I actually posted on here about this very car about 2 years ago, when I first saw it. I thought it was long gone, but now its back to haunt me...

Summer of 2000, driving by a crappy little used car dealership that "specializes" in older GM cars, I just about locked the brakes up on my old RS in a 55 zone as I drove by a sight I could not believe. Doing a quick U turn in the middle of the road and driving back, I confirmed what I saw...an absolutely perfect blue IROC. Upon closer inspection, it was a blue '90 IROC 350 with everything (save for t-tops, obvioiusly). The kicker was, it still had the original dealer tag on it, with THREE HUNDERED EIGHTY FIVE miles on the odometer. This appeared to be the genuine article. The price on the window was $17,000...I scoffed, still in awe of the car regardless, and drove away. I last saw the car a few days later, and assumed it was long sold.

Well, this same guy still has the same car, and it is still for sale. He came in to buy an Aurora from another salesman, and said he had that car, along with a pristine, 3,000 mile '90 IROC convertible (305 TPI/AT/White with red and black top), that he wanted the same $$ for. Personally, despite the lack of t-tops, I'd take the coupe over the vert in a hearbeat...

Moral of the story...what is this coupe worth? I was going to call him today, but I need to know what this thing is worth. Also, I need to sell my Z if I'm going to do this...a thought that kills me. But the Z is an easy sell on my lot, as it is absolutely perfect. I think I can pull $14,500 from it...I own it free and clear, and this is what I'd pay for the IROC, max.

So whats this thing worth? Opinions? Is this a car I am likely to come across again, via eBay or some other source? I haven't even been looking for this car, and its crossed my path twice in 2 years...just wracking my brain as to what I should do! This is, without a doubt though, my dream car...

 

thats a tough decision man, a 30th ann. Z28 is a very nice 4th gen. itd be hard for me to decide if id part with a anniversary Z for a BRAND new IROC. damn that is a tough decision. id say take out a loan and own both!

 

Do what Roy Williams did when he faced the dilema of leaving Kansas and going back to North Carolina, Ditch your team and go after something else...Meaning sell the 97 and get that IROC.

 

I just went through a similar dillemma. I found a 1988 Formula with 12K miles. Absolutely perfect. Right now I am doing a mild restoration on my 1989 Formula 350 and all the things I was fixing on my car to make it brand-new again were already brand new on the '88. The car really was mint. 100 points. Problem one was that it was a 305 A4. But I could fix the 305 problem easily since I already have a time tested setup on my car I'd just duplicate it and that's that.
Problem two was that it was a hardtop, my Formula has TTops, but I could live with that bc this car was perfect, it was what I wanted at the time. Third problem was that it had no options. No pw,pl,pm, no fancy rearview mirror and it was a drum rear with probably 2.73s. BUT I was willing to settle for all that bc the car was perfect original cond, just like it was in 1988. What finally broke the deal was that when I saw it, it turned out to be an L03. That's when I realized that I couldn't settle anymore bc the time and money and hassle it would take to convert that car to TPI was beyond what I wanted to do. So I didn't buy it, even though he was going to take $6750 for it. I paid more for my Formula in 1998!
Bottom line is that I decided that if I got that car, I would be settling for so many things that I would actually not be happy with it, and then I realized that the car I already had, had all the things I wanted it to have, so I am continuing and soon to be finishing up my "mild" restoration and in the end I believe I'll be happier.

Moral of the story. Personally that IROC is acceptable at about $15K. Assuming it's absolutely perfect and loaded to the gills. At least to me it is, just bc of the small numbers in that year. Is it worth selling your 30th for it? I can't tell you. You know that answer based on how you feel about both cars.
But if you really are feeling that giddy feeling when you think about owning that car, and that's not just the "right now" car but rather the "right" car, then I say go for it.

 

I know what you mean about the "right car" versus "right now" scenario. When I bought a 4th gen, I knew just what I wanted...an anniversary Z. My dad was the one who talked me out of spending a fair amount less for a mint 3rd gen, as we both agreed I wanted something "guaranteed" reliable, newer, yadda yadda yadda. So I got just what I wanted...a 6 speed, T-top, 30th. Optioned exactly the way I wanted...white leather over the standard houndstooth, standard white wheels in place of chrome wheels, no traction control. It was, and is, perfect. I've spent almost $1,000 (and thats getting stuff at dealer cost!) replacing sections of the white leather so it is, in a word, flawless.

Now, I look at this IROC...the epitome. A '90. 350. My favorite color (blue). But then I consider...no t-tops, which to me make the car twice as much fun. The '90 dash, to me, is hideous compared to earlier offerings. Those 2 things kill me. So I discover, what I really want...is an '89. But this car is calling me...an under 400 mile IROC would be an amazing thing to own. But you know what?

I'd drive the damn thing. I'd probably put 1,000 miles on it a year. Thats what I love about my Z...it has 49k miles on it. Just enough to mean the car is still near mint, but not so perfect that I can't enjoy driving it. It will probably get 2,500-3,000 added to that total every year, going forward. But I don't mind parking it in a parking lot. It can handle it, and so can I. An under 1,000 mile IROC? I'd be keeping guard dogs around the damn thing whenever I was farther than an 1/8 mile away. In a word, I'd maybe be a little too neurotic to enjoy it. But I WOULD love it...

I guess the biggest thing is, I'm making excuses for myself. I could easily live without t-tops and that godawful (sorry to offend anyone, but its true!!) dash to own a "new" IROC. Chances like this just don't come along every day. Problem is, where the hell will I put it, and what will I do with it? I'm not a home owner. I do have a garage with my apartment, but its shared with a '98 Escort that belongs to the second floor. The Z is under lock and key at all times 2 towns over, but I only have that garage because I work with the guy who owns it. Otherwise, that car would be ***-knows-where.

I'm in the process of selling my '02 Grand Am to replace it with a '95 Grand Am with 101k miles thats coming in on trade tomorrow...sound like a dumb idea? I can get this '95 for $500, and all it needs is an A/C compressor! Once I sell the '02, I have no more $300 a month payment, and $4,500 extra in the bank. Thats my third gen fund, that I can afford to do WITHOUT sacrificing what is, in my mind, the ultimate 4th gen. Keep your LS1s, Hurst shifters and goofey front ends. I love that car, and I just don't wanna part with it, when I know that by selling my Grand Am and saving up for the next year or two will allow me to buy a car like that IROC. Just takes some time, and oh yeah, maybe buying a house so I have a damned garage

Its hard being 23 and big dreams!! For some reason, I get the feeling if its meant to be, the same guy will still have the same car, 2 years from now when I can really afford to do this right. Thanks for the input, and I look forward to others' comments.

 

I don't think it is worth 17K, but If you do buy it I hope you wouldn't use it as a daily driver.
I just went through a similar situation. I bought a rare mint 91formula 350 with T-Tops and only 29K miles in oct 2002 Paid 14K, but the car had major dollars in parts 17" Roh`s 275 GSC`s dana 44, rear Bear 13"/12" alum d/s transgo kit Accel runners/base 58mm tb firehawk dual intake roller rockers and 24# injectors.and more cam and SLP headers came with the car , but not installed.
then I saw magnum TPI for sale only 4 miles from my house. I drove it and even agreed on a price, but backed out. Sorry Johnny. The car was an absolute animal and bone stock drivable and worth every penny of the 9K we agreed on, but I opted to only have one toy and looked down the road and realized that a mint rare car was a better long term plan. I am still going to mod the car into the 12's at least, but I will only drive it a few days a year(this should keep me out of trouble).

 

I love IROCs...especially the 90 due to low production number.

Nevertheless...17 grand is a little high. I wouldn't spend more than 16 for a 5.7 90 IROC which was top dog as far as IROCs go.... 245 hp\345 lbs torque. Personally I wouldn't go for anything with less than 20,000 miles...as you will probably have to put some $$$ into it making it well over 17 grand if you don't do the work yourself.


Consider I purchased my prestine 89 Turbo Trans Am with 20,000 miles for 15 grand even-----kinda puts this in perspective.
317hp/397lbs torque.

 

If it were me in your situation, I wouldn't go for the IROC. You have a 30th anniversary Z28 optioned exactly how you want it. Now I must admit, you don't come across a 1990 IROC that's that perfect very often, but your car is better in my opinion. That and the IROC is pretty pricey.

 

Ian brings up a good point...

In an abstract way, indeed, my 30th is "better." It handles just as good while riding way better, is faster, more comfortable, has more amenities, far more solid chassis, better ergonomics, etc...

BUT...

I don't necessarily LIKE it better. I love thirds for all their advantages and disadvantages. To me, third gens are the ultimate cruisers. They have more style. The t-tops are way bigger. The torque TPIs make is great. I love both gens for vastly different reasons. I'd rather drive a 4th, but cruise in a 3rd...

Make sense?

 

i got my 90 for 3 grand. 73000 miles baby ohh yeah!!!