Ok, i received an offer and made one to another at a meet this week and i need your opinions on what people think I should do. I went to this carshow where there were quite a few rusty, nice and decent cars. Lots of camaros and trans ams of all generations. One older guy cought his eye on my camaro and offered an even trade with his 76 firebird.

Both cars seemed to be in an evenly same shape... both bodies need paint jobs (i was working on mine already) but neither has any rust. Underneath of both are decent. Tie rods, springs shocks all look pretty good. The differences would be that his interior is in a much better shape than mine. My interior is garbage and i was planning on replacing nearly everything, but on the onther hand, his drivetrain looks really really roughed up. I have a new th 350 tranny with less than 5000km on it with an older 350 CI but still producing an avergae of 411hp, while he seems to have a stock rusty big block (no headers) and tranny that needs some severe tuning/repairing. Also, his exhaust looks old while i just installed a true dual 2.5 inch piping system with cutouts and new hooker 2460's this week.

Now as for the other, some guy with a first gen brought along his third gen iroc and wanted to sell it for 3500$ We talked, he then indicated that if i gave him a good 1000$ with my car, he'd leave me with his 1989 iroc containing a 305 TPI engine with a t-top (mine is a hardtop). This car is in a better shape than mine but could still use some work and a paintjob. So, both our third gens have power locks, windows and a good sound system, he's more stock while I'm modified with fatter tires, nicer rims and a stronger engine and exhaust system.

So considering i don't know much regarding the diff between a z28 and an iroc, can you guys tell me if there anything his iroc would have over my modified z28? Suspension? Stronger frame?
I love old cars like that 1976 firebird but i believe i may prefer performance and power. What do you guys think i should do? Any tips or suggestions? Let me know, will be much appreciated!

 

Performance wise, his IROC doesn't have anything on your Z28. The frames are the same and the suspension is almost 20 years old.

 

That's kinda like asking us if you want the chicken or the steak.
What do YOU want? Sleep on it, look at magazines, picture them in different colors, with different motors. Anything can be done to any of them, depends on the body style that you like the most.

 

That really comes down to personal preference. You are the one that will be driving and working on whichever car you have. Research both cars and if possible test drive the other car and compare to driving the one you have now.

 

ok, cool, scotty, that answer helped... and jesus... that suspension answer never entered my mind. If it still has it's original suspension, it won't last much longer with over 120 000 miles on the car, and if he has had parts replaced, god knows with what.

And yeah, what i want... i like my 85 third gen, i like it's looks more than a 76 firebird, but i wasn't sure if it would be a stupid thing to pass up on a trade for car with more history.

Anyone else with opinions and answers?

 

I'll have to disqualify myself, because I've never liked 2nd gen f-bodies. I got my learner's permit the year they came out - I hated them then, and have never warmed up to them since.

The LT-1 was a great engine, and it's nice that they came with big blocks at least for awhile, but that doesn't make me like them.

 

Alright, it seems as if i should test drive the 76 camaro and make up my own mind about it. At this point, considering how unimpressed you guys seem about the trade, i'll probably stick to my third gen. But i gave the owner a call and he'll let me try it out after i'm done work today. I'll let you guys know what i thought after, thanks peeps!

 

Yeah, but I don't see any steak there. Having owned every generation F-body ever made, from the three choices, I would keep what you have. Of course I am a HP freak...so the faster the better, but i also like American Muscle. It seems you want to get rid of your car...If so...sell it and get something you want, or trade for something you want. Is the car going to be a daily driver? Racing it? What? Nothing wrong with the 2nd gen cars if you get the right one(s). You said it has a big block in the firebird... a chevy big block? They do go in easily but now you are talking a Pontiac with a Chevy motor...has to be someone that wants that combo. If its a Pontiac motor ( all considered big blocks) what is it? A 400 or a 455 might be worth the trade.

 

Ok, so i took that 76 second gen for a ride... wow... maybe their owners should try a third gen. Unless i'm being unfair, but it sucks. First thing that came to mind is the comfort... you aren't seated in those cars as well as a third gen, the car just doesn't feel fun for some reason. The car turns like a tank, it feels like it wants to flip over on it's side and wow, the most disappointing was the power... i figured that with a big block 454/455. the car would have some serious muscle, and f**K, the integra GSR i sold to buy and restore my third gen had more ***** than that thing. I got the third gen 6 months ago cuz after driving it, i looked at my integra GSR which i spent over 6000$ on and felt like throwing it at the dump. Third gen it is!