How good is/was an '84 Camaro?

[XMan]

A friend of mine just got married, and he's having to get rid of his car for . . . marital purposes, I guess - they're buying a Volvo.

The exterior is in great shape; the interior probably needs some work but isn't bad at all. The engine (350 V8, drooooool) runs well and doesn't leak oil or coolant. The car has something like 95,000 actual miles on it . . . he's pretty much babied this car.

So, car gurus, would it be worth $2,000 to buy and fix up? Left brain is chanting YES YES YES but right brain is wondering how much I really need another car since I have a company car and a personal car (Taurus).

But the ol' Ford just isn't exactly a machine made for cruisin'.

 

[Maharaja]

how much do you think it would cost to fix up?

if it's only the interior that needs work, i say go for it. from what you said so far, sounds like a sweet deal to me.

 

[RSI]

Buy it.

 

[hubbs]

Me and my dad are fixing up an 84 camaro. We got it for really cheap and we bought a V8 350 and are putting in a 400 crank to make it a 383 stroker. We have to grind a little bit so the crank can spin in thi 350 block. But it will be worth it. We have a little less than $2000 into it and it's got Z28 mags but need interior. I would say that $2000 is a pretty good deal. Might be a TAD high considering the miles. And does it have a sunroof or hood scoupe?

 

[XMan]

I don't have any idea how much it would cost to fix up . . . I've never really done anything as far as interiors go . . . I've done a lot of engine work, including helping my dad put a couple of new engines into a Monte Carlo and an Impala, but that's pretty much the extent of my training.

This will be OJT as far as car restoration goes . . .

 

[RU482]

If you are willing to scour the salvage yards for used parts (and you shouldn't have any trouble finding parts) you could get anything you need for a reasonable price.
$2000 is a great price for about anything that looks and runs good, no matter how old

 

[thedarkwolf]

Just remember if that is the original unmodified engine it probably only has around 200hp, probably closer 175hp. I don't even remember if the 350 was an option that year so... I'am not a chevy guy. Nice thing is since it is a 350 you could rebuild it into a screamer cheap or if you really wanted to be cool get a multipoint fuel injected engine and 5 speed/auto od out of a newer model and stick it there.
Of coarse you could always just leave it alone if it runs good but what fun is that

btw I bought two perfect front seats for one of my cars at a junk yard for $70 if thats one of the things it needs and I think that was kinda steep. Carpet is only like $100 and since it is a chevy and a camaro just about all the other parts (dash, door panel, ect) should be available and atleast cheaper than most other cars new.

 

[PCAddict]

My experience with those cars has been that they turn into rattletraps with age due to the unibody construction, especially if they get whooped on a little. I'm sure that it's probably seen it's share of stoplight racing.

But, $2000 isn't too bad, and there are plenty of them sitting in junkyards. Like others have said, it'll be easy to get parts. Have fun.

 

[thedarkwolf]

just did a little looking around on kelly blue book's site and according to them the biggest engine you could get was the 305. I ran a z28 with a 305 5 speed 95k and whatever options it defualts too and came up with $2,815 so I would offer $1500 . Id find out what engine is in it for sure though first. I don't think there is anything really wrong with a 305 other than hp being low but if you want to build something you would want to get a 350 to stick in it.

Its only money

 

[oldandquitemad]

My son is still driving my 88 camaro.

DO IT.

 

[XMan]

Interesting . . . he explicitly said that it had a 350 in it . . . I'll have to check and see if he dropped a new one in it.

And since he doesn't really have the finances to upgrade his computer, we're going to swap me tuning up his PC with some of my used parts for a hefty discount on the Camaro if I buy it . . . which I prolly will.

Gosh, I feel like Lester Burnham all of a sudden.

 

[bigjon]

My first car was an '88 (but the V6 ) and the tranny died at 100k. Diff tranny/engine in yours but check it out anyway... Plus mine was an automatic.

 

[kabelogo]

the 305 isn't worth mentioning. it doesn't offer the power to performance ratio of any other chevy engine, and the fuel saved by it is so minimal it is almost non-exsistant. I always wanted to take a 327 and put in a 283 crank, and have some chevy fun, but i haven't.

The biggest thing you would need to do is consider emmisions standards in your area. I myself would prefer a pre 70 camaro if i had to have one, but at 2000$ you can find a nice nova or chevelle to fix up.

 

[tinneric]

84 camaro is a POS. The 350 might just be a V-8 but it is a dog. Look for a GT Mustang rather, 5.0 will blow it away.

BTW guys, I believe you are right about the 305. I had a 305 in one of my cars, was the worst engine I ever owned, replaced it with a 1969 4-bolt main motor, it screamed then.

 

[kabelogo]

the ford 302, what a laugh. so anemic they finaly buried it in the back yard and went back to a smaller 8. I'll stick to my chevy, and love the fact when I drive down the road, every other 3rd car isn't one like mine. I'm sure you mustang 5.0 drivers know what i'm talking about, cause almost everyone has one.