[camarogirl86]

Hey, i am thinking about buying an 86 camaro iroc. The interior is excellent, mileage is 80,123. But the guy i'm buying it off of didn't have tags on it so I couldn't drive it on the road. I drove it in the parking lot though and it seemed fine but there is a lot of difference between 3 mph and 65 mph. So I was wondering from people who own a camaro. Is a camaro a good investment that is that old and I am just now out on my own so would it be a struggle or enjoyment??? Someone give me some pros and cons!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tmannet]

Hi, sounds like a real tempting car to buy...but if you're just starting out, especially if $$ is a factor, like it is for me, I'd think hard before buying this car. Yes it would be a lot of enjoyment, if you enjoy tinkering. Because this car might be in the shop more often than on the road. I'm just guessing about all this since I haven't seen the car. But it would have to be a REAL special car, with receipts and documents to prove all the work that has been done to it, for me to buy it at any price. Have a look at the 3rd gen prices here on the classifieds and on Ebay, for $3-5K you can get a very nice, rustfree, 3rd gen camaro. For 5K-7K you can get one that is in beautiful condition. Terry M.

[camarogirl86]

Well the guy i'm buying it off of owns a body shop and every now and then when i drove by they was doing work to it. They put a new head liner in it and few other odds and ends but this guy said it might need a few belts and hoses and the snap on piece on the steering wheel for the horn won't snap on. It needs a new paint job but the current one is horrible it's just faded. The guy is asking 3,200. I don't know about it. I'v always wanted one but I don't want to get something that I'm not going to be able to enjoy for it breaking down?????

[camarogirl86]

I mean't the current paint job wasn't horrible

[tmannet]

Again, w/o seeing the car, if the body isn't excellent I'd say 'no way'. Too many other good ones out there. If the seller says it might need belts and hoses, that's his way of saying that the car has been completely neglected mechanically. I'd ask more questions, if the seller can't answer then walk away... The more I think about it, the worse that car seems to me. I'm not sure that I'd pay $500 for it. Just my opinion...

[tmannet]

OK if the paint job is ok then I might pay $600 for it! Let's see what some other TC members say...

Terry

[camarogirl86]

well the exterior and interior of the car is really nice. No dents or bumps just scratches in the paint. Not noticable unless your up close. And the hood and top of the car is faded. The interior is excellent all except for the horn cover on the steering wheel. As for under the hood. I guess i am the stereotypical girl and I have no idea whats what.!!!

[tmannet]

hmm...well as for the mechanicals, if you're not a 'tinkering' type girl then you'll have to pay someone to do all the repairs...could easily pass the value of the car. Quickly. I don't mean to get down on this car, but I still think I'd pass...there are camaros out there similarly priced that are being sold by an owner who has carefully maintained EVERYTHING...
Another idea is to look for a 4th gen because they are newer and everything won't be falling apart. I see them for sale for 5-6K. Depends on what you like. Stay with the camaro idea, though, don't even LOOK at a Mustang though!! T.M.

PS What's your location, price and condition of these cars varies a lot depending on what part of the country.

[Troy Adam]

The car honestly doesn't sound that bad too me. Can you post some pictures so we have a better idea of how it looks inside and out. Take a picture of the engine compartment too.

Also, ask the guy about the engine and tranny. Find out if it's a 305 or 350 and if it's Tuned Port Injection. Is it a stick or automatic?

For the hoses, how about leaving it run until it gets up to normal operating temperature. Watch the temperature gauge and see if the thermostat opens when it should and then check to see if the fans came on. Once its hot, shut it off and look for leaks. If the guy doesn't have anything to hide he shouldn't have a problem with you doing this.

[DjD]

If you are serious about this car take it to an impartial mechanic and have every inch of the drivetrain gone over. It's well worth the expense if it means a decent driver over one that leaves you on the side of the road.

$3200 is steep for an '86 unless it's mint inside and out. That doesn't mean just restored to showroom condition, the car should look good and run good though, remember it's a 20 yr old car...

[DOUG G]

I think for the same or maybe a little more money you could find a newer Camaro in better shape. Dealers used car lots may be a few more bucks but come with a warrentee and some will runa carfax report (too many flood cars out there).

[djunod]

First off, don't consider the car an investment... they hardly ever are

And if it is a TPI (Tuned Port Injection) then you are going to have a lot of trouble with one that old...

1) because parts are getting old, and there is nothing worse for electronics then old wires and sensors

2) trying to find somebody that really understands and can troubleshoot TPI engines is getting harder and more expensive.

I have 2 TPI IROC's and trouble-shooting them is no fun at all.

[StumpZ]

I had an '86 IROC for 14 years. If I were you I would look for a '87 or up. The 305 cars just don't hold sell for much. Everyone always asks "Is that a 350?" By the way my car was almost mint and I sold it for $2,800.

[dsherw00d]

First, if it's a real 350 IROC from 86, buy it - only about 50 were made for GM testing. If you want a 350, look at 87 and newer. I would check thirdgen.org and camarosource.ca in the third gen area. Run the VIN through the VIN decoder. Also look in the console for the RPO list. If It's an IROC, I think it should have Z28 as a RPO. Look for RPOs G92, G80, LB9/L89 which is the good rearend and the 305/350 TPI. camarosource.ca has all the RPOs also to look them up. I paid 2k for the car in my sig link - which is rust free, but needs a new top, soft trim, and some tinkering. The TPI 3rd gens aren't as easy to work on as the 1st and 2nd gen cars due to the new items in the engine bay and the lack of space. Plenty of 3rd gen cars are available - many with way more money in them than the asking price.

For $3500 you can also find some nice LT1 4th gens. Probably the fastest and most comfortable Camaros for the $$.

-Dan

[brightblue87iroc]

I got lucky and scored my '87 IROC for $4700 this year. It was always garage-kept, had 62K miles on it, optioned to death, and the only thing not original on the car are the tires, a Flowmaster, and the radio. Original paint in excellent shape, almost perfect interior, but alas, the anemic TPI 305. The car has a/c, pdb, power windows, rare power driver's seat, tilt, cruise, rare power mirrors, rare overhead console, ultra-rare self-dimming rearview mirror, power hatch release, halogen fog lights, positraction, etc... and everything WORKS. I just took the car on a 400-mile round-trip to Myrtle Beach and it got 26mpg running 60-65 with the air on. My point is this, Camarogirl86--I paid top dollar and got a really nice car, but $4700 was stretching it tight as far as value! But I figure the 3rd-Gens are right around where the 1st-Gens were in the early '80s--just coming into their own as appreciating. I can sell the car tomorrow for $6500, but if I sit on it 10-15 years (which I plan to do--I'm building an enclosed shelter for it now) and keep the mileage down--like the 1st-Gens of today--there won't be many heavily-optioned original 3rd-Gens left and I'll have a car worth some bucks. Besides that, I just love driving the thing--it's like a big go-kart! If you can buy any 3rd-Gen IROC now in decent shape fairly cheap, I'd say go for it. It will only appreciate if you take care of it.