Don't see a casual discussion forum, but thought this might be the best section of the board to post this on

So, I ended up getting in not what I would call an argument, but more of a heated discussion w/a few friends of mine (if that term makes sense) regarding my '91 'bird project. Which to an extent, prompted me to post about this, lol.

Basically, they think that I should have got a second gen instead, or some older type of muscle car (well, who wouldn't want one, right?). Essentially, my response was that I've always wanted a nice third gen, that it's a better project for me to start with for now (given my income/car knowledge) because it's a cheaper project to return to it's former glory and then some while parts are more readily available, and that seeing how these things are all 20+ years old now, that while not to the extent of older American cars, they are possibly future collectibles.

I also had to throw in at the last point, that no matter what, it's still a better investment than dumping $$$$ into a '95 Honda civic!

Basically, I've found a car worth saving/resto-modding as I plan to do, and am gonna do what I want to anyway, but I'm just curious if any of my logic is correct on the future status of these things? As far as I know, they were pretty much the cars to have in the 80's, and many early muscle cars that are worth tons of money now were once considered worthless junk no one would ever want again, especially back during the early 70's gas crisis when few were willing to pay for gas to drive those beasts everyday. Things change over time in interesting ways, I think.

Thoughts?

 

I totally agree on that, down the road you will start seeing less third gen. around and they will be what restorers are looking for, as has the second gen. Definitely good point rather put money in something with value than a civic!!!!!

 

I would agree that eventually these cars will be rare and colectible, or more in demand as a platform for future hotrods anyways. The 50's and 60's cars are all but gone, making way for second gens, etc. Only to open the door for 80's vehicles down the line. I grew up in the 70's as a teenager. I owned a 70 Challenger 340, 4speed car at 16. I paid $400 for that car and sold it for $500. Now a rusted out shell is worth 10K!
Eventually I believe the Camaros, and Mustangs of the 80's and 90's will see their own glory as musclecars of an era gone by...Just my 2 cents...

 

I dont know. The car to have in the 80's was the cars from the 70's. I was there, noone like the new body style and laughed about the Camaros being hatchbacks. Low numbers or rare means nothing, ie Vega Cosworth. Most collectors are looking for performance. You never see a 6 clyinder Camaro at Barrett auction. I think the GTA or the 80 TTT will be the cars to have. Yes in the early 80's 70 mustangs, camaros, road runners, gto and cudas where the cars kids had. All collectables now, all performance. Never have seen nice pinto or 6 clinder mavrick cosidered collectable. So old doesnt mean collectable, fix it up and have fun. Getting real, in 10 yrs proably be rusting away in a junk yard or a forgotten project behind you shed. Priorities change quickly.

 

I know around here when I was old enough to drive in 2000, the car a lot of guys wanted was later tpi thirdgens. Quick cars, looked great, and they were cheap. A couple guys found good deals on early fourth gens, but they were for the most part pretty expensive, at least around here. I could see some of the more rare models being worth something to guys that had or dreamed of having in high school. I doubt they will ever be 70 Chevelle SS454s, but they could be collectors in the future. Especially as many of them as has been wrecked, hacked up by a V8 poser, or modded to race car only. Or maybe they will stay cheap for ever and I can start my thirdgen collection.

 

the problme is that they are all getting wrecked and rotted out. there are none left here in my area except a few 90 91 92 ones. no 82 83 84 since about 10 years ago or longer. and basiclaly no 85-89 or 90

but thats up here in the rust salt belt and farming town area.

the southern states and out west will always have '60s ones around even..

completely different world in those locations.

also scrap prices having gone up the last few years has done in most all '90s and older vehicles that had any issue at all, physical or mechanical. everyone became a scrapper and hauled them all in to the shredder in short order. and still i see one now and then going in.

 

I'm somewhat on the fence as to how the thirdgens will be viewed later on. See, the cars from the 60s and early 70s were hot in the 80s (and on) because for the most part, they actually made power, and through the 80s and most of the 90's, most cars were dogs.

With the big 3 making powerful cars again I kind of think the thirdgens will be forgotten by most because their "resurgence days" are being overshadowed by new Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers (and Vettes, and all the tuner/turbo cars).

I don't care tho; I love thirdgens and will always have one.

 

i honestly dont think these cars will be as collectible as the 1st gens and early 2nd gens, they are lacking in the power department compared to even their older counterparts and especially the newer cars coming out today. the problem is that these cars are actually a little bit awkward, they were some of the first cars to have fuel injection and we still didn't know what we were doing. not to mention we were just then starting to recover from the smog laws and we were learning how to make power while still making those requirements. another issue is that these cars have had huge numbers of them produced, while in retrospect the earlier generations had a small fraction produced. you may argue that many are being crashed and scrapped and are becoming less plentiful, but you also have to realize that the EXACT same thing happened to previous generations. now, does that mean i dont love my car? no of course not. is it going to stop me from spending stupid amounts of money on it that im never going to be able to make back? the short answer is no.

honestly, why does it matter? i believe that many of us own these cars because we love them, not because we want to turn a profit someday. a car is NOT a good investment if you plan to get your money back, that is extremely rare to even do that much less make a profit.

Ok sorry for the rant, just felt it needed to be said, since nobody else had gotten to it yet.

 

I don't honestly think anything will ever be as "collectible" as a 1st gen Camaro - go to any "classic car show" - there are more 1st gen Camaros than anything else. 1st gen Mustangs, the 1970 Chevelle, the late 60's Chevelles, the GTO's all hold second place.

But what I see (as I attend these "classic" shows WITH my 3rd gen", is that the kids ages 4 to 10ish - their parents look at the cool 1964 fully restored Impala remembering that "dad" had one, but the small kids all gawk at my 3rd gen. I think these little rugrats will grow up and to them, these cars of the 1980's will be desireable since their parents will be saying to them for the next 15 years "I had one of those in high school" whenever they pass by one of our cars.

But also what I see is that, you fellow 3rd genners are NOT in the limelight - and it saddens me. You guys got to get out there! Crash these "classic" car events with your project - I ALWAYS do. I'm at something EVERY WEEKEND, and usually 2-3 nights a week. No one at these "classic" events really cares if you are pre-1975 or not. But you got to show up, and be seen!

I just yesterday went to a local Chevy dealership's annual chevy show. It was basically the annual event for the local 'vette club - there were 50 vettes there, from the 1950's to 2010 models. And there were "classics", 1st gens, Malibu's, Chevelles, Impalas, Novas of course. But - I was the ONLY 3rd gen there! Why? We have a local F-body club - some really nice 3rd and 4th gen cars. And I even let them know about the show - but no one showed up. Sure, there was a $15 entry fee (I'm unemployed, if I can pay $15 anyone can!) - but also a ton of door prizes - I won a $20 gift card to Moe's! There was free water, free lemonade, great tunes (a DJ), the $15 went to the USO, all you could eat free hot dogs, free ice cream, cookies, cakes, chips).

And I had alot of the 60+ year old guys with "classic" cars come and talk to me about my 3rd gen. And alot of kids just drooling over my car, as the '50's fins' just don't appeal to them, and the 60's and 70's "classics" don't look like a 'race car' to them like a 3rd gen does. The kids are right - our generation looks like Nascar, and they love it!

I guess my point is ... the "classics" are classic because they are out there. Having the local F-bodies meet at the local burger joint every other Wed night for an hour to BS with one another is NOT promoting your ride. You guys have got to come out of your 'social clicks' and get in the big picture if you want to be recognized (and thus have value added). Shove your nose in there - I do - and everyone is happy to see me. I'm in the local classic Chevy club (even though they 'say' it's a pre-1972 club), I go to 6-10 cruise-ins a month, and enter into 2-3 car shows a month. I spend most Saturdays from 8am until 10pm burning up a tank of gas just riding from show to show to show, sticking my 3rd gen nose into everything everywhere.

Let's ROLL!

 

I went to a small local show at a dealership yesterday. Probably 200 cars max. there was a cross section of collectible cars there from a '19 motel t Ford to next to new Vettes. In the mix was at least a half dozen third gens from a '82 camaro to a '91 Z/28. There was a nice GTA with a "For sale sign on it". All of them looking very presentable. I have noticed this at other showes lately as well. I think that our third gens are starting to "come of age" and things will only get better. Prices will still be held down by the number produced but in time I am sure values will rise. That only matters if you plan on selling your third gen which I do not. Of course if you are looking to buy a good example now may be a good time to close the deal.

 

All good points for sure! Value is always a relative thing anyway, as even the "rarest" or most "collectible" cars out there are only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for them at a given time. I say 3rd gens hold up just as well as any other vehicle out there. When you go to a cruise in or car show, the people out there are car people anyway, and like most of us probably don't care if you have a 3rd gen, Cuda, or 57 Chevy, they just like to see them, so like camaronewbie said, get 'em out there and show 'em!

 

Well, plenty of interesting, and valid points have been mentioned here, pretty much confirming my thoughts on these things! I don't think they'll ever reach the value point of the late 60's/early 70's muscle, but I think over time, the value will go up on these things somewhat. Taking that into account, I think the nice examples that will be able to fetch the most money, are either #'s matching 305 TPI 5-speed, 350 TPI cars, or resto-modded examples packing real horsepower.

When it comes down to it though, I really do think the best reason to buy an older car and make something nice out of it again is because you truly love and want one. I'm not trying to dump money into this thing to attempt to make a profit off of it, or even break even. I'm just doing it because I've wanted a nice third gen, probably since I was 5 or 6! (I'm 23 now). I remember always eyeballing the camaro across the street from my house in those super early days! .

You also see very few third gens at all around where I live, let alone a nice one (It's mostly riced out civics and such w/a stock motor, but for stuff that's actually fast, you tend to see more tuner/turbo cars, and 94'+ mustangs than old school muscle). It'll be kind of cool to have something that stands out IMHO.

And I DEFINITELY agree that those of us who have nice examples of third gens need to get out there and show them to the world! Only problem is that too there aren't many nice ones around atm. Too many of these cars are currently sitting, going to crap. They're getting to the point of either being garage survivors, or someone else's project/headache when you buy one. The number of turn-key cars left seems to be fading by the day.

 

You know, I had another thought this evening ...

The 3rd gen will be the last generation of GM anything to be or get carbed. We are really the only GM (along with a few GN's/Cutlass/Caprice etc.) that is in anyway desireable to even be "built" as a hobby really. The Vettes are mostly going to remain stock - most made really good power and really needed little in the way of mods - they are 'Vettes, kinda already just right off the assembly line.

But the 3rd gen F Body is kinda in it's own class - the last of GM Muscle that anyone desires to "hot rod" in it's original sense, meaing adding bits and pieces from other years, cars, etc. in an effort to get better performance, better creature comfort, and personalization.

4th gen folks do "bolt-ons", and "mod" very little. "Tuners" do bolt ons, and reprograms if you will. With the computerization and "bolt-on" mentality of everything else. In 10 years, it'll be hard to find a street carb (Edelbrock & Holley recognizes this - they are doing a ton of R&D in the "techno" rather than the "mechanical" - like TBI units, Edelbrocks coop with MSD on computerized ignition components, etc.). In 10 years there won't be any carb return springs in the HELP! section, chrome throttle brackets and valve covers, and almost anything else that is SBC will be special order parts. With the exception of California, I'm sure that most all states will lose "emissions" testing on anything older than OBDII, and will release the pollution equipment requirement on these cars - we're the last of the "introductory" computer cars - the kinks were worked out on us, and now the systems are going to be streamlined in the interest of standardization.

We, my friends, are really the last of American Muscle in a sense.

And in the near future, that may make us stand out maybe more than anything.

 

excellent points camaronewbie! most excellent!

 

I think its downright silly and shortsighted to say 3rd gens are the last true American Muscle cars, let alone say that 4th gen guys mostly do bolt ons. I know people with built LSx cars that will slam down on 95% of street driven third gens. Technology breeds performance...period. To admit otherwise is silly.

Anyway, as an owner of 2 original third gen garage queens (one pristine, one soon to be pristine with a fresh paint job) and a gradually resto-modded third gen that is driven a few days a week, I can honestly say that while the investment potential is great, I don't own any of my cars to make money. I have nearly $15,000 tied up in a 117k mile 1991 RS that's worth $7,500 on a good day. Yes, it is gorgeous and nearly perfect. Yes, its modded the way I want it. But there is no money to be made here, only lost. I own it and built it because its exactly how I wanted my first Camaro (an '89 RS 2.8) to be. Its the fulfillment of my high school and college fantasy.

I own my 21,000 mile IROC 350 because to me, its the pinnacle of not only third gens, but its simply my favorite Camaro. Period. In its pristine condition, its a factory-fresh example of the hottest Camaro of its day, and is the car I've lusted after since I was a kid...right down to the color.

I own my 31,000 mile LB9 Trans Am because I have an affection for Pontiac (having sold them for 6 years and have owned 5), I'm sorry that its gone, and it was a steal for $3,000. With a fresh paint job and a steering wheel, it will be 95% perfect, and will be a beautiful car in its blue/silver combo. If I'm LUCKY, I might be able to break even if I sold it, once its done in the next year or two.

I own these cars because I love them. I don't care that 4th gens are faster and better built. I don't care that 5.0s are normally faster. These cars WILL continue to garner more respect as they continue to age. I just had a guy yesterday at a gas station tell me how beautiful my IROC was (I was in my RS ) and that he hadn't seen one that nice in years.

If people saw more clean ones, they'd have more respect for them. Period. I'm doing my part, with 3, to keep third gens alive in the eyes of the public around here

 

This is my biggest issue about 4th gens. Okay there American Muscle? From what? WHAT???? Exactly because of a third gen. During the 80s during the hard emissions and GMs steps to improve horsepower using Computerized carbs or fuel injected f bodys. People treat our car like dirt because our cars never got powerplants they deserved. Then when the third gens ended the 4th gens came in and GM had was ready to put their Computers and improved motors to work in the 4th gens which everybody cleary doesnt care about our cars. Pretty much my point im stating out is that If there was no third gen. You wouldnt have your 4th gen, or your ls1.

I think these cars will be appricated the ones that do survive in the coming decades once they are valuable, because they were the start of computerized electronic fuel injection the beginning of change, the beginning of GM enhancing the knowledge by using our cars for learning for the next gen. I will never own a 4th gen nor will i like them, because no offense to ppl that own one just the general public im around, they bragg about the **** to much.

Since i was born in the 80s grew up in the 90s and didnt start driving til 2005 my mind was always set on a third gen because theres no way you can beat the beautiful look of a GTA or IROC-Z

 

Well yes, it's a given, just about any 4th gen car will "slam down" any 3rd gen car, with few rare exceptions. It'll be a long time, and alot more blood sweat tears (and cash) before my 1992 RS ever 'slams' my 1997 Z28.

But it's done with bolt-ons - there is nothing else - that's my point! No LSx is getting "built" - no boring, or stroking, or drilling, or milling - there's no need. The LSx platform has been designed that way. Change heads, cams, exhaust, reprogram a chip, and you instantly go from 300hp to 700hp - bolt-ons!

My reference to "American Muscle" is the usage of the term and the implication of such up until 'today'. "American Muscle" has always implied (to me) 'mechanical' changes made to American cars with other American car parts that 'mesh' with one another in a manner that works best (at least in my mind). There was a real art to this - regular Joe's fiddling with things, trying something different always to find the combo that works best. Look at Atilla's magic - that's an art - to be able to look at a port on a head and know from intuition, or artistic eye, or just even gut feeling, that this head will do well or not. And FiveKid7 - when he dies so does the Quadrajet.

Today - it doesn't matter if anything looks good or not - it doesn't have to look good, or even be good - it can be almost anything, because in the end we are going to program the chip to accept it, like it, and make it perform with whatever other parts we've slapped on. Any idiot that doesn't know a cam lobe from his ear lobe can buy what the 'internet' says, pay another more mechanically inclined idiot to bolt it on, mailorder a chip from a dozen places, and instantly, painlessly, and with no more mechanical intelligence or ability than it takes to buy a soda, instantly get 400 extra hp. Where's the 'hobby' of American Muscle in that? That's an import mindset, not an American Muscle mindset.

I'm talking about the shade-tree Joe - which most of us are. We truly mod things - we make BMW headlights work to get HID, we rewire mirrors from SUV's to get maplights AND temp readings. We drill out intake holes to fit otherwise non-usable intakes, we mill heads changing valve bosses, deck heights, port work - we fabricate pieces - we put crap together that was never intended to go together, and we make it work. Today's technology requires non of that - as with everything else in society, in today's "hot rodding" no one has to think, no one has to 'make' the tool they need to get the job done, no one ever has to 'test-fit' anything - just bolt it on, program the chip to like it, and done. You never see a Subaru on jackstands for longer than 2-3 hours - Subi's have clean fingernails!

The result is the same, the means are different. It's not wrong, it's just different - and to most of us older guys I guess, we just don't see the 'art' in it. There's no art to programming really - there's no dirty fingers. It's just numbers, and getting the right numbers in the right spot. It's just the way of the world - everything is the same, it's all add-ons, and it's all disposable. We are the last of the junkyard junkies looking for Vortec heads. They aren't junkyards anymore, they are "recycling centers". In 10 years no one will be scrounging parts - they will just order new carbon fiber mirrors when they break one off. Today's cars are designed to easily 'get there' - where most of us that love the 3rd gen enjoy the journey more than the destination - it gets us out of the house and into the dirt.

From here on, the personalization will be with paint schemes, plastic effects, and placement of the Autometer sticker. No one will ask the question 'how', they will just ask 'where' and 'how much'. We're pretty much the last of the breed. SBC is gone, 3rd gen F-Body is the last of a long line (from 1958 - 1992) - and even alot of us are swapping to LSx - can't blame, easy performance. That's what I was referring to I guess, if that makes sense. We are the last of the grease-monkey's - the last car that will ever have SBC.

 

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go to ls1tech.com, there has been as much done with LSx as any sbc/bbc, they are just single cam pushrod small blocks. you have no idea what your talking about here, 700hp bolt ons? please...

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again, LSx is a single cam pushrod v8, the SAME as a sbc, the heads work in the EXACT same way, there's no "magic" in porting a sbc head compared to an LSx head.

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you can't throw parts together and use "chip" (LSx cars don't have "chips") to force it to work, you match the entire combo to work together and then tune using a computer/injectors instead of a carb/jets. it's the same thing except one uses a keyboard and the other screwdriver

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again, check out some LSx builds and re-evaluate how you don't have to think to "hod rod" anymore, and how there's no fabrication anymore

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correct, 100%

the sbc is not gone, the LSx platform is a pushrod v8 small block chevy motor, so is the LTx. It seems EFI and clean cars are really the problem you have with the newer cars? because not much else has changed...

 

And that is one of the things I love about third gens! . The technology in them may be well dated now, but the styling is timeless. It's thoroughly modern, yet retains that mean muscle car look to it. That's something I could never get past w/4th gens. I make an exception for the 4th gen Trans Am's, but otherwise, I'm just not a big fan of 4th gen styling, especially the LS1-year Camaros. They're just way too tame looking IMHO, like the kind of styling that belongs on a Cavalier or Sunfire!

As for the SBC/Hot-rodding in general comments, it seems as though the SBC is still a great platform for cheap power, but I guess I also see how more modern designs like the LSx engines seem to be slowly, but surely making the gen I SBC go the way of such engines as the old flat-head V8's (That is, depending if you consider the LSx a continuation of the SBC, or a whole new design entirely). I personally think that whether you go with a SBC, LT-1, or LSx motor, that any way to give third gens the power and performance they deserve to go w/their looks, and saving these things from the crusher, is a respectable form of art in itself.

Personally, I look at newer technology as a benefit to hot-rodding, and if anything, the true "soul-sucker", (and threat IMO) of hot-rodding, are the growing number of people who prefer to pose as hot-rodders. We mostly think of "ricers" when we hear this - the people who slap on decals, annoying sounding, poor performing exhaust systems, and ridiculous rims & body kits - but all for show. Import owners aren't the only offenders either. I see plenty of people slap Cobra emblems on their V6 mustangs, like they think it'll make them beat Ferraris or something

And that, is why despite being more of a muscle car guy, I have respect for the real tuners. They too, know how ridiculous today's car culture seems to be getting w/the growing number of posers out there. As I see it, too many people are beginning to value style (or lack of IMHO) over substance.

Sorta got off topic there, but just my $.02, lol

 

I don't have a problem with any of it. It's all good. It's just different.

I guess I'm not having any luck trying to convey why I 'feel' like the 3rd gen is the last of a GM lineage, and will be a "classic" in years to come - so I'll quit while I'm behind

 

I remember a time in the early 80's when only the current models were "cool". Older was not desirable because there were so many on the road, mostly rotted and decrepit. They were associated with being poor peoples cars, quite like the stigma of the 3rd gens have today.

Ten years ago the 2nd generation was not even that desirable. Thousands were killed off on dirt tracks around the US not all that long ago.

Right now there are still a ton of 3rd generation models on the road. They are associated with poor people and younger male drivers. Lets face it, most that are still on the road tend to be lower end models, cobbled together, bad paint jobs, etc. Once these cars are off the streets, wiped out, once people see them less often, and usual nicer ones, that look the way they remembered them when they were kids, I think demand will grow. But the hard part for people to swallow is the fact that the numbers has to drop. Supply and demand dictates that.

Now, how much will they be worth. I don't think they will ever be $20K+ cars. Most will likely be worth half or less (adjusted for inflation) of that. I am talking real world prices, not retail, or BJ auction prices. My suggestion, if you want to invest money, or want a status symbol, look elsewhere. If you want a fun car for cheap money with styling that defined an era, then buy one and drive the wheels off it.

I also own a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. That was my #1 dream car (a Formula Firebird was my #2). I love both cars equally and have just as much fun in one as the other. They are worth the same in my eyes. The market says otherwise, but I really don't care about what it says.

 

Look I love our cars as much as the next guy but come on, i just read a miniature novel on how the world has changed, i grew up in the 90s and got my license in 2006, i dont see how our cars will be any more valuble than they are now, our cars were the last carbs...whoo, im sorry but thats just a coincidence, it was only a matter of time before carbs were pushed out, they were reliable yes, but everybody knew how to mess with them and every tard and his brother were jacking with them which really DIDNT help emissions much, so GM moved onto EFI, it was a smart move and the logical one, they always changed stuff standard across the industry like the EFI change over and the OBD2 mandated change for all cars. Yes GM is great, i love them but i dont think their idea of how the camaros will be remembered was the carbs. I hate carbs with a passion. Ive never had any fun with them. I can take my droid and datalog my camaro... tell me how this is bad or a hinderance, its not. It is a reliable, convenient way of tuning our cars and "Chips" are pre set tunes that you can swap, its actually an EPROM that compliments your build. Its the same idea as you putting on a high rise intake, its a part, that you can use to make your car meaner.

LSX's have just as much work involved as SBC's, the hang up is $, i can work on an SBC til i die and the LSX will still be better, it takes alot of money to maintainanan LS setup, parts are newer and better designed so theyre gonna cost more, it also takes alot of work too which most people dont source out to shops, LSX's still get their hands dirty just like us, and when i work on one of the 4th gens i actually enjoy it a bit more. Granted i love working on my car, ive gotten to know it so well there is no question when something goes wrong the only difference is with an LS/LT i can plug in my phone or my laptop and get the answer and a faster fix.

Hands down LS has it on us. Personally i prefer the computer approach, it takes a certain level of brain power to use so it makes a pretty good standard of people, ive met so many owners of thirdgens that just make me shake my head in amazment bcause some people complete the stereo type so well... and their solution for everything is open up the carb for more fuel! No. diagnose your issue and FIX it ive met too many ignorant owners i cant believe it

Finally the reason we retro fit stuff and do these huge swaps is because we love our cars, whether its for the weekend cruise, the wrenching, or the style... we love them because we are ENTHUSIASTS. Plain and simple we love our cars to the point that we wont let them die, so we have to replace that part that breaks OR put some newer technology into our old cars. The third gen will be a heap of junk to one guy and a treasure to another, thats the thing about enthusiasts, they know the true value of something they want and theyll pay it, but these cars are a total loss to your wallet, i just dropped 4k im never gonna get back but i dont care. Our cars are valuable to US because we are enthusiasts who will see another thirdgen and they have to see who is driving and identify what it is down to the year and trim lol and annoy their wives/ girlfriends with their cars, its a hobby. Theyll never be valuable because were the last of the carbs, most of the world has said goodbye to them because EFi is easier, and more reliable. The only loss from carbs was to the mechanic who could charge 2 hours on the books for 15 mins of work, they took a hit to the pocket but they survived and are now "technicians" note the "tech" part as in "technical", and we will too

oh and im pretty sure the camaro lineage went up to 2002 until this year, just because the 4th gens had evil voodoo contraptions with computers and such theyre still a production vehicle, and now we've got the 5th gens, but people are just gonna hate on them for a few more years saying "thats not a REAL camaro" which will shift their sights off of 4th gens and before you know it we're gonna be backburned and the 4th gens will be the "last camaro" its just how it goes, its gone on for 40 years and its not stopping now.

 

You novel writers are way off base.

The car to have during the 80s were the Camaros and Trans Ams. The 60s models were still fairly cheap and junked. The performance of the IROC-Z is every bit the same as most of the 60s muscle cars. Someone posted the performance numbers of most of the late 60s muscle cars directly from the magazines of the time. Most of them were low 14 second cars. What were the IROC-Zs and GTAs, low 14s!! The value is still on the rise and many examples have already crossed the $20k mark. So the comment about the value being worth 1/2 that is wrong.

And though this is a 3rd gen site, I need to address the Corvette comment. They are not fast because they are Vettes. During the 80s and early 90's, the TTA, GN and a few other cars were faster than the vette. The Vette's were very anemic until the mid 90s.

 

This thread again? Seriously, this comes up all the time. No one is going to convince anyone to change their opinion.

 

Well I have a young persons opinion as I am only 18, When I was growing up in the chicago suburbs I was around for the late third gen and fourth gen and now fifth gen period and there is a following trend through them all, in the early 90's when third gens were new or at most a few years behind second gens were cheap because they were too new to be old but too old to be new. when fourth gens ruled in the late 90's to 2000's this was the case of third gens but with fourth gens being cheap and still widespread I have noticed in the last couple years a lack of third gens driving around, because they are all gone, the nice one snatched up by collectors and most of the junk ones already in cube form. lately I have noticed the prices going up for all third gens. have you all looked at second gens lately ? what was 1500 5-10 years ago is now a 5000 car hell for under 3000 all you get is a rusted out piece of crap and the third gens will start going with the more desirable cars, 350 TPIS with T-Tops, the bad boys. infact I say in 5-10 years or as soon as they are popularized by a movie such as F&F they will be like hotcakes. plus someone else said it the parents of my generation all had 3rd gens and I hear about all the fun my dad had in his 79 Formula so I wanted one but, alas i couldnt get one. so I got a car I loved, A built A** 88 RS and believe me ill tell anyone, when I see my car I instantly brings a smile to my face. believe me when I say that Their Time Will Come SOON theres a pattern and were up next

 

Yes Drew, this again!