musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Here's the link with the info:
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1276969468.html
Thanks!

all4u

Wow, so you want basically, a top of the line third gen with low miles and in more or less great condition for $3000. Um, not to be rude, but that isn't going to happen. On top of that, you want a T-top or convertible but not willing to get a V6, so that means you will get a 305, not a 350, so you can take that out of your ad. Yes, someone could have swapped engines but why would they sell so cheap. I have a 89 Formy 350 that is auto and solid roof, and quite a few bolt ons if you consider a cam and ported heads bolt ons. Also the body is in damn good shape, got painted just over a year ago, and has a damn good stereo and a crap load of suspension, but I'd be straight up stupid to give it up for $3000. My advice as a Senior Member on this board, either lower your expectations or get some more money before you post a wanted ad. No one is going to give up their third gen in that good of shape for so cheap. If they were, I'd beat you to the sale.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

LOL i've seen it before. Althought someone beat me to it, I've seen an 87 (i think) IROC WITH the 350, with t-tops, and an almost flawless body, for sale for $3500. I've seen PLENTY of cars that fit that description. That was just back when I didn't have enough $$ to get one. And these days I have the best chance of finding a car that fits that description because of the weakened economy and I've seen COUNTLESS ads where people were desperate to sell their shiny z28's to help pay for their mortgages. So not to sound rude, that WILL happen. Just look at this ad:
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/1270103798.html

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

And did you ever even try to actually look up the value of a car like that? A 1991 t/a convertible is worth about $3500 with 100k miles in "good" shape. That's a Kelley blue book estimate.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Oh and might I add, here's an estimate for a mint-condition fully loaded 89 formula WITH the 350.
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...uizConditions=

I'd hate to burst your bubble, but $3000 is right on the money with your Formy. As of right now, the f-bodies are almost worthless, but they will go up.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Oh and regarding your 350 formula, I'm not interested in a car that's "souped up." I want one that's mostly stock. So I suppose someone might shell out a little over 3k for yours (if you were to sell it), but with these cars, if you put a lot of money into one, you're BOUND to lose a lot of it if you're going to sell it soon. That's just how it is. I personally don't trust buying used cars from people that worked on them themselves. I'd only consider it if the car was done by a professional shop with a long paper trail. Same goes to many other buyers.

all4u

Oh my, and this is why I stopped coming to this forum altogether, I hate having to put the newbies in their place. First, yes, you will find a third gen within your price range, not with the options you mentioned but yes you'll find one. Next, don't assume that a person's car wasn't done professionally just cause they don't have the paperwork. My family owns a performance shop that is also a authorized holley dealer and we do very professional installs for a bunch of different cars. So throw that suggestion out the window. Next, your KBB look up isn't all that accurate either. Mind you Kbb does really change their values at all, it stays as a calculated value over time, never updated. That goes that! Try something more accurate like nadas or driver's view. DO YOUR RESEARCH because you look stupid for posting. I am probably the most understanding person on this forum which is why so far, I'm the only one that has posted in your thread. As far as a 87 with a 350 and T-tops, that was never factory so that is either he swapped it, or you thought 305, if swapped, that isn't factory! More BS. Next, the weakened economy might force someone to part with their car, but because of what the cars are becoming value wise, it isn't going to be that cheap! You are on a forum with people that are actually smart and know what their car is worth. I feel offended that a junior member who hasn't even dipped his foot in the pool yet, is going to call out what third gen's are worth. I'll do you a big favor though, I like calling it, "kicking you in the nuts" cause I know that it'll feel that way. I searched and found you a low mileage, bone stock F body and it's a 350 with all the options shy of T-tops, and he is local to me. I could contact the seller with your offer and see what they have to say.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990-...5%3A3%7C39%3A1

He has a buy it now price of 55k but when I tell him that you think that because the economy is down and that KBB says 3k, he should be happy with that offer, maybe he will take your offer! I don't think so but hey, you seem to know your stuff, but yeah, whatever.

Here's another stock third gen, perfect, even your 5 speed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...5%3A3%7C39%3A1

He's only asking just under 29k. But yeah, your 3k offer might get it.

Hell, this one has everything you asked for, and I mean EVERYTHING, so this would be the closest example, no questions asked, no BS, no hassle, here it is with the 350 tpi and t tops and every option that came in these cars, and it's stock.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...5%3A3%7C39%3A1

He's asking just under 22k but once again, your 3k offer because you know what these cars go for and the economy is bad, might get it for what your offering.

Sorry to put you down like this but if you don't do the research on what you are looking for, this is what happens. I have pretty much given up on coming to this forum because of all the BS posts like this. I have invested lots of time and money in my car and I'm happy with it, if it was stock, I'd be upset. There a quite a few short comings with these cars and if they are not addressed, then you won't be happen in the long run.

What do you do for a living if I might ask? You seem to know so much but you don't and that tells me that you are in no way part of the automotive industry. If not, then maybe, don't act like an expert. Go back to Craigslist and find a beat down, old, POS and rebuild it. There is nothing wrong with going that route. Just don't expect that someone is keeping a gem in their garage for 20 years, taking care of it and not driving it, and they are now willing to sell it for peanuts. Not going to happen. Hope you enjoyed your kick to the nuts because honestly I think you deserve it. No moderator would put up with this BS and not alot of Senior Members either. I happen to be one of the nice ones cause I been around worse. Your stupid post doesn't hold a candle to being overseas and getting shot at by a bunch of people you don't know. I am easily qualified to show you the direction to go and can put up with some of the BS for the most part, but be willing to get donkey kicked when you cross the line.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Hey Smartass, For starters, I'm NOT looking for a flawless show-quality f-body with less than 10k miles. In case you haven't noticed, I'm looking for one with less than 100k miles on it. And you must have your eyes checked, because regarding the aftermarket parts, here's what I said:
"I personally don't trust buying used cars from people that worked on them themselves. I'd only consider it if the car was done by a professional shop with a long paper trail. Same goes to many other buyers."
If your family owns a professional shop, good for you! That's what I'm looking for.

And regarding that IROC for $55k, again, that thing is a flawless showcar. It has 1k miles, you're really not helping your case by posting that up. In case you haven't read my ad, I mentioned that I don't mind getting one that requires some work. And why would you think posting a 1LE was gonna help you either? Everybody knows that those are EXTREMELY rare. So obviously I don't expect my 3k to get something like that. And besides, I'm sick of looking on ebay since everythings on their is MUCH more expensive than craigslist.

However here's an exception. This is something like what I'm looking for. Mileage is a little high, but oh well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-...%3A1|72%3A2148

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Alright, I did my "research" and here's a price quote for a 1990 Formy from Nadas, one of the websites you suggested. Notice the clean retail going for $3800. LOL and you thought you were kicking ME in the nuts!
http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.a...da=-1&mi=90000

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Here's another car I'm looking at:
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/1237020297.html

Here's and 87 IROC WITH the 350 AND t-tops:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-...=65%3A7|39%3A1

Considering that you're SUCH a professional, it should be common knowledge to you that the 8th digit of the VIN represents what engine the vehicle recieved from the factory. An 8 represents the 350 engine. So guess what! Check the VIN on that IROC, and you'll see that the 8th digit is an 8, thus PROVING that it has a factory 350. Didn't you say that you knew a lot more than me?
Here's a VIN decoder: it'll save you some ebarassment.
http://www.fbodydomain.com/VIN/VIN.asp#1987

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

And my occupation? That's none of your business, but since you asked, I'm a full-time student.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

So please, take your "senior member" ego elsewhere.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Oh and I forgot to ask, what kind of BS am I posting up that might anger a moderator? I'm just looking for a damn car!

all4u

Thank you for answering so many questions! I knew there was something behind it! A full time student, yes, I knew it! I had to school another full time student before in the drag/street racing forum. Here we go again. First, student, learn to spell. One error is too much for so said student. Second, you don't need to get defensive and start calling people smartass and what not. Next, if you want to find a car with so many options, maybe you should be more flexible. If you read the stickies at the top of the pages, and read a few books like How to Tune and Modify Your Camaro by Jason Scott and a few others, you'll learn that the stick shift didn't come stock on production third gens with a 350 because the T5 couldn't handle the torque. Same with T-tops and convertibles, no 350 cause of the structure of the vehicle not handling the torque that the 350 produced. Next, I try telling you that I'm trying to be nice and you want to be stubborn, fine, please give me a few hours to get a third gen master to post on here to school you. One member on here has done quite a bit with third gens and has a bird with a 706 big block. He would be the authority. He also has his fingers in all kinds of cars for sale and may hook you up with a deal. Notice also that the quotes for cars varies on the region you live in, that was my mistake. My bad. Also, I new you were going to snap at me so that is why I mentioned that this could tick off moderators. Sure as day, you got ticked for no reason. Seeing as that you know it all and that you expect people to sell their loved cars for little, I am now done with helping you with what I can. Good luck on those ebay offers seeing as that there is quite a bit of time left, you won't score them that low. Just for example and to kick you in the nuts again, use nadas for the 55k camaro and see what you get. I bet you don't get 55k, do you? Hmm, that is a little thing that you need to learn called "supply and demand" and as a business owner, I know what that is like, and it always isn't fair but that is the way it is. Why isn't that camaro showing 55k on Kbb, driver's view, or nadas? Supply and demand, that is why. Good luck and let me see if I can get a hold of paulisgod. He might be able to hook you up.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Well considering that you're criticizing me for my spelling, you must be desperate to throw jabs at me. Which also begs the question, which errors? Sure, I might have made one or two but it's a message board for God's sake! Not some eloquent speech writing competition! Secondly, the only reason I snapped is because you started the jabbing in the first place, particularly with the "kicking me in the nuts" business. I don't know if you noticed, but I already mentioned that I'm flexible in the ad, with the exception of the t-tops, V8, and vehicle history. Yes I know that the 350's were only mated to automatics, that's common knowledge for ANY f-body enthusiast. And they DID make 350's with t-tops. Did you see the ebay ad I posted up? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-CHEVY-CAMARO-IROC-Z-Z-28-PERFORMANCE-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ180385936339QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item29ffd6f3d3&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A7|39%3A1). It was a 350 with t-tops, and the VIN confirmed that the 350 was in there ever since it rolled off the assembly line. And there's no way in hell that the seller cut the t-tops out himself. However no convertibles with those engines were made, you were right with that remark. And I still don't know why you're bringing up that 55k camaro on ebay, I'm not expecting to find a super rare 1LE in that condition with that mileage. So again, that's not helping your case. And again regarding that camaro for 55k, let's see how quickly that guy sells that car. You'd be AMAZED at how many ads (particularly on craigslist) that I've seen where the owner had to re-post it several times, with the price being significantly lower every time. That's supply and demand for ya buddy boy. And regarding Nadas, I just find it ironic that you suggested using that for a more accurate estimate over KBB, however now you're saying that you shouldn't expect that website to give a decent price for a car like that, etc. Hmm...

Anyway, thanks for contacting paulisgod, assuming he's not going to rant here as well.

So hopefully now we can return to what this thread was originally intended for.

There was a 1990 Formy I saw for sale for $1700 OBO 5-6 months ago. All it needed was paint, new headliner, and perhaps a good interior shampooing. It had t-tops, 305 TPI engine mated to a 5 speed, all with less that 112k miles. Unfortunately that was back in the days where I had no moola so some lucky dude beat me to it. UGH! Oh well.

paulisgod

Hi,
I'll attempt to clear all this up. First off, I've been a mechanic for over 25 years and of recently, I've worked with a few of the members here on the board on a daily basis since I did a transfer to a mechanic's unit. Ordnance is lame in the Army but you meet some good people and some really knowledgable people like all4u. Mind you he has literally taken a bullet for me, not once, but twice so yes it is fair to say that I am friends with him and I may seem more on his side. Ok, now, to be fair, your ad has a lot of "must have's" which makes it look like you are being picky. If these cars that you want are so plentiful, then why the ad in the first place, and why here? Next to all4u, what the heck man? I know, and you know that these cars are worth more than what is in the book, leave the new guy alone. Back off and let him figure it out. Time for my "kick in the nuts" I guess, so listen up all4u!

I bought my 89 formy 350 for only $2800! The only things wrong with it is the 700r4 had no fourth gear and the motor had two bad rod knocks. The body was ok, not good, but ok, it was a formy, it did have a awesome interior, the tires were new, and every option in the car worked. The car was going to get my old 632 anyway so motor and trans didn't matter. Paint was done by you for only $1500 and Mike did the rear end for $1200. Back off the new guy, he is looking for a car, not a show car but not a beater. You have been officially "kicked in the nuts" as you say.

musclecar70fan, brother, look, I know that you think you see deals now, but take it from me, it doesn't make sense that you will get a 89 formy for what the book says it's worth. Hell, I see TPI setups selling for $500, and that's just the TPI, what about the whole damn car? It sucks, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I do have my fingers in all kinds of business and what I need you to do, is sit down and make a list of things you want done to your car in the future, then tell me your goals with the car and then I'll find you a car that fits you as long as you don't car too much about the color. I do have info on about a dozen, if not more, sales going on right now. I can't promise that I'll get what you are looking for but I can try and yes, myself, all4u, tigerscott, and mvega, can help you change or find anything you are looking for. It might not be in this country but it is possible to get it. I know of a car that fits your description for the most part but the steering wheel is on the right cause the car is in Europe. I'll look around but PM me with your plans and absolute maximum budget, and I'll help you out. All4u, I'm formerly asking that you back off the new guy, this being an O-2 to a E-5, leave the guy alone and guide him in the right direction, you 19 Deltas don't have any kind of patients. Leave him be.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Paul! I know that I sound picky, but I HAVE seen several cars that closely if not completely fit that description. Here's an 87 formy 350 that I recently found:
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/1254572598.html
I called the owner and he said it's got about 130k miles and it's pretty clean. The only problem he said that it has is that its currently not running most likely due to a clogged fuel filter. He said he'll work on it during the weekend if the weather is good and he told me to call on Monday. So if that car runs, that's a great deal IMO. I wasn't expecting too many hits on that ad, however my logic was, "eh, whatever, craigslist is free so why not?" But through my own searching I have found several great cars, however I'm taking my time since you'll always run into the guy who is either desperate to sell or one who doesn't know what it's worth. With these blue book ratings, I agree that the 3rd gens are way underrated. But I've called my town's tax office to see how much I'd have to pay on taxes on a car like this, and they've said themselves that their value is going up every year from now on (for the most part at least), same with taxes...
Here's another car that I'm interested in:
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/1270103798.html
It fits the picture almost perfectly (i'm just a little uneasy about the carb'd 305), and its only got 87k miles! I called him and he's willing to sell it for 3k, which is within the budget.

I'd like to pardon my attitude, I just got irritated with all4u's sudden ranting and lecturing.

paulisgod

musclecarfan,
Glad I could help but I thought that the 87 Formula had the dished in wheels, not the fiero looking wheels. I don't know anymore. Just check over what you are buying before laying out your money. Usually all stock cars really weren't taken care of all that much. The ones that have alot of aftermarket crap are the ones that were taken care of because of the investments they put into them no matter if it was, suspension, engine, trans, stereo, etc, those cars have mass amounts of money it them and have been taken care of. Personally, I look for a car that hasn't been kept stock. If the person but subframe connectors on it, and a wonderbar, that means he wanted to strengthen the car's structure. If he put money into a transmission, he wanted something that either got better mileage or something that was stronger than what he had.

All4u was sending you the correct message but he worded the whole thing wrong. He does know his **** and he was the one that bought my old 632 BBC and is slowly working on jamming it into a car that probably can't even take the size of it, but whatever. I know the shop his family owns and it does alot of work on third gens, mostly fourth gens, but he has experience with these cars. He is a good guy so give him a break.

Next on the list is why is this car you speak of not running due to a fuel filter, that is a tune up item, shouldn't something else be the problem? I know that it seems like a good deal, but take someone with you who knows these cars a little more and can help you find all things that are wrong with it that the owner might not be telling you. A car that has been "taking care of" doesn't need filters, plugs, ignition wires, cap and rotor, PCV valves, tires, coolant flushes, etc because a car that is taken care of gets all those things. Good luck with the buy, I know that at times, you could be anxious to buy a car and end up with a money pit, don't do that. Ask questions and if it seems fishy, get out.

To wrap it up, I know of a guy getting rid of a 88 Camaro that has a 350 tpi, more or less stock except the TPIS fast pack and a full exhaust. I know he did some suspension also, but not sure what. I could get details but I think he was asking $3500. If interested, let me know and I will get info this weekend.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Yup I know that it seems a little strange that the formy 350 isn't running due to a bad fuel filter. Trust me, I've been searching for a LONG time now and I've waited this long, so what's a little more waiting gonna hurt? Fortunately, I'm not impulsive enough to buy the first attractive car I see. If you have details on that 88 Camaro with the 350, that would be great. But if the car is really far away from CT then don't bother. Thanks!

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

And regarding all4u's shop, I was never giving him a hard time about it. All I said is that I don't want a car that has been worked on by anything OTHER than a professional shop. I'm just afraid that some guy who's very inexperienced put in a new engine/tranny/etc. in by himself, and 100 miles later, *sputter sputter* STALL. You just don't have the piece of mind when you buy a car from a dude who worked on it by himself rather than a shop. You know what I mean?