Lyme™

Howdy, hope everyone is keeping warm today, some bitterly cold weather right now.

Anyways, my name is Stephen and I'm from the Markham area. I'm looking to get a car for my own and handing down the family Corolla to my little sister. After giving it some thought the last few weeks, I'm really keen on getting a Firebird. My old man purchased one new during his bachelor days in 1986 and I just loved it as a kid. The look, from front to back just was and still is amazing to me. Unfortunately he sold it before I started high school for a Buick LeSabre

Any who, I thought it would be great if I could get my hands on one for my own. I just don't know where to start looking for one in the GTA. I hopped on Kijiji and Craigslist and was less than impressed with that I found. Wasn't many listings at all and the few I came across upon were already heavily modified. I understand that these cars haven't been new for quite sometime but it kind of got me thinking maybe I won't find what I'm hoping to.

The one thing that really intrigues me is the digital dash. From the little research I've done so far, Firebirds only came with this during 86-89? I'm guessing it would be a long shot to find a 'bird with one. Not looking for a diamond in the rough, colour doesn't have much if any factor in my decision, not looking for a show piece but something I can use as a daily and be proud of owning. I know cars of this age already have problems without the worry of a digital dash but I'd be so thrilled if I actually got one. With my basic knowledge on cars and the wealth of information here, I'm confident I can handle minor repairs and maintenance myself. Better spend my time/ money on this than the brewskis anyways.

I guess this season isn't the best for buying/ selling a car which I'm okay with, I started working full time ~four months ago and plan on to keep taking the transit until the spring. I'm just hoping that I'd be able to find some respectably maintained Firebirds out there that aren't fetching the price of these immaculately restored pieces of history I have been seeing on local ads.

eseibel67

Lots of really good firebirds still available for a very affordable price. They just aren't listed for sale this time of year.

If you want a digital dash, you will be looking for an 87 or 88 GTA. Not particulairly rare, almost 1/2 of the GTA's made those 2 years were so equipped. They did come in some other configurations, but above would be your best shot.

While you're at it, I would recommend a T top roof. It's the signature feature for cars of this era.

I wouldn't recommend a GTA for a daily driver, for reasons too numerous to list they are an April - November type of car.

And don't restrict your search to the Toronto area. The further you are willing to travel, the sooner you will find exactly what you want (I would recommend even looking in the USA). Kijiji, autotrader.ca, and autotrader.com are good sources for leads.

Good luck!

Doug Phillips

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Pontiac/F...howcpo=ShowCPO

Budget?

I have a friend that may be selling a 83 WS6 car with mods.

Lyme™

Sweet, thank you for the information, will be looking into the 87 and 88 GTA. The GTA's came with the gold diamond spoke wheels correct? I do prefer the High-Tech aluminum pattern but I guess I can always look for a set later on down the road. The T top would be a bonus for me, my dads car didn't have one but someone in our apartment building did and it was definitely a sexy look.

If I could keep it in a garage all winter I would. I searched here and found plenty of topics, so did a bit of reading on the matter. The car will have to go through one winter at least, maybe I can get a beater for the one after. We currently have a SUV that my mom drives, the days she won't be driving I'll most definitely try and take that on the road and keep the 'bird sheltered. I work like 15 minutes a way so hopefully throwing on some snow tires can get me to work and back safely during the snowy days. Road salt is the really discouraging part.


I was hoping ~$5,000 would be able to get me something decent. If I see something cheaper that requires some extra TLC I would be interested as well.

eseibel67

Don't insult an old car by subjecting it to a Canadian winter. It will transform itself into a 3300 pound heap of trash.

Just skip the whole idea of a Firebird until you are ready to deal with it properly.

TallTim

iTrader: (2)

Patience is your friend. Took me a year to find what I wanted. Would have waited longer.

Doug Phillips

http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ382900392

vintageracer25

Greetings Lyme!
Pickings are thin right now but prices are as low as they go too. If a car is advertised, you might be the only customer... so a low offer might fly.
If you do drive through a Winter, a good oil spray should cope quite well.
Good luck in your search.
David

89junkyardgta

Hey, welcome to the boards. Best advice I can give is decide what you want, save your money and buy a good, solid car that is as free of rust as you can get. Rot kills these cars. Oil spray will keep it alive for a bit, but they really don't like the winter. Lots of people get started and want a "project" but end up quickly in over their head. Best to start on something that works and go from there. I speak from experience...my first car is still in pieces. Your budget should get you a decent car with today's prices.

This thing has been for sale for a while. Probably could be had for $2000 even.

http://windsor.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ537638648

It's a bit of an odd-ball with the digital dash in a Trans Am, but I've seen a few like it. Might be a good place to start if you aren't completely hung up on a GTA. If you plan on building a big motor later on, don't forget about the Drive Clean program.

Lyme™

That looks to be a great price, the drive down there might be a little too long for me though, especially right now. Glad there's good condition 'birds in that price range though. But I hear what you guys are saying about not rushing and waiting for something just right. I'll keep looking throughout the winter and hopefully find something good around the end of winter/ early spring. Will be able to save a little more cash to keep in the bank by then also.

Kind of have my heart set on a GTA now though. One with the digital dash and preferably a T Top. I see that 87's and earlier are exempt from Drive Clean? I guess that can be an incentive on looking for an 87 over an 88.

EDIT: Won't be doing much modifying, especially putting a new motor inside. I'd like to spend some money on replacing some wear and tear items and get everything in working order before I start doing any mods. Will look for information here on areas that would be a good idea to replace with this car being ~25 years. Maybe I'll even look into someway of keeping her indoors during the next winter seeing as how much of a problem rust can be.

Just so excited with this being my first car it's hard not to just say "f*** it" and run and buy one right now lol.

eseibel67

Good luck!

brian p

Welcome aboard. A couple of the guys mentioned Drive Clean and it's important if you're starting out. Buying an '88 or later car will subject you to the test every second year. You'll spend any budget you have trying to get a poorly running car to pass or have to cough up the $400 or so bucks for a conditional pass. When money's tight, that's the last thing you want to do.

vintageracer25

I only look for 1987 and older cars so as to avoid the stress of "Drive Clean" tests.
My eclectic and bargain basement collection runs from 1968 - 1987.
You could try confining your search to the initial 1987 GTAs. It may take longer... but eventually.................
David

mene0013

I'm selling a red 88 gta with the digital dash. Not t-top though. Car has 155,000 km and the transmission was just rebuilt this week and comes with a 2 year warranty. Car has been rust proofed and stored every winter and has 4new tires on it with 2 extra brand new tires.

vintageracer25

January since he last posted or commented. Hmmmmm.... a dreamer?!?
Come on Lyme... what's happening?
David