Morning all,My name is Jim, and I've been trolling your forums for a few weeks now. I've always been a fan of the Camaro, and being a teenager in the late 80's, I've always had the jones' for one. I've already had an 85 5.0 (mercury capri) that I restored and then sold (to a youngster who destroyed it months later, but I'm now seriously entertaining the idea of a nice 86-90 Camaro.I've been reading tons of older posts and I've got a few questions for you all.1. will the 3rd gen be a "collector" car anytime in the near future?2. I'm not afraid to put some money into restoration, but is there anything that should'nt be done to preserve the value of the car?3. I personally am looking for a 5 spd car, but is the 350 automatic version more desireable? Would it make a better "show" car?Thanks in advance for your responses. Jim

 

I'm sure that at some point Thirdgen's will be serious collector items, but certain models are definitely going to appreciate faster and be more valuable than others. These models would include: IROC Convertibles, 1LEs (stripped down 'race' versions), B4C's (police package), 350 Irocs w/ T-tops, Heritage cars (25th annv. appearance package--only the Z28's and convertibles though), & G92 cars (performance axle).

As far as value, a 350/auto might demand slightly more than a 305/5speed G92, however they perform about equally well in stock form. It's really a buyer's preference when it comes to drivetrain, because some people find a manual transmission more appealing, whereas others will find the larger displacement engine to be more to their liking.

When it comes to actually purchasing a car, the afforementioned models are going to demand higher prices than a regular Iroc, or a regular Z28 or RS or what ever. Ideally if you have the money you should try to buy a low mileage car that doesnt need any work, because quality restorations will end up costing you more money than just buying a car that is near flawless. If you do choose to purchase a higher mileage car or one that needs alittle bit of TLC, you really need to focus on rust. Check the undercarriage, floor pans, around the wheel wells, etc.

I'm sure others will elaborate on this topic more, but this should give you a decent idea of what to look for. Do a search on those particular models and see which ones you like the best and go from there.

 

Welcome to the TGO Board Jim.Amack6 gave you some very good advise.Looking for a clean low mileage car and one that is unmodified if you want to restore it.It's a lot easier starting with one that hasn't been modified than to try and undo previous mods.It will be sometime before the "average" Z28s and IROCs values go up(the ones named above are the exception for now).Also are you more intent on a camaro than a Firebird?Just a thought.

Oh and I'm sure you regret selling the 5.0 Capri considering what happened to her(hope the kid wasn't hurt).'85 was the best year,IMHO,especially if she was a late year car with factory headers and roller cam.How I got my '83 Z28 is somewhat the reverse.The parents bought her for thier teenage son then had second thoughts.

 

That sums things up pretty well.

The term collector is very vague. It has as many meanings as there are people who are willing to buy cars. Some may collect due to rarity, or style, or features, or mods. Some of the rarer models amack6 mentioned are already very collectible, especially low mileage unmolested examples.

Or doesa collector car mean value? Will a 3rd gen, even a rare one, be worth tons of $$$ in the near future as in Barret-Jackson style? I would say definitly not. Maybe in the far distant future, but I wouldn't bet my retirement on it. Many are still cheap beaters. But some sweet examples have stopped depreciating, and the really sweet rides are closing in or starting to pass their original asking price.

I would not buy a 3rd gen if I had any concerns over future value. I would buy it to have fun. And if I got what I paid for it when I sell it, that would be great (like owning it for nothing). If I got more, that would just be bonus.

PS; I have no plans to sell.
Good luck.

 

1. Probably not in the traditional sense. There are too many trashed examples out there in circulation that keep the value low. Also these cars aren't looked at in a very good light by anyone except the people who also own them.

2. Keep the car stock and it will have more value in the long term.

3. Performance is king when dealing with performance cars. Since the 350 wasn't offered with the 5spd, the best 5spd is a 305. It's a performance hit that's going to come out of the value. The people who know these cars will look at a LB9/5spd and a L98 with identical options and they will probably consider the power output is close, but the 350 will probably sell for more money, first. A fair bit of the blame for the general conception that thirdgens are slow, can be put on the 305's lackluster performance.
As far as showing a car, 305tpi vs 350tpi doesn't matter much since they look exactly the same. But when you've got badging and signs prominently placed around the car... When you walk through a car show does the 68 Camaro with the 307 catch your eye? Or is it the 302 or 396 car sitting next to it?

 

[quote=Iroctopless;3268234]That sums things up pretty well.



The term collector is very vague. It has as many meanings as there are people who are willing to buy cars. Some may collect due to rarity, or style, or features, or mods. Some of the rarer models amack6 mentioned are already very collectible, especially low mileage unmolested examples.

Or doesa collector car mean value? Will a 3rd gen, even a rare one, be worth tons of $$$ in the near future as in Barret-Jackson style? I would say definitly not. Maybe in the far distant future, but I wouldn't bet my retirement on it. Many are still cheap beaters. But some sweet examples have stopped depreciating, and the really sweet rides are closing in or starting to pass their original asking price.


I would not buy a 3rd gen if I had any concerns over future value. I would buy it to have fun. And if I got what I paid for it when I sell it, that would be great (like owning it for nothing). If I got more, that would just be bonusBy collector I would mean a car that I will drive on nice days, and that hopefully in about 5-10 years I could get back what I paid for it. Similar to what you posted.To be honest with you , I'd like to pick up a 455SD TA, but, as we all know, they are very, very pricey. I've also been looking at "Bandit" TA's, but same situation. I don't have 20-30k to plunk down on a 30 year old car. Just something that I can "have fun with", maybe modify it a little (exhaust, ECU, maybe gears) and in a few years possibly sell it for a small profit.

 

I like the look of the Camaro better than the bird, but If I were to find something that I liked I would probably go for it no matter what color or brand it was.Yes, I miss my 5.0. It was pretty rare alright. A late 85 5.0 AOD Capri with all power options and a pop-up sunroof. It did come with headers and the cam, but it was an AOD so it had TBI.. Talk about a low-po 5.0. Bought from my Allstate insurance agent for 2600, needing some work and with 40k on it. (he was the original owner) I kept it for 4 years, put about 2500 into it. (paint, but I prepped it myself) the basic bolt on goodies, and really cleaned it up. Looked like new. Sold it with 70k on the odo to a 21yo. for 3500. He lived near my best buddy, about 6 months later, it was gone. Totaled it out. I still wish I had kept that car

 

If you would consider a Trans Am, I would say a 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am.
One of the fastest, in not the fastest Trans Am/thirdgen ever made.
Prices are raising now, compared to a year ago.
These cars at shows tend to win throphies.
You can check out:
http://www.turbotransam.com
http://www.turbobuicks.com
For more info on these cars.
Here's a head's up. Barrett Jackson just sold a GTA Trans Am for over 30 grand.
Of coarse, I'm biased.

George

 

Heck Yes they will see appreciating values...

The Barrett-Jackson arguemt is VOID since a 91 or 92 Camaro 1LE sold for $40,000 and an 87 GTA sold for around $30,000.

With that said here are some things to look for: (This was mentioned before, but I will include the Firebirds)
1) Firehawk - Only 25 made
2) TTA - 1,555 made
3) 1LE cars, Camaro or Firebird, down side is typically no frills for options
4) THe Players Challenge cars
5) Convertibles, especially ones with TPI, if you find a 350 powered one your lucky and it will not be factory, but it will be the same as a Factory car except the VIN and RPO. Traditionally a vert is worth about double that of a hardtop with the same options...
5) 350 Cars, 305/M5
6) 5.0 Automatic TPI cars.

Other intersting cars to look for would be an 86 L69 HO, Really ow production, most went to Canada to be raced in the players series. Unfortunately anything before 1985 really lacked power, the CFI cars are not bad, but they do have some reliability problems that I have heard people talking about, but others have not problems, one big issure may be getting parts.

As we speak cars for under $1000 are becoming rare, you can find them but there far and few between.

l8r

John