ksr

Not much in the way of detail here, but a nice looking car. Good color.

No "5.0" decals on the hood bulge, so maybe painted? Wheels don't look like Formula wheels either, at least they weren't in 1990.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Firebi...bac2%7Ciid%3A1

Base model Formula. LG4 carbureted engine/auto(not sure if that engine would've come with decals on the hood bulge). Base interior. Nothing special about it, other than it being clean, of moderate mileage, a Formula and having T-tops. And yes, those are the correct wheels for a 1987 Formula. But do those few things make it "collectible," or worth much money? Maybe to some people. In Ohio, so likely exposed to rain and salty winters, thereby susceptible to rust, though it's probably always been kept indoors.

With its apparently nice paint, body and chassis, but nothing notable about its drivetrain, nor its collectible status, it's a great candidate for a beastly build and would be a nice cruiser in the meantime.

dagwood

iTrader: (5)

Were those wheels on a Formula in 87 only, then? I don't think I've ever seen them on a formula before....only a TA

LeonardS

Nice clean car, but only 4 photos? They are not trying very hard, to show it off. Underbody photos would be interesting.

TransamGTA350

iTrader: (2)

Agreed, not all that collectible, but would make a nice cruiser for not a lot of money. Great car for a high performance build as well.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Yes, on the Formula in 1987 only.

ksr

Pretty sure that the Formula always had the "5.0" stickers on either side of the hood bulge. But on one of mine, they did peel after a number of years.

The limited number of pics would mean I'd never bid on this. And my current GTA was bought off eBay, but with dozens of pics and videos. Nothing collectible here (most of them aren't), but a nice looking car for a good price.

And thanks for adding the link,which I stupidly forgot to paste.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

I just can't own a Formula that's carb or TBI. I mean seriously, how is that special in any way? Sure, you get the suspension, hood, spoiler and the cool decals, but the top end sucks. I may as well be buying a base Firebird.

ksr

Top end is meaningless to 99.9% of drivers.

It's a good looking, slick handling car. I'd rather have a TPI and do have one, but if I needed a car and this was nearby, I'd take a look.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

LG4s have a lot of potential for a 305. No TPI limitation. Go crazy with a crate motor, track down a T/A air cleaner to make the hood functional, drop in headers and full exhaust, swap to 3.42 or 3.73 gears, it could be a lot of fun with classic car simplicity. No tuning, no high dollar intake parts, etc.

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

...I meant top-end of the engine (intake, fuel system, etc...) not the top speed.lol

Agreed, nice car, but not at that price for me. I'm at 3,500 on that one.

ksr

I wouldn't give that car away for $3,500. It's by no means special or collectible, But it seems to be a nice, relatively low-mileage car. (Of course the undersides may be rotting with what little there is in the listing.)

BizJetTech

iTrader: (3)

topduarte

iTrader: (8)

For me $4000 max, if that was near me, I would offer $4k

Briar

iTrader: (1)

Obviously don't know what they'd sell this for, but I got a 89 Ttop 350 formula, unmolested, origional nice paint, no rust, and only a hatch and headliner to fix for way less than what they're asking.. Because these don't change hands ofter you always wonder...how did I do? Interesting to see the responses. Cuz of a repaint IMO?

LeonardS

Post a few photos.

Briar

iTrader: (1)

LeonardS

Looks good! Needs the infamous hood struts! Why can’t they make hood struts that last?

WildCard600

Wow Briar, that car is clean ! Nice find !

Briar

iTrader: (1)

You noticed my wood work huh??? Yeah now that the hatch is done that's next. Not a big deal. Happy the rears work good!

LeonardS

Broom handles work good also😜

Briar

iTrader: (1)

I'm driving it 200 plus miles for the trans am nationals in fairborn ohio in august. Need to get all these little things done so when I actually drive it this summer and things pop up I can get to it. 43k miles on it so I'm nervous to do the 4 plus hour drive.

F-body-fan

Are the aftermarkets poor quality? Both of my 3rd gens need hood struts, but seeing they only come out of storage once a year maybe I would be disappointed to find they would be failed in a short time?

LeonardS

They seem to last 5-6 years. The brand doesn’t seem to matter from my experience, but I haven’t tried that many. Your mileage may vary😎

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Buy a new pair from a national chain store. Keep a copy of the receipt somewhere safe. Warranty them when they go bad. It's a non-issue.

soupman

iTrader: (1)

I called on the 87 car. They did tell me the hood was repainted and needs buffed out. Claims the underside is nice, I requested pictures but haven’t seen any yet. Don’t seem to want to go down on price much, they definitely want over $9k for it, will not let it go for less, plus there dealer fees put this car at $9,500 all in.
I am interested in this but I feel would be over paying. I really like the colors.

what do you guys think this would go for?

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

I think you can do better. I feel it's too much money for that car. IF this were an IROC, I'd say go for it, actually I would have already bought it, but this is a Pontiac. I bought a TPI Formula with 68,000 original miles for $4,500 cash, so there are still deals out there.

ksr

With the additional history that you've discovered, I think they're asking too much. But with that mileage and if the car is solid underneath, I think I'd still get possibly as high as $7,000. But you should keep looking too. I wouldn't rule out higher, but not site-unseen.

When I've bought cars, it comes down to 1) how much do I want it? and 2) how much it's worth TO ME? I've never bought a car as an investment. Resale value is totally meaningless to me, both when buying a new car or an old one. I buy cars for my own enjoyment and, to me, what someone might be willing to pay me in the future if I sell it just isn't important. That doesn't mean I'm willing to pay a ridiculous amount over the value of a car just because I want it. I don't have that kind of money to just throw around. But if it's something I want, a couple of thousand won't keep me from buying it.

BizJetTech

iTrader: (3)

Typical dealer over priced - find one that a private party is selling, you'll get a much better deal.

KMK454

Great candidate for a drivetrain swap. LSx/T56. Though my preference would be L98 with a built T5 or TKO (period correct!).

cuisinartvette

plenty of private sellers that want a ton of money for their high mi car. They are neat but imo not some gotta have collectible.
Maybe I need to look some more
Id have no issue with a TBI formula if it was clean and priced right. Not like a TPI car is super fast.
Look past the odoemeter reading, wax job and see it for what it really is, definitely check the underside too.
Outside ca I see lots of ads that say "solid"...out here it means no rust at all...other places it means rust everywhere just no gaping holes. lol
Little ocd so that stuff bugs me. Dont limit yourself there are so many cool 1 owner lo mi cars for under 10k its not even funny.
Owners are dying of and their kids are selling them before they are in the ground.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

That's a somewhat loaded statement. Stack the deck right and it can be accurate, or inaccurate. For example a lightly equiped 88 TBI 5spd next to a 88 LB9 auto, there wouldnt be much difference. Now put the best 305 TBI car next to something like a 92 Z28 with an L98 and G92, and the TPI car is going to strut all over the L03 like it is chained to a tree. It'd be brutal, like pistol whipping a blind kid.

soupman

iTrader: (1)

I bought this car. Made a trip out there and it was very clean, all original, very tight steering and feeling. I thought maybe the rear spoiler would be loose or hatch pull down broke, but all good. It was well maintained and cared for by original owner for 30 years. I had a 89 formula TPI 350, so I know these cars. Not going to break any acceleration records with that lg4. About the only thing I found was one headlight was slow going up/down. I was able to talk them down to $8,500, all in, with all the fees. I bought it because I wanted that color, rare color in 87, and I wanted the carburetor engine. Probably over paid some, but it was a really nice car. The dealer hardly knew anything about this car, and I showed him the rear locked compartment, and when I opened it had all the original paperwork and receipts.

LeonardS

It is a sharp looking car and if you’re happy with the price, then it’s a win for you! I think the price sounds reasonable for a nice car.

soupman

iTrader: (1)

Yea, I know there are some deals out there, but many I looked at need work or modified some, or many miles. Getting harder to find unmolested cars.

BizJetTech

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like a fair deal to me.....you hit the jackpot finding the original paperwork, congrats!

burnout88

I would have paid 8500 all in for that car. It’s a cool color on a formula and with the ttops and carb I consider it desirable. Won’t find another like it and I got my LG4 to run in the 14’s with some really inexpensive mods.

TransamGTA350

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a good buy to me. Nice car.

tom3

Several factors here. A driver or a collector machine. Keep it stock, modify and look stock, or really get into it. For the collector a TPI machine would be ideal. For about anything else the carbed engine would be much better to rework. Big drawback to this car is the automatic transmission I think. But you sure don't see these machines in this condition very often, good buy I think.

okfoz

It is missing the 5.0 Liter Sticker on the hood,
There are dents and ripples in the Left Fender and the front of the door.
I suspect a repaint.

scottmoyer

The blue car is an obvious paint job on the hood as the color match was not very good. At least the seller admitted to that without issue.

okfoz

Didn't notice that... Maybe they just painted the hood, it does not match well at all at second glance.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

How bad can it really be if it goes unnoticed unless you're looking for it?

gt4373

I See The Engine Got The Dealer Spray The Engine With Armor All Treatment, You Can See The Over Spray On The Raditor Support.

soupman

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I knew the hood was repainted, it was previously faded some. The dealer cut/buffed it out for me before delivery, so it looks very nice now, color still off a shade, but really shines. No other body work, I think the lighting from the dealer pictures make it look like other areas were touched up, but they were not.

Now my biggest question is what to do with it? I definitely want to modify it, but leaning towards the sleeper look. I want it to look exactly like stock, so maybe bigger motor, like 383, or 406? I do have a stock air induction from a 84 to put on it like Drew mentioned earlier.

tom3

Not real sure on that car but a lot of the automatic cars came with a 2.73 or 2.77 : 1 geared rear end. Really wake it up with a gear change, easy to find a 3.23, little harder to find a 3.41 maybe. And look close at the floor pans, T-Top cars are noted for rust and patch jobs, some good, some not so good. Kind of sounds like you know your third gens though, keep us posted, and more pictures.