As of late, maybe 'cause its summer, I have noticed in the past few years that the 3rd gen as began to appreciate. I have looked through several publications, Auto-Trader, Auto swapper etc, and I notice more and more 3rd Gens that are being sold at $10,000 and up. Right now from what I have seen it seems as though that a low miles Camaro or Fireibrd with less than 20K or 30K miles are going for about 65% to 75% of new. Especially performance models, like 350 cars, TTA's, LB9 5 speeds etc.

I did a search on Auto-trader for V8 Firebirds, Formulas, T/A's and GTA's and I did not find a single car below $3000 that still had the floor pans in-tact. Even the GTA that had no-floor pans I think they were asking $1700.

Since we are the ones who will ultimately determine the values of our cars when we go to sell them, I have to ask has any one else noticed the trend.

Buy low, sell high, In reality we actually have the power to determine the values of our cars.

John

 

I have noticed the increase in value of our cars. MY dad and I had been looking for a camaro for just about a month, and it seems like all the cars we found were about 3k, even a few 6cyl. hugh milage cars wanted 3-3.5k. We finally found a 89 Iroc for 3k that was in pretty good condition. The exterior could use paint in a few years, the interior was excellent, and the engine ran strong. Overall it was probably a good pick-up because we didn't know if we would find a nicer one for the $$$. I guess it's a good thing that the value of our cars is going up, that is if you already own one. And especially if its in good condition.

 

They seem to run around 3K-7K by my house but i have seen a few goink for 14K or more.

 

I can only speak for my area, but.. you see them listed for high prices alot, they just never go anywhere
But I also see them for dirt cheap around here too
Once you get to like $3000 if its still pretty much stock, noone wants it.. especially since the prices for a stock 4th gen are really low

The heavily modified ones are usually the ones selling for big money, and even those I rarely see move.. eventually they dissapear only to show up next year for sale in the same spot :P
I got my formula for $1500, good shape, runs awesome
my friend got his 86 SC 5spd for $1000, rust free... again runs awesome

4th gens are starting to take 3rd gens spot in the 'beater' car category I think, im seeing way more of them now days, and most of the 3rd gens I see now are pretty nice

So I guess they are on there way, quite a few more thousands need to get scrapped first though, cos you just will never have trouble finding one, and this not exactly being the best car ever made , rarity is going to decide its value

It should be worth noting if someones going to list a car on auto trader, they are expecting some decent money in the first place (whether its worth it or not is another story)

 

nope.



the people with magazine quality, $20k+ into them are still selling them for 12-14k


and the rest of them are still dirt cheap.. prices flatlined years ago... slowly, more of them are worth less.... and very few are worth more... none are worth more then whats into them.

 

I shouldn't have to respond! You know I follow these things. Based on what Grundy tells me and my appraised value, I'm at about 85%.

2 years ago, I was offered 75% of sticker at a show. The guy had cash and I turned him down.

 

Yes they are, I've been watching it over the last 5 years while I was searching for my car and continue to do so.

The prices for mint top models/lower mile cars are almost becoming unreachable for those who want them, especially if you're younger. I've seen mint L98 cars go for double digit prices that I thought I would never see this soon, especially the Camaros. I'm just glad I got my IROC-Z when I did and not a few years from now. Check out AutoTrader, eBay, CollectorCarTrader, Hemmings, NADA, etc., if you want to see. Time and demand for nice examples does it everytime and cars become collectable over the years. Magazines seem to be doing features on them more often, Kandided has been in almost all of them and Hemmings recently did a search for an IROC-Z to feature in theirs. Thirds are still popular and were the "it" cars of their time. The reactions and constant attention from people of all ages lets me know how much people really like these cars, on the street or at shows. They offer something that the way back 60's and 70's muscle doesn't, which is being alot more up to date in everything. It didn't take nearly 30 years for them to start gaining value either.

 

Nope. People are listing them for high prices, but I have yet to hear from anyone who actually got anywhere near what they were asking. Average stock F-Bodies will only pull around $1500 to $2500. I can't get anyone to bite on my GTA for $3500. Largest offer I got was $2500, and I have gotten that dollar amount offered a lot, seems to be what it is perceived to be worth. This is a loaded, semi rare car, with no rust anywhere. It isn't perfect and needs a few things, but nothing that would cost more than a couple hundred bucks to fix.

I will probably end up holding on to the car for a while since it has such a great body, you don't see too many Fbodies in the midwest with no rust.

 

IMO, as I was just in the market to buy a third gen - and did,
The cars have flatlined. A lot of wishful thinkers out there who end up having to advertize for a long, long time befor they get any takers.
Low milage, original cars get a premium but they are not in 20K range. Rags traditionally pull the most $$.
TTA - are the most amazing of the bunch - for what they are, they are the best buys and IMO are worth speculating with.
If you want to invest look into traditional numbers matching American Iron. Just my 2cents.
-Andrew

 

Here are a couple points of interest to think about. I think only low mileage, stock, high option F bodies are seeing a premium. One reason maybe more have come out of hibernation recently. The more guys rag out and modify these cars the higher the prices are driven for mint examples. Another point is most people are priced out of the real musclecar market ('60-'70's). These cars are a nice alternative to emptying out your 401K for a SS454 Chevelle. My last point is a lot of guys who were in high school when these cars came out have some disposible income to burn now. Relive the days when they couldn't buy one new but always wanted one.

 

Just about a year ago a buddy at my work had ran across a 87 Iroc for 6000. Now I thought it was a little steep seeming that the car didn't have any major modifications. I didn't get a real good look at the car but know it ran and the paint job was decent. He ended up buying it for $5500. I bought mine same year with a blown head gasket for $800. So here are my two cents

 

Keep your cars! Think about it, you could still get 1st gen Camaros
for cheap in the 90's. When they (3rdgens) start hitting 25-30 years old the prices will start climbing fast.

 

I agree. Now is the time to buy, store and rebuild. There will come a time to sell, somewhere around 2009 to 2015. At that time it won't really matter which model you have as long as you have a rust free clean model.

Right now the TTA, IROC, Firehawk and Z28 lead the money parade. But in the future the Berlinetta, RS and even the SC modified will get it's share of the rare market.

I am in a large urban so plenty of thirdgens are around. One day this won't be the case so I spend my time getting my cars the way I want them and looking for deals. $3000 to $6000 will get you started. I bought both of my cars for $400.00 each. I look in backyards, garages and behind houses. No telling what you might find.

Spend your time stocking parts and not making your car too ridiculious. Don't rake up unecessary miles and keep or get your car clean and running good.

I edited your post and removed all the keyword links to advertisers websites. This is unnecessary on practice on TGO
scottmoyer

Thanks I don't know what happened. Niterider

 

Wait until winter time,

They will decrease a little bit. If you are restoring a 3rd gen or any other "sports" or "performance" car, buy it in the winter when they aren't in demand, then sell them in the spring or summer when they're in high demand.

This is especially true for verts and T-top equipped cars.

 

Buy um in the winter & drive um in the summer

 

I bought mine for 800 bucks 88 iroc orig top to bottom includling paint. i might have to put in a little cash to get it up to par, but you can eat off the carpet, no rot, a little sun faded on top, runs mint to a point, but otherwise solid car. everything in my area was 1200 plus for worse condition. They are goin up.

 

What does this mean? Either it runs mint or it doesn't. If it doesn't run like a new car, then it isn't running mint!

 

I don't think they're going up yet. I bought a clean 86 IROC in 1995 for $3500. Bought a clean 87 IROC in 2001 for $2500 and bought a clean completley rust free 92 T/A convertible, that only needed a few things to be mint, a couple of years ago for $1000. They may not be going down anymore but I think it will be quite a while before they actually start appreciating

 

I personally think the prices are just gonna go down in a couple of years. Some people are talking about keeping the cars until 2015. If you want to be realistic just look at the gas prices. I don't think we'll be driving with those engines by 2015 and i don't think there'll be a real market for these cars. If a car is not in extremely mint condition it'll go straight to the junkyard. And don't be suprised if you pay a lot more taxes to be able to drive with those engines. I know it is sad but i think that's what we're gonna have to deal with soon...

 

I tried to sell my GTA a few months ago and couldnt give the thing away.I think in my area they just arent very sought after.

 

Prices in the UK are on the up.

A good really clean (near)stock 305TPI IROC, rust free with no mechanical problems and decent paint will set up you back around £5,000 (about $8,000ish).

A low(ish) mileage mint 350 IROC with G92 will set you back about £6,000 ($10,000ish).

A 305 carb model with tired paint, some rust in places, in need of rubber seals, non functioning aircon and dodgy electrics and maybe a transmission fault and smokey engine will set you back as low as £2,000 (just over $3,000)


I bought my 305TPI IROC for £4,200 18 months ago and now it's worth about £5,000.
If I sort the brakes, replace the slightly cracked dashpad and a couple of other very minor things it would be worth about £6,000

 

I think one of the problems with SOME the cars that do not move are minor things are in disrepair. You know you open the hood and its all crappy looking, its dirty looking. A small tear here or there in the seats may be only a $100 fix but it really detracts from the car and it depreciates it at the Point of sale by probably $200.

When things are missing, like Center caps, headliner material, interior pieces are broken, etc, that also detracts from it, or if the car is pleagued with scratches, it all takes a toll.

I believe if some people would spend a few days scouring the junkyards matching up what they have and just simply fixing the minor doo-dads on their car they would pull more for it. Unfortunately most people want to unload it, and don't want to take the time.

Its probably not the case for all, but in many cases it does matter.

John

 

3rd gens seem to be going up and 4th gens going down. especially LT1's.

 

I saw something today that really shocked me. I saw a sharp looking Roush Mustang at the local dealer so I pulled in to take a closer look. They had a used 87 IROC-Z on the lot. The window sticker showed NADA pricing of $8500 and their everyday low price was $7750. The car had 67,500 miles, a cheap paintjob, worn out red interior, 305 auto and Ttops. It had waves in the body panels, a few dents and all decals were removed. No custom interior either. It looked like a good $2500 car.

I'd like to see what edition of NADA they use to determine used car prices. The dealership is one of the largest Ford dealers in Central Florida, not some used car dealership. Does this show any evidence that dealers think the cars' value is going up?

 

Just sold a 1988 GTA Notchback on Ebay only 1 bid, $1950.00
a rare car that did not bring the money, I don't think they are going up.

 

If the car is low miles and well cared for i would pay all the money for a stocker .

 

dont sell your car on ebay!

 

I would not think that e-bay would be a good judge to what the cars are really worth. I think its a good place to unload it if it is in crappy shape and can make it look ok for the pix.

Personally I would not buy a car off of e-bay, I worry about buying some POS that runs but is a hack job from my mothers nightmares. THere is so much that you cant do on e-bay, like take it for a test drive, or actually see what is there or not there.

John

 

the value of low maintained third gens are going down and the "nice" third gens are going up

 

What can i say? Last summer I sold my 88 IROC 305 TBI hard top auto , clean body , clean inside for $3500..... Turned around and bought a POS 350 T-Top 88 IROC for $1900......... Payed off both loans and now i have 10K in my 350

 

sold my 91 on ebay for 2000 with no motor or tranny in it but body was perfect as you can see from website.
Sold my 2001 for $20,500 Privately very low miles.(15,000miles)

just bought my new car off ebay for 975

 

well in Feb my ta was ripped off and i got a check for $7,200.00 for it ...that was more then i was expecting b/c of the ****ty Blue Book Value.

 

i think that the 3rd gens will be worth more down the road but its the people who are selling them at a high price that makes people bring up this topic. i have seen 3rd gens going for more than 4th gens and some mid to late 2nd gens. i love my 3rd gen and i have no plans on selling them in the near future. only thing that succks about the 86 iroc is the body kit on it. thats why i deceided to buy a stock 88 to restore and keep.

 

its hard to tell , ive seen early 4thgen lt1s go for like 4k and l98 3rd gens go for the same, not sure if 3rdgen value is going up but iknow 4thgen value is really dropping. IMO a clean v8 powered 3rdgen has alot more alure to it, it really just comes down to supply and demand. last one was made about 13 years ago and every junk yard ive been too is full of them, and i think their will always be a demand for f/body's so if ya got one for cheap and fixed it up keep it at least until selling it would be profitable

 

I belive certain 3rd gens are going up such as L98 Irocs and GTA, the higher end 3rd gens, while other are going down the drain. I bought my car arounnd where I live for 3200 and it was in perfect condition (minus paint) which still wasn't that bad. Now a year later, ive seen them go for 10k plus. Hopefully they will be worth what Hemi Cuda is worth one day :-p

 

I personally think these car are def keepers along with the Monte Carlos. these are prob the 2 most commonly built cars from the 80's b/c they are so easy to work on. I like the styling of the 4th gens but as far as working on it FORGET IT. talk about no room to work with. that might play a little roll in the value in the future but who really knows. every once in a while I dabble with the thought of getting a 4th gen roller but then I wake up and remember that half the motor will be on one side of the firewall and inaccessible. I was told or read somewhere that to pull the motor out of a 4th gen you have to lower the motor from under the car with the K-Member and all compared to just lifting it out of a 3rd gen, sounds like alot more work than its worth. I have 3 third gens and I will prob keep them and pass them onto my kids when they graduate high school which won't be till at least 13 years from now lol (2 y.o. and a 5 y.o.)

 

i got my LT1 by cutting the whole front bumper and frame out of the 4th gen. It was from a donor car. But i agree, I see the 95 LT1 is my car, then i look at my brother's 95 T/A. 3rd gen has a major advantage in engine bay room.

 

I personally think that they're going up, and it annoys me I've been wanting to buy another third gen since I sold my Formula 3 years ago, but other things like females, car payments and buying houses seem to keep getting in the way!!

I still think its possible to find a good, solid original car with 20-30k on it for 10k, but its getting harder and harder to find. I think its funny that a solid 4th gen is getting down to a similar price as a third!

Although, I found a very clean grey 88 GTA with t-tops, cloth seats and 45k miles on it last month for $6k near me. Too bad it was the wrong brand for me But that was a great deal, at least I thought...

 

I have been searching ebay and autotrader, I think you have to spend around the 7000 grand range for a clean 350 iroc. I am waiting for winter to see if prices come down. I agree they are getting more expensive than 4th gen lt1's.

 

If you are holding onto one (or more) or thinking of selling one, prices are going up. If you have tried to sell one, took it in the rear and sold one, or are looking to buy one, prices are going down.

Right now the trend is: fuel up, cars down. $65 a barrel!! Want an old car that is increasing within peoples interests, buy a Geo Metro. 48 mpg or something like that.

You can't judge what cars are going for by advertised asking prices, that is all they are, asking prices.

Be careful with ebay numbers too. Easily manipulated. For example, a guy puts a car on auction and a couple of his buddies hit it with a bunch of bids to make it look like he must have a hot ride he is getting rid off. They don't hit his reserve, no one else bids, auction ends and it looks like that the last bid a buddy made is what it could have sold for.

You can tell car values by ebay, but first take a Statistics 101 course first. You need to throw out the high and lows, average the remainder and stuff like that. You can't look at individual auctions and think that is the market. They count towards the average but don't stand on their own as being the market. Also, just look at the numbers that are in green in the completed auctions. Those are the only ones that sold.

 

Well, I looked for my third gen for about 9 months. I wound up with my 86 z28, 77,000 miles. Very very clean, with just a couple dents and awesome interior. Its got all kinds of upgrades, like new rear, motor, complete exhaust, etc. Plus its got nice rims and tires. Pretty much the works. Anyhow, I paid 6600 and the asking price was 7000. I did find some decent cheap ones. But it seemed more worth it to get the really clean one for a bunch more.

 

yea i paid 4k for mine and now its up to about 15k...too much money involved but its soo much fun. the only thing is all the money into the car and nothings stock on it so the resale valve on mine will be way low thats ok cause i got a vert now that i am going to be restoring

 

Is it just me or have others noticed that values are currently sunk at the bottom. Does not seem like anyone is interested in this type of car anymore.

It makes me wonder how well the new Camaro will sell after the initial rush ends.

 

It might be your location, up here I can usually turn 3rd gens for some profit, matter of factly every car I have purchased to sell I have made money on even after taxes, Fuel and any repairs I have done to them...

JOhn

 

Haven't noticed it here. I've been looking for another but none in a condition I'd accept. I'd stop for a few weeks and next time look prices are higher and in a condition not better than my previous search.

 

I notice a lot of people are asking for a premium at this point, get on Autotrader.com, do a country wide search and this is what I came up with:
Highest prices
Camaro = $59,500, 87 miles 1991 1LE L98
Trans Am (89 TTA) = $44,990, 3491 miles
Formula (89 T-top) = $19,900, 12,500 miles L98


Trans AM, Formula & Camaro
21 between $20,000 to $40,000 - typical milage 89 to 50,000 miles
104 between $10,000 & $19,999 - typ milage 5,000 to 99,000 miles
89 between $7,500 & $9,999 - typ milage 15,000 to 200,000 miles
180 between $5,000 & $7,499 typ milage - 15,000 to 218,000 miles
316 between $2,500 & $4,999 typ milage - 100,000 & 140,000 miles
116 between $1,000 & $2,499 typ milage - 100,000 miles + some lower, but usually V6 cars, or LO3 cars.

In a nutshell, If people are asking more, then they will sell for more. The demand is there, and there are a lot of junkers that can still be had, but most of the good ones are at a minimum of $7,500...

I think that one thing that people on these boards fail to do is advertise their car in a publication like Autotrader, then the car sits in their front yard for months on end, and they lower the price until someone drives by. My advise is to pay the $50 and get publicity, it helps tons, I have never sold a car to someone that was less than 30 miles from me.

I live in Michigan
91 Formula sold to Tenn, about 2 or 3 weeks, cant remember.
95 Formula Convertible - sold to guy in Owosso, its about 50 miles from me or so, 2 weeks.
87 Formula 350, sold to guy in Fenton, about 30 miles south of me, 2 weeks.

John

 

I run my cars on Hemmings and Autabuy every so often just to keep the asking price 'demand' where I hope it ends up someday. There's a reason that I got $8K more for a sapphire blue '01 Viper GTS than a non-sapphire car would sell for. Rare, no miles, etc ... CREATE the price and make the market move to you.

It's just like the GNX cars. The moment a couple of morons sell theirs for $40K, the days of $65-80K 'normal' prices take a hit. Rare cars with exceptionally low miles drive the market prices. Well, they do if people that own them don't accidentally chop the other owners off at the knees.

Mike M

 

I ended up selling my 86 Trans Am for $5K a year and a half ago (I think it might be coming close to 2 years now).
It was in parts, I just tossed everything into the inside of the car when my friend came to pick it up.

 

I agree with Midwest muscle,
if we all start asking MORE for our cars then that WILL drive up the values. If you find a cheap deal buy it and then sell if for more... I have done that on several occasions.

John

 

I agree that eBay is not the best place to buy a used car and if my friends or family ask I tell them to try to find something local.

With that said, I have an 82 T/A and an 83 T/A I bought off eBay. The 82 was 50 miles away so I was able to look at it before I bid. The 83 was 1700 mile away so I didn’t get to look at it. The only reason I took the chance is because it was an 83 L69 T/A. I’ve been looking to one to restore for a few years and since I am planning to tear it down and rebuild it, the condition is less important then it being complete.

Over the last three years I have noticed prices going up, not a lot but enough for me to notice.