage, and I drive her a few thousand miles a year. I wouldn't be able to stand watching it sit there to keep the miles down on a beutiful summer day!
Now while 60,000 miles is fairly low for a 18 year old car, it's not going to make a huge difference in value. Overall condition (including drivetrain) would have way more effect. I'd say drive it, have fun, and keep her maintained and clean.

Now if she had <600 miles! Then we'd be talking a different story here.

 

Really there seems to be a bad stigma with cars with more than 100K, in reality I have bought cars with 100K that were in better shape than cars with 50K so in reality it really has to do with upkeep and how the owner takes care of the car.

From what I can tell the mile stones that people look at are
< 1000 miles
1000 ~ 5000
5000 ~ 10,000
10,000 ~ 20,000
20,000 ~ 40,000
40,000 ~ 60,000
60,000 ~ 80,000
80,000 ~ 100,000
100K - 150K
150K ~ 200K
200K+

Again it really depends on the condition of the car and how it is maintained, if you want to keep it and really don't plan on selling it then the only person who cares is you. If you want to sell it then miles are a bad thing for the most part.

What the car has going for it:
Its a Convertible, and a 1991
With the changes you implied above they are all reversable, keep the original stuff and install it if you sell it.

What the car has against it:
Its an RS, no offense to anyone but the base camaro's even ones from the 60's are not as worth the value of a high HP version otherwise identical car.

If you install an LS1 expect to spend around $5000 to $10,000 for parts & labor, if you pay someone to do it then expect to pay more obviously. The car even with the LS1 should increase in value if done right and you document everything and keep everything to go back to original.

The Convertible (in spite of what some will tell you) should handle the LS1 power AS LONG AS you keep stock tires on it. When you go to a sticky mickey or a drag radial then you should install some sort of extra frame connector and a roll cage. These cars are CRAP for factory stopping (except 1LE), I would first invest in some 12" or larger brakes FIRST before going into that kind of power modification. But thats another $2500 if you buy Baer Brakes..

John