Jason E

A Canadian market 87 GTA with 25k miles, digital dash, and the ever illusive 350 t-top combo, that apparently needs a spoiler and not much else...

Well? Should I? White/grey cloth, clean Carfax....

Discuss

KMK454

If that's what you like in a thirdgen then yes, sounds like a great deal!

Jstcrzyengh

iTrader: (2)

I believe he was being facetious...

Jason E

I know him well enough to know that

I also know that as of late I have changed Firebirds faster than my wife has been buying shoes...so I kinda have a history lol. I sold my 86 because it was too slow, and I sold my 88 because I decided at the end of the day I really would prefer a 350 and a GTA if I was to go through the headache of buying a lift and keeping a third gen Bird. T-tops and a Canadian history is kinda icing on the icing for me

As it turns out, according to the Carfax, it was purchased in Canada and imported here, and has been here its whole life. What is odd is that since 2009, on another dealer's lot, its had no miles added to it. Interesting...

scottmoyer

Yeah, what's up with selling the '86? I thought we were working out a deal here for next year! Oh well.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

You need more 3rd gens, Jason. Buy. It.

Jason E

In all seriousness, I kid you not...a 65 year old friend of a customer of mine told me he was looking for "an old toy." I mentioned my TA, and he got all excited. I didn't think he would actually be serious...but when I shot out a number that was all the money for that particular car, and showed up a few days later with cash, it was hard to say no. He wanted it so bad he couldn't see straight, and appreciated the car for exactly what it was...a beautifully-detailed old cruiser that would make a great impression at a cruise night. I figured if he was willing to give me more than I assumed I could sell it for, I was doing ok, and could put my truck back indoors (which is the #1 issue with buying another one)....

I hope there's no hard feelings, but you and I both know for $10,000 there are better third gens out there for your son! Hell, the aforementioned car is the perfect example!

Jason E

I know, right? I'm in a drout, thirdgen-wise...I haven't had only one for over 2 years now

I wasn't going to publicize this car, but I don't know how serious I am anyway. Wifey gave me the green light, but having the extra $$$$ in the bank is kinda nice security.

Her own comment? "You will have another Firebird in 6 months. I know you." Every time I drove the 86, I wished it was faster and had t-tops. Every time I drove the 88, I wished it had a 350. Here is the solution...

Dead eBay listing. I figure if one of you beats me to it, you were meant to have it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...AIT#vi-content

SweetRevelation

10k sounds fair considering the mileage (plus it has the roof/motor combo you want)

I paid around that price for mine (9k).
The money in the bank was nice but paying off the car right away was nice too...
besides, you'll just earn all of that money back 6-12 months (or however long) down the road... and you'll be driving a good, solid GTA too

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Unbelieveable. I thought it would take longer than a few weeks for you to get back into buying again LOL.



A slight warning though. The GTA, even if G92, will probably not be faster than your non-G92 IROC-Z and it probably won't handle as good also. It will probably ride better though. They are heavy and more geared towards comfort than an IROC-Z.

okfoz

A Candian Optioned GTA is an interesting one... first off, keep in mind that it was the only way to get T-tops, the rear shade and the subwoofer controls on a GTA or TA with the 350 in 1987...

With that said, the only option that I do not see is the subwoofer control...

I think it looks like a reasonable deal... And it is a Norwood car...

Jason E

Let me be honest with you for a moment. I was looking at more Firebirds before I sold either one of mine

I simply don't know whether I want another third gen (specifically a 350, either a Formula or GTA), or I want a second LS1 fourth gen. I also promised myself I would wait about a year, so that I would already have a lift in the garage...that way my truck stays inside.

I break promises to myself all the time I told myself IF I find "the one," and I knew it, go for it. If I was looking for another third gen, this is about as close as it gets,

The only thing I DON'T like about this GTA is I am not 100% sold on white. And while I also love the digital dash/trip computer combo, I wonder how reliable it will be over the long haul? If I get THE 3rd gen Firebird this time instead of A third gen Firebird, I ain't selling it. A year with a 5 speed car, and 2 years with a peanut cammed car, was valuable experience to know what I want in a third gen.

I know $9,500 buys this car. I'm thinking...

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Looking at cars before the others were sold huh? Not surprising LOL. BTW, don't listen to Charlie, he just wants you back in the 3 Third Gens and up club.

I like the white on the GTAs but that body molding needs work. The digital dash is cool, hopefully it's all still functional.

Jason E

I agree...the body molding is rough, it needs a spoiler, and who knows what kind of shape everything else is in. The problem is this car is 5 hours from me...I can't just hop in a car and go look at it, like I did with my IROC. I like white on GTAs, but I don't love it...

I took the IROC out for a late-night ride last night, and was thinking about what I want from my next car...whether I buy it now or a year from now. I always come back to third or fourth gens, despite all the cars I get to drive on a regular basis through work. Assuming I go third gen, a 350 car is the way to go for me. I went WOT on an onramp getting on 91 last night, and that 20-80 rush left me with a stupid grin on my face

I know what you mean about an 87 not being the ideal year from a performance standpoint. The crappy air intake and V belts do nothing for me (I hated V belts on my 86) Originally I assumed I would go with an 89 to be able to get my t-top 350...then this showed up, and I was like

I'm going to try contacting the seller today if I have time...this used car hut is so small, he doesn't even have a website!

I do miss not having a Pontiac in the garage...but I am taking this one slooooow (well, for my standards ). When I was lucky enough to score my IROC and my SS, I hit the nail on the head with what I wanted. I wanna make sure the same thing happens this time. The problem is, there are 4 specific Firebirds I want that are all different...a GTA, Formula 350, TTA or a 4th gen WS6/Firehawk. All have strong positives to them. I guess it will be like the other two..I'll know it when I see it

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I would have expected that car to have the UT4 "touch control" stereo, especially with the digital dash. At least it has gray interior, most white GTA's I see seem to have beechwood, faded to many shades of course.

eseibel67

88 was the first year for steering wheel controls.

Jason E

He's referring to the type of controls on the radio, not the steering wheel audio controls. I simply figured that because 87 allowed for some crazy combos on GTAs, they simply didn't want the fancy stereo.

I actually like 87s' lack of the audio controls on the wheel, because then I can put an early 90s Pontiac CD player in it and it all looks stock. No silly buttons on the wheel that don't work

KMK454

I just saw the pictures. I would buy it for the digital dash alone. Nevermind that it's missing a clutch pedal; that digital dash is 80's cheesy and retro cool. The only thing it needs is a digital dash C4 Corvette to go along with it

eseibel67

Ya man. 1987-only GTA steering wheel with digital dash and the third pedal is coolest looking third gen interior of all.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Actually Jason, I wasn't saying that 87 wasn't a good year for performance, rather just comparing the performance of IROCs to GTAs in general. V-belts aren't a big deal and 87 is actually the only year that required the L98 cars to have G92 everything. The air intake as you know also didn't affect the Camaros.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

The digital dash is sweet but at the end of the day what do you have? Another low mile thirdgen that basically is going to need a $4k paintjob (face it, you'll do it ) that isn't exactly what you want.

I'd pass for the time being. If you want an '89 in another color, wait for an '89 in another color--this car isn't even mint, all it is is a low mile GTA that's available.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Mine came with the UT4 stereo but it got to where it didn't work well, so I put a newer stereo from a 2000 Grand Prix in it that was modded with an aux input.
It was tight, but it fit, and works great.

Jason E

Before you even wrote this, I was already thinking it. As nice as my 88 was, and it was NICE...the few flaws it had did take away from some of the enjoyment for me. A member on here (Alan91Z28) is the new owner of it, and seems to love it...and I'm very happy for him. He got a great deal on an impressive car.

At the same time, I am a little bit different than most, I guess. I want even a 25 year old car to look and function flawlessly. It comes from working around new cars all day, every day. I guess I have become spoiled by my IROC. It even smells brand-new inside. Other than 2 tiny stone chips in the hood (that you need to be under flourescent light to see), the only thing that gives away the fact that it isn't brand new is the modern BFG tires.

I had a chance last Spring to get a Flame Red 89 GTA t-top 350 car with grey leather and 26k. The original spoiler wasn't even cracked, and the car was owned by a third gen nut that had 4 other third gens. Why didn't I buy it? It was in WI...and as perfect as it seemed, shipping it before I looked at it scared me.

In the end, I shoulda bought it It probably was as perfect as he said. It was a good deal on a great car, and like you said, I probably wouldn't have felt the need to paint it

When I see things like the bad moldings and spoiler, indeed...they are not big issues at all. But, it makes me wonder what else I don't see. When a car looks flawless, it usually is. When you can see the flaws easily in photos, it makes the mind wander...

I think I'm gonna hold off at this point, but I do appreciate everyone's input.

KMK454

I couldn't tell from the pics if it needed a paint job or not... the side molding looked like it was yellowing, but maybe it was supposed to have that gold hue on the GTA... I'm not as up to speed on the Pontiacs. I do know that many original paint thirdgens start fading on their plastic bits - front and rear fascia, ground effects, spoilers, and body side molding.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Those wraparound spoilers on the TA's are gonna crack no matter well they're taken care of. I wouldn't let that turn me off from one, just replace it with a fiberglass replica.

okfoz

The problem that I have with the fiberglass wrap around spoiler is they are not exactly like the urethane ones... there are some minor cosmetic differences.... The most notable is the points on each side are thicker on the fiberglass ones... The Urethane ones when in good condition just look better... With that said... I would never go back to a urethane spoiler regardless... Most people would never be able to tell...

John

white1991rs

I'm not really a firebird guy but it sounds like a steal. I'd just lose the spoiler I think the birds look better without it