5th gen or 1st gen that is the question...

[gold5000000]

So bassically, i have been looking around and it seems i could get a nice 1st gen camaro for 18-25 thousand dollars. OR i could save and get a 2010 or 2011 but it will cost me about 36k. i love both and would prefer to get a 2010 and have it 30 years later and say how i remember the walking into the dealer and buying it brand new, but is it really worth 10 or even 20k MORE?!?!?!?? BTW I am 16 and so far i have 8k saved...so i'm not that far from cruising in a 68 or quite far from a new one. So what would you do in this type of situation

[ljustin293]

all depends on what you prefer. The 68 could end up costing you in the long run if it needs repairs.

[camaroguyBC]

the way i look at it...a new one is only new once.

an oldie will be an oldie whether you get it now or 10 years from now.

if you want to say you got one "new", then buy the new one, save for a few years, and buy an old one...they'll still be out there.

[SSRich]

well one thing to think about is when u buy the 1st gen the value is staying the same and going up every day. When you buy a new camaro the value goes down soon as u sign the paper and goes down every day. I still like to have a new one though

[98_Camaro]

I know I might be a Camaro purist at heart, and at the same age as you, I would prefer an old First Gen Camaro over a 2010 Camaro.
Those will have better resale value in 10 years time. A properly fixed up '67 or '68 will fetch about $30k+ on the market, but it will take time to make perfect. Fixing the engine, cleaning up the interior, etc. costs time and money and if you dont want to deal with that, then you should get a '10 or '11.
BUT, if you settle for the V6, you won't spend $36k and the insurance would be less. In fact, a V6's price would rival an old first gen Camaro, and you'd get what you really wanted in the first place.

[light-my-firebyrd]

i know you are not gonna want to hear this, but if you are only 16 You DO NOT need a camaro. at that age, it's just not a smart move and your parents don't need to let you have a car like that because i can tell you..........you're lookin at a large probability of a wreck, and at such a young age, it's just too dangerous with a car of that power. My son is only 11 and i'd never consider letting him have a car whether or not it was a 1st or 5th gen at an early age.
Statistics have shown time and time again that it's like a cocked pistol when u let a teenager have a sports car and it's shown in most cases it ends up in heartache.
MY advice to you dude, is to get a few more years of driving under your belt, and at least get into your early 20's b4 going that route.
please don't take this the wrong way, but it's something that needs to be said

[talwell]

I was actually confronted with the same decision. I had the choice of a 1969 Camaro or to order a new 2010. I decided to take the 1969. Shortly after getting it, I decided I wanted the 2010 as well - so now I will have both.

If it is an either or - you need to look at alot of factors. The most important factor is what the purpose of the car will be. If you need a daily driver you will have to go with the 2010 as an antique car will need to be maintained and will be subject to wear that will diminish the value. If you are looking at the purchase as an investment opportunity then consider going with the 1st gen as your better choice.

[UCI CamaroFan]

New one, because you can actually drive it.

[UsedTaHaveA68]

1st gen all the way Replacement parts for these cars are pretty cheap, so you can fix it up how you want as you go. I'd start off and spend 20k to get one that's in good shape that doesn't need ANY body or paint work. From there you can concentrate on the interior, drivetrain, or whatever makes you happy. I gurantee the character created by an old Camaro will more than make up for the "coolness" of the new one.

That being said, I hope your parents have a spare car they can loan you when the old one breaks down, because it will. That just means you'll learn how to be a real man and fix things yourself rather than paying someone to do it for you.

[Rcamaro]

Originally Posted by UCI CamaroFan

New one, because you can actually drive it.

old cars are cool but they are alot of work and commitment. And for a new driver that is not used to handling an older car it can be dangerous, get a newer camaro and later when you have college under your belt assuming your going, get a 1st gen, build it how you like it and drive it as a second car so you can take care of it the way it deserves to be taken care of. I understand where your comming from at 16 though. Get something thats safe to drive and easier to replace and somthing that takes care of a new driver if he/she happens to get into an accident (God forbid).

good luck with your decision, take your time and dont rush it, you'll make the right choice if you think it through.


good luck!

[gold5000000]

I probably should have mentioned this before, not necessarily looking for a daily driver, i want nothing to do with the v6 (no offense to those who have it), and I have no intention of EVER selling the car.

Lightmyfirbird
- trust me your voice is not going unheard, i have put ALOT of thought into this and if i thought i really shouldnt do it, i wouldnt. BUT its not only my dream to own the car, its my dream to show people that not every teen is a ricer tool and that there is still some pride in the american auto industry. I cant do that if i'm 30. trust me, and i dont know if i mentioned this but i'm making the money on my own.

thanks for all the replys, still cant make a decision tho

I'm gonna take a vote...

[CamaroSS_LS3]

2010

Better technology
Better suspension
Better handling
Better motor
Better gas mileage
Better pollution control
Better reliability
Better seats and interior
Better comfort
Better air conditioning even if you can find an oldie with A/C
Better safety
Better stereo stock/for stock
Better age 1 vs 31-33
Better body – good luck finding an old one that really hasn’t been patched up under all that pretty paint
Better oh you get the idea; this list could go on and on.

Take it from an old guy who has had cars like that, several other old cars and still has a classic old truck. When they say they don’t build them like they use to, that is actually a GOOD Thing. Modern cars are infinitely better cars than the old ones especially now that they are getting the styling back. You do not want an old car as your primary car, too many kids make that brain dead mistake. Only buy an old rod as a hobby car and ONLY when you have a good paying full time job.

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

Get a new one, dude. I bought an antique car and it was the worse mistake I've ever made. Even though I'm sure most cases didn't turn out like mine, I am just looking out for your best interests. If you do decide on a first-gen, inspect it thoroughly, particularly for rust.

[Jekyll-N-Hyde]

1st gen if you had to pick imo. I got a first gen and I have ordered a 5thgen. My neighbor down the street has a 5thgen and I have driven it pleanty of times and yes its a blast however you cant explain the feeling a 1st gen has.

Besides you drive that 5thgen off the lot you LOSE BIG Money $$$$$$$ you buy that 1st gen it only goes up in Value. Give it 2 years a 5thgen will be like any other car on the street. Give it 2 years you will still have the same feeling you did from day one in the 1st gen and people will still turn heads to look at it.

if this is something you want to drive everyday of the year and enjoy get you a 5thgen.

Since most of yall up north put your cars away for the winter and buy a beater then buy a 1stgen.

I'm lucky to have my first gen I just want a 5thgen to drive daily to work so I can have a little camaro in my life at all times.


By the way Look in Texas and Oklahome for a car rust free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!