Every once in a while I like to poke around NADA to get all depressed about what the world thinks my car is worth. Last time I checked (some time last year) NADA valued the car at around $2250 or $2500. I just went back and noticed that they only go back to 1986 (20 years), but they do list it under the classic car listings. Anyway, NADA now values the car at $4,200 for "average" retail and $6,425 for "high" retail. Nice to see that NADA has begun to reflect more accurate pricing for these older cars.

 

I've noticed that too.NADA gives just retail prices but does give a range for condition.Although Kelly is good for loan values on newer cars.NADA not only lists Camaros in collectible but also in the musclecar category.My '83 Z28 would be a low retail condition right now and that's $2K(it's same for both categories).KBB only goes back to '86.

 

NADA prices always seemed a little "enthusiastic" to me. They say my '71 T/A is worth $29,120 which is about $10,000 higher than real world prices. I could probably get 30G's if I did a complete restoration.

 

kbb lists cars that can not be registered as classics or collectibles. Nada lists the ones that can be. In the average bit, a court or insurance comapny goes with kbb... although i thing that is rediculas in most cases especially concerning an older car like thirdgens. I was happy to see that my 83' was worth more than my 96 sunfire lol... but then i fell it is worth more than that little box any day of the week, not to mention it has more actual metal in it than 2 of those cars put together lol

 

Whats really funny is the difference between 86 & 87, same car, but the 87 Trans AM prices are about half.

I think it has to do with the car being 20 years old...

John

 

your assumption of the 20 year rule is correct. Once it can be registered as a collector car the value jumps drastically...

 

What is interesting is an 86 Trans Am is valued at $3,188, $6,656, $8,281...
and an 86 IROC-Z is valued at $2,695 / $4,693 / $7,160.

Of course they have the IROC under Sport Coupe...

John

 

like it matters. for a 20 YO car that is still a decent value considering most cars half it's age have a value half that.

 

I dont know the value of a '89 Firebird 5.0 tbi but i paid mine one case of beer .

 

Just so everyone is in the know.

If you go backwards from 92 to 87 you will notice the same car is worth slightly less each year you go back. When you get to 1986 there is a huge jump in the values, not quite double, then it varys from 85 down to 82.

According to NADA, the 87's are the bottom of the heap, but next year they should be slightly higher than what the 86's are now...

got it?

John