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

[jmcbeth]

I recommend you buy the 2010 now. Take very, very good care of it. In 10 years or so, when you can afford one, buy the 1st gen so you have "book ends".

[GOLDDOG]

1st gen all the way, it is a true classic. The 5th gen is a head turner and will be so for the next six months. 1st gen will always turn heads.

[Grimmjow]

Originally Posted by GOLDDOG

1st gen all the way, it is a true classic. The 5th gen is a head turner and will be so for the next six months. 1st gen will always turn heads.

I thought about this the other day. In a year the 2010 camaro will probably be a dime a dozen.. but how many first gens will you see in your town?? You could always be unique in a way.

Just my opinion!!

[slacker]

I have to say, go with the '69 Camaro. If you spend your time looking, you can get a great deal on a nice one, or one that just needs a little work. I miss my 69 Camaro, but I have to admit this IOM 2010 is the bomb....it beats the 69 hands down in EVERYTHING except styling.

[MLL67RSSS]

Couple of considerations.

Since you only have $8,000 saved it can be difficult to get finacing on a "classic" car.

Insurance? It can also be difficult to insure a "classic" affordably for what it's worth in the event of a total loss unless you go with a classic car insurance company that will require that you have another car for daily driving. Lots of restrictions on the usage of the vehicle with classic car insurance, i.e. can't drive it to work, can't use it to run errands, etc.

[GaryTucker]

Another option is to hold out for awhile and let depreciation take place on the 5th gen. Let's be honest, its happened already...look at the number of people that have bought a v6 and lost 2-4k to get out of it to get a v8 or those with auto v8 or manual v8 that just didn't like their choice and the same thing happened. Buy a clean used one next summer...you'll save $6-10k is my bet. Only way depreciation won't hit is if this is a one year car...

Case in point-I actually had a chance to buy a 2009 Corvette convertible with 6k on the odometer for about 15k less than my GT1 at invoice cost me...I would have taken it if it hadn't been the wrong color for me. The only option differences between the car were the color and about 2k extra for the GT1 package. All other options were identical.

The Camaro won't come down 15k as you are looking at a more expensive car with the Corvette, so depreciation as a number, not as a percent, will be greater. My guess at $6-10k though is realistic as production catches up with demand and the "hot" factor cools. My guess is that by next summer you might even see some rebates as we switch to the 2011 model year...we'll just have to see.

1st gens are cool and I've got one on my wish list, but I've got too many projects in my garage(s) right now and the wife would shoot me if I brought a new project home...but when I finish one of my three current restos...a first gen will be in the works. What guy doesn't "lust" for a DZ302 or a big block first gen??

[GaryTucker]

Originally Posted by MLL67RSSS

Couple of considerations.

Since you only have $8,000 saved it can be difficult to get finacing on a "classic" car.

Insurance? It can also be difficult to insure a "classic" affordably for what it's worth in the event of a total loss unless you go with a classic car insurance company that will require that you have another car for daily driving. Lots of restrictions on the usage of the vehicle with classic car insurance, i.e. can't drive it to work, can't use it to run errands, etc.

Financing will probably have to be a signature loan and that means a little higher interest rate and a max term of xx years. My bank is a max of three years.

As far as insurance, I would say it depends on what you buy. If you just buy a "Camaro" vs. some low production rarity-DZ302 or something like that-you could insure it as a normal car. The biggest issue is what the coverage is...is it replacement cost or actual cash value...important to consider when you get into cars like this. I keep waiting for Allstate to figure out the rarity on our GT1 Corvette and hike my rates...

Good luck on your purchase and keep us posted!

[2SSRS/SS396]

If it's going to be a second car buy the 69, will be much more economical. Taxes & insurance will kill you on the new one. I agree the new one is a much nicer car to drive but at your age unless you have a money tree in your backyard the 69 will hold it's value and won't cost you much to keep around.

[onehot2ssrs]

I have both a 67 and 2010. I enjoy drivng the 2010 much more.

[Oldrocker]

While at my age I prefer the 2010, at your age I had a 67. I learned a ton of things about cars wrenching on that car and have been doing it professionally for 22 years. It will be much easier for you to work on a first gen compared to the 5th gen also. But if you can't or don't want to do your own repairs, it will be much easier to find an independent that can work on it compared to an independent that will have the necessary equipment to work on the 5th gen. So in conclusion, get the first gen, just make sure it is a GOOD one.

[Scrappy Doo]

Get whatever makes you happy. Do you have any experience wrenching on old cars? (Carbs, points, etc?) If you do, then the 67-69 would be agood choice. If you want a cool, non-ricer car, the new one would be best. Either way, i'd plan on getting a winter beater for the snow and places that you don't want to take your nice car to.

[gold5000000]

Originally Posted by Scrappy Doo

Get whatever makes you happy. Do you have any experience wrenching on old cars? (Carbs, points, etc?) If you do, then the 67-69 would be agood choice. If you want a cool, non-ricer car, the new one would be best. Either way, i'd plan on getting a winter beater for the snow and places that you don't want to take your nice car to.

i actually am fairly car savvy, and i do love to work on cars however i am leaving that out of the equation because i am basing this one value, and entertainment , no matter what i do get though it will stay stock cept for open headers that is

[Windy City]

Originally Posted by CamaroSS_300_HEMI_C

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.

I agree whole heartedly! But I am a convenience whore! Also do you like doing "stuff"? You know, chasing skirts and the like? Well throw that out the window cause all your spare time will be taken up "improving" (or repairing) your car. Plus it will turn into a bottomless pit you'll never be able to fill up with enough money. Back in the day, we used to say the 2 best days of owning a Corvette was the day you bought it, and the day you got rid of it! Thank God those days are over.
Good luck and drive careful, even if you end up with a VW.

[omegaman]

I really appreciate the technology in today's Camaro. The cruise control, bluetooth, premium audio, OnStar, anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, remote start (L99), disc brakes, etc.