sorry if this is the wrong forum for this post but i wanted people in this forum's ideas. anway, i was wonder how much a running thirdgen would be worth down the road, do you think they would worth as much as the 60's and 70's are now?
if so i plan on stocking up now and fixing them up.
or am i just wasting my money.

 

They will of course increase in value the way the other Gens have, its already happening. I should know because I am constantly looking for a specific IROC-Z, and prices are always going up on these cars, even if they aren't top models. But, the V6's will never reach the value of Z28's, IROC-Z's, Trans Am's, GTA's, and special/limited editions. Seeing a V6 in a musclecar just makes people want to put in a V8, except for the original owner usually.

 

You're right. It probably belongs in the History/Restoration Board, so here goes....

 

Yeah, they should go up as time goes by, means there will be less still alive.

Though, these cars were so mass produced, I'm sure that will hurt things a little.

 

yeah they have been produced alot. but can you imagine how many of them got wrecked? or just plain rusting to death.

my 85 camaro has plenty of rust on it, and it is safe to say that if i wasnt fixing it right now the car would be gone in a few years.

and that is happening alot in the north.

 

I agree, right now the value is somewhat low.

But any low mileage 350 car and the convertables will only go up in value.

 

I always hear the "too many 3rd gens made" statistic used as some negative aspect of the 3rd gen. fact is, they made far more 2nd gens than 3rd gens. I bet that surprises a lot of people. But the 2nd gen's higher production has not kept the availability high or the going price low. You hardly ever see *any* nice original 2nd gen for sale. And they made more of those. 3rd gen's day of glory will come, especially if GM decides to make more restoration parts than they are now, so that cars on the brink of getting crushed will get restored instead.... There are already 3rd gens impossible to restore correctly, for lack of parts. A good example is my favorite of the bunch; 82 Trans Am. Once the cosmetic parts are gone, you're out of luck. 3rd gen is still under-appreciated.. for now, and I think they are excellent investments. Ideally if someone had a huge garage to store cars in (and not drive them) and about $100k to spend on buying good condition original cars right now, I'm sure they could triple that money in a couple of decades.

 

i think that the price will go up for them also..

 

Right now thirdgens are at an all time low. Lending institutions will not authorize loans, so you won't find them on most carlots anymore. So now they really will start to thin out. In the last 5 years I've watched thirdgens all over town, and lately I've been noticing there aren't many driving around here anymore. The situation will only get worse (or better) with time. Right now a couple hundred dollars will get you a thirdgen project with alot of promise. The trouble is not buying them.

 

I think it depends alot on what kind of thirdgen it is. Things like the TTA, 1LE's, convertibles, etc... will always go up. Some, however, I don't think will, and we all know which ones those are (see thread entitled 305 bored to 350)

 

I got my bank to lend me $4,600 dollars for my IROC
price tag was $6,400 and it had 27,300 miles on it......
I think they will go up think, any of the older guys will remember that in the late 80s there where a ton of 2nd gens riding around, most in the POS cat. now there are so few left on the road.
give it time I say in another 7-10 years. we will be the one reaping the benefits of having the the cars for years.
later
biker

 

GIVEN the name of the website, is there not a bias on this thread?????

hehehe

BILL

 

Sorry, I don't think that they will be the investment vehicle of the future.
If you want to invest, then buy stocks, realestate etc...cars are seldon an investment. Not to start a big debate here, but few 3rd gens will appreciate in any significant way over time. That is unless they are any of the following: a rare model, very low mileage, show condition, etc. Any old garden variety 3rd gen is not a good investment. Park your money in the bank and wait 20yrs.

The import phenomenon is also attracting many younger car owners who will never have the appreciation for muscle cars as we do. The reason why Chevelles, GTOs ,Vettes, old f-bodies are so high priced today is because of DEMAND (and scarcity). The guys buying up these old cars now are the ones who predominantly drove them back then (or wanted too).
What about the 2nd gens? Not a lot of collector interest yet IMO.

There will always be a market for 3rd gens, especially quality cars, but don't fool yourselves into hording cars/parts for 20yrs thinking you'll corner the market and retire in Palm Beach.

Pacer...

 

I believe if you are going to buy a 3rd gen and want to keep it, keep your standards high, many 3rd gen owners are younger guys with their first car, first job, and can't afford a premium model, I know I always had to trade up until I found the one I wanted to keep. I believe any L98 model in good shape will always bring in good money, getting harder and harder to find. Long term I would try to get one of the following.
1. TTA (1500 made)
2. Firehawk (good luck)
3. 1LE (rare, limited production)
4. B4C (rare, limited production)
5. '92 Z28 (25th ANN.)
6. L98 Z28 or TA
7. '91 or '92 GTA

This is not in order of presedence, just a list off the top of my head.

 

I totally think the 3rd gen will go up because thats one of the reasons I bought them now(besides being in love with them). They are at an all time low can only appreciate in value based on rarity, performance & collectiblity.

 

 

How many Ford fans think so though??
hehe

I'm certainly a fan of GM design. I think a car has to look and feel good and the F cars luckily had performance to boot. I think a lot of bad mistakes happened in the eighties, and the F-cars fared pretty well considering. That's my editorial perspective anyway.
I read GM executives in the eighties were mostly interested in money and power, and more of the same. Hurt the company overall.

BILL

 

I agree, but I also think first gen F-cars take precedence. I'm not sure 2nd gens will follow in order. The whole 70s decade was plagued with emission and fuel problems. The eighties and onward is when improvements in car drivetrains and engines really made an impact, so in that regard, design and performance may well have a hand in what is favored. Again, only speculation on my part
BILL

 

anyone want to build a time machine and find out for us?

 

here's the big burning question though.

is there still going be a big demand for thirdgens 20 years from now?

now of course, that question isn't stopping me from keeping my car. i enjoy the looks i get when i drive by with the tops out.

i think that if the thirdgen is going to remain popular, we're going to have to have a hand in it. namely, convincing GM to reproduce restoration parts, and continue carrying basic parts.


i hope to have several of these cars. i enjoy them that much.

 

i agree, by way things are going today im afraid that theses front wheel drive four-bangers are going to steal all the attaintion

 

Not if you're a serious gear head who appreciates history!
I don't even want to consider a HONDA as collectible at all!!!
Maybe the NSX, but that's it!

hehe

BILL

 

i don't think **** is gonna be restored and such like the muscle cars, but young kids won't be interested in buying an old car to fix up, they'll just buy a new honda. problem is there arn't that many gear heads around any more... we are going extinct.

 

wow i can't belive ********** gets bleeped out

 

What are you crazy? sure it will be there from now on. but people will get it sooner or later that you can take a 3rd gen or a 5.0 fox body stang or a GN, and make it into a killer car. all we need is a Fast and the furious type movie to fuel the fires.
biker

 

Just look at 2nd gen cars like the 71 split-bumper Camaro, the 74 Hurst-LT Camaro, the 77-80 T/A's. Try and buy one, even ragged out these cars command a decent price. It will be the same with the Anniversary Editions, the TTA's, the IROCs, Formy's, etc etc

Granted I didnt buy my car as an investment, I bought it cause it was what I wanted to drive, in the end thats really what its for, to drive!!

 

i think in 20 years the values will go up, like someone else said it's a majority of people that buy muscle cars from the 60's who wanted one or owned one back then. I think the same will apply to the thirdgens, especially considering there's very little else available that's any good, at least in my opinion, from the 80's. What other cars would represent the 80's in car shows 20 years from now?

 

What other cars from the 80's? Mustang GT, Vettes, Regal-T and GN's, Monte SS, some of the Nissan Z's, early Celica GT's and Supras, just about anything that the people who grew up in the era saw as THE car to have. Like when I was in high school if you were one of the popular kids, the in crowd, you had to have a Mustang, for the long haired rebellious types it was an IROC or Z28.

 

I think the IROCs and the GTAs will be popular in 20 years. Add to that list the Monte SS and Regal GN. Beyond those, there wasn't a lot in the eighties that was desirable or accessible by the younger masses that would feed the desire to have that car that you always wanted.

If I'm any indication of the future, then I think those four GM cars will be a big deal 20 years from now. My first car was an '85 Z28 with the brand new TPI engine; my current "toy" is an '89 IROC Convertible. Why? Because 15 years ago I loved the rumble of the TPI, I loved the view over the hood louvers, and I loved the overall feel of the car. The convertible just makes it more of a joy on nice days. And now I can afford to have a toy that was a hell of a lot of fun to drive back then and still is today.

I think they'll be very collectible in 20 years, especially the low mile, original/excellent condition cars. The IROCs and GTAs had a great quality to them that isn't all that common.

 

i didnt mean that there were no other cars other than the f-bodies, but still very few compared to the 60's or 70's. the monte carlo is obviously good car from the 80's, then regals, some mustangs, and maybe cutlass supremes. vettes are obvious, too, but i was thinking more along the lines of cars your average joe would own.

 

Well, I was a long haired, loud music dude....no wait... Still am
I was considering an MR2 Toyota, but too much $$... a Pontiac Fiero, but then found out the 'truth'! hehe
I also considered a '66 Chevelle but my parents thought owning an old car like that was for nut cases! They still think 'old' cars are not wise choices. I wasn't buying that advice!

My first two cars were 1982 Cutlass two door broughams. Not bad for a first car at all...Still like 'em.

Just reading today that 11 1984 Riviera droptops were made with the GN Buick's turbo V6! I can't recall that, but sounds interesting, although a V6 in a heavy car like the 1980's Eldo/Toro/Rivs and front wheel drive??!! Don't know

BILL

 

Hi All,
My 82 Firebird is my daily driver and has 255,000+ miles on it. While it may not be worth a lot to most people it is to me. It has a Tune Port Injected 350, new interiar and a great paint job. Up to this past Monday, the car was great to drive, handle really well, and was a joy to be in. I put the 350TPI engine in 5 years ago and the paint/interior with new leater seats are in excelent condition

On the way to work Monday Morning a woman driving a Mini-Van ran a stop-sign and hit my 82 Bird. Here insurance company wants to total the car and send me on my way. The damage is mostly contain in the front right wheel area and pass-door. there was absolutly no intrusion into the engine and pass-compartments.

I had the car bought home yesterday and place in my garage. I am not letting her go! I decided to fix the car, even if I have to pay. I found a body shop today who will be doing the work. It is totally unfair the way the insurance companies treat owners of old cars. We need to get together and change some laws.

While I have the car in the shop, I am upgradeing the suspenion, adding frame connectors, new 16 inch wheels, tires and having it complety painted. The current finish is only 6 years old.

These Third-Gen cars are the best styling /design cars that GM every made or every will make. Yes there was a few design weaknesses on the these cars, but most of these weaknesses can be corrected by using high-end after-market parts. The Forth-Gens are just plain ugly, The First Gens are cool, but does not have the ride and handling of the Third Gens. I don't know what GM was thinking when they did the Second Gens.

My 82 Bird will sing her songs again. I hope to be driving the car by the end of January. I am an orginally onwer!

 

Yeah, the insurance companies really do suck, you pay good money for years and never use your insurance, then you get hit and they want to total it without consideration for all the work you did, only for the market value of the car. Good luck with the rebuild. Keep us informed.

 

thats why you have your car covered for X dollars, so if they total it they gotta pay out the insured value, no matter what the book value is.

 

Thanks Benny,

IROCmonkey, the accident was the other guys fault. So my insurance would not be paying for the repair. I am going to checking into Private Property rights etc, to determine on how to file the law-suit.

I am still very upset with this saturation, I'm am thinking about getting soom help. If they would just say, we will fix it Mr. Embry, I think then every thing would be fine. But you all know its about the bottom line.

 

Bruce, my bank wouldn't give me a small loan for a 1984 Eldo Convertible and that is a classic in my book. Being an '82, your's is still not something you can register as a classic, even with mods. If you can and I don't know it...color me surprised.
I do understand the feelings expressed. I don't care to junk a 'wrecked' car just to get another (or more recent model) Of course, "totalled" being undrivable and having massive body damage, then it is not cost effective any longer. The TPI 350 and seats could be swapped to another Bird as well.

Bill

 

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the comment. The shock has mostly warn off. My wife and I has figured out, how to pay for the repair. No big dill.
I leaving home right to talk with a body shop. If I lucky( and i'm uaally am), I will have it beck before Christmas.

I am setting up a website some time next week.

 

Hi Everyone.
I got back from the body shop early in the afternoon. They are good people and do a really great job of rebuilding cars. I took some photos with my digital camera to show them the damage.

It will take about two weeks to gather all of the parts. And the body shop indicated that it will take about 2 weeks to do the work. So I should see my car back together sometime in the first week of January. The body shop manager wants me to get the parts.

 

Let us know how everything turns out.