Hopefully processing my retirment and becoming single again..want to treat myself to a nice driver.

Open to anything 82-91???

Stock not a zillion miles working ac that type of thing not a project.

What am I looking at?
Not a show car not a heap...ta or formula may be ok 5 spd or auto

 

How about this https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cama...roc-z-5-a.html

 

The IROCs are at the higher end because of the nostalgia and the instant recognition..

The Firebirds are discounted and much better bang for the buck right now..

Original, stock, low mile (under 50k) with minimal wear and maybe unmodified except for exhaust, Battery and radio could be anywhere from $12k-25k depending on the car, the options, condition, # of owners, etc..

-5-speed IROCs and convertibles are harder to find and go for higher prices.. Lower Production..

-5.7L IROCs are fairly abundant, but the extra 20-30hp is desireable. One just went at auction for $25k.

-5.0L IROCs that are super clean and loaded with T-Tops have been selling near 5.7L prices with the TPI motor. As stock motors there isn’t a huge difference.

-5.0 IROCs with TBI or carbureted motors can be had for a good deal, though some guys are marking them up at the TPI prices.

-91-92 Z28s are coming up in price a little, but are discounted for not having the “decals”

-GTAs seem to have $10k-$18k asking prices in good condition

-Formulas and T/As are good deals right now. You can get low miles, original with one owner, window sticker and original documentation, etc for thousands less than an IROC...

-Early Z28s are a good deal.. lower on power in stock form, but there are nice ones out there

I would figure out what options you definitely want, what colors you like, what mileage you want, etc and when you really narrow it down you can go out and find the best deal because you’re comparing similar cars..

If you want a 5.7L TPI IROC 87-89 with power options, T-Tops, 30k-40k Miles, Black, Red or Blue, all stock with stock wheels and interior, etc... I’d expect to pay $14k-$22k... Complete Mint original will be at the higher end... some might have exterior or interior wear you can correct over time... Dealers will charge much higher prices ($27-37k) because they have the car you want all detailed up and can deliver it to your door... If you want a good deal you have to narrow the search and hunt..

Check out the 5-speed thirdgens for sale thread too... there’s great ones in there... If you have to buy sight unseen get lots of pics, video, and get a signed statement from the owner of the condition of the car and it’s flaws so there’s no surprises... Sometimes you have to ship your dream car but it’s really not that horrible to pay an extra $800 to get the car you really want.

If you want a stick-shift, this is where it would be..

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...hird-gens.html

 

Thanks....an early Z firebird is fine, just needs to be a V8 and clean. 5 spd ideal but the right auto is fine too

The "Dream car" I keep in mind I couldnt afford so I look for value/condition..i see these as fun cars for reasonable $ kind of like the C3-5 vette. None of them are collector cars no matter what an option breakdown says. Different perspective I guess..

Ceiling would be 8-10k . not expecting perfect or a 10k mi cream puff just something that isnt a typical CL pos.
Been seeing more and more 1 owner 3rd gen/5.0 come up for sale with reasonable miles, already did the 5.0 thing.


Buddy has yellow 86 we redid many yrs ago pretty sharp 5k takes it. Theres a contender

 

Info on the yellow 86?

 

Hes had it for maybe 20 yrs. Suspension running gear was all new many yrs ago...we did a motor for it then he started a family you know the rest
Sharp..very strong runner.
10:1 350 just a cheap rebuilder shortblock. performner heads with a tiny bit of touchup, ported TPI, 256voodoo shorty headers
Passes Ca smog and pulls lots harder than one would think. I bet it would crack a high 13.

Hard to find in that shape I could get it for 5 tops
I just dont see 20k for 3rd gen hard to get that for most older musclecars, C3 these days.

 

Sounds like you should buy your buddies '86.