not sure if this is the right place for this post but i dont know where else to put it. has any one noticed that thirdgens are ending up everywere on t.v. i was watching the tube last night and i saw a blue thirdgen camaro on the new wendys comercial. then my girl and i rented some movies and i saw a black camaro in national security, a black camaro in private parts, a red camaro in natural born killers, and a teal camaro in 40 days and 40 nights the other two movies did not have them but it was really cool to see thirdgen camaros in the four out of six movies i watched. the really cool part is that they were all nice ones not rusty or beat up so maybe t.v. is what is going to boost our cars to first gen status. look what it did for imports (fast and the furious). lets keep our fingers crossed and our cars pretty and hope for the respect our cars deserve!

 

sure I agree it's nice to seem more of them on tv. But another thing one could consider.. is thirdgens are not going up in much much yet.. so they are cheap to get a hold of. and they are sporty. That could be why they would use it.. But who cares.. they are being shown on TV.. and kids watch tv.. the seem em, and start to realize how nice of a car they really are. and eventually get one for them selves, instead of those dumb imports.

 

i know that they are still cheap and plentiful but so were imports remember when you could buy an rx7 for $100 it really wasnt that long ago now it is a highly desirable car? the cheaper the car is the mor people buy them the kids all mess up the ones they got and they end up in junk yards wich only leaves the nice ones owned by the responsible owners and bam now only nice collectable examples remain? sonds like a strong start to me! lets all hope directers start to fall in love with the modern muscle that thirdgen camaros and firebirds represent.

 

Im sixteen and I take very good care of my car. My friend that is 19 has a iroc and he also takes good care of it. i think that us kids that have thirdgens take better care of them than if it was a different car. I just saw a Best Buy commecial that had a thirdgen in it too. i think its awsome that they are getting on t.v. I honestly think that most kids that have these cars will take good care of them

 

ya, im with chevkid. Just because we are teenagers doesnt mean we dont take care of our cars. I probably take much better care of mine than any adults do theres. I dont think third gens will ever be a big as most cars, even more as big as imports. Most people would rather have a 1st gen or a 4th gen. You never hear very much about 2nd and 3rd gens.

 

Pretty much no other Gen has been used in TV or movies as much as the Thirds with 1sts being a close 2nd. 1sts are getting up there fast with commercials and even music videos too. Thirds are still popular and with time cars like these start to become more desirable/collectible by default.

And if you don't think they are going up or becoming more collectible, frequent more shows or look for low mile/original IROC-Z's and 91-92 Z28s. Especially L98 and T-Top/loaded cars. Check out the prices people are asking. There have been various magazince articles about Third Gens recently not only being tech focused, but about their desirability and collectibility now and in the years to come.

 

I would like to formaly appologise to the teenage members I dont think I was too clear when I said kids. I meant people who act childish with their cars. Im sure everyone has seen the forty+ year old guy that drives like an idiot and forgeting that he is driving a honda civic and not a touring car. or the grandpa at the stoplight in the mini van that wants to race your iroc-z or gta. Or even the 17 year old guy in the riced out eclipse that swerves into oncoming traffic just to try and pass his buddy on sheridan road. you know the kids. so please do not feel it is an age thing.

 

i GOT MY CAMARO WHEN I WAS 16 IM 21 NOW SO I HAVE HAD MY CAMARO 5 YEARS AND IT STILLL LOOKS LIEK NEW THE INTERIOR COULD USE SOME NEW SEATS THEY ARE WORN THATS ABOUT IT. IM ALSO FIXING UP A 68 FIREBIRD IT WAS GOING TO BE PARTED OUT BUT I SAVED IT FROM DISTRUCTION. I GOT THAT CAR QHEN I WAS 17 STILL HAVENT DRIVEN IT ONE DAY SOON THO I HAVE THE 455 IN AND NEW TRANNY ETC.

 

For the most part their popularity is sort of making me frustrated.


Guys walk around school wearing Trans Am shirts, and Firebird shirts, and girls have these "VINTAGE" Iroc shirts.

Not to mention there is a local high school band called IrOC z, and they are horrible.


On TGO I am part of a clique, but when I am at school I like being unique, I have the ONLY thirdgen Trans Am in the school parking lot, and I think that is kind of special.

But now everyone is sort of buying into the fashion of it, and don't even drive the car, and that sort of kills the mood for me.


...That doesnt mean I dont sport a killer Trans Am jacket and a shirt though...

 

A band in your town calls itself Iroc-z?

Wonders will never cease

 

That's cool, but where are they getting that merchandise from?!

 

A store in the mall called Zumiez is selling all this "vintage wear" and I imagine that is where they get it.

 

i just bought a 91 firebird 305 runs great
does have a few miles on it though...280,000 paid 3,000$ for it but i love it ..it sounds great other then these little jap imports that sound like lawn mowers half the time:yourock:

 

IMPORTS SUCK!!!!!

 

WHOA!! You paid $3K for a 280K Mi. 305 That thing better have a newer motor a clena interior and beautiful paint and body you got ripped.

I saw a government repo auction and the first thing they showed was a 3rd gen camaro. How come they never have GTA's they are the better looking of the two anyway

 

**** jan 7th of this year i picked up the formula 4 500$<not a typo> granted its not the greatest looker but she runs strong.
also im 16 an this car has become a part of me in the little time ive owned her. an your right 3rd gens are barely talked about ut im one of the exceptions i wanted a 3rdgen since i was 13.

 

Hi fellas,

I wouldn't be to worried about Gen 3's gaining popularity or
value in the next 5 or so years. My business involves buying,
selling and doing minor restorations of ALL automobiles that
were, or fast becoming, and are currently popular.

I look at no less than 4000 cars a week at the big Dealer
Auctions. Third Gen's are currently the rage. We ( as Dealers) all know that they offer one of the few remaining platforms from which to build on. Drag racing, road racing or neat street, these
cars can, and do it all very well.

I have owned some pretty neat cars in my life, but what
amazes me is the comments and attention I recieve when
I roll up in my 84 Z-28 HO. Now to be honest, this car is
not a show Queen. I drive it almost daily and and it's not
perfect cosmetically, but it's nice enough to get alot of Kudo's.

When I cruise with the T-tops off, the raves really begin. I
think alot of people love T-top cars and miss the days when
they were available.

My prediction is when the people who owned these car ( and
there were many ) come of age ( 45 -50 yrs old ) they
will be buying these cars up like no tomorrow trying to
catch a youthful memory. Remember, it's the 50's crowd
that have the money and interest to re-kindle thier early
memories. The Gen 3's are just that car !

I have no intention of getting rid of mine any time soon
because I am convinced ( through extensive personal experience)
that these car are going to go nuts in the next 5 to 10 years.

Hang on to em boys, and have fun watching your investment
grow !


Ranted enough.

John B.

 

I like your positive atttitude and have no doubt in my mind you are correct I know that in the short year i have had my iroc that it has gone up in bluebook value im sure some of you other guys have noticed this too! I cant wait till the day I can laugh in the faces of all the people who keep saying I should get rid of my car and get a newer one it will be a very sweet day for me and my poor car

 

You know it is nothing but good for these cars to go up in value, but quite frankly I don't give a rats behind what anyone else thinks. I look at my GTA all the time and think what a beautiful car. I've had it about three years now always try to put more work into it to increase the way it handles and performs. I still find myself parking it in a lot and just staring at it as I walk away admiring its lines. I don't ever want to get rid of it. I'm not exactly young at 36 just enamored with my first car either, I have no doubt these will gain more value and become collectors. The only reason they don't have a great rep is most of the manufacturing was pumping out the base models which have just been thrashed over time and have 0 for performance. Off the top of my head for the Firebirds of 88 (my model year) like 24k base firebirds, 10k Formulas, 12K Ta's, and 11kGTA's of these only 11K 350 motors were produced between all of them. Similiar production #s run from 87-89 so that makes the 350 GTA's and Formulas rather desirable and the rest are fairly common (right now anyway). Sorry can't speak for the Camaros theres plenty of you that do that just fine.

 

Are the blue books going up on GTAs too?

 

Hmmm.... GTA's

Can't touch them at the Auctions. It's like a pack of wolves
on a lamb chop * LOL*

Actually, a firebird in great shape ( V-8 car ) will do a little
more money than a Camaro of equal condition. The only
exception is a early Z-28 or Iroc.

Amazing how much these cars have appreciated in the last
few years.

Your GTA sounds good !



John B.

 

Yup, IROC-Z's and GTA's should be the highest money making Thirds.

If you ever come by the car I'm looking for in my sig at these auctions, let me know LOL.

 

I saw a black 91-92 GTA at wal-mart in racine the other night and I really wanted it I left a note on the guys windsheild but no reply yet hopefully soon!how much is fair price for A nice one?

 

IROCZTWENTY,

Will do. I'll let you know if I spot or buy one.


John B.

 

Thats a tough question anywhere from $3,000-$6,000 depending on condition and mileage. If its a garage queen thats only got 60k on the clock then $6k isn't hard to get. $3k should get you one with a straight body maybe needing paint, somewhere between 100k-150k only if its a 350 motor would I buy it. Theres so much variance its hard to say what you could expect to pay it all depends on the particular car. Different geographical areas will gain a higher price tag, for instance a 150K mi car here in Cali or Arizona the underbody would be in better shape than one that gets driven in snow or salted roads etc. so might be worth more to a buyer. Its interesting shopping for these cars though because some people have them way overpriced for a pile of junk and every now and then you find a nice one at a great price.

 

Well i got mine appraised about 2 years ago which had about 34-35k miles on it. I got it appraised at $9,400-$10,900.

Since then ive added about 4k miles on it cuz of course the first year i was so excited i drove it alot. This year i barely drove it a few hundred miles, either way im still under 40k miles by like 1k.

I dont know if the price has gone up or not, but these cars will go up in value in its due time. But honestly is that why u got your car? Honestly i could care less if it dropped to 1k in value, i personally love my car, its look, its feel, its power, and never plan to sell it.

Later

 

You got the right attitude and congrats on a low mileage clean GTA. As far as appraisals go there good for one thing and thats insurance. The market and potential buyer really determine real world value. Although if you were inclined to sell with only 35K on the clock and the right buyer you could probably get $9,000 for it. But unless you wanted to collect it and not drive it why would you shop for a car that your going to pay extra for BECAUSE of the low mileage.

 

I guess I'm of the slightly different mindset like GTATransAM, I don't care whether they go up in value or not. I mean sure, my car(s) being worth more or more popular/recognizable at shows is nice, but I didn't buy them as a potential investment or as a collectable. I own both an '88 L98 Iroc and one of the thirdgen 'verts, a '91 RS; so I guess they might be desirable down the road, but since I don't intend to sell them, they are either priceless or worthless, take your pick . Also, I don't have any intentions to keep them stock for originality. The 'vert is getting an overhaul and new paint, and the Iroc.....well I've got plans for the Iroc.

 

I honestly don't think they will raise in value as compared to the late 60's, early 70's musle cars. Do you??

The 02 LS1's have like 320 HP??? Neon's with 215 FW HP??

Just M.O. , but precise engine controls and more HP came with anything newer than third gens, which kinda de-valued them. That's why I think pre-smog era cars are still popular.

I don't think they'll be worth alot till they become "antique" status....

I'd like to think I may be wrong though....(flame suit on) !!!

 

Performance has little to do with a car going up in value. Its based more on production #s (how rare a car might be) and cultural status (how desirable some cars are to the general publics eye). Now sure some of the most valued cars are the real high performance cars of the 60's and early 70's like a ZL1, Thunderbolt, Shelby 350-500's etc. but those are also low production vehicles making them rare. You think the 65 mustang or Nova was any kind of performance car. Please stock they were rather pathetic. But those cars changed the way the public viewed automobiles. They left a lasting impression in peoples minds. Performance can be built into any car. Another thing was that 20 years ago those cars were still plentiful and cheap. Now a clean one sports a nice price tag. It will be the same for the 3rd gen Camaros and Firebirds. If you think about it the mid 80's was the return of performance to american cars. EFI overcame the smog **** woes, and was the foundation for those newer high performing cars we see today.

 

I see my car as one of the last real muscle cars... cast iron small block, solid axle, 4bbl carb, 15" aluminum wheels etc etc...

I think the 3rdgens in general were the real end of the muscle car era, because that was before computers REALLY took over, as with the LT1 and LS1 cars.

The 3rdgens are also the last of the era in that they could be built so creatively with the order sheet at the dealer... 4thgens only had the V6 and two V8s (LT1, LS1), but 3rdgens had a 4, two 6's, and seven V8 engines over the 10 year run.

If they do go up in value substantially, mine will probably be worth a nice chunk of change, being one of only a handful of '83 Z28's made with the L69 motor... but i think i'll be burried with mine.

Most of these cars will probably never be worth what a 1st gen Z/28 or SD455 Trans Am will be, but they have alot more competitive history behind them then the 3rdgens do.. like the factory Trans Am race cars, factory drag cars (think COPO 427)... other than maybe the Firehawk, the 3rdgen never had that.

 

In all honesty, I really dont care how much money my car is worth, because I dont think Ill ever sell it. There is too much history in that car, and I cant put a price on that. Im glad that they cars are becoming wanted, but the stereotype still exists. People still think the third gen is a turd gen. Most people think they came with either lame 6cyls or lame carbed or tbi 305's. When I tell people that starting in 87, they had TPI 350's and they could keep up with a 5.0 GT and by 92, they were making more power then the 5.0's, they don’t believe me till I show them the tech section of this site.

I think the third gen is the best platform to build up any type of car you could want. You can swap nearly any type of motor into the engine bay; you can set it up for drags, auto cross, or just an all around great performer. I think it has great looks unmatched by any other gen, for the exception of the first. The fender flares, the black headlight buckets, the black louvers, the long nose/short deck styling of third gen since the start. I think the third gen was the last of the fbodies that looked, acted, and was very much like the first fbodies. People instantly are all gun ho about teh 5.0 mustangs because they are faster, lighter and cheaper to mod. I think both cars are very good, just that I think the third gen pulls off the all around sports car a whole lot better then the 5.0 could dream. I love the looks of a really clean, strait Camaro. All that makes me want my car mroe and more. Yeah, there are tons of flaws about the third gen. Crappy 80's quality, paint problems, rattling, squeaking, rusting, etc. I think the third gen doesn’t get the respect it should from enthusiasts from all around. I think we get he most disrespect from our own camp, from the 4th gen owners. I am almost convinced that most people that own a LS1 or LT1 fbody owned a 5.0 mustang when they were a kid. Either way, I think the third gen gets a bad rap. I think there needs to be more articles on affordable performance and on cars like the Third gen Camaro, 5.0 mustangs, and even to some extent the 2.2 turbo's from dodge. Ill end my rant with this, Its your car and it should mean more to you then just 4 wheels and a engine. If id doesn’t, then why are you even on this site? Do to it as what you want. People will have opinions, and opinions on what it should have been if they did it, but they didn’t put the hard work you did into your car.