Which Camaro should you buy, sell, or hold?
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There’s an implied truth to the Chevy Camaro that applies to any example across its six generations. An honesty about what it is, along with just a touch of “I-can-back-up-my-looks” self-assuredness, endears the Camaro to legions. As new cars, Camaros have always offered an excellent performance entry point. As collector cars, most models still represent affordable fun from eras gone by. We’ve noticed some value trends lately across a few of the Camaro’s generations, so we decided to share from the perspective of cars you should buy, sell or, hold.
The Gold Standard of Camaros—the first generation—escapes judgment here. And while two the most recent generations offer a mix of old values and new technology, their positions on the late-model depreciation curve make data a bit too murky. Let’s see where the other three generations of Camaro fit in our assessment.
Buy: 4th gen SS and Z/28
The T-top F-body at its most evolved, the fourth-gen Camaro offers a unique middle ground: modern power and ’90s styling with quintessential Camaro character. The distinctive hood scoop, rear wing, and extra performance goodies added by SLP engineering help the SS stand out further.
“They represent good value for the performance, especially later cars with the LS1,” notes Hagerty Price Guide editor Greg Ingold.
Values for the Camaro SS in #2 and #3 condition stayed fairly flat for years, but like many vehicles they saw a pandemic bump in early 2021. There’s definite room for growth still, and it’s not just because an LS1 engine and available T-56 six speed manual are a blast to drive. The fourth-gen SS and Z/28 in particular feel a bit ahead of the curve; they have yet to take off in value like third-gen IROC-Zs, and 1990s performance cars continue to rise in popularity.
“I don’t see a world in which these don’t keep going,” said Ingold.
Sell: Late 2nd-gen Z/28 (1978–81)
The Z/28s from the end of the second generation have experienced a heroic upward trajectory, likely thanks to a substitution effect related to the Bandit Trans Am’s exploding value. There are only so many flashy Pontiac F-bodies from the Malaise Era to go around, after all. Though the Z/28 made do with a 350-cubic inch engine instead of the 400 (or Olds 403 in automatic-equipped models) found in the Trans Am, that difference matters less these days than it did in period. V-8 rumble, aggressive looks, and assertive stickers make the Z stand out regardless of displacement.
Values in the last few years reflect the late ’70s Z/28’s increased popularity. 2023 has seen a noticeable downturn, however—a result of several months of mixed public sales. “Often, vehicles that appreciate this rapidly are among the first to reset values as part of a market correction,” notes Ingold.
That in and of itself is not a reason to unload—you did buy your collector car to enjoy it, right? Just the same, the market has softened on these, and if you are considering selling, now be the best time to maximize your return on your F-body investment rather than waiting toward the end of this year’s driving season.
Hold: 3rd-gen IROC-Z and Z/28
The third-gen IROC and Z/28 Camaros are represent a more stable play from a valuation perspective. After a healthy 50+ percent increase for #2 Condition cars over the last few years, values have settled somewhat. The 305-cubic inch examples have taken a 5 percent loss recently, but IROC values are strong when equipped with the iconic 350-cu-in powerplant. These don’t benefit from a substitution effect—the third gens are sought after for what they are.
“Third-gens are still relatively affordable in comparison to other generations of Camaro,” said Ingold. “Given their age, and the fact that Gen-X and older Millennials are steadily growing as the dominant force in the collector market, there is still potential for these to go up.”
We’ve made our choices, but which Camaro would you add to your stable? Which would you unload? Which would you keep? Let us know in the comments.
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Via Hagerty Insider
I brought my 1999 camaro ss brand new at the Chevrolet dealership still have the car to this day they where hard to find so I got Lucky and found the one I wanted black with t-tops and dark gray leather . To this day my car only got 7k miles I don’t think im ever going to sell her unless I get an offer I can’t refuse ? Then maybe
2nd gens are my favs, Firebirds mainly. But the late 80’s IROC is another sweet ride. The 93-2002 has too much of that gm plastic for it’s time.
YEP 67,68,69
Well crap, after this article I have no idea what to do with my 54k orig mile 1st gen 1 of 1 convertible…
I bet you already knew what to do! ;<)
Guess I will hold onto my 2002 Z28 convertible. The newer ones are just too bulky-looking, with terrible visibility in the coupe (or top-up convertible). The third-gen ones still look darn good in IROC form, and I would not be so quick to sell a late-2nd-gen Z28, personally.
I really like the 3rd Gen looks. Its simple clean lines are really well done from any angle. If it were in the cards I would do a restomod on one, put some modern drive train in it, do what is necessary underneath to handle it, custom interior. The 1st and 2nd gen restomods are going for serious money these days. I think it is time to look at the 3rd gen cars as prime candidates.
2002 Collector Edition Trans Am convertible 6 speed or t-top ,like I had before I had to sell it🤑!!
I have a 1977 1/2 Z-28 4-speed very rare car not to much ever mentioned about these. I’m going to hold on to this one.
So true, not often seen for sale or in the wild.
I bought my run of the mill 1969 camaro in 1971 and I used it as my daily driver. Then as a street/strip car. Then as a track car. Now I am restoring it to stock. I met and dated my wife in that car . Its our history….great car and even greater wife.
It seems to me that the cars losing value are a good buy, if 2nd gen Z28s are falling then it could become a bargain. Being weird, and a child of the 80s I want the 3rd generation Firebird with the turbo V6, basically a Buick Grand National engine in an F body
What about the 1st gen cars, hold or sell?
I am enjoying the “Should I stay or should I go” angst. If you enjoy whatever generation Camaro you have, keep it! I try and keep in mind that NOBODY sells a car they like. Of course, there may be legit reasons why a car must be sold, but my conservative estimate is that 75% of “collector” cars are on the market for reasons that aint’good.
I have the 2002 – 35th anniversary edition convertible. Fantastic car. I will keep it. Only 13,000 miles on it.
I recently (this year) sold my #3 1981 Z28, 350 4 speed and #3 1971 Z28 350 4 speed and bought a #2 1989 IROC-Z R7U 1LE. Very happy with my decision. My daily driver is a #3 1997 RS.
Wonder what to do with 1997 30th anniversary Z28 convertible with less than 1,300 miles on it? Bought it new. Wife had 2010 LS cheapie and drove wheels off of it but we upgraded 2015 2SS. She is more Camaro nuts than I am. She has time slips to prove it!