Looking at two IROCs. An 85, 33k miles no AC, manual windows, all stock incl. paint. Or 87, 63k miles stock but repainted and more options. About $5k difference between the two (85 is more expensive of the two).

I'm leaning to the 85 given the miles but would appreciate any thoughts as I think about residual values / which will hold on better

Thank you

 

Assuming the paint on the 87 was done right, I say 87 hands down, before you even get to the price difference. If the paint is iffy, I'd scratch it off the list entirely, again, before you even get to price. To me personally though, an 85 with no options isn't really very appealing. I may drool over it at a show, but i'd never consider buying it. Just too many others out there.

I've gotta ask, what are you looking for? The fact that you only mention those two.....and they're quite different cars!!! For example, I'm actually shopping (though I believe I've found my car!) and I am, well, was looking for 88 or 89, not red or black, with some rare options or color, or a cool story, for under $10k and needing some work, as I enjoy the journey every bit as much as the destination. Your options seem quite different.

 

I'd like more info. Pics would tell the story, as well as asking prices.

 

Absolutely need more info. Can’t make any realistic suggestions with so little info especially without pics

 

Thanks for the replies. I was actually watching an eBay auction on the 87 at the time I posted that was coming to an end and hence put up v little information given the lack of time as I was just trying to validate my thinking. The 87 went for $10.7k. I didn’t bid in part because I realized that that car had been moved around dealers a lot recently and also in other photos of it from the past it has mod steering wheel which made me think it hasn’t lived such an easy life. I went for the 85 at 15k 33k miles - it has all the performance options but just doesn’t have power windows / AC - basically a stripper. I was looking for a car that was likely to require little for me to do to it but didn’t want a garage queen I could never drive either. Time will tell if that was the right call!

 

Post up some pics of the 85!

 

yeah it’s a fair comment. I’ve considered and bid on cars from 10k to 30k, 60k miles to 3k miles. It’s been a journey to work out actually what I want (other than just an IROC). Really my governing principles were a) to have as little as possible to go wrong with it b) to not have to worry about putting a few miles on it. I like the idea of no power windows AC as those things will fail anyway. Dunno I’ll let you know how it turned out down the track!

 

 

That's a fine car!!

 

Looks very nice! Where is it from, that they ordered it without A/C?

 

Looks great in that pic!!!

 

Did you buy this car from an internet auction? If so, did you have someone on that end actually inspect the car on your behalf, in-person, first?

 

yes I had someone inspect it - main issues were hatch alignment which seems a common thing but only 1/4" gap which I don't think is that bad compared to others I've read about. the car I bought was from a dealer, the 87 was an ebay auction

 

GL with your purchase!

 

Thanks - if you see me selling parts on here in a months time you'll know how it went!

 

Congrats! I’m guessing it’s not to be a daily driver. There is something appealing about a basic car without power everything and a/c

 

you made the right choice between the 85 and 87 .. i seen the 87 and the 85 is much nicer .. also the 85 is quicker then the 87 so thats a bonus ..

 

thank you I appreciate that!

 

Might be low on options, but it’s got the IROC looks and those T-Tops!

Sounds like you made the right choice and that the 85 will have less “choices” made by previous owners to fix.