Maybe we could create a nice thread here about what to do/not do when buying a camaro/firebird.

I thought about this when I was going to ask...what do you do when you are buying a car. What SHOULD you do. What should you look at, or inspect.

I am looking to buy a car eventually, and it never hurts to figure this stuff out now.

Maybe you can each make a small list of what you do when buying or looking at a car.

 

What to Do?

PARTY!!!!!

I mean after all your getting an F-body I can't see any more cause for celebration.


To me serious though....

Check everything! The body panels, cracks between panels, the hatch well, the bottom of gfx and car, the engine bay, the battery hold spot, the seams around the windows, any where that might have rust. With the age of these cars now rust is a major concern when buying. If you can get the owner to look the other way pop the trim in the door jam and lift up on the carpet and look at the floor pan. Any where that might get rust...(which is everywhere )

Just my two cents.

 

Don't be afraid to get down on your stomach to get a good look of the underside. Check for rust anywhere. When I bought my 87 I had a camera flashing around underneath to get a good clear shot of everything.. may have been a little comical to the owner but I got what I wanted to know. Look for out of the ordinary things like unplugged wires in the engine bay or worn items. After a full visual inspection go for a test drive to get a feel for the car

 

with

PARTY!!!!! WOOT WOOT

Dont be shy about asking questions.

Look down the side of the body on both the passenger and driver sides. See if there are any waves in the paint or body panels.

Check over but the headlight buckets on the hood and the hatch for any rust rot.

check the weather stripping on the car, both doors, trunk, T-tops if the car has them.

See if the owner would mind bringing it to a mechanic to have it checked over.

 

I always look at the rear bumper support, if it's rotted under there, it's usually a good gauge of how bad the car is.. That, and the shock towers.. If those look good, save yourself a $400 alignment, and measure the distance from the back of the front tires to the wheel lip of the fenders, I made this mistake.

 

First thing, understand how to decode the VIN and RPO codes. That will help you weed out possible clone cars, etc.

I almost bought what looked like a 92 Z28 (minus motor/trans) only to find out it was really an RS with Z28 wing and a cowl hood. Found my REAL 91 Z28 the next day.

Also, what others have said, get underneath the car. The areas where the GFX meet the metal are prone rust spots. Plus, check just behind the tires on the body. As others have said, the rear crash bar is a tell tale sign. If its rusty, you may want to avoid the car, because its undoubtedly elsewhere too.

My first 91 Z28 came from Ohio. Didn't really know how bad it was until I got under it when hooking it up to the trailer... It was UGLY.

My current 91 Z28 was in MUCH better shape. The only thing that needs some attention is there is a spot about 2x2" behind the rear pass tire in the spare tire area that held water and is rusting through. Easy fix. Other than that, its solid. Been stored inside for the last 6 years.

 

Great advice from everyone, but this one is the best by far..... I've been at car shows and seen clones of 3rd gens before, I've even had an argument with a new owner of a 86 T/A that it wasn't a GTA(87-92) regardless of the glued on GTA emblems!!!!!

KNOW YOUR CODES!!!!!

 

wow, thanks guys! Ill be sure to do all of that once I get the money saved up. The owner won't get a dime until I get to look it over myself. My girlfriend found it on craigslist and went to look at it for a surprise to me and she didn't really look she said. She said it looks alright. Looked good to her. I still really should look myself.

 

Another tip of advice. Make sure the VIN on the RPO sheet matches the VIN under the windshield. As many have said, these cars are getting up there in years and parts break, including the center console. Most people will not swap over the original RPO sheet to the replacement console, which, in all reality, may come out of a base 6 cyl car and going into a loaded 350 TPI IROC or GTA with all the goodies, or even a TTA! In a nutshell, make sure both VINs match. You generally do not see people swapping VIN plates around to different cars, but center consoles are easily and commonly swapped.

Another tidbit that can work on the 91-92 F bodies is the engine code in the VIN. Remember that in those years, Z28's only came with TPI engines (8th VIN digit F or 8), same thing for Trans Am and GTA, Formula's could still have a 305 TBI. If the RPO sheet is gone and you have a TPI 91-92 car, with an F or 8 as the 8th VIN digit, you have a true Z28, TA, or GTA.