Dougie91

I have a 1992 firebird convertible with the 305tbi. It was #19 of 20 used at the pepsi 400 as a parade car, i have all documentation from nascar. This was also i believe pettys last race. OPINIONS WANTED

Also, should i leave it stock, i kinda wanna play with the engine

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

It probably won't be worth as much as a TPI car of the same year.

Being a parade car will be a point of interest, but it probably won't add any value.

Best suggestion would be if you want to play with it, don't do anything that can't be easily reversed. That way if these cars values skyrocket you can return it to stock.

Dougie91

anything id do would be julst bolton or replacing, i wouldnt bore or anything. anyways, i doubt people would buy it for the engine rather than it being a convert and its nascar history

That and i have like 200,000 miles and its still the original engine, wont quit!

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

I was going to say that it would be worth a little extra given the documentation of its unique history, but then you said it has 200k miles on it.

Unfortunately, our cars are not worth anything unless they are sub-30k mile cars.

Ever since the muscle car era and the price boom years later, everyone and their mom has bought late model muscle cars and stashed them away expecting big returns later for low mileage cars. Result? There end up being so many low mileage originals around that you can pretty much have your choice in terms of color/options in the sub 30k mile bracket. This isn't just thirdgens, it's every kind of RWD V8 car.

I have no doubt that in 30 years there will be more sub-20k mile Shelby GT 500 Mustangs than there will be 80k+ ones, for this reason. Doubt you'll ever see a new ZR1 with over 100k miles, or even 50k.

You've got a cool car, but with 200k on the clock, enjoy it.

Leo1le

Enjoy it and keep it nice looking, people will always buy convertibles.

Dougie91

im just hoping people would over look the miles for the documentation. unfortunatly, but not unforunatly , this was my car in highschool and now through college so i have to drive ALOT. It deff a attention getter so i would hate to see it sit. That why im thinking about dumping a 350 in it to enjoy a lil more

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

We'd love to see some pictures.

Dougie91

This pic is kinda fuzzy, but this was at a local cruise in. more pics to come when i find my camera

Jason E

Looks great! I agree...with those miles, drive and enjoy it. I wouldn't mod the crap outta it, but doing some bolt ons won't hurt anything. I have my RS for that reason...with over 100k, I can do some light customizing and I really won't hurt anything, value-wise.

Conversely, with my IROC, I will cry the day the OEM exhaust lets go!! I drive it so little, I doubt that will happen for a very long time...

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

why do you want the original exhaust?

Dougie91

yea my exhaust is 2.5in flowmaster, i love it

okfoz

I find a perfect car that has a ton of miles is way more impressive than a low miles car that is just as nice.

With that said it is not going to be worth as much as a lower miles car, but it does show that someone took care of it.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

my cars got over 211k on it, last time the registration was done before i got the car but the gauges were missing so idk, my replacements have 431,266

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Originality.

ASE doc

I agree that millions of 3rd gens were built and that alot of them are stored away for properity's sake. However, just as many of these cars are abused and treated like trash by fools who don't know what they are. For that reason, I believe that those of us who love our 3rd gens and care for them will eventually see our cars gain value. Cars like your convertable will even become collectables. If your car is in excellent condition, it will be viewed as any restoration, not quite as fine as an original but just about as good. In fact, I just saw a 68 VW Beetle complete resto so well done that it was allowed an ODO reset to 0.

As far as mileage goes, I can appreciate the desire to drive a car you love so much but don't you find that sometimes, as you sit in rush hour traffic, it just isn't that much fun? That's how it gets to be when you drive your car everday. And the miles just pile up. That's why I keep an econoroach for daily transportation. My current example is a $1,000 Suzuki Swift. It is not even a little cool. But it gets great mileage and keeps my baby in the garage on crappy commuter days when driving my Beast puts her in more jeapordy than it's worth.

Ideally, if you want to modify the bird, remove the original engine and build your performance motor from a core. You plan to build a 350 anyway so you really won't be using any of the OE parts. You can save the OE motor to sell with the bird someday when she's worth ten times what you paid for her. Honestly, if the work is well thoughtout, follows a logical path, and is well executed, I don't believe that performance mods are going to have a negetive effect on your car's value in the first place.

Dougie91

yea, im considering the 350 tbi route so it appears stock but goes as it should. I doubt it would affect the price like you said. I would get another car to drive daily but im 19 and have 2 cars already. this and a 68' cougar xr7 that im rebuilding. I got all race ready crap in it so that wont exactly be the dd. thats why this is rackin milage, cant afford to have another car but i cant seem to part myself from it

ASE doc

I know how you feel. But when you think about it, $1,000 isnt really anything when we talk about building a car. And that small investment in an econoroach will get your bird off the road and save you $ in gas. Something to think about.

Jason E

Uh...because this car is the closest I've seen to a factory-original, perfect third gen. Mind you, I've looked at and owned A LOT of third gens. Its only original once.

Anyone can throw a stupid Flowbastard on a car...

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

iv got a original muffler and tail pipe but not the intermidiate pipe