Just wondering whether or not you think the market on the nice driver quality Camaros has hit bottum yet? Will they ever go back up to where they were last year?

I think they have dropped about 20% in the past year and will drop another 20% in the next year. So a car that sold for $30K last year, is worth $24K now, and will only be worth $18K next year. I don't think they will ever go back to where they were. It bothers me to have lost money on my car, but on the other hand it will be nice to buy another one next year.

Also, I'm not talking about asking prices on cars, I am talking about what cars are selling for.

I've wondered about that also, and I'm up in the air on it. Will gas ever be under $3.50 again? Not likely. $3.00? No way. The economy isn't going to recover overnight, either. Wars, housing slumps, political uncertainty, and rising food costs (especially), have people re-evaluating their disposable income (more like watching it vanish). I'm pessimistic about the old car market making any big comeback. Barrett Jackson insanity aside, most people aren't going to drop $30+k on a toy, in my opinion. Time will tell, but I think old cars have peaked.

here's a variation on the positive side to think about.....the first wave of baby boomers is retiring with a LOT of extra spendable income..........

Its not so bad if you only have one or two toys... But can you imagine being in it for the investment of it all (no thanks) i do it for fun.... Will the value of these cars go back up (may be) but if not enjoy it while you can, because life is to short.

Will gas ever be under $3.50 again? Not likely. $3.00? No way.

$3.27 today when I filled up and dropping still ;) :beers:

Not every baby boomer is buying a car and not every baby boomer who wants a car who is financially responsible will buy one. Seeburg is correct. People may have the extra $ to buy the car but not the exta money to cover inflation. And what percentage of your baby boomers are retiring with a lot of money? Enough to cover the rising cost of living?
The market for driver cars is down. And will stay down. People made their kill. There are some that can still afford it yes. But not the majority. A friend was to buy his third 45K car this year but did not because of financial foresight.
I bought my cars 25 years ago so they don't owe me a nickle. If you do every aspect of the build like some of us you won't take a big hit but you'll take a hit nonetheless.

I have noticed the project cars are getting WAY more reasonable in price.
Talking the kind that don't run and need body, paint and some drive line stuff.
I remember just last year people were paying up to 10k for a bucket of bolts basket case and most sell for around 3.5-6K.
The drivers are getting more inexpensive, partly because of the economy but I think a lot of it has to do with the first gen Camaro not being in the lime light any more. I mean when did the first gen Camaro revolution happen and people start buying them like hot cakes? After the 90's and horrible car styling.

Just my .02. I am a Corvette, and Chevelle owner as well as a Z28 Camaro. Mediocre cars of all kinds without paperwork and original drivetrains will continue to drop in price. The real quality cars with documentation are still selling strong but not on public forums. Folks have just become much more descriminating. I have been through the whole process over the last 15 years and I now have three cars that are correct,documented and need nothing. Those cars will always be worth the money. As far as the general market, I have been doing this for over 35 years,it will come back. History proves me right. Sit tight and enjoy your car and sell when the time is right. I feel badly for the folks that borrowed money to buy these cars as an"investment" and to make a quick buck. Bad move. I buy what I like and if it goes up in value theat is a bonus. Buy the right car and that to will happen.. If you have a quality car it most definitely adds to its value to have it certified and authenticated by Jerry MacNeish. I am fortunate to have my trim tag in his book as an example of an early 69 Z/28 from Norwood without the X codes.

I don't think the quality documented cars are selling for what they sold for a year ago either. They have depreciated an equal percentage and will continue to follow the same pattern as the driver quality cars.

I'm just glad I am not holding a bunch of race cars right now. Man those can be bought for a song. I much prefer my in process 69 Camaro. Don't really care what it turns out to be worth cause it ain't for sale. Buy and own the cars because you like them and in the end the cost does not matter. Most of us would be scared to actually figure up what we have invested in these old cars as it would be a bunch, and in most cases more than the car will ever be worth even if the cars do come back around.

I don't think they will ever go back to where they were.

I'm pessimistic about the old car market making any big comeback.

You guys need to study history. These things are cyclical. Always have been, always will be. We call this a buyers market. It will go away, so buy a car while you still can!

You guys need to study history. These things are cyclical. Always have been, always will be. We call this a buyers market. It will go away, so buy a car while you still can!
Agreed!! Like everything else!

I am no expert but I would have to agree with Kevin and Jeff. History has shown us in the past........

You guys need to study history. These things are cyclical. Always have been, always will be. We call this a buyers market. It will go away, so buy a car while you still can!

Well how far do you go back? Covered wagons? "Got me a line on a beautiful '47 (1847) Consestoga with a posi rear" - lol. Seriously, speaking only about cars, how cyclical is it? What period of time did cars peak, then dip, then comeback? I agree with houses, but I don't with cars.

I believe that most cars of a certain era have a period of time in which they are the most desirable. The model As & Ts have seen their hay day and now the people who grew up with fond memories of them have passed on or are no longer able to enjoy them as they once did. Those cars don't have that much appeal to the next generation. They like the shoe box chevys and 32-40 fords. The guys that grew up with muscle cars have been on the car hobby scene for more than a decade now. I don't think they are going away anytime soon. This is just a blip in my opinion . When the economy picks up and some more of us get our children out of college, we will have more disposable income to spend. We may not see the crazy prices like B J, but our cars will still bring good money from another guy in his second teenagerhood . JMO

I think it really all depends on whether more banks fail. If things stabilize then I think we will see a slow recovery.

Undocumented and non matching cars took a big hit in percentage of value but documented numbers matching cars are still holding strong because of less risk. And I bet they all rebound a little when the new Camaro comes out. So the bottom may be within the next month or 2.

Now is a buyers market. I just picked up a rare big dollar car for $20K less than it sold for a year and a half ago. I'm betting there will be some recovery. If not, I will have fun with a car I never dreamed of affording before. My upside potential is much greater than the downside over the next few years. I believe the muscle car craze will eventually end but there are still several more years left. Get your kids interested in these cars and it may last longer!

Now is a buyers market. I just picked up a rare big dollar car for $20K less than it sold for a year and a half ago. I'm betting there will be some recovery. If not, I will have fun with a car I never dreamed of affording before. My upside potential is much greater than the downside over the next few years. I believe the muscle car craze will eventually end but there are still several more years left. Get your kids interested in these cars and it may last longer!
OK lets see some pics of that beauty :hurray:.

I was just on Hemmings and the prices seem fairly solid. Of course, these could be "wish prices" and the sellers might very well take offers that are off the asking price. But the stated prices sure seem like nothing has changed in the last 18 months!!

alan

You have to look at long term just like the stock market except the car market has been steadily going up until recently.For example check a 69 camaro in hemmings in 1985,then in 95,then in 2000,2005,the graph is steadily up.All things peak eventually.If you have a legit #s matching car or just a nice looking clone of any kind the market will come back.Hang in there.Paul



_____________________
70Z unrestored 29K
81Z frame off restored 454ci

a few nights ago, I was all ready to post my car on here to see what it was worth. Listing all the goodies the car had and whatnot. (ok... 12 trophies, but who's counting) However, I know it's gone down some; plus, I'm not really interested in selling it... so why torture myself. I own my car because I was mesmerized by the Camaros when I was younger. When one pulled up next to us, we'd all look on the fender to see if it said 327, 350, or 396. There's always gonna be guys like me around that will pay for the good, documented stuff. the sad part is, there will come a day when you almost have to assume half the cars out there are RE-STAMPED. Look on Ebay and see how many "real" Z-28s are on there now.

Gas will be back under $2.00 before 2010...

Gas will be back under $2.00 before 2010...

Per quart.....:confused:

The market will come back some. I don't believe it will be in 2 months....maybe 2 years. I personally hope the prices don't go as high again. It's ebay and BJ that drove the over inflation of "collectible" cars the last 10 years and the investors looking to make money. Lets get it back to a hobby status so us po folk can enjoy them...:D

I have seen prices come down on drivers and it will continue because of sluggish economy. However, I don't care what my 68 RS conv is worth since it will hopefully be passed to my son in 30 years..or more:)

Let him deal with the depreciation if there is any.

Long term prices are going up. The cars are "stocks", in which the shares are very limited. There will never be more cars than there are now. The new shells are priced high enough to keep the market at high levels. Short term there may be some weakness. When you sell a car, you just need one buyer. I paid $7500 for my hugger builder, and it probably was too much. But I wanted it!