Originally Posted by hardon85

Very well said here and just to add a few things to what you already said. First off I should say that I turned 30 this year and I guess I'm as old as the first 3rd gens so these cars are basically the same to me as the muscle cars I hear my parents talk about, basically I remember seeing the later ones that were new and awesome to when I turned 16 and was ready to buy a car these were now in my price range (even though my parents never let me get one ;( ) and am now seeing them close to moving into the classic stage. From what I see on this board I see a lot of younger kids that got 3rd gens for a 1st or 2nd car which was probably not their first choice, but once they have it they have big dreams of totally restoring their cars (whether it be the right way or wrong way) and that's why they joined this board, which is awesome don't get me wrong but unfortunately most of the time they end up getting rid of these cars for a more practical daily driver. Then I see the people who are my age or a little older and now have a little more disposable money and really want to get that car of their dreams (at least their high school dreams) maybe a mid life crisis. Then their are others who I really don't see on this board that see these cars as junk and will destroy them or do whatever to them just look on Craigslist. And I know not everyone fits into one of these categories exactly but I'm sure we all fit into one of these categories somewhat.

I know what I just wrote seems pointless but let me ask you guys something from the 3 basic groups of 3rd gen owners which one would you rather buy from? I know which group I would want to buy from. To this day I could still show my grandpa a picture of a '57 Chevy or '64 Chevelle and he would say "Boy that would make a nice stock car"

Now that I'm done with all that being said it looks like he has taken really good care of the car. Would it be my first choice? No absolutely not but only because I don't like the 82-84 3rd gens and I don't like CFI as TPI seems to be much more reliable. Maybe he has an important job and doesn't have time to be on this board all the time and if he's not real 3rd gen knowledgeable and was told by a previous owner that it was a special edition and he really believes it then he's not really lying. And if you were to walk down the street and poll 100 people how many of those do you think would be able to tell you this wasn't a factory shifter? My guess would be 1 or 2. Are these people all stupid and jerks too? My point is this guy has taken really good care of this car, at least he had the sense for that. And if I had an extra $5,000 and was into CFI 3rd gens I'd definitely take a look.

I'm sorry I see posts about this all the time where someone posts a car they see on ebay or craigslist and they post it here to laugh at. And if you don't plan on buying it why do you care to post this to begin with? This may sound offensive but it's like seeing the largest woman in church and laughing out loud and pointing her out to everyone if you don't plan on marrying her why do you care?

Originally Posted by tlandoe

I'm sorry but I simply disagree. The way I see it, these cars are not yet "classic status" and I also don't see how people can look at this car and see a really nice well-kept thirdgen. Is it a pretty decent car? Sure. It's simply not going to command high dollars though and it annoys me when people treat these things like they are in the league of corvettes and the like.

My car is my fifth car and I got it because it has always been my dream car. I got the CFI because it was a good deal and I jumped on it since it was the only time I had the money around. But I knew good and well it would probably never be worth much. No biggie, it's my car and it's worth a lot to me, especially after the effort I've put into restoring it (it's now appraised for 7k, not that I particularly care).

I think it's absolutely bogus to think people wouldn't think that shifter's aftermarket. Really dude? Do you see a single speck of chrome or brushed aluminum anywhere else on that car? Even if you took a bunch of people, I'm more than certain the majority would say "what the heck is with that shifter?"

This thread is about history and originality. Both are called into question in regard to the auction and both are tremendous factors in determining the value of a vehicle, especially a "classic" like so many of you think you drive. Is this car original? Obviously not. Is the seller advertising it as all-original? You bet. Therein lies the problem, and it is up to the seller to provide honest information to prospective buyers and educate themselves on what they are selling if they want to make any decent amount of money on it.

Get as miffed as you want about people picking on guys for what they post in ads, but I get particularly peeved by this sort of thing. But its your guys' money, so far several people have stepped forward and said they'd pay the asking price, so I guess perhaps I'm more of a stickler.

Originally Posted by tlandoe

Originally Posted by JeremyNYR

I guess we just get a different feeling reading his ad. I see him as a decent guy that has a pretty decent car but he is misinformed on certain aspects of it. Since I dont perceive him as being malicious and trying to deceive someone, I thought it strange that you would mock him. And honestly, the thread title led me to expect a total joke of a car. I expected bondo, bad paint, an ugly spoiler and lime green wheels.

There other area where my opinion differs from yours is that I think these cars can and should be in the same class as corvettes an the earlier generation f-bodies. I rarely see nice ones on the street any more and I think their styling has withstood the test of time. My car is 28 years old, and I decided to modifty it rather than do a stock restoration, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be worthy of the "classic" title. Let's not let the baby-boomers have a monopoly on declaring things they remember fondly from their youth to be Classics! It's our turn to be old! haha

Originally Posted by chazman

You've got the gray T/A with the snowflakes? I think that your car rocks! Nicely done.

Originally Posted by JeremyNYR

Thanks I was just looking at your thread last night with all 3 of your kick-*** Camaros in your amazing garage and I have to admit that I started drooling! How'd you do that garage floor? It's shinier than most cars I've seen!