Looking at an 89 firebird for my son. Needs work & the t-tops leak - there is alot of rust around the edge in front by headliner. New rims & exhaust & other stuff...he wants $500 for it (215000) Want to keep status as cool mom, but is this car worth it? I don't want to sink a ton into it, but does it seem salvageable? Especially concerned about the leaking top. Thanks for your help - enjoying this forum alot!

 

you can get new weather stripping for the tops and it should stop the leaking but as long as the body straight I'd say buy but if there are other in you area that seem in better shape then buy one that in better condition

 

Be carefull when it comes to rust/rot. If you plan on fixing it up, then OK. But if you wanna buy it and drive it for a long time then keep looking, less rust=way less $ to dump on the project.
Be careful. Tap on the rusted areas and to test how much metal you have left.

 

the body rust isn't too bad - looks like some bondo work already done & some surface rust, 2 small dents - but that inside t top frame edge is kinda flaky rust. I have used a liquid rust produst that bonds with the rust & turns black on my daughter's 91 cutlass supreme int'l and that worked really well for a couple years. I don't really think we will do alot of refurbishing on this one, just a starter car, but wondering if that rust bonder & weather strip would hold. thanks!!

 

Should hold for a while. Esspecially if done right. But remember that it is allways there and it is a cancer. It will not stop. You have to cut it off to get rid of it. Just a think to keep in mind when tossing $ into a car that has a limited lifespan.

 

I'd recommend taking it for a test drive to a mechanic and have them put it on a lift. Get underneath and check for more rust. I've seen some absolutely HORRENDOUS undersides of cars that looked OK on the surface. Should be ~$20 if the guy's not trying to overcharge you for the lift access.

 

Like my car i got for 450$ its just surface rust ok sounds like a deal we took it home and bam rust very were under the hood in the hatch area door jams EVERYWERE!! under the boddy exhuast wasnt even conected it rusted right through

 

you didnt even pop the hood when deciding whether or not to buy it? You did even open the doors to check the door jams! didnt even start it to hear the massive exhaust leak!!

nah im just playin with ya lol.

 

just remember that your going to have to dump money into it in order to fix it. i say go and see a mechanic to get there take on it and to see how much work and money it takes to get it drivable. also was the car sitting for a long time

 

Decided against it - went in the daylight to look again & YIKES - couldn't even see any rust underneath what with all the oil over everything! Took it for a test drive - no a/c & with a big engine I shoulda been able to light it up & it puttered like a gramma car. So we are looking around for a bit more $. Thought it was too good to be true!! thanks to all for your input.

 

and not only that - there were so many hoses missing/loose in the engine, I couldn't see what went where...it did look decent from the outside, but as always it's what's inside that counts! lol

 

I bought a car for 1100, body was clean as a whistle. I pulled the carpet back and the floor pans were rotted out, kick panels, etc. It was horrible. I ended up selling the car for $450... 2 weeks later