Being in the market for a 4th gen Camaro, I notice that dealer pricing, in|
|many instances, greatly exceeds Edmunds' TMV and corresponding NADA and |
|KBB values. Is there a resurgence of interest in previous generation |
|Camaros, prompted by the 2010 release that makes the market higher than |
|the value source references indicate? Or, can the used models be purchased|
|substantilly cheaper than advertised?

 

Kelly Blue Book is a suggested price, not an actual sale price.

nadaguide and Edmunds do a better job but again, it's region specific.

But, and this is a very big BUT (not butt)

let's look at my very own car

it's a 1995 Z28 with 150k miles and Edmunds says it's worth $3,000 dealer retail and $2k private party.


Let's examine the vehicle for a moment

exterior- awesome with a nice shine and hockey stick stripes

interior- awesome condition

17 x 9.5 Z06 rims with brand new 275 40 17 toyos all around

rebuilt motor (10 k miles ago)including all seals, new opti, MSD coil, new water pump, radiator, hoses (yes even the little ones) belt

CAI, airfoil, Pacesetter coated long tubes, ORY and Magnaflow

EGR and AIR delete and tuned by Solomon at LT1PCMtuning

Rebuilt 4L60E about 3k miles ago with shift kit

new u-joints

all new seals and bearings in wheels and rear end

new rotors, calipers and pads


So, would i sell it fo $2k or $3k, heck no. it would take an educated buyer to buy my car but we're still prbably only talking $4k, maybe $4500.

So what does Edmunds and nadaguide provide? basically a price to aid you in looking for vehicles that are in need of repairs or rebuilds and still have the affect of the miles on them.

My car will be reliable (hopefully) for some time and it best be because my son drives it. There are 15 year old cars (give or take) so it's more of a negotiation between buyer/seller and you determine the market value.

 

Location has alot to do with the price as well. If you have the desire and tools, at least around here, you can get 4th generations ranging from $750 and up, depending on (as torque_is_good) referred to in the previous post, how much someone else has invested in it to make it reliable.

 

Thanks for your response. I should have been a little more specific. Sounds like you have a nice ride, but not quite the example I had in mind. Again, thanks.
Thinking more along the line of 2002 with less than 30k with price differentials of $5-6 thousand. No add-ons, original miles, etc. including NADA, Edmund's allowances for low miles and in outstanding condition. Maybe there is no answer.

 

It really all comes down to how much you want the vehicle you are looking at and how much the owner wants to get rid of it! As long as you are satisfied with the price you pay its all good. Personally, I do believe the prices of newer vehciles has caused used vehicle to have a higher resale value, especially trucks.

 

You have understand these services (NADA, kelly...) are averages. As soon as you start talking a collector grade car average is out the window. The price is what the local market will bare, it is all supply and demand.

You should think real hard about sinking a ton of money into any 4th Gen. I think you will find a fair amount of these for sale in the spring. The release of the 5th Gen will cut into the value of the 4th Gens. The 4th Gens will go the way of the 3rd Gens. Don't get me wrong I like the 3rd gens but I would not have been a great idea to drop 20K in a 92 Z28 in 1995. I understand liking the 4th gens but you will get a lot more car for the same money by mid summer. Course that is just my opinion.

 

i think it all depends on options on the car. i have a 97 30th anniversary so mine is going to be worth more because it is a one year car. same goes with the 35th ann. cars and all dealer cars. just a run of the mill v6 or plain z28 they will be cheaper the closer it gets to summer. so i agree with gorn on his idea. wait awhile you'll probably get more for your money

 

This is good stuff guys. Thanks a bunch. I am having a little trouble understanding why summer will make a difference in the prices of say a 2002 model. I understand buying motorcycles in winter, but not the rationale for the 4th generations being cheaper in the summer. Is it because more of the 2010's will be available?

 

that and people want to buy a new 10 camaro for the summer to drive instead having it in the winter

 

I have been watching the prices for Camaros for more then 20 years. Highest price for all Camaros has alway been in the spring unless it is a project car. Project cars sell best in late fall. This is not true for super rare car like a LE or a very low miles 02 Anniversary. Right now there are two types of people that have these car. Camaro lovers and Camaro Collectors. I concider the differents between a collector and lover as simple as how many cars they can own. Most of us are limited to one toy. Many of the Camaro lovers will want to upgrade. Since there has been no other options for the Camaro lovers there is allot of these Camaros tucked away.