bezanson88

hey guys i came across this ad on a kijiji website and im trying to get into trans ams.

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ59179921

now my problem arises when he says its a 305 HO engine i went to look at it and i believe him but i thought in my research 89 trans ams didn't have that engine. Here is where the kicker came in when i went to look at the VIN the insurance company said it came up as an 87 firebird.... and i believe that would explain the engine... i should of took down the RPO codes and a few pics but i forgot i was wondering from the pics from the ad if anyone could give me a little info on whether its just a firebird with trans am effects or what? also ignore the price as they are rarer in my parts and tend to have a lot of rust.
so yeah any help so i don't get screwed over would be greatly appreciated cause im on the verge of buying this car.

885speed

well im not that big of a bird guy, but from what knowledge i have, it doesnt look like a trans am, and (to me) doesnt look worth 3,000$ if its really just a firebird 305TBI

i would have to deffinately say take down the RPO's and check them out

bezanson88

yeah i called the insurance lady and the she said its registered as an 87 firebird....with a v6..... but i test drove it and from the way it picked up, definitely wasn't a v6 in there...

ezysk

Check the VIN if you have it.
If the 5th digit is W then its either its not a base model Firebird.
VIN Decoding

It definitely looks like a Trans-Am, but that does not mean its not a Trans-Am Clone.
Sometimes Insurance and Registration information is incorrect.
Just get the VIN number from them to verify it all.
While you are at it, when you have the VIN, run a Car Fax history report, it might save you some pain later.

bezanson88

damn it! from the look of the VIN it comes up as an 87 firebird with the LB8 v6 in it...but it definitely didn't have a V6....i have no idea what the heck is going on now, and i thought i found a good deal

ezysk

Sometimes you need to open the hood and count the number of spark plug wires to make sure of that. Sometimes the V6s were geared pretty low and with the low 1st gear of the 700R4 Transmission they can have pretty good acceleration especially from a stop.

Also, with this much of a potential change, make sure to examine the VIN plate to make sure it is the original there. There was a guy, not sure if he was from this site or not that bought a car and it turns out that it was stolen 2 owners previously but had a different VIN plate stuck on it. He had so many issues with the policy and the county that I am not sure if he lost the car or finally got to keep it.

Always be on the look out for the scam artists, since there are a lot of clone cars out there and really, 50% of the ads out there for cars in my area are 3rd gens with 350s in them and low mileage when in reality they are 305s with high miles.

bezanson88

yeah im going to leave this one where it is. i thought i found my car, but ill hold off. thanks for all your advice man i appreciate it.