I've been looking for later model 350TPI to retrofit into my '73 Z28 and have come across a totalled '89 IROC 1LE (only 111 made). It supposedly has about 85k on motor trans (350 TPI w/700R trans). Alot has been removed from the car (interior, gauges, doors and hatch, taillights) but the car still has the factory G92 posi rear with the J65 disc brakes, and also has the special 16" factory wheels.
What I would be basing the price on is the value of the motor/trans., rear and wheels.
The guy is asking $1000 for the car and it's not negotiable. Does this sound like a reasonable price for the wreck? Thanks alot.

 

Forget "what's the car worth". That's the wrong way to approach this kind of a deal.

A car is worth what someone is willing to sell it for, and what someone is willing to pay. Until they agree, the car's "worth" is undefined. In other words, it has no "worth" yet.

What do you want off of the car? What will you have to pay for the car to get it? What would you have to pay for those same things if you got them some other way? After you take off of it what you want, what can you sell what's left for? After you do all the arithmetic, what is the car worth TO YOU? Is it less than the seller will sell it for? Then pass. Is it more than the seller is willing to sell it for? Then play.

Odds are, what I tell you it's "worth", and what somebody else tells you it's "worth", will be different; and probably don't apply to you personally. You could be like my wife, who is the very picture of the difference between men and women when it comes to buying things: a woman will buy a thing that's normally $2 for $1 whether she needs it or not just because it's cheap, but a man will pay $2 for something that usually only costs $1 if he thinks he needs it bad enough. Consequently our house is full of crap that was real cheap but we have no use whatsoever for. Was it "worth" buying? Not by my standards.... but don't let my wife catch me throwing it away.

 

If you don't want it send me a PM I am interested. It would be a true shame to butcher a 1LE even if it has already been parted out somewhat. I am definitely one who has the restore them don't crush them mentallity. If you are only looking for a mill than you will be able to find one more reasonably priced from a regular TPI. I have seen good running cars go complete for half of what this guy is asking. Just something to consider as it would be a shame to crush it when you are done parting it all out

 

Ok, let me rephrase what I meant when I said "what is it worth?"
What I'm asking is, are the total sum of parts (motor/trans, rear, wheels) valued more than $1k, therefore making this a good deal? Because that's all that's really left on the car. Unfortunately the guy's son stripped alot of other stuff from it. I would have paid alot more than what he's asking had it been 100% complete. We have mostly older Camaros and Chevelles, and havent really had a need to know what the going prices are for newer Camaro parts (3rd or 4th gen).

And no I'm not like what was phrased as the "typical" woman, I only buy stuff that's a good deal because I need it, and I'll take alot of time and research searching. Now my husband, on the other hand, not only has 13 or 14 project cars, 1200 s.f. of garage space and 1700 s.f. of basement space devoted largely to parts he either "needed" (which in real terms means he MIGHT use them one day) or got a good deal on (and probably will never ever use). I'm sure no man on this board would ever question that, LOL.

 

If you buy it i need the front spindles

 

If the engine runs good and the trans is okay then $1000.00 is not too bad.

 

It's a shame to see that car wrecked. Out of the 111 made, 76 were shipped to Canada (97% were Player's Challenge Cars). That left 35 in the US. I'd guess 1/2 might be 350's ... so that car is one of 16 or 17 made in 1989.

It's worth it to fix.

Mark.

 

Mark is right here. Just look at the Barrett Jackson auction today and what Camaros draw large $$$? The special order COPO's, Yenko's and SCCA factory prepped cars because they are all the greatest examples of F-bodies from that generation just like the 1LE cars and turbo TA's of third gens. No doubt even this parted out old girl will be worth some solid coin one day. I understand that most of us would not have the parking or desire to hold on to a car for 20 years until it becomes a hot collectable so if you only want the parts then save this car or pass it on to someone else as it would be sad to see it turned into a KIA :eek

 

What a shame. If it wasn't just absolutely twisted into a pretzel as far as the frame goes...... I'd save it. Dang, I hated to read about a totaled 1le. It will bug me the rest of the week. Look at it this way, you could use up your husbands parts to fix it!!!

 

Think of it this way, those 110 other ones are now rarer!

'least that's how I cope with things like that.

 

Call a junkyard and ask what those items would cost.

Though some yards sometimes have 1/2 price days a couple of times a year, most of the time around here V8s go for about $350 complete, and aluminum wheels go for about $40/each. So you're around $500 already.

I've never priced trannies or rear ends(which might include brakes), but I'd guess each would go for at least $100. So that could put you around $700 already.

Aluminum driveshafts are very hot items. Used ones go for about $150(cause you probably wouldn't find one in a junkyard). So now you're at about $850.

And if the sway bars and wonder bar are there, then you're probably closing in on $900.

And the gas tank was also special, wasn't it?

So assuming you've definitely confirmed the 1LE RPO, and you'll also be getting the rest of the car(body, interior, etc.), then it looks like you could justify $1,000, whether restoring the car or parting it out.