Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Hey all,

This is a great site! I have lurked for a while reading little bits here and there, great FAQ on the home page BTW. A friend of mine just picked up an '82 like he had when we were in our early 20s. It has kinda given me the bug to get a third gen; I have always liked them.

I am a car guy with first love as muscle cars. I find myself wanting a fun summer car that can work as a good daily driver in the nice weather, store winters. I think any 3rd gen would fit that requirement.

But my heart is kinda set on an '84 305HO. I just like the look. Would consider an '83. Prefer a 5speed, but realize that might be getting picky. I don't need/want a show car or trailer queen, but do prefer to get something reasonably unmolested, stock. I don't mind stereo swaps, steering wheel swaps and other small bolt ons, but want orginal appearing drive train and body.

So tell me, is that something crazy to shoot for? Are those still out there to be found? So many ads I look at say "STOCK, 327, holley, cowl hood, '89 front clip" etc. I don't mind the car might need a little TLC or even a few parts swapped out, but I don't want a huge resto project to get it looking right (that's divorce territory, lol).

If what I want is out there, what is a fair price for a 'very good driver'?

All comments appreciated.
Ron

Big Matt

Looks like you're in the exact situation I was in about a month ago. I was looking around for a third gen that was pretty much stock, and I found an 84 305 HO 5 speed completely stock. It ran fine, the only problem is that here in California the smog laws are very strict. So I had to replace just about all the smog equipment, some other small sensors, and rebuild the carburetor. Now it runs great! I just need to take it to a smog place to get it checked.

Maybe I got lucky finding one completely stock but I think you could find one in time, just be patient.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Definitely be patient. That particular model is one of the secrets of the thirdgen lineup, one of the only versions of these cars the mustang guys had to worry about back in the day.

Definitely hold out for a 5 spd L69 car. Just be careful you dont end up with an LG4 car! I dont know how to tell the difference, though.

Big Matt

The difference between the L69 and the LG4 is the camshaft and the pistons. So they both look identical. The L69 came with a dual snorkel air filter housing that said 5.0 HO on it. The only thing about that is it is real easy to grab one of those and throw it on an LG4, so be careful.

On the vin number one of the letters is either G for L69 or H for LG4. That tells you what the car originally came with. However, you don't know if the engine was swapped out and replaced at any time. To check if its the orginal engine would be to look at the engine identification number on the engine block. If that matches with the numbers on the vin then you have the stock engine. If they don't match then its not the stock engine and could be either L69 or LG4 or even something completely different.

Well that's what I did to check my engine. Fortunately for me it was the stock L69 engine.

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Thanks so much for the replies, you give me hope.

Now,
What is a fair value range for what I am interested in?

Big Matt

I paid 1700 for mine, but it all depends on the condition of the car.

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

A 90% stock car, with no need of body repairs. Has been painted looking great from 20' but has minor wear from normal use. Mechanically sound needing little to drive without problem. May need some interior cosmestics due to age. Not restored, not a show car, just well cared for. That's my 'ideal'.

Also are there certain colours that are more/less desirable? I have my preferences of course, just wondering if there is much impact on value.

SCCAjunkie

If it's stock (which sound like what you're looking for), look at the 8th digit of the VIN. Like BigMatt said, G is L69 motor (G is for Good!), H is for an LG4 (H is for Heck No!).

With all the people I see looking for original L69 cars, I almost feel bad that my formerly-original L69 5sp is now a Franken-car. I bought it that way, but I still feel just slightly bad about it...

midias

I kinda feel the same way about my franken L69 also bought it that way.

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys don't feel too bad. There were thousands of L69 '84s made, not like you have a modified one of 3 made, so if that is the way you like it, rock on. Personally, I LOVE modified cars. My Chevelle is slightly modified and I like it that way. For whatever reason, I just want a stock car for once.


The reason I'm asking about value, or "what should I pay for what I am looking for?" is to determine if/how much cheaper it would be to buy a car in the US vs Canada, where I live.
The cars for sale on the net here, kijiji mainly and mostly '85-90, are junk for 2-4k, all rotted out and often poorly modified, or the ocassional very clean nice units in the $7k -$12k range. I don't see a lot of movement on them either (ads are often poorly written like the other thread mentioned). But this seems pricey to me for cars that, while being somewhat desirable, are not really rare if you know what I mean....