Not sure what forum this goes under. Mod's I hope this is in the right forum.

I know a guy who is selling a 89 RS, 305 tbi 5 spd.

I checked it out today and found the interior was a basket case. Will need almost all new interior. no headliner, plastics in inside fallen down, seats showing foam, dashpad cracked to heck and back.

I drove it around, the engine idles roughly, it has been stored for 2 yrs, the tag is 2 yrs off. Needs starting fluid in air cleaner to start. Once warmed up it cranks right over. Engine looks stock. radiator was rebuilt locally and claimed new clutch. has 27k showing so probably 127k but wouldn't put past 227k. The doors didn't sag and shut good.

The clutch was good driving it. I pushed it not real hard and got scratch on 2nd and 3rd gears. Claims the rear is a positrack (will have to check it later). Ran it on some pretty rough roads and no squeaking or body noise, handled like a champ, even dodged some pot holes with surprising nimbleness. Steering was responsive and had no slack. Once I got this beast on the road it was a hoot. It could put-put or put you back in the seat depending how you drove it.

My initial reaction was yuck, clear coat peeling emblems missing, interior is horrible. But behind the wheel, the 305 has nice torque band even if it needs a good tune up. The 5 speed handled marvelously and the clutch was responsive and forgiving for someone who grew up driving deuce and a half's when learning how to drive a stick.

After driving I almost bought the car right then and there but luckily I had foresight not to bring my money with me. Thinking back, I will have to work very hard on the interior to bring it into something decent and will have to do some serious tuning to get the bugs out.

What do you guys think? What do you think such a "diamond in the rough" is worth?

-CPT

 

i would say if you have the time and money go for it, it sounds like it needs alot alot of work and care, but if all goes well it would be nice!

 

Pics are worth a thousand words, did you check the underbody, rust in the usual spots, suspension? I would offer maybe $500 with the info you gave.

 

I'd walk away. The '89 RS is a decent Camaro and that one has the top optional engine and a 5-spd (which isn't common but not rare). They made 83,487 RS's in '89. Being that common, this car is not a "diamond in the rough". Not like finding a 1LE, etc. It was a nice Camaro that's going to take a lot more work (needs paint, interior, some engine attention, possible rust and corrosion, etc). Even if he gave it to you, you could have easily bought one that needs little to no work, with the same options, for less than the amount of $$$ it would take to bring this one into that kind of condition (plus your time). And you wouldn't recover you expenses if you sell it.
Good 3rd gens have never been cheaper.

 

i wish I had taken pics. Rust wasn't an issue as this is a southern car and looked like it had been southern the entire time. I looked in all the hot spots and no sighs of corrosion. The suspension was tight, handled amazingly well on really crappy roads and was nimble enough for me to avoid pot holes in 4th gear.

I've been looking for months for a decent v8 camaro under 2 grand in my area with no luck. Lots of v6's but I really want a v8.

I've never shied from working no a vehicle so a little elbow grease never puts me off. I guess I'm an optimist who sees what can be rather than what is.

Also I'm cursed with a 3rd gen camaro fetish. dammit.

-CPT

 

Honestly I say GO FOR IT! Sounds like A decent camaro to me, plus I think its kind of fun to fix things up on cars that are messed up, My car was in far worse condition didnt run, surface rust on roof, torn up interior, I couldnt have it any other way now, Its an 89 you cant expect it to be in tip top shape its 20 yrs old, I say go for it and have some fun along the way fixing it

 

Since you don't say what the owner is asking for it, or what you think he'd take, it's impossible to tell whether it's a good buy in general, or not. Doesn't sound like it; it's dirt common, and in as bad of shape cosmetically as you describe, it won't be easy or cheap to revive.

Costs EXACTLY as much to paint a 1LE car as it does a 6-cyl dog. Where is it wiser to spend your money?

However, whether it's a good buy for you, depends on what you're good at, what tools and parts you have on hand or have easy access to, and such as that. Me, I'd take a car with a clean interior, good paint, and a blown motor or trans or that needs suspension overhaul ANY DAY over one that is mechanically OK but needs complete body & interior resto; but that's just me. I don't have a body work setup, no paint booth, no upholstery shop, no spare interior plastic sets, etc. etc. etc.; but I can EASILY build a motor or trans, or change out ball joints and steering parts. Other people, yourself included, may be the exact opposite of that, I have no way of knowing.

But no, it sounds to me like you've found just yet another worn-out old car, not something of any worth and value. From your description I don't think I'd pay even $500 for it. I don't have any use for a car I'd have to throw away and a TBI 305 I could keep just so I could eventually throw that away too. The other way around, MAYBE; but not that. Though like I said, YOU may be different, if whatever ails it, is stuff that YOU have the capacity to deal with.

 

I guess it all stems from what a person wants. I don't want a v6, I want a reliable daily driver. I like the 305 having had one before.

my 86 is going to be my barnstormer, not this 89. I have plans for my 86 but it is a roller now. I am without vehicle and have this opportunity. I don't care about paint and I have a soft spot for beaters that run, not trailer queens. Part of my red neck upbringing. Yee Haw.

-CPT

 

I think you are on the fence. If you really wanted it and knew it was a good idea, you wouldnt be asking our advice. Always listen to your gut. But, since you will buy it to grace your driveway, be ready to spend money. I notice you didnt list the price of it, which depends wheater it is a good deal or not. Due to BARRETT JACKSON the is a trailer park full of guys who think they are millionairs, just trying to find a jack and some wheels.LOL ANyway, third gen are a **** poor investment and you will lose money when you sell. But if you have extra cash and want something to play with go for it. A military guy emailed me about the car I was selling, said he needed DEPNDABLE transportation, 4 hour drive every couple of weeks. I told him these were 22 year old toys.

 

Yes, it's true they are old enough to have lots of rough ones out there, but actually you can still expect to find many fine examples out there too. For not a whole lot of money, you can still find rides that have been well cared for and well maintained and others where the owner has fixed them up (and now selling at a loss).
What this buyer needs to decide is how much he's willing to put into it. It's very easy to spend WAY more money than what one in tip top shape is worth. It's up to him if he's willing to take a loss. If he loves it and is willing to do that, then more power to him. I love to see another 3rd gen get saved. Personally, I'd rather find a good "turn-key" ride. Ready to go and not a lot needed to be invested.

 

I'd love to get my hands on a 3rd gen for as a daily driver. Maybe something with a little higher mileage and being a little rough but reliable would be great. I'd spend up to $1000. Not meant to be a restoration project though. But they are hard to come by around here and sellers usually want $2500 + for 'em. Not really worth it.