91rsowner4life

Has anyone else noticed that there has been a lot of low mileage thirdgens appearing for sale recently? The mileage ranges between 200-15,000 miles and they want to sell them for between $15,000-$21,000. Is it me or has anyone else noticed this? I wonder what has brought them all out.

nick418

what mine isnt considered low mileage!?!?! (16,500) LOL.. Yea man ive been seeing some low mileage ones on ebay going for 15,000 bucks. One guy had a 1990 Iroc Lb9 5 speed with the 1le package with 1500 org miles going for like 15 g's.. Another guy had a L03 RS with 30 orginal miles and that was up there to. I dunno are thirdgens starting to rise up in prices? I see ton 3rd gens around here for sale that are 150,000 miles (with rust) and they sell for 7 grand... LOL seems like ppl think cuz its a camaro the price can be so high. Also thanks for PMing me about the window sticker. Peace

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

Its true. In almost every car mag i read they are stating that thirdgens are becoming more popular. More parts are becoming available and resto parts too. I have read that there is an entire front clip in the works too. Looks like our cars might someday be as popular as Novas and chevelles.

Dens71TA

iTrader: (5)

Yeah, I've noticed a lot of low mileage 3rd-gens showing up too. Its probably because the 1st and 2nd-gens are selling for some serious cash now.

Unfortunately for the sellers, fortunately for the buyers, 3rd-gens are still dirt-cheap when compared to the others. I've been watching eBay and have seen some early 80's models with 20-40,000 original miles go for about $3000-$5,000. Now is definitely the time to buy a low mileage 3rd-gen.

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

That is true. Now if def the time. As stated above the first and second gens are getting even more popular. They are using them on TV shows, movies and video games more and more. I love seeing that comertial for a need for speed and the guy is in a 69 Z28 with a blower. Granted 90% of the public doesn't know it is a Camaro it is still cool to see the cars getting the recognition they deserve.

elky74

I'm glad I got my Duke for under a grand, I don't think I would've paid more than $3,000 for a third gen. 15 grand is just plain

84L69TA

Asking prices and actual selling prices are two different things.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

There are more custom hoods/spoilers that can be bought than say 5 years ago. LTX and LSX swaps are becoming even more and more popular.

Look how thirdgens compare to 4th gens.
Thirdgen parts are cheaper than most 4th gen parts. Thirdgens supposidly weigh the least of the F-bodies. Many 4th gen parts can be swapped. Thirdgens have more engine bay room.

Maybe all the above stated has made thirdgens more popluar, thus help make low-mileage thirdgens more popular, somehow.

nick418

'


1st gens are the lightest but i see what your saying firebat. Also 3rd gens i think are somewhat better handling esp when you order a IROC. Plus they dont look like a Catfish And the engine bay doesnt look a Mini Van! I couldnt imagine doing a tune up or somthing on a 4th gen

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

LOL...true about the tune ups. Those bays are in my eyes. "new age" They kinda assume you are not gonna be in there tinkering around. I think thirdgens are the last cars that acctually have it all out there in a relatively muscle carish format. Once you take all the crap out of there and relocate it, it really starts to look as clean as a nice Nova or other clean custom install.


I am not gonna have anything under the hood exept the motor and the brake booster. Real sharp. Almost done too. Just need to make an exhaust.



also about the statment dealing with 4th gen parts. It is def true. all their parts are very overpriced IMO.

nick418

4th gens are cool cars. I love the 98 and up Camaro SS and the Ws6. But they are overpriced. Parts and buying one. I rather have a 91-92 Z/28 or a 87-90 Iroc Z or a 87-90 GTA and throw a LS1 in there. 3rd gens have that look to them.

TAdan

Low-mileage thirdgens have always been around. They are simply getting more attention now that the F-body is dead.

okfoz

There is another thread dealing with this topic, and yes I have noticed the values of 3rd ens on the rise in the real world, not the NADA, KBB and Edmunds charts yet tho.

Its like you can hardly find a 3rd gen real 350 car for less than $3000 any more, no matter the miles.

John

Gr89RS

iTrader: (5)

I agree and I think TGO plays a really big part in that growing popularity..

91rsowner4life

Yep any time.

back when thirdgens where still in the dealer ship I wonder what made them buy a 1990 Iroc Lb9 5 speed with the 1le package like the one nick418 talking about earlier and not drive it very much. Did they know they where going to become hard to come by?


I aggree also. I know it did for me.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

I've noticed this trend on Ebay especially.A few weeks ago a 12k mile '83 L69 Z28 hardtop went for $10,950 after 26 bids.Very nice car indeed.It's like the '50s to '70s era musclecars when you find an original unmolested vehicle to show how they really came from the factory.Look at the bubble during the late '80s on musclecars that slowly deflated but is now on the rise again.2nd Gen F-bodys are becoming part of this too,well the upper models for now,along with '80's MC-SS,GN's etc.
And yes 4th Gens are a pain to do anything under the hood,but even full size trucks are getting to be like this.It makes our cars look like a '70 Monte Carlos under the hood(I had a factory SS454 for 10 years,but I had to let her go due to health reasons,and even with the BB you could climb in there with the motor).

Stevo

iTrader: (45)

TGO did it for me. I was so into third gens 5 years ago then learned how slow most of them were compared to newer camaros. Then i was very interested in the LT1s...then i started browsing TGO and was like HELL NO i want a third gen. There just so much more fun to tinker with and so much better looking. Only thing id like is a manual. I wish they made more factory manuals or 350/5 spd combo. Oh well though i will have my T56 in here 1 day. Its such a great feeling owning a third gen when i look back when i was a kid and how i wanted one so bad.

I see like no third gens around here though honestly. The the other day i did see a nice silver RS with a SS hood go zooming by me...

tom3

These cars are selling cheap when you think about it. The car mentioned in the original post would have cost 15 grand new, so he's not making a penny on it for 15 years ownership. Guess real car guys are realizing these are good looking cars, perform well, have lots of comfort features, rear wheel drive V8 power, and the average guy can work on them. All that's exactly why I have one. Only other similiar car is a Mustang and that's not much of a car, nice drivetrain though.

novadk13

local chevy dealer has a 90 camaro with a shade over 40k looks like new should go back and see what they are asking.

Billz90L98

I have an old pic here of a car carrier loaded with IROC-Z's, but when I go to put it on here.....its says the file is to big. What does that mean??/?

tom3

Picture files are limited to about 105K file size, a higher resolution picture will have a large file. You can put it on a hosting site and link to it, I'd like to see the picture. Your car sounds like a really nice one, hope you get the asking price.

Billz90L98

thanks...........here is the picture I was talking about. When I have time I will be sending more........I just need time to go through all of my old mags......I must have 5 thousand or so from 84-90 and have some really cool vintage Camaro and Firebird pics.......

DubyaSsixTA

I've noticed a slight rise in prices myself. The 350 cars , at least in my area, have always been somewhat more expensive than the rest (usually none under 3500), but when you think about it, its not that bad. Base/mid-model cars seem to be priced about the same as they were , say , 5 years ago, when I was looking for my first car. The only major difference I've seen since then is, like the thread title states, is low mileage models popping up everywhere. 5 years ago, all I saw was a ton of used ones with average miles for a 10-15 year old model car. My friend is about to buy an 87 base firebird V6 for 800 bucks and I hope to find a similar deal on a camaro in the near future, so I think third gens will still be relatively cheap for a while yet.

We should also consider the news of the new camaro in the near future. This may effect pricing of the camaros differently than third gen firebirds (one may be higher than the other). should be interesting next couple of years.

2BlackZ28s81&83

My 83 has only 6753.8 documented miles. But other than my own I haven't seen many early 3rd gens with low miles. I know of 1 Brand New 82 Pace car in OH but that's all for the 82-84's. Anyone else seen any of the early low mile cars?

nick418

those are some nice Camaros you have. I love the 82 with that gold combo and that 81 is the nicest late 2nd gen ive seen. All those early 80s/ late 70s are junk... Yours looks soo clean, very nice

2BlackZ28s81&83

Thanx they are the other babies, and the metal mistresses. You know how it goes!

nick418

If you have more pics i would love to see em. Esp your 81. You can just PM me.


Heres a 91 Z28 1LE i found. Pretty expensive NO ABS tho, no 3rd gens came with em.. why did he post that.. no idea..

http://www.classyauto.com/v/Chevrolet+Camaro/Z28/22821

tom3

Last time we were in Vegas the hotel car show had a 1LE on display, 200 miles or so, five speed, white and as new. I think the price was about $21K or so. Always amazes me that this type and mileage car is out there for sale.

1991Formula350

3 Years ago last week I bought a '91 Formula 5.0 with 8,900 miles for my wife from a car collector in Michigan, she was just like new in and out, people could not believe it. I paid a hair under 11,00 for car, Florida sales tax, and transportation down to Miami. I am happy with it even though I could not sell it now because I would lose my butt in price I paid, it now has 34,000 miles this week. Andy

86iroclamarque

Have you guys seen and increase in the price of IROC's at all? I've been looking around for another one (I need that like a hole in the head though.) because I've seen 3rd Gen prices creeping up here. The IROC's seem to be even higher with limited availablity.

1991Formula350

They are harder to find, you got to have time to search, search, and search the web until you find one like I did. Use different search machines also to get different results. Good luck! Andy

Hylton

Hey Andy,

Has anyone used their brains and bought your white Formula yet?

Hylton

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

1991Formula you a 2 beautys there.Now all you need is a blue one to be really patriotic.And that's a great suggestion in using different search engines to find one.Just looking on Autotrader showed 42 nationwide(I did narrow the search to just ones with V8 so it may have left off a few).That sounds like a small number but just think of all the smaller similar sale books and local newspapers.Prices are inching up because of the market as a whole,and the fact 1st gens are mostly out of reach of most of us,2nd gens are heading that way although not as fast - except for speciality/low mileage ones.The similar route 3rd gens are following.

1991Formula350

Hi Hylton, how are you? Nope, haven't had any luck and asked the moderator to remove it, but it is still there. I don't know how I will sell it, guess ebay is next, it just the engine rebuilt eventually, but the car is really nice, that paint job is just like factory, who knows!

Thanks Coolram62, I really appreciate it whenever I get that! I need to resize some pics I have of the 2 and post them as that one is so so because they were not that clean that day I took the photot and it is the rear.

Sometimes I look too, I really wanted that #3 Firehawk on ebay last month, I couldn't right now as my wife and I are about to start a new business and I havn't refinanced my house yet, but I still look for one for a possible buy. Andy

chevyt454

I noticed alot of 80's cars coming out of the woodwork "low original mileage" - GNs, 442s, MCSS, Firebirds & Camaros.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

I know this isn't low mileage but talk about very low production.I wish I had the money for this one,and only 300 units between this one and mine,same interior color and LU5,on the Van Nuys line before she left for conversion.And look at the 4th Gen and the hotrods in the yard...Wow lucky person. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4601827517

3.8TransAM

Here's my views and I know someone will get all po'ed , so no I'm not singling u out and I have my flame suit on.

Whatever moron thinks his 100k+(I'll even say 100k and clean is one thing, but continual 120-130k+ on them is ridiculous) mile thirdgen in almost any variation is worth over $3g's is kidding himself. (I'm leaving out truly immaculate desirable cars here cause they do exist with this kind of mileage just dont find many)

If I can eat off of it and the paint and int. are nice and its not pouring fluid, I will make exceptions, but only than.

The early cars are almost guaranteed to wallow in obscurity and be relatively worthless compared to the later models.

Think about it, they had the worst brakes, engines and to most people, too plain of a look. (I'm not including anniversary cars or Pace cars here, cause they always demand higher interest than others in the same line for a given year)

The TPI cars will be considered "desirables" especially the 350 and G92 style 305 cars, with the lesser TPI engines and gear ratios a little less so, because they dont have the "desirable" elements.

The TBI stuff? There wont ever be a high dollar market for them. U can swing dead cats and hit 5 of them with low miles before leaving your own home town. I dont even care of it is a TA or a z28 or an Iroc, compared to the other option choices its bottom feeder. (only hope here is the truly clean eat off of examples and there are alot of them in garages across the country)

The 6 banger cars will be bottom of the list. They were the basic everyday transportation for alot of people. Some with the more oddball options and/or grd effects packages might get a little more money, but will be a lot below the cost of a true Z or TA car of the same year.

Convertibles are another class altogether. They will always have their market to themselves just by sheer numbers they dont have in their favor. Again a ASC 350 vert will prolly pull a little more than a 305 than a TBI or a 6 banger. Lots of demand and only a few cars will keep their prices higher than the others for the same shape/equivalent optioned car. (would love a TPI, G92 car with a 5 spd in a convertible, dream car)

The TTA was kind of like the forgotten GN for a long long time. Recently their prices have started to rise. They will also tend to stay higher due to the fact that it was a performance option and was a Pace car and the fact that it uses the vicious Turbo 6 from Buick making it one of the fastest TA's of all time. I cant help they only made 1555 of them :-) (no not biased cause I own one, just speaking of what gets said about them here)

the Firehawks are another Holy Grail type thirdgen. They are few and far between and will always command a high dollar. they are the ones that started the Firehawk from SLP and are by far the most engineered of the breed. The 4th gen Hawks were more or less a sticker and hood option.

The 91-92 Z/TA/GTA will more than likely hold a slighlty higher value than equivelant earlier years. Lot of people still see these as the "best looking" and "refined" of all thirdgens. Plus a little better standardization on the later cars: as far as if it was one of the mentioned cars it was TPI automatically and the available 4 whl disc was better. Not too mention there are less 91-92 cars out their period than the earlier years.

Prices? lol I see what folls some people are here for buying and selling cars for stupid amounts. Once these things get near the upper teens to 20k on them the value drops alot. Only true low mileage like 10-12k and under will truly pull a higher dollar than the 20-40k range. I bought a 91 Formie 350 car with 41k for $4100 5 years ago and a 17k one owner GTA for $6k three years ago. They are out there if u look. I've found similiar deals since than as well, but I'm out of parking spaces currently. I warn u not to be afraid to include airfair coast to coast in your search and have the money waiting when your serious about shopping.

I've sold them bouhg them and parted some too. Swapped TPI engines into 6 bangers and 350's for 305;s and even helped with an Ls1 into a 88 GTA. Upgraded suspensions from base to GTA/Z standards and everything else in between. I dont care what I own and they are all modified one way or another and I dont plan on selling any either.(my personal cars)

I've followed these cars since they were new and every other real GM car in my eyes. Just saying this is how it works on everything from GTO's to Camaro's and Firebirds. I know someones going to get mad at me for saying what I think is obvious. Its like when I flip thru old High Perf. Pontiac and they do a feature on a 87 TBI Trans AM and I laugh. Was a beautiful car I will not dismiss it for that, just cant see how it holds a candle to what u could have gotten if you ordered it right in the first place.

later
Jeremy

Hylton

6k for a 12,00 mile car? Possible but you are dealing with people who do not care to research what the car can fetch. Yes these cars are cheap and most have over 100,000 miles on them but so do 1st and 2nd gen Fbody cars. Ever see what a 78 Bandit T/A with 100,000 miles is going for these days?

Eventually, these cars will pull money you never thought possible. I am not talking 50k are something stupid like that but whatever a 78-81 FBody can get now, the later 3rd gens will get when they are the same age and then some.

Even though most of my Camaros are 3rd gens, I also have a few 1st gens, two 2nd gens and one 4th gen. Compared to all the other gens, 3rd gens are a steal at current prices!

2BlackZ28s81&83

Hylton I have to agree wih you on this one. Just as a reminder for 3.8 T/A, The last of the third gen Camaros was produced 14 years ago now and the first of that generation will soon be considered an antique. I have two for sale now 1 a 15,051 mile 85 Iroc and a 24,000 mile 89 IROC, You show up with 6 k and make me an offer and I will probably die laughing AT you not with you. The 85 you could buy for 9,000 the 89 a cool 8,500 and this is a bargain for thier condition.
See I remember the good old days when you could still buy decent second gen cars for 2500, 3000 bucks with 25 or 30 k on them and be happy to own one. NOW go find one. My first first gen I paid 2800 for it had 9,346 original miles on a 68 Hardtop 327 car. bought it from the original owner in 1989. My first 2nd gen had 70 K miles on a 79 Z28 I paid 3000 for it in 1993 and traded it in and was allowed 5000 on a brand new 94 SC Thunderchicken. My first 3rd gen a Z28 was bought in 1989 I paid 500.00 for it and it had 156,000 miles on it I sold it 3 months later with 172,000 miles on it for 500. I challenge you to go find decent cars for these prices today- clue you won't I have looked.
Today I own only the two, a second and 3rd gen car that are staying in my collection, I just sold my last 1st Gen car a 67 327 2bbl RS for 32000 - an unheard of amount for this type car but it was that nice. My 83 has 6700 miles I paid a little more than I would have like to for it but the car looks, runs and drives like new, and I paid a considerable amount less than the original sales price for it but it is all documented as I am the second owner and I have that stuff. The 81 is the same way it's modified under the hood but I like it, that's the key.
See irregardless of what opinion you might have about certain cars produced over the years in different generations with different engines and options etc, It is relative. A person will pay what ever he wants for a car if it is what he wants.
Personally I wouldn't rush out to buy a 1974-1977 Camaro unless it was very close to free, personally I don't care much for them, Don't think I am going to be easy on the Firebird either I don't particularly care for the 77 and 78 either, they are ok but just not for me. If they are CHEAP I might consider, but again that is relative. BUT there is a gorup of people who would buy anything else.
Another to add to that list, I likely wouldn't buy many of the 3rd gen T/A's but I am absolutely enamored with the 4th gen esp 98-02. See we pay for what we like and while you might not like something that doesn't mean I or anyone else has to agree with you about it. If you like it buy it, if you don't put your wallet away and don't rain on another mans treasure. Your trash, my treasure see how that works.
3rd gens and 4th gens have advantages over the early cars they handle better, drive better, most are equipped well A/C and such. Ever driven a 68 Hardtop on a 95 degree day with no A/C - it sucks. My 83, has A/C that itself is a bonus. I have driven and owned many fast performance and classic cars over the years and there is a lot to be said for technology, I guarentee you I would prefer to road race you in a 1982-1984 Camaro over a 1967-1969 with original equipment, I might not turn the horses or stop on a dime but by golly its better than the early ones. Horsepower gets you no where except the fence if you can't make the turn.
Will 3rd gen cars ever be worth as much as first gens - Hell I kinda doubt it but I don't know, and neither do you or another living soul in this world, only time will tell, who would ever have thought a Hemi Cuda would sell for 1.3 million dollars. I am still scratching my head wonder what was he smoking and where can I get that kind of money.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

2Black you hit the nail on the head with the old adage "one man's junk is another man's treasure.It comes down to personal taste and sentiment.I have personal experience with 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th Gen F-bodies.A stock 3rd Gen Z28,almost any year will,run circles around a stock 1st gen Z/28 on a tight road course where HP isn't an issue(not to mention you could do it with the A/C on and run longer on the same amount of fuel).On the other hand a rough rolling chassis of a genuine '67 Z/28 will generally bring more than any 3rd gen save for the '89 TT/A.Now in 15 to 20 years 3rd Gens could be in similar money.On "Barrett-Jackson" the other night a '70 LS6 Convertible Chevelle SS454(she was well documented and gourgeous)went for over $300k,like 2Black mentions the Hemi 'Cuda - or anything Hemi E or B body for that matter.Who would have thought 30 years ago this would be happening.What it boils down to is buy the best example you can afford and enjoy,IMHO.

1991Formula350

I thought we were all F-Body fans here? Let's enjoy and if you don't agree with the price, move on. Andy

2BlackZ28s81&83

I believe we are all 3rd gen fans in this discussion forum that's why we are here. Thats what we are doing no one's throwing firey darts, just having a good time.
Remember its still all fun and games until some one gets eaten by a tiger or an eye put out.

Hylton

I believe we are now in the "Time Zone" for 3rd gens where you can buy a decent one at a reasonable price, drive it for a few years and get your money back. How many cars can you do that with?

okfoz

2Black,
To answer your question about will a 3rd gen ever be worth as much as a 1st gen.

Yes and no, it really would depend on how you look at it.

YES: If you Consider what a fine 1st gen is going for today, and in 20 years a fine 3rd gen will probably be worth about the same.

NO: At any given point in time hereafter I doubt most 3rd gens will be worth as much as a 1st gen. For example a 1st gen today is worth 20K where a similar 3rd gen is worth 7K, eventually the gap will close, but ultimately I doubt that a 3rd gen would surpass a 1st gen.

But with that in mind I could have bought a Really nice 69 Camaro in around 2000 or 2001, 396 Big Block for $2500... So if your lucky monkies fall out of trees.

John

3.8TransAM

lol

I know why thirdgens will never be worth what first gens are. No one has even mentioned it.

Baby boomers, plain and simple. They didnt grow up with thirdgens and their kids that did, for the most part have no automotive loyalty, at least compared to what alot of the boomers who own the $$$$$$ cars do/did. Face it, most of the people on this board arent near that age yet, nor do they have the disposable income to live that dream.

People had alot more choices by the time the 80's rolled around an thirdgens were on the lot. Hey a minivan didnt even exist till the 80's. Also cupholders werent the mantle piece for "Car of the Year" awards from Motor Trend either.

Ever here someone say: "Your car doesnt have cup holders?" or "You dont have ABS?" or "U take kids in that car with no airbags?"

That is 95% of the car buying public today.

Muscle car market went stupid in late 80's early 90's and crashed again. Now its doing the same thing until it crashes yet again lol.

The money for play and retirement is locked up in banks and stocks lol. No investment for me will ever include a vehicle title.

U know I'm kinda sadistic, if I ever have a million to blow, I'm buying one of these million dollar cars just to crash it and have a laugh while "collectors" poopers pucker lol

later
Jeremy

Hylton

Jeremy,

Ever notice how old everyone is on this board? Average age of 28 maybe? Who do you think these kids belong to? BOOMERS! Where do you think all the boomer money is going to go when they start dying off?

These cars were popular when they were new. It was a time when the Mustang-Camaro rivalry was finally re-lit and people had fun. If someone will pay 50k for a 1970 Z/28, they will someday pay $30k (in todays money) for a 1985 IROC.

Rob P

iTrader: (1)

I started a thread similar the other day over on SETHIRDGEN.ORG -
I was thinking about that 68 Camaro Convertible I had and what it would cost to get another. I knew 67-69 prices were high, but for $10K you get a rusted heap that needs everything. I really kick my self for just not leaving that 68 at my brothers house. Which leads me to this, in 10 or 20 years, will some of the third gens be as desirable? It's basically the last generation you can wrench on, or put any engine combo you want (from Turbo V-6 to Big Block with a Blower).
I know the production run was 10 years vice 3 (lots of cars) with convertibles being way lower in production numbers (only 87-92) but I look at the lines of our cars and I just think they have a future. I know lots of these cars have been tucked in garages and storage places just for this reason (just look at the low mileage ones popping up on ebay all the time) but nice 3rd gens are the rarity vice the norm these days.

The first gen is rolling up on 40 years real soon, what will our cars be worth in 40 years? Speaking strictly Chevy, you have the popularity of the Tri-Five (55-56-67) , then the 67-68-69 Camaro. Will we see a repeat with say the 90-92 F-Body, or say certain styles like IROC/Z28, Convertible or Specialty? I'm betting in 40 years you ain't gonna touch a 3rd gen convertible for less than $20 or $30K in 2005 dollars. Especially if it's a loaded IROC, or 25th Z03 Anniversary car.

3.8TransAM

Hey I'm 29.

Makes me one of the realively older farts for a lot of conversations here :-)

I'm just saying is, the number of people who are true "car guys" for american muscle type cars is declining. I'm sure someone can come in with statistics and prove me wrong and I'm just as sure I can twist statistics to prove me right.

I understand a lot of us on this board are "boomer kids" but look at your avg later 20 - 40yr old and there is a massive indifference to what they drive. They dont even care, they turn the key and drice away. This is my favorite one, ever met someone who doesnt know they yr/make/model of what they drive. Thats like a crime to me lol.

Plain and simple, there are just not as many of us as they were of them. Also, as a whole, I believe the boomer group had more people into "performance" overall than their kids ever will.

It sucks, but I cant see it being any other way. From the indifferent car owners of today to the riced out rides of youngens, the world is changing (not good to me but i cant stop it)

later
Jeremy

2BlackZ28s81&83

I'm just saying is, the number of people who are true "car guys" for american muscle type cars is declining. I'm sure someone can come in with statistics and prove me wrong and I'm just as sure I can twist statistics to prove me right.

What are you talking about?
The popularity of American Muscle Cars has never been higher. More people have used "disposable" cash to buy old cars than ever before. Sure they are mostly Baby Boomers but there is a group of guys out there now who are buying up some of these cars and turning them in to pro touring cars as well as restoring them to original. Groups like my own United States Muscle Car Federation, The AACA, Ecklers and others are not losing members, They are growing.
The Old car market has never as you put it "crashed" the people buying cars will go up and down depending on the economy, when people have money they spend money, it's simple economics but people have not ever had old cars laying aorund they just couldn't get rid of, there have always been buyers. Another gauge, when the stock markets good people drop their money in it when its bad they are buying toys.
Sure the younger kids are intersted in the imports - for now, Thats all they know. And I give you have little or no domestic loyalty but they do have brand loyalty to thier imports. In the 80's We had guys who had imports, Datsuns, Honda Preludes, Toyota Celicas, etc. And they did the same thing to those cars the kids are doing now.
We also had guys that absolutley loved the Cutlass, Monte's etc from the 70's and 80's, and we had guys who liked the F-bodies. There are kids today who are Ford or GM fanatics as well. These guys who grew up in the 80' are quite settled now and as they begin to become empty nesters in the next several years, and reach midlife crisis - which at 29 you have the foggiest clue about - they will begin to start buying the cars of their generation just as the baby boomers have. I know I am one of those who graduated in the late 80's and for us the early 3rd gen cars, Mustangs and the others mentioned were the cars we were driving, racing, modifying, etc.
We didn't own the first gen cars, and you didn't see early Mustangs in the parking lot of the High School either. We had late 2nd gens and early 3rd gen stuff, Mustang II's and Early Fox Bodies.
And yes by the way on our area the old 80's Camaro vs Mustang rivalry is brewing and I am proud to say a small part of that has been atttributed to the USMCF's Pony Car Showdown. We got a lot of guys coming out and showing the pride in those rides.

okfoz

In some respects I think Jeremy has a point, the Jap Crap has taken a large leep in the 90's, BUT thats in the 90's I think those who will hurt from that will be the 4th gens more than the 3rd Gens.

Really when I think about it, back in the 80's there was no big push for Japanese cars EXCEPT if you wanted a cheep economical car that was reliable. THe performance Tuner thing really did not take off until the early 90's, and really started going when they made a Movie about it. THe funniest part was at the end of the movie when old Muscle was shown (Movie style)

The value of a car can be shaped by many things. We have discussed the charactistics that form what will most likely be desirable. BUT, there is a human factor involved. It is only a tick away from Random.

Typically speaking Those who were initially interested in the 50's cars in the 80's are those who:

A: Had a particular model of a car and wanted it back.
B: always wanted a particular car, and could not afford it when new, now they have money, and they spend it on what they want.
C: THey were a Teenager, and too young to buy what they liked, they settled for something older, and eventually bought other cars, never getting that Teenage dream car.

Fast forward to the 90's the 60's cars began to gain popularity. Same type of emotions going on.

I have noticed some interest in the 70's cars but there are few out there that I really find attractive, I think the Big 3 had a homely design philosophy personally.

THe 80's (GENERATION X) started to be interested in cars, We liked what they were making but were in a similar situation, we could not afford a new car. Most of us are just starting families, were in our 30's and cant afford to put alot of money or time into a project, and therefore the values of 3rd gens are suffering.

WAIT until most of our children go to college, and we have more free time, and hopefully more money. We will be about 45 to 55 ,and those cars that we liked back in the 80's will be most valuable.

Personally I do not think that there are many choices from the 70's thru the 90's. Unlike the 60's where 75% the cars had an attractive design, in the 70's 15% had an attractive styling, and in the 80's really only about 20% of the cars had an attractive design, I think the 90;s were better for style, but there is not much that can be hot-rodded.

Really what we will experience is an influx of people (typically male) who want to re-live thier teenage/college years and have money to do so. There will be the desirable 60's Muscle car, And Ugly mid 70's car, but in the grand sheme of things the F-body and Mustang/Capri from the 80's will more than likely get the attention. There is also the GN and other "G" Bodies, but like the 60's Muscle, the Camaro/Firebird will be more desirable than a Cutlass, Skylark, or Nova/Chevelle.

Time will tell, thats for sure.