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Old 09-03-2015, 08:28 AM
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New here, with a question

I apologize in advance I didn't know where to put this at, and was hoping for some responses before the car come shere Saturday for me to look at.
I have wanted A 3rd gen for while.
I know someone that has one, besides all the ones on the craiglist that are way overpriced.
It is a:
1984 Camaro , I guess Berlinetta? Nothing fancy on it.
It has 109K on it.
The original V6 was removed, and the tranny.
Now has a 305, with a turbo 350 tranny. Computer was removed, along with the cat converter, which if fine with me.
The 305 has a mild tick to it. Maybe worn cam? Or a sticky lifter, I dunno.
Headliner is falling, Dash is cracked bad, will need replaced.
Left rear 1/4 panel where the mudflap goes, needs repaired, the lip rotted there. Rockers has mild rust.
Clear coat is chipping off in spots, so basically mild body work, and paint Needed!
I don't know if the rear end was replaced yet, with a V8 rear. I have not seen it in person yet. Was only sent photos. I don't know how to tell with that??
It is inspected. I seen the dash pad was not cheap. I think about 450!
He wanted 3200 for it, which was high!
That was two months ago on the craiglist, which never sold.
He now wants 2200 OBO. What is a fair price to offer, if the floor and sub frame is solid?
Still seems high to me. But I can drive it right away, while working on it.
Old 09-03-2015, 09:40 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

To much work... For a converted Berlinetta. Move on - It's UN-fortunate. Most F bodies are in humble condition!! be patient. You will find a much better car
Old 09-03-2015, 09:47 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

Wait awhile and you may find a nice Z28 in the 3-5k price range.
Old 09-03-2015, 09:51 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

I picked up my current 89 350 TPI Formula, never been hacked, for $1700. Drove it 100 miles back home. Needed a few things but she was a runner
Old 09-03-2015, 10:05 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

Originally Posted by dmccain
Wait awhile and you may find a nice Z28 in the 3-5k price range.
Too much work and too many headaches...keep looking. JMO
Old 09-03-2015, 10:13 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

just an example

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...195245850.html
Old 09-03-2015, 11:05 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

Originally Posted by Stryker412
Left rear 1/4 panel where the mudflap goes, needs repaired, the lip rotted there. Rockers has mild rust.
Clear coat is chipping off in spots, so basically mild body work, and paint Needed!
I don't know if the rear end was replaced yet, with a V8 rear. I have not seen it in person yet. Was only sent photos. I don't know how to tell with that??
He now wants 2200 OBO. What is a fair price to offer, if the floor and sub frame is solid?
Still seems high to me. But I can drive it right away, while working on it.
The only good part is that you're able to drive it to see if there are any problems with it on the road. Much of what you are asking would require more than just looking at pictures, especially when the photographer has control of what is being shown.
The rust mentioned is typically hidden, having started long ago from underneath. Clear coat and paint can be costly and should be added to the price vs. paying more up front. Unless you have experience and access to cheap supplies and labor, save your money and buy something already in good condition.
Berlinettas are electronic based so it would be nice to have the computer with it still. Replacement parts are often unique and can be difficult to find and expensive.
Old 09-03-2015, 12:03 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Thanks for all the input, I truly appreciate it. I am guessing Berlinetta, because there is nothing fancy on the car.
Oh crap, I didn't know the parts were hard to find, and expensive. That kind of bums me out. I didn't know that part!
He is a truly honest person. He even told me to get it up in the air, and go over it if need be.
I thought 2200 was too much. I was thinking if I truly want it, about 1500 bucks. Although he may be insulted. I think he feels it worth a lot of money or something. I see a lot of them on the craiglist near me, and they have been on there forever, way too high!
Old 09-03-2015, 12:43 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Actually, the Berlinetta is the luxury version of the Camaro, and in 1984 it is anything but stripped down as far as electronics goes. The complete dash and center console are different. they do have more modern conveniences (auto shut off headlights, delayed interior lights and radio etc.) that the same year Camaros don't. AC controls are on the RH pod vs. the center console too, but the turn signal is on the dash which is the one thing I don't like.
Like this:
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/...igitaldash.jpg

I don't really like modified cars even though I do a bit myself. lol Berlinettas are typically really hacked up because people don't know what to do with the electronics if the cluster fails. Edit: Oh, the TH350 is something I would want to change back to stock as well. That said, an honest and/or meticulous seller is something I do appreciate because it's often reflected on the care the car received.
Old 09-03-2015, 02:48 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Originally Posted by Scorpner
Actually, the Berlinetta is the luxury version of the Camaro, and in 1984 it is anything but stripped down as far as electronics goes. The complete dash and center console are different. they do have more modern conveniences (auto shut off headlights, delayed interior lights and radio etc.) that the same year Camaros don't. AC controls are on the RH pod vs. the center console too, but the turn signal is on the dash which is the one thing I don't like.
Like this:
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/...igitaldash.jpg

I don't really like modified cars even though I do a bit myself. lol Berlinettas are typically really hacked up because people don't know what to do with the electronics if the cluster fails. Edit: Oh, the TH350 is something I would want to change back to stock as well. That said, an honest and/or meticulous seller is something I do appreciate because it's often reflected on the care the car received.
I am guessing Berlinetta. I don't know much about them. It is pretty stripped down as for any luxuries. I see an aftermarket tach, gauges, and grant wheel. I don't know the reason for the 305 and 350 tranny put in. He said the previous owner did it. It was originally a V6. So I wonder if the 6 banger rear end is still in it. Wished I could post photos.

Last edited by Stryker412; 09-03-2015 at 09:01 PM.
Old 09-03-2015, 05:31 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Well, it's definitely not a Berlinetta, you can tell by the dash.
Name:  1984ChevroletCamaroBerlinettadigitaldash.jpg
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Personally I would walk due to the rust alone. A V6 only drives the rear passenger wheel where rust would start, this has pretty substantial rust on the drivers side. Remember where you do see rust, there is typically much more underneath that you cannot see.
Old 09-03-2015, 11:54 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Even $1500 sounds way too high man. That sounds like a part car at best to me. Maybe $500-700 at best!
Old 09-04-2015, 02:32 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

Hold out for something better.
No disrespect to the Berlanetta guys but I would be looking for a IROC-Z. One that's a 350 would be real nice.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 09-04-2015 at 02:38 AM.
Old 09-04-2015, 07:04 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

Originally Posted by Night rider327
Even $1500 sounds way too high man. That sounds like a part car at best to me. Maybe $500-700 at best!
Old 09-04-2015, 08:06 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Okay guys. Thank you. I don't know if it is a Berlinetta. I don't know much about this gen camaro. He told me he would bring it over, and look underneath, take it to mechanic, like hes hiding nothing. It is supposed to be extremely clean underneath. He did say it rotted on the drivers side where the mudflap bolted on.
I looked on the craiglist near me. They are not cheap for some reason. I have no idea. Their all about 1500 and up, and looked worse. I can;t figure it out. Unless it is the state I am in. Pa.
Old 09-04-2015, 08:10 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Thanks guys! I looked on the craiglist in my area, there out of control. The cheapest I seen was 1500 bucks, and it looked terrible!
I don't know if this is a berlinetta. I don't know much about this Gen. He just told me the part where the mudflap bolted on rusted there.
He said I could jack it up, or take it to my mechanic, "which I don't need to do", it is extremely clean underneath.
I don't know why the one side rusted right there. This is a bummer. I got all excited...
Old 09-04-2015, 08:29 PM
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Re: New here, with a question

Originally Posted by Scorpner
Actually, the Berlinetta is the luxury version of the Camaro, and in 1984 it is anything but stripped down as far as electronics goes. The complete dash and center console are different. they do have more modern conveniences (auto shut off headlights, delayed interior lights and radio etc.) that the same year Camaros don't. AC controls are on the RH pod vs. the center console too, but the turn signal is on the dash which is the one thing I don't like.
Like this:
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/...igitaldash.jpg

I don't really like modified cars even though I do a bit myself. lol Berlinettas are typically really hacked up because people don't know what to do with the electronics if the cluster fails. Edit: Oh, the TH350 is something I would want to change back to stock as well. That said, an honest and/or meticulous seller is something I do appreciate because it's often reflected on the care the car received.
Is the TH350 a bad tranny? As in a bad choice that they put that in there? I don't know what came stock with the V6 in it.
Old 09-07-2015, 09:11 AM
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Re: New here, with a question

It sounds like you're used to rust. My humble opinion:

Figure out what you really want. As a younger man, I was obsessed with bucket seats, full gauges, and manual transmission because what I drove generally lacked those items. You might be okay w/ the RS above in Los Angeles. And you might just have to have a Z/28 or IROC. Figure it out and buy what you want.

Never excuse the car. If you would have to invest $ 1,500.00 right from the start to get the car to a condition you could drive for a little while, then you should not be paying near the reference books' indicated value. This is where things like a clutch, tires, an overdrive transmission are usually several hundred or more, and should be considered.

I grew up where cars rusted away in the mid-west and moved to where they don't. It costs so much to deal with rust, you should be careful about what you buy. If you haven't seen the underside of the car, you haven't seen the suspension and you haven't seen the condition of things. Sellers' words aren't worth a look at the car. And yes, it's worth flying somewhere to pick up something less rusty.

Buy a little more car and use a little less of your time and money fixing it. You may be able to drive it right away and work on it. But a better indicator is a car that's being driven daily, rather than sitting. I wouldn't drive a car without overdrive. The ticking 305, well ... LOL

There's no such thing as minor body work. If the car need paint, you should make it worthwhile so things match, and are truly repaired correctly. If you're 100% cool with the paint color, that's a bonus.

Good luck.
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