Third Gen Values
#51
Re: Third Gen Values
While many of the younger generation are duds, the people buying up the radical V8 ones are in their 40s and 50s. To be honest though, unlike years ago, they're also the only ones that can afford it now. No way is your average college grad buying a $38,000 "base" V8 SS, nevermind the other models. It's not really their fault. Performance costs alot now (so does the gas) and people just don't have the cash unless they're decently established these days. So, as I said before, we'll probably never see "Third Gen" days again.
#53
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z28
Engine: L98 - 350 TPI
Transmission: MD8 - 700R4
Axle/Gears: GH3/G80 - 2.77 POSI
I forgot about the Z/28. My old man just bought a 2014 GT500. It's bad *** but he paid almost 70 grand after taxes and everything. That's insane!
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Car: 4/89 IROC Z28 G92 -
Engine: LB9 TPI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: Third Gen Values
Something I've noticed since buying my Iroc is its a pretty small car, not sure what it weighs ? But the new performance cars are way Big in comparison.
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z28
Engine: L98 - 350 TPI
Transmission: MD8 - 700R4
Axle/Gears: GH3/G80 - 2.77 POSI
The 5th gen was a tank compared to this car.
Last edited by jrhaus76; 02-04-2014 at 03:02 PM.
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Car: genesis, equus, f250, camaro, other
Engine: 5.7
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Re: Third Gen Values
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Re: Third Gen Values
Lower production numbers and higher vehicle costs on new cars help the older 3rd gen cars retain or advance in value. Its sad to see a plain V8 Camaro/Mustang cost 40K, as the median age buyer of these cars are 40 plus years in age. 70K for a Z28 or GT500...wow...there really is no justification for that much markup in price for the extra HP just seems crazy!
Example: 2005-09 Mustang production = 620,005 total units.
Example: 2005-09 Mustang production = 620,005 total units.
Last edited by Coupe Guy; 02-05-2014 at 01:05 AM.
#59
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Car: 86WS6 30K and 82WS7 24K
Engine: 86:305 TPI, 82: 305 LG4
Transmission: 86:700R4, 82: T200C
Axle/Gears: 86:3:27 9 bolt, 82: 3:23 10 bolt
Re: Third Gen Values
Interesting tread. Cool chart! Our cars will see some appreciation at some point in time, however it may be a while. In 1973 I bought a very nice 1967 GTO Vert with a 400, 4 speed, factory air, and power disc brakes for $900.00. Now look at the prices. In 74 I bought a 70 Shelby GT350, auto, factory air car with PS, PB. It was a nice clean driver with 70K miles on it. I paid $2700.00 for it. It was 1 of 7 built in that configuration. Now it's worth more than my house. In 75 I bought a 69 Shelby factory Drag Pack car with 15K miles on it for $3500.00. 1 of 3. I don't even want to know what that car is worth... Everything is relative. The two thirdgens that I currently own are both low mileage originals. They could both serve as reference cars. The 82WS7 has 24,400 actual miles on it and is bone stock, still wearing the OE Goodyear Eagle GT's on it. Yeah, the battery has been changed. The 86WS6 has 30,500 miles on it, and is also bone stock. It is mostly original except for things like the tires, hoses, belts, and battery. I did seek out cars in this condition, but not as an investment. The main reason was to see some of thirdgens preserved, as it seems like lots of these cars have been modded and updated. My next project is to have a car that I can build into what ever I want it to be without worrying about molesting an original car. The car is an 89 IROC Z, L98 car with T-tops and all the goodies. The car has some mileage on it, but is very clean and rust free. A previous owner swapped a manual transmission into the car. The original L98 failed, so now the car is without an engine. The car will make a nice resto-mod, but can never be returned to original condition again. I guess that it could be cloned back to original specs with a non-numbers matching engine, but what is to point? My plan is to install a new crate ZZ4 engine, Tremic 6 speed, and all the related stuff like headers, subframe connectors, upgraded brakes, and anything else that will make the old car a blast to drive. If done well, the car should have a decent resale value, however there is no way that I will recoup the costs of the build. Bascially, I'll have 20K invested in a 6K car. Even in the future I doubt if this car will ever be worth as much as the 86WS6 as long as the 86 remains a numbers matching low mileage original.Charles
Last edited by 86WS6; 02-05-2014 at 04:49 AM.
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z28
Engine: L98 - 350 TPI
Transmission: MD8 - 700R4
Axle/Gears: GH3/G80 - 2.77 POSI
Lower production numbers and higher vehicle costs on new cars help the older 3rd gen cars retain or advance in value. Its sad to see a plain V8 Camaro/Mustang cost 40K, as the median age buyer of these cars are 40 plus years in age. 70K for a Z28 or GT500...wow...there really is no justification for that much markup in price for the extra HP just seems crazy! Example: 2005-09 Mustang production = 620,005 total units.
#61
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Re: Third Gen Values
Interesting tread. Cool chart! Our cars will see some appreciation at some point in time, however it may be a while. In 1973 I bought a very nice 1967 GTO Vert with a 400, 4 speed, factory air, and power disc brakes for $900.00. Now look at the prices. In 74 I bought a 70 Shelby GT350, auto, factory air car with PS, PB. It was a nice clean driver with 70K miles on it. I paid $2700.00 for it. It was 1 of 7 built in that configuration. Now it's worth more than my house. In 75 I bought a 69 Shelby factory Drag Pack car with 15K miles on it for $3500.00. 1 of 3. I don't even want to know what that car is worth... Everything is relative. T
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#62
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Car: 86WS6 30K and 82WS7 24K
Engine: 86:305 TPI, 82: 305 LG4
Transmission: 86:700R4, 82: T200C
Axle/Gears: 86:3:27 9 bolt, 82: 3:23 10 bolt
Re: Third Gen Values
Yes, I did sell all of them. I kept the drag pack car for a while though and made a small profit on it. It paid for some college classes and a nice down payment on our first home, so all is good. You're probably right about prices of thirdgens, however in the 60's we never thought those cars would ever be worth anything more than an old used car. The GTO was wrecked by the next owner. Both Shelby's ended up in private collections. One Shelby parts car was junked and crushed, but there was very little left of it.
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Car: 4/89 IROC Z28 G92 -
Engine: LB9 TPI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: Third Gen Values
A lot of things come into play predicting future values. The early cars ( pre smog )were way cheap to start of with, so inflation alone added alot of value if you bought them early on and held them. Also the cost to restore these cars has to be a factor..... That can cost tens of thousands so that's added to the price. This is what is cool about many of the low mile third Gens..... Their in original condition needed very little.
IMO, If you start of with a car that was cool in it's day it should hold up in the future.
IMO, If you start of with a car that was cool in it's day it should hold up in the future.
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Car: 83 Z 28
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: dunno
Re: Third Gen Values
Maybe I have a different take. I think cars are terrible investments. Before the economy took a dump numbers matching BB muscle cars pulled in the big bucks. Hemi cars sold for the price of a great house in an unbelievable neighborhood. Now, no. Watching Barrett Jackson the last few years seeing beautiful cars selling for 30% of the restoration cost was a real sobering experience. I'm glad our cars are cheap now. I've got priorities. A play car is pretty far down on the list. I can afford them now. If prices go up later, great. I'll recover a little more of what I'll end up spending on it. This is an expensive form of entertainment, not an investment. BTW, I had 2 2nd gen F body's back in the day. Couldn't afford one now. Prices are getting out of hand. That tells me we all timed it right
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Car: 1988 GTA
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Re: Third Gen Values
True, wouldn't call toy cars an investment.
But I disagree that it's expensive entertainment. If you start with an excellent condition, fully decpreciated car, you can enjoy it for years and still get most of your money back.
But I disagree that it's expensive entertainment. If you start with an excellent condition, fully decpreciated car, you can enjoy it for years and still get most of your money back.
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Car: 86WS6 30K and 82WS7 24K
Engine: 86:305 TPI, 82: 305 LG4
Transmission: 86:700R4, 82: T200C
Axle/Gears: 86:3:27 9 bolt, 82: 3:23 10 bolt
Re: Third Gen Values
Thirdgen's do make an affordable platform for the average Joe to build a hot rod.
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Car: 86WS6 30K and 82WS7 24K
Engine: 86:305 TPI, 82: 305 LG4
Transmission: 86:700R4, 82: T200C
Axle/Gears: 86:3:27 9 bolt, 82: 3:23 10 bolt
Re: Third Gen Values
Thanks. The maroon was only available on the 82 model, and it is nearly impossible to find maroon parts. It looks great when it's clean, but shows any hint of dust. There is another member on this site that has an 82 that is nearly identical, white exterior/maroon interior. His car is in very nice condition.
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Car: 83 Z 28
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: dunno
Re: Third Gen Values
I completely agree. I bought with my heart, not my head. I wanted a very specific year & color combo. With such a narrow search a pristine low mile example wasn't going to happen. Not talking out of turn but I passed on an excellent deal with a low mile 4thgen TA last fall. I'll probably be regretting that later.
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Re: Third Gen Values
Thanks. The maroon was only available on the 82 model, and it is nearly impossible to find maroon parts. It looks great when it's clean, but shows any hint of dust. There is another member on this site that has an 82 that is nearly identical, white exterior/maroon interior. His car is in very nice condition.
#75
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Re: Third Gen Values
To branch off this... never buy a car new and store it.. you will be 70 or 80 before you show any return. Buy a car after they are just a used car and store it. buy it from some fool who bought it new and stored it.. and needs the money now. they cant wait till 80. My cars prev owner was 65. he bought it used in 90 with 15K on the clock. sold it to me with 19 on the clock... he took a bath. I didnt. Now I just wait for it to increase while I enjoy it a bit.(got 22k on it but it will never hit 30K with me.) my son will have it and it will bring some $$$ for him in his 40s I am sure.
#76
Re: Third Gen Values
how do you think it effects the value if you swap in a L98? For example my car was a TBI 305 then I swapped in a L98. Actually tore it down and completely rebuilt the L98 before I put it in. But that aside does the L98 add value or take it away because the car is no longer original?
Also I wonder what happens to the value with a LS or LT1 motor swapped in compared to the L98 since at least the L98 is period correct...
not that im ever going to sell my car, but just curious..
Also I wonder what happens to the value with a LS or LT1 motor swapped in compared to the L98 since at least the L98 is period correct...
not that im ever going to sell my car, but just curious..
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