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Got mine free last spring. Solid rust free body with a dented lower passenger front fender. Runs strong, but sure drinks the gas. Needs exhaust work as the car was high centered sometime in it's past. Tranny leaks bad. Coming from front seal area. Scored a 700R-4 for $200.00 Needs major interior work, I had to take out the broken drivers seat and weld it up. Spent $105.00 at the local u-pull-it, and got a complete front end for the car (tie rods, drag link, idler arm, and steering box). Now it steers much, much, better. Needs a windshield, and much more, but the A/C works at least. Not to bad for 212,000 on the clock!
Umm the car is gone now but it cost $300. Non-running no battery, needed rear view mirror, gas pump, water pump, valve covers, was sludged, had good tires, one speaker, one seatbelt ripped out, no radio. Had it purring by May.
Car is now gone but it was wholly unrelated to vehicle condition.
$200 1989 Pontiac Trans Am t tops full ground effects and does run. Needs flood pan, interior is got mold and body has alot of dents. Not bad i didnt think for a project
I paid $400 for My 1991 FireBird! It has T-Tops and power locks/mirrors/windows! and 193,442 on the clock! Plus a pretty clean interior! All around a good buy!
I know its a long time ago but back in 1998 I bought my wife an 87 RS for $200. She was a sales person at a Saturn dealership and a couple traded the RS in. The dealer would only give them $200 so she offered them the cash and they took it. It was white, paint falling off, interior was clean no tears, body was straight no t-tops and had the leather steering wheel and shifter ****. The engine had almost no oil pressure at idle but didn't knock. I added Prolong to the oil and drove that thing for a year like that. It was an awesome car! that car never left us stranded. Later I replaced the engine and 5 years later had the trans rebuilt, added IROC rims and wouldn't you know it the car got stolen!!! got it back as a shell.
I paid $700.00 for my '88 Firebird at auction. It wouldn't run hardly when they tried to start it. Took it home, checked the codes... and replaced the temp sensor! Started right up and purred like a kitten. I have since put almost 100,000 miles on top of the 175,000 it had when I bought it! It only stranded me once-fuel pump died 10 miles from home.
i got mine for $2600.. i searched for the perfect one for months.. and she popped on craigslist and i bought her the same day..
1987 sport coupe camaro, 75,000 original miles.. 2.8L
I personally think the Camaro bras make the car look like it's gone insane... Like Hannibal Lecter (like it's going to eat you if you push it too hard). But, yes, it's bad for the paint (and as some may have posted, possibly the bumper cover underneath).
I've decided to update this:
$900 for an 88 IROC that my 3.1 LH0/3100 L82 hybrid is going into (I figure that my V6 will have more power than the 170 HP LO3 that came out of the IROC). Needs a lot of stuff (just a shell but WAY less rust than my 87 and I'm going to keep it that way) including dash, paint, some ridiculous holes fixed, and carpet. But, I got a few hundred $$$ worth of goodies as well... SFC's, driveshaft safety loop (didn't work too well as the driveshaft apparently broke loose of the rear companion flange and bit the tunnel), STB, and decent paint and weatherstrip (except in spots).
lol, thanks.. I just put it on yesterday for the first time just to see if the look grows on me.. I'm thinkin about takin it off.. I didn't like the sport coupe body style at first but that definitely grew on me too.
In 2008, bought my girlfriend a Firebird to drive. Paid $2,500 for my 1992 hard top with 110,000 miles. Probably paid too much, but it was in good running condition and had original paint which is still pretty good. It had a rebuilt T5 transmission. Shortly after buying, had to install complete new clutch and replace dry rotted tires.
Finally dumped girlfriend (had her thrown in jail - another story), but kept the car. The car worked out better than the girlfriend and is still much cheaper. I drove it, off and on, until 2011 when it became my daily driver.
So far, in addition to the clutch, I've replaced and/or installed shocks and struts, hood latch, hood and hatchback piston lifts, headlight motors ($160 each - ouch!!!), fuel filter, heater core, flowmaster muffler, manual transmission fluid, high flow catalytic converter, O2 sensor, battery, and windshield shades (didn't think 2 cloth covered pieces of cardboard could cost so much). I've done a tune up including new spark plugs, wires, and distributor kit. I also removed the air filter snorkel (wow! nice power increase). I just installed a Spohn 36 mm front sway bar and BMR steering brace (wonder bar). I've got a 23 mm rear sway bar along with bushings and end links to install next weekend. Would've done the rear sway bar at the same time as the front sway bar. I ran into problems removing the rusty end links on old bar and then struggled to put on front sway bar and wonder bar before realizing that my expensive BMR wonder bar needed to be modified to fit. Besides that, I'm less than an average mechanic, I'm slow, and I have to work on my car on jack stands on the street in front of my house. Most of the neighbors just shake their heads, but last weekend an uninhibited twenty-something neighbor girl crawled under the car to visit me as I was struggling with the sway bar.
Another time, a neighbor walking by as I'm working on the car asked me what happens if it rains. I smiled and pointed out the obvious by saying, "I get wet."
My wish list includes a high flow air filter (K&N?), performance shocks & struts, new tires, new or recovered front seats, and repair the air conditioner and convert to 134R. No air conditioner delete for me; I live in the south, I'm a sissy in hot weather, and new low maintenance girlfriend insists on it. I plan to complete my wish list this year.
I think most of us 3rd gen owners realize that we will never get the money back we spend fixing them up. But, my bird is so fun to drive, especially through the winding mountain roads of Virginia. I love to have Mustangs and a lot of other cars try to keep up with me. I get so much pleasure watching through the rear view mirror as they try to keep from sliding off a hair pin curve.
Well originally i bought an iroc-z in amazong shape except half-*** engine work but insurance was like $1400 a year (cause im only 17) so i gave that one to my dad and he gave me his 85 SC with a 2.8 v6 and now he just is paying 1900 for a engine rebuild for a 3.1 that we are putting in. so i guess i paid 900 for mine.
I paid $7000 for my "brand new" '82 Firebird 2.8 (only 3900 original miles when I bought it) 4300 miles on it now.
Replaced most of the age-worn parts already (hoses, belts, tires, plugs/plug wires, cap, rotor) and put in a stereo.
Still need to do a bit of touch up body work, rebuild the carb, and replace the Oil pan and trans pan gaskets (as well as trans fluid and filter). The car runs decent now, but if I push the pedal too far it will choke out and sputter until I let it sit for 5 minutes or so.
that is a beautiful car my friend, and such luxury options, it was probably a fairly high priced v6 car with the tan leather and carpeted panels, power everything, and if i were you i wouldn't ever swap in a v8, just a nice mpfi 3.4 0r a 3x00 hybrid
that is a beautiful car my friend, and such luxury options, it was probably a fairly high priced v6 car with the tan leather and carpeted panels, power everything, and if i were you i wouldn't ever swap in a v8, just a nice mpfi 3.4 0r a 3x00 hybrid
Thanks I'm not 100% sure it's actually leather. It looks like it, but feels vinyl-ish... I keep hoping to find the build sheet, but I have a feeling it's under the carpet.
I have no plans for engine upgrades anytime soon. I know the 82's had weak cranks, so I figure I'll drive it until it dies of natural causes, then look at something bigger.
The only things I'd like to change on the car would be the instrument panel (I hate idiot lights), and the wheels (those stock wire wheel covers just don't look right in my opinion).
Thanks I'm not 100% sure it's actually leather. It looks like it, but feels vinyl-ish... I keep hoping to find the build sheet, but I have a feeling it's under the carpet.
I have no plans for engine upgrades anytime soon. I know the 82's had weak cranks, so I figure I'll drive it until it dies of natural causes, then look at something bigger.
The only things I'd like to change on the car would be the instrument panel (I hate idiot lights), and the wheels (those stock wire wheel covers just don't look right in my opinion).
I agree on the wheels. I think a set of stock 1991 or 1992 firebird wheels would look good and probably cost less if you get them from your local junk yard. Just a thought if your funds are low. Good looking car. Enjoy.
Here is a link to a 1991 firebird showing the stock wheels. http://media.motortopia.com/files/16...91firebird.jpg
AFAIK, those wire wheel cover's aren't anywhere near close to stock. I'm guessing either a Buick or Olds donated them to the car and the PO got rid of the stock ones. Either way, they've got to go. Yuck!
Stock base rims changed a couple times between 82-91... Those are probably close to the base rims (which were 14's and that's why the wire covers fit). Later years got the 15" rim as base.
AFAIK, those wire wheel cover's aren't anywhere near close to stock. I'm guessing either a Buick or Olds donated them to the car and the PO got rid of the stock ones. Either way, they've got to go. Yuck!
Stock base rims changed a couple times between 82-91... Those are probably close to the base rims (which were 14's and that's why the wire covers fit). Later years got the 15" rim as base.
They are most assuredly stock They have Pontiac center caps, the special key to change them was in with the owner's manual, along with original Pontiac instructions on how to take them off. They're actually locking hub caps (which I'll never understand why hubcaps are locked, guess they had issues in the late 70's / early 80's with people stealing hubcaps?)
Yep There's a ding in the driver's door, a small ripple on the hood, small dents in the front of both fenders above the side markers (one previously bondo'd and cracking), and a nice wrinkle in the passenger side mirror. The car was originally owned by a very old lady in New York City, so you gotta expect some dings and dents, even with such low miles
Body work is medium priority for me, and I will definitely get to it, I have a line on a pair of NOS fenders locally for $50 each, so that saves some headaches as long as they stay available until some play money comes free.
paid $1500 for my 1991 RS t tops, un knowling the floor pan was very soft and fell out a week later, paid $800 for my 91 RS witch lost oil psi the 3rd day i had it and blew up, ( sold em both) i paid $300 for my 1987 Sport coupe which i still have, body is nearly perfect with a lil surface rust and a dent, interior nearly perfect, runs great just has a rod knock but im in the process of swaping in my 3.1
heres the best deal iv every had and i still own the car, 1985 IROC Z28 t top car, rust free, 305 TPI, paid $700 drove it home with a bad water pump, interior was ****, as of right now iv done all the minor body work and primered it in a booth, all new black interior, 700r4 with a shift kit and a borg warner 9 bolt 3:23 rear, in middle of doing a 350 TPI swap with racing heads and cam and headers, muhahahaha
paid $1500 for my 1991 RS t tops, un knowling the floor pan was very soft and fell out a week later, paid $800 for my 91 RS witch lost oil psi the 3rd day i had it and blew up, ( sold em both) i paid $300 for my 1987 Sport coupe which i still have, body is nearly perfect with a lil surface rust and a dent, interior nearly perfect, runs great just has a rod knock but im in the process of swaping in my 3.1
heres the best deal iv every had and i still own the car, 1985 IROC Z28 t top car, rust free, 305 TPI, paid $700 drove it home with a bad water pump, interior was ****, as of right now iv done all the minor body work and primered it in a booth, all new black interior, 700r4 with a shift kit and a borg warner 9 bolt 3:23 rear, in middle of doing a 350 TPI swap with racing heads and cam and headers, muhahahaha
Sounds like you got a decent deal I'd be happy to find a decent PARTS car for that kind of cash around here.
They're actually locking hub caps (which I'll never understand why hubcaps are locked, guess they had issues in the late 70's / early 80's with people stealing hubcaps?)
two reasons... yes, people stole wire wheel covers...
second, unless you hammered them on just right, they could come flying off as you took a corner, so locking them kept them in place
$900. The body was in great shape for 180,000 miles, but there was an oil leak in the back of the intake. That was fixed for cheap, and now I have my own thirdgen for less than $1000.
my 1988 v-6 bird with t-tops, electric windows and door locks, head light motors and truck motor shot, and need paint i paid $150 to get it outta some guys garage.
I payed $1200 here in Australia and that is cheep as, ok so it needs a right light, fender bumper and hood. I have a front cut coming from Arizona for a couple of hundred. The car is almost clean apart from the dirt on the floors and the little deposits that the chickens left on it.
So far I have only put new plugs in it and half a tank of gas. It runs like a dream, V6 auto, near new tires, new shocks, but it has a 3.5 inch exhaust which I will be changing to twin 2 1/4 inch through a X pipe and out the back through twin 2 1/2 inch pipes.
I have a few mods planed for the V6 but that is after some restoration.
1800 in 2003, 97,000mi. 2.8L v-6. Came with rusted out exhaust which I had to replace right away some rust on bottom of drivers door which I'm still trying to control (hasn't rusted thru yet)small wear-rip on drivers seat, small dent on left front fender and middle of hood where previous owner hit the side of garage frame opening, as the door was coming down. A/C, ps,pb,pw and power door locks, but no rear defroster which I find to be a pain in the rectal area, replaced the radio somewhere along the way and naturally tires. Replaced front buckets with 2 buckets from a Bronco I found at a local car show, which was a lot cheaper than buying replacement seatcovers, had to get new a/c compressor wihthin a year after buying it. Great paint which I'm sure is a repaint, otherwise straight and clean. Rear hatch motor was working, then it wasn't. Tried to replace it but found there was one small screw I couldn't do anything with, and wound up breaking the new motor. Oh well, who needs it? Drove for 6 years as a daily driver (about 30-35,000 mi.) before it died. Stored it in my garage for 3 years while I slowly repaired it. Put in new stock coil, distributor, timing chain and gears, plugs & wires, alternator, rear brake cyclinders and another exhaust system. It's my daily driver again, and running great!
Hey WayneRS! Ive been led to beleive that the rears in our 3rdgens like to bounce around. What I do is put about 100lbs of rocks on the rear well and it helps control the Jello-jiggle. I add a little more in the fall and remove the extras in the spring since I drive it in the snow. It might be worth considering as a temp measure if you haven't done your rear suspension yet.
I bought my 1991 Firebird, from a young fella, that drove it every day, replaced lots of parts on it, because his Dad told him he needed to do so, to keep the car top notch. He wanted $1200 for it, then came down on his ad to $885. I texted him on the car, said he had a guy offer him $700 for it, but then declined on it after making the deal. I had to drive about 50 miles to go see the car. Once there, drove it for a bit, really liked it. When we got back, my wife said I should wait until I sell my motorcycle first. End of season, that wasn't going to happen. So we both left the lot together, with me following him. My wife asked if I really wanted the car, and yes I did. She said I bet he take $500 for it. and I said I doubt it, so we followed him to he pulled over, and my wife asked him. He said no, but would take $600 for it. I paid him for the car, jumped in, and drove it back home. Ran great. 3.1L automatic, red, gray interior, t tops, very nice car. Does have a dent in the right front fender, but no leaks, no cracks, clean car.
I paid $1,800 for mine at a used dealership in 2014 and it needed a hell of a lot of work...2016 and $5k later have barely scratched what i want to do with it but getting there.
Paid $1950 for the car last year(2015). It was my first car(16 years old) and had 68k. Minimal rust on the body although the lower doors were reskinned, completed interior, redid all breaks, shocks struts, wheel bearing, cylinders, repaint, etc. Here are before and after pics. PS car had a RAII hood on it right now but it is a different on than the picture and is not painted due to an accident where the hood split into 2 pieces on the highway(check my build thread for that)
I got my 89 2.8/T5 car from some non English speaking jackass for $700 ($200 more than I agreed to pay anyways) all it really needed was the steering shaft fixed and the EGR and MAF sensor/relays replaced. Still had some floor rot I need to patch up but it runs like a top. Will be getting a 3.4 swap in the near future
I paid $600 for my base of the base models 87 firebird. Kid ripped a lot of crap off it that was supposed to come with the car. I'm beginning to understand the real reason he wanted to sell it.
You know, I'm not sure if I ever posted on this thread.
I paid 4,200 for my 1991 camaro rs med. Maui metalic blue automatic 3.1l v6 in November 2002. It had 33,900 miles on it. It was in very good shape. Only thing that wasent in very good overall shape was the clear coat on the front nosend and the rear. Classic gm cancer.. clear coat pealing away.
I've owned it for 14 years now. I bought it when I was a senior in high school. This was the first vehicle I bought with my own money. Parents did not help me pay for it at all. I worked at the gm(chevy olds caddy) dealership that I bought it from.
it remained my daily driver for many years on and off. It has 116,000 miles on it currently. It remained stock till 2010 when i started to modifly it and slowly it got more and more extreme. There isn't much left on it that is stock minus the body and frame.. lol
It's alot different then it was back then but I can guarentee that this car will never leave my side. I'll never sell it. It holds much more value to me then to anyone else I'm sure of that.
What wheels and offset are you running on the rear? That looks nasty lol
Thanks. Else then the new hood I have, the rims and tires are what makes the car look so mean. If I would just get the car painted it would be the fastest baddest v6 thirdgen in the state of Ohio, i guarentee that.
weld drag lite. 15x10 5.5 backspace in the back 275/50r15s mickey tompson ss drs.
weld drag lite 15x4.5 0 offset in the front. 185r15s street front runners.
Got my 92 rs 3.1 last year for $3,500
Later to find it was a lil too much. thin rust spots under corners paint and bad rust in all of the wheel wells. but it had been sitting for the past 10 years in some rich guys garage, and repainted right before that so it does have a pretty good paint job. but never really had any problems that arent expected after sitting that long. hit 10,000 miles (miles I've put on it) the other day, car has 191,000 now. getting time for upgrades soon.
This is right before driving it back from Iowa with the ugly bra on it.
$1k for a running 1988 SC. Clean title, manual Windows, t-top, 2.8l manual tranny. The head gaskets just went out, but I'm going to toss the engine and temporarily install a 3.4l for $100. I'm slowly working on a LS3 426/ t-56 mag/ 4.10 rear end combo build. I'll document and post once I get that started
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02-07-2012, 11:14 PM
