Dirt Cheap! 1987 Chevrolet Camaro

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I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a bargain, and that is what this 1987 Camaro appears to be. It isn’t perfect, but it is a clean survivor with a v8 under the hood. It won’t press the right buttons for everyone, but you will struggle to find a roadworthy and rust-free Camaro with a V8 under the hood for less money. Located in Longview, Washington, you will find the Camaro listed for sale here on Craigslist. This slice of motoring magnificence can be yours for a mere $3,650.

The White Camaro isn’t the most stunning car, but it is a clean survivor. The paint is presentable, with no significant issues or problems. It doesn’t have a mirror shine, but it would be interesting to see how it responded to a wet sand and polish. The panels are straight, with no visible dings or dents. All of the exterior plastic has survived in excellent order, while the glass is free from visible defects. I will admit that I initially wasn’t a fan of the wheels that have been fitted to this car. However, they’ve grown on me the longer I’ve looked at the photos, so I would probably leave them if I were to buy this car.

The 305ci V8 might not be the most inspiring engine on the planet, but this is a Camaro with a V8 under the hood. That can’t be all bad. This motor would be producing 165hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. This combination should be capable of firing through the ¼ mile in 16.4 seconds, and while that time is hardly startling, it still isn’t that bad for the era in which this car was produced. There’s a couple of things that I like about this car. The first is that it is claimed to be a one-owner vehicle. Long-term ownership will always score highly in my book because vehicles don’t tend to last for years if they are subjected to constant abuse. One-owner cars that have lasted for 34-years have usually been treated with respect. The second thing that I like is that the seller is not making some outrageous claims about low mileage. In fact, the opposite is true. The listing shows an odometer reading of 203,000 miles, and if this is true, it is nearly the equivalent of driving from the Earth to the Moon. The seller doesn’t indicate how well the Camaro runs or drives, but he does say that it wears newer tires and a newer exhaust.

The reality is that this is a car from the 1980s, so it is to be expected that there has been some deterioration to the interior cloth and plastic. This is true, but it is a long way from horrendous. There is some wear on the front seats, and some of the plastic is showing its age, but it remains very serviceable. There are a couple of ways that the buyer could jump with this interior, and even spending a few dollars wouldn’t be a bad thing in a car with this asking price. A full set of new seat covers can be found for $520, although if that sounds too steep, a set of aftermarket slip-covers will make a positive difference. I also wouldn’t rule out a trip to the local pick-a-part because some good pieces might be found for a reasonable price. The other alternative would be to leave it untouched, and there would be no shame in doing that. It would help the Camaro carry its label of an original survivor quite proudly. This might be a cheap car, but that doesn’t mean that the buyer will miss out on a few of the luxuries in life. The vehicle comes equipped with freshly converted air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player.

This 1987 Camaro might not be the most glamorous car on the planet, and it might not even be the most desirable classic that you will find on the market today. However, it is so cheap that it deserves a long look. At the asking price, there is no reason why it couldn’t serve as a daily driver. If a roadworthy V8 Camaro has always seemed out of your reach, maybe this is the car that will change that story.

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Comments

  1. Moparman MoparmanMember

    Nice survivor, but I would have to add some visual ‘pop’ to it with a wheel change! GLWTS!! :-)

    Like 7
    • Frank Farrell

      Yep, what’s with the tires? Did he steal them off a cop car?

      Like 13
  2. History350

    Nice find this dealer has some cool rides and affordable too. Whats “4V ” mean in the description? I thought all were TBI by this point in 1987, not carburetor. Thats a small technicality, but it looks like a great deal!

    Like 2
  3. rustylink

    I love the dog dish poverty caps…in a land of billet wheels etc. they look understated and cool.

    Like 23
  4. Kenneth Carney

    Now here’s one I would buy for my niece
    for a first car. The 305 would give you
    some reasonable gas mileage and the
    automatic transmission would be just
    right for her. Can’t argue with the price
    either. Usually when you find a Camaro
    this old, it’s pretty well used up and not
    worth what the seller would be asking
    for it. Too bad this one’s so far away,
    but the shipping and/or driving costs
    would be outrageous. One thing’s for sure, someone out there is gonna get
    a great deal on it.

    Like 6
    • AMCFAN

      Yeah this would be an awesome car for a first time driver. Poor kid.

      Putting gas in a V8 engine now with the new administration will surely prove a mistake as fuel prices are on the rise. When for the same money or less would buy a Civic or Celica that would have not only more safety features and have better performance and get 40 mpg. They won’t be stuck maintaining a 34 year old car.

      Would be wise to simply ask the kid what he/she wants first. As far as the presentation of the car I normally dislike Gen III GM cars. I like the presentation with the wheels. It looks like what it is. A clean base model nothing more.

      Nothing looks worse then having $2500. worth of wheels that makes the car look like a race car with nothing under the hood.

      That being said. This wouldn’t be a bad local driver as is on the weekends if these are your thing.

      Like 2
      • PRA4SNW

        AMCFAN, I completely agree with you on asking the kid what they want. I asked my daughter what she wanted, and the only car she has ever took notice of is a Nissan Cube – so that is what she got. I think it is a no-power tin can box, but she loves the thing.

        I have no doubt that there is a kid out there that would find this Camaro attractive, but far more of that generation is going to want something newer and more conventional.

        I work in a high school, and I do not see any old sporty or muscle cars in any condition. And the rich kids drive slammed Bimmers, Lexi or Audis.

        Like 0
    • Gus Fring

      Why do people bother to post excuses as to why they can’t buy a car? No one cares. Being too far away is such a lame excuse.

      There are these really cool trucks, that haul cars, from far, far away! Do you honestly think you’d wouldn’t be better off to buy a California car with ZERO rust than to spend the same amount for a rusty, piece of crap from the northeast salt belt?

      Like 2
      • AMCFAN

        PRA4SNW. Excellent choice. A Cube with a manual trans is actually on my radar.

        This makes a great choice for young kids going to school and then loading up and taking off for college. The little car can haul most everything.

        Like 0
      • ErnieSC

        @ Gus…I imagine “Being too Far Away” oftentimes has to do with the value/desirability of the car. I own several Classic/Collectible Cars. I have an enclosed Car Hauler. I live approximately 3500 Miles away from where this little Camaro was before it was sold. Yes, if it had been close to me and upon viewing it, it weren’t a “Dog”, I would have bought it “Just Because”. Driving 7000 Miles Round Trip with associated Hotel, Fuel, Wear and Tear on my Dually and Trailer just made no sense for a $3500 Car. And roughly $1500+ to have it Transported that far also makes no sense. BUT, this is a Forum for People who enjoy Chatting about their passion for cars and doesn’t need to be a Forum for Rude Criticism of one another. You said – “No One Cares about Your Excuses”. On the Flip Side – “Do You REALLY think more People Care about Your OPINION of others Posts”? Just sayin’…………………..

        Like 3
  5. David Byers

    I like the wheel set up, it is a refreshing change over the current selection of wheel/ tire combos available. Maybe white letter tires?

    Like 5
  6. Steve Brown

    Tempting to build up a nice 350 for it and make it a little sleeper. Dog dish hubcaps and all.

    Like 4
  7. Randy

    Bought one brand new in 87. Swapped the 2.73 out for a 3.42 which made a TON of difference. Fun car that lost 60% of its value in 1 year.

    Like 2
  8. Randy SimonMember

    Posting deleted by author

    Like 0
  9. Rustytech RustytechMember

    Looks like one of those sneaky police cruisers. I like it!

    Like 3
  10. Jcs

    And she’s gone, no surprise. Nice find Adam, and your write-ups continue to get better and better.

    Like 4
  11. ErnieSC

    The last thing I need is another car – even a legitimate Classic/Antique based on my State’s Rules and Regulations regarding Age for AV Tag. BUT, had that car been anywhere close to me, I would have Gladly taken my Car Hauler and bought it – at HIS Price – No Haggling! Now, I would have had to ponder a few months what to do about the Drive Train. Leave it alone other than “Freshen it Up” as it looks so Basic with the Dog Bowl Hubcaps. OR, Drop a Stroker and Cruise around in this “Sleeper”! Tranny and Rear Diff would probably handle the 400 HP! (And BTW, I’m 73 and occasionally have some fun with the Kids around my area with a 67 Chevelle I bought New 12/66 but have made some significant changes to the Power Train!)

    Like 1
  12. Bob

    Those wheels and tires belong more on a retired state trooper Crown Vic.

    Like 0
  13. Bob

    Those wheels and tires belong on a retired state trooper Crown Vic.

    Like 0

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