Not sure where to post this but, I have the chance to pick up a 92 camaro in a local auction. It has front end collision, and i have been reassured that the frame wasnt effected. it has a 305 5speed. Not sure if it runs or not, Dont have more details yet, as in options, z28 or RS, etc... I will be looking at it in the near future, my intentions with this are too restore it 100%. I was told the interior was in great shape, other than the front, no other body damage/ rust. Not too worried about engine, tranny. I have ones to swap in there if need be. Roughly what would this be worth? Anyone been in this situation, and have bought one? I am hoping to get it dirt cheap, but others will be there, so i need to figure out where to draw the line.

Any input or ideas are appreciated!

Thanks

 

The value is going to rest greatly on the factors you don't know yet, options and milage. It also rests on what kind of shape the car is in, how clean it looks, milage, any major work done, the accident will also devalue it. Be sure it doesn't have a slavage title when you go to buy it. Even if you can get it changed back to a regular title there will be a record it was salvaged, and your value drops.

 

PyRo has a good point. If it does have a salvage title and you still want to buy it, get it for a good price and plan on being the last owner of the car. Because you won't get crap for a car with a salvage title.

As far as what it is worth. Kinda of hard to say, but a 1992 RS 305 5sp with average mileage and in good shape would be reasonable in the $3000 - $4000 range. If it is a Z28 with the 305 5sp then you can maybe add a few hundred to that. If it is in exceptional shape, then add even more....etc.

The damage ofcourse will deduct quite a bit from that price. See if you can get an estimate of what it would take to fix it. Then look in autotrader online and see if you can get an average price of similar cars. Then deduct a good portion of what its gong to take to fix the car. And start from there.

Probably stuff you already thought of. But hope it helps.

 

Ok... major update on this...

The car is a 92' RS, it has a 305 TBI motor, has a 5 spd, it is teal green with t-tops. The car isnt in that good of condition however. I was able to drive it around, the tranny was ok, engine ran ok, but appeard that the valves were shot. the front end of the car was in a accident, but isnt anything major. Both rear quarter's have spots of rust here and there all over, but there is not rot or holes. The interior surprisingly was very good. carpet, seats, etc, were all in good shape. However the odometer reads 212,000 miles. Now i am assuming this couldnt be original motor and possibly tranny, but you never know... I am still interested in restoring this car, but i think after seeing it, what i am going to pay has gone down dramitcally. I think 600.00 is the most its worth... any one else have any opinions on this? I currently have a 84' camaro that needs a new floor, tranny, rear quarters, interior, basically a full restore. Benefits of getting this car would be to go to a 92', power windows, t-tops, better tranny, better interior, fuel injection. The downfall is the work to get it back on the road, but if i can get it for between 300-600 and a weekend with 3-4 guys working on it, i can get this up and running real nice for cheaper than i could to restore the 84' i guess i am looking for the opinion of someone who has been here before, or can see where i am coming from to see if this is worth getting or not.

Thanks ahead of time...

 

If you're going to but that much work into it, then I would not offer more than you are going to offer. See if you can find out if the engine and tranny are original. If the engine and tranny run ok like you said, then the cosmetics are your only issue.

Does tha a/c work? That will be a big ticket item.

Also ask if the heater core has been replaced. That is something that goes out with our cars.

Good luck.

 

Another Update!!!

Here are some pics i obtained from the auction... Basically the only 2 things i am really concerend about... i do have other shots i took, but these are the main issues... sorry about the pic size, i cant edit them at work, so they are big....

 

from what I can see in the pics you need a front bumper cover (probably a bunch of stuff under it. possibly the actual bumper, supports and defently the headlight mounting bar), ground effect, hood, and a fender.. as far as the rust on the quarter that looks like very minor surface rust.. the car defently needs a paint job so I wouldn't be too concerned about that..

 

I wouldn't buy it, if it was me.... some of the rust looks like cancer from the inside.

Not worth trying to restore. Whatever you think it's going to take, it'll take more, and the end product will still be a rusted-out car with a salvage title... altogether not a wise "investment".

Something to repair well enough to work and just drive and not be ashamed of, maybe; restore, no.

 

Yeah i was thinking the same thing, however i dont have any expirience when it comes to body work, so that rear quarter rust to me looked easily repairable, but it may not be... everything else was ok with the car...

 

Ok, thanks alot for your input, I am worried about this myself, i guess at worst, if i can pick this up for cheap, and i mean cheap, i can part it out for myself for my 84' and sell anything i dont need, then junk it... i will probably pick it up and get it to a hoist to see the floor also. unfortuanatly at a auction, they dont really let you do a whole lot to see what your buying...

 

hmm I overlooked that spot under the gas tank and the lip on the wheel well.. not what I'd call devistating rust but thats pretty bad for the age of the car..

 

Yeah, it's the wheel well lip ones that say "Run away! Run away!" to me.

 

Yeah, i dont know... i guess i am having 2nd thoughts now... Either way i am getting it, either to restore it, or part it out... There are still some good things about the car. Maybe i should part it out and keep alot of the good stuff for my 84', then sell the rest of the car off. I need to make up my mind quick about which project i am going to do, cause i have a potential buyer for my 84 right now, and i cant seem to make up my mind.