[Fozzi58]

Everyone here has thrown their opinion into the ring and that's exactly what it is - opinion cause I'm pretty sure no one here has a crystal ball that actually works. However there are a bunch of facts people are hitting on so I decided to throw my 2 cents into it since I am an economy hobbyist.

The actual value of these cars are always going to be determined by the markets and how well the economy is doing. The extra disposable income people have will decide the "big money" factors over true value of the vehicles. Rarity will pay a part, production numbers, the special models or limited runs, and what kinds of choice people made at the times will all play a part into the value of the 3rd and 4th gens. Last but not least, as always, value is in the eye of the beholder.

There will always be models that will hold more value than others: The 1999 Anny TA, 2002 CETA, 35th Anny SS, 30th Anny z28, The 94 Pace car Camaro, and of course the GMMGs, Mecham's Hurst & Harley Davidson TAs, etc. Personally, the demise of Pontiac and the fact that more people bought WS6's instead of plain TA's is a great thing and I hope it skyrockets the value of my car...mostly because its my car. But in reality it will hold its current value for the next 5 ~ 7 years and go up slightly once the 25 year threshold is crossed. But there will most likely be no BIG MONEY in my car, even as rare as it is.

But in 15 years, if Barry O's crystal ball comes to fruition with a humming middle class and growing jobs and lots of GEN X'ers such as myself closing in on retirement with lots of disposable income, there may very well be a boom for the 82~02 F-Body. It will depend upon how much extra people have to spend on the extra's of life.

So the market and economy is going to be the factor that dictates value over all things. Rarity is a false hope because a 1977 Ford Granada is rare as hell, but I wouldn't pay you more than $100 for it.

Some sure targets that will more than likely return the dollar you spent on it or even make you a profit would be:

Factory Built
Any year firehawk (Considered factory even tho SLP in Toms River did the work)
Any anniversary Firebird (15th - '83 Maroon only);
89 Turbo TA and even better is the 20th anny pace car package
88 Factory notchback GTAs (Not a plain GTA with a stupid aftermarket one.
1992 LT1 or Police Package Z28
93 Pace car Z28
94 25th anni TA (Usually in Yellow - aka TA LE)
97 Camaro 30th anni
99 30th anni TA (White and blue; If you see anyone selling an "Inverse Anniversary TA, its a fake - blue with white stripes and white rims)
2002 CETA
2002 35th Anny TA
Super Rare: Harley Davidson TA (only 50 sold in California)

Aftermarket - Must be numbered
GMMG
Mecham
Hurst TA
Police Package Camaro's
Lingenfelter

Hope that helps in your seach.