Considering an 89 Firebird Formula. Have to fly to buy.

Could use comment on a thirdGen specific buyers checklist. Baseline things to check on a used car not too concerned about, can google that.

Things like
* Saggy doors
* rust in "special" places
* leaks in "special" places
* things that typically break too easy or too soon.
* hard to find or hard to replace items.
* watch out for custom mods, esp engine internal - eg cam)
* owners changing frequently. Who did what again?
* compression test

I'm thinking of taking it to a lift for an underside check.
And a test drive of course. If enough is well, then do the deal.

Thanks for comments!
Tim

 

yeah a lot of these cars have sagging doors because the doors are so heavy. check for rust right in front of the drivers and passengers seat they love to rust out there. if it has ttops obviously look under the gaskets and on the t bar. and take a good clean look underneath it make sure the floors are solid.

 

yes rust under the t-tops if its got it, under the floor pan by the passengers feet, under the dirvers seat(mine was rotted out there and i or previous owner didnt know), in the rear wheel wells.

 

Rust also likes the bottom of the spare tire well in the back and on the other side under the "lockbox" as well.

Dash pads are expensive to replace, as well as the manual transmission if it has one.

If they are advertising the engine as a 350, check the casting number on the block to be sure its not a 305.

 

i think i have seen at least 3 people with that prob

 

when i baught my car they said 350. it is not one to say the least

 

One other thing to check. A Formula *should* have posi I believe. You'll want to check on that and make sure it still works.

 

make sure the headlight motors and hatch pulldown motor function properly