alex722607

iTrader: (3)

Look what I found.
I don't know if anyone posted about this yet, but I figured I would. I found it while surfing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-Am-GTA-Coupe-2-Door-Prestine-Condition1989-Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-Am-GTA-/111332037306?forcerrptr=true&hash=item19ebe812ba&item=111332037306&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
1989 Pontiac Firebird
Prestine Condition 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA Coupe 2-Door

The only thing GTA about it are the door panels.

thoughts??

simo

My thoughts are that it is a very nice car and the seller is smart enough to bring in more people to look at his ebay auction by using the right key words for ebays search function.

1) Pontiac

2) Firebird

3) Trans Am

4) GTA

Very smart seller.......

aaron7

iTrader: (7)

My Firebird knowledge is limited... but looks like just a T/A right? What about those wheels?

I asked the seller for the RPO codes... we'll see if there's a Y84 in there.

The VIN comes up as:

1 USA
G GM
2 Pontiac
F F-body
W Formula or T/A
2 not convertible
1 manual belts
8 L98
5 check digit
K 1989
L Van Nuys plant
232446 serial

JT

iTrader: (1)

The VIN states it's a 350 but the ad states 305.

A 1989 T-Top 350 Trans Am that isn't a GTA is noteworthy since the 350s were more commonly found in the GTA and Formula instead.

Too many things indicating it's not a GTA (no ultma seats, wrong color PW7 rims, silver emblems, Trans Am stickers).

Regarding the PW7 rims and door panels, they're likely correct for that vehicle as they were available on the Trans Am.

sonjaab

The fender vents are a dead giveaway that its a phony.

RockinGTA89

I"ve been on ebay for quite awhile always deplicting the contents of any trans ams that are referred as "GTAs"....Usually i ask the question to them if it's a legit GTA and point out factors that are or aren't there that's suppose to represent it.
Most of the time i get a response like, "when i post the ad, it automatically states its a GTA" or "I am not aware if it is or not."
A knowledgable seller will state the fact if his vehicle is indeed just a T/A or a GTA, and there are a few that will mention that in the description along with some documentation and what not. Others will ignore my question, knowing darn well that they're just selling their car just to make a buck.

This GTA on the ebay is just that, a T/A. It's a very nice looking low milage T/A, but it's no GTA by it's "universal term".

eseibel67

Real GTA is easy to confirm - Y84 on the SPID sticker. Of course this one doesn't have it.

Veaceonee

iTrader: (1)

I do like what he did with the rear louvers.

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

Well of course I agree with all you guys. There are so many dead giveaways its not a GTA: the badging, the Pontiac logo on the headlight is silver, the seats, the fenders and so on.....
I wonder what his motives were for putting GTA in the subtitle--- was it purely attraction to the add, or did the person really believe it was a GTA. As was pointed out its a pretty rare Trans Am, but its still not a GTA.
I just find it kind of interesting when I see a mislabeled firebird.

mjdavis68

iTrader: (1)

It's the only way sell and expand and reach potential buyers

Mikeo91

iTrader: (3)

Wonder what his reserve is?

scottmoyer

He does not say that the car is a GTA in the description of the car. I agree that he is attracting more attention by using key words. The car says Trans Am all over it, so I doubt he is trying to sell it as a GTA when there are distinct visual differences. If he was trying to sell it as a GTA, he would probably have the GTA badging on the car in the hopes of trying to dupe someone.

Again, smart seller using key words in the title only.

transaero

iTrader: (6)

Regardless of whether or not is is a GTA, it looks extremely nice. I wouldn't mine having one like that.

okfoz

That would be a rather unusual ride, being a T-top 350 Trans Am (non GTA) only a handful of those out there. It is kind of neat because about 80%-90% or more of the 350 Trans Ams ended up being GTAs

GTA50

The funny thing is that for some years the GTAs outnumbered the Trans Ams. So take your pick as to which is more desirable and/or rare. When I compare US vs. Canadian numbers that puts another new twist into the mix. Also, many of the standard GTA items were options for a Trans Am, Y84 ensured the entire package was together.

Unless you're a purist, at the end of the day probably doesn't make much difference (aside from fender vents and cloisonné badging) as the majority of the cosmetic parts I put into cleaning up my '88 GTA came off an '87 Trans Am.

JT

iTrader: (1)

I am curious as to why, with such low mileage and apparent condition, the Trans Am script on front and rear bumper is in the wrong location. The front license plate was also painted white, but that's minor.

eseibel67

A lot can happen over the course of 25 years, especially since the majority cars of this age have had several owners. Claims of low milege are always suspect and need to be verified in person before you make an offer. There are sometimes explanations as to why something doesn't fit the story, but they better be good.

blacksunshine'91

iTrader: (10)

W=Trans Am or GTA. S=Firebird or Formula.

NHT HAWK

THAT Y84 CODE WILL ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS.THE CAR CAN LOOK EXACTLY LIKE A GTA BUT WITH OUT THAT CODE ITS JUST A REGULAR T/A.

JT

iTrader: (1)

Yup, I know that pretty well. My point was, despite the mileage and apparent condition per the description, whenever I see stickers in the wrong location I start to suspect paint and/or body work.

okfoz

The GTA did offer something that the Trans Am did not, from 1987 - 1990 If memory serves the Trans Am with the 350 came with the 2.77 axle, whereas the GTA came with the 3.27/3.23 axle. Likewise the T/A with a LB9/M5 came with the 3.08 axle, and the GTA came with the 3.45/3.42 axle. So there was a performance difference some years.

In 1991 & 1992, there was the R6P option where you could order the performance upgraded axle on the Trans Am...

Likewise, in the US all Formula 350's should have the 3.27/3.23 axle and the LB9/M5 came with the 3.45/3.42 axle.

So to most people the GTA would be the better bet than the Trans Am... And the Formula an even better bet for those looking for that performance edge.

JT

iTrader: (1)

This 1989 350 T/A from the eBay auction has the GW6 (3.27) RPO.

okfoz

I stand corrected... That is interesting, I think we might have been over this before... This is the only one I have ever seen sans the 91/92 with the R6P...

What is the R6A option?, I wonder if that has something to do with it...

I know the 1LE package came with the performance axle on the Trans Am, but those are so far and few between...



John

JT

iTrader: (1)

We did have a brief discussion over this. While doing the RPO database, I had noted the 1987 Pontiac book shown 3.27 as being an option on the T/A with the 350 while the standard is the 2.77.



As far as the R6A, while not accessing 100% of my stuff, I intially only have a record of it for 1990 Firebird model year with the following definition: "CONTROL SALES ITEM NO. 01"

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

Wow, what did I start!?

RockinGTA89

now here's a question: Why would u want a GTA with a 2.77 rear gear as a option? I understand fuel economy would be a reason, but why not just opt for a 305/2.77 combo then?
If i was a buyer, that would be the last thing on my mind when it come to a performance car! but for economical value I'll just opt out for a v6, 5spd as a base model bird...

okfoz

Interesting indeed...