I was thinking about selling my '83 TA('86 look-a-like) in order to buy this GTA I see around my school alot. I am going to buy this for my first car. My '83 is my first car, but I cannot drive it yet, since I have to wait till August to get my license. Well, my car needs some work, and I was thinking about redoing the interior and painting it. But I came along this GTA. It is a 5 speed V8. So does that make it a 305? It has the gold rims, in perfect condition, black leather interior, and T-tops(that look new). The only problem is that there is front end damage. The whole front nose clip would have to be replaced, as well as the passenger side fender. I have no idea what year the car is, since it doesnt have the sticker on the windshield(such as other NY cars) because of the fact that the car is registered in Florida. It has an after market hood, and she said she has another hood at home in the garage. She said she would give me the car for $4500. I am not sure if this is alot of money, do to the fact that it needs body work. Other than the front end, the car is mint. I just dont know if it is worth buying this car, and putting all the work into it. I know that my '83 may have some electrical problems, but it may be due to the fact that the last owner screwed some wiring up in the steering column after the 350 swap. I like my car alot, but I figured that by the time I redo my interior, paint the exterior, and get the lights fixed that it might be easier just to buy the GTA. I was thinking about talking her down to about $3800 or so. What should I offer her? She will be calling me soon to talk about it. I have no idea about the mileage or the engine. I know that GTA's are hard to find in good condition. The paint on it is excellent, besides where it got into the accident. How much would it cost to have the fender and front end replaced and for it to be painted to match the rest of the car? Is it really necessary to have the whole car repainted? Let me know. She is calling me back either today or tomorrow. I need as much advice as possible. Is it worth the $$$...or should I just spend $4500 on a car that needs no work at all?

 

Paying $4500 ( ) for that car would be a crime on your part..... $3800 is too high. Some people.....

I bought my '88 GTA Notchback (5.7L/A4) with about the same damage that you describe.... for $2500. It was a stolen/joyride car that ended up nose down in a ditch. The body repair bill was $1100 on it, parts & labor. I got most of the parts myself..... It took a new nose, crash bar, fog lamps, one headlight, one fender, and I went ahead and sprang for a replacement hood as well.

So yes, that is way too high..... you can buy a nice, undamaged GTA for $4500.

Keep looking, young man. Much better deals await you out in the real world.....

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Frankie Rider, 2
The GTA Source Page
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'88 GTA Red Hatchback - 5.7L/A4
'88 GTA Black Notchback - 5.7L/A4
'88 GTA Gunmetal Hatchback - 5.0L/A4



[This message has been edited by FrankieRider2 (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

If you could supply the 17 digit VIN number and the mileage I could supply the current market N.A.D.A. value that would include bank loan and trade-in value, as well as current retail.

Then I could punch the VIN into our Mitchell program and supply the part numbers, cost, and estimate of repairs that you might expect for the body work.

You would not have to repaint the whole car most likely it could be repaired and blended.

 

Thanks. As soon as I get the Vin # and mileage I will let you know. I have some friends whose parents own a body shop. They live right down the block from me. Hopefully they can get me a good deal. I wasnt planning on painting the whole car, due to the fact that the rest of the car looks mint. I was wondering, is it better to have the 5.7 TPI 350 automatic engine or the 5.0 TPI 5 speed? I am pretty sure it is the 5 speed, and I doubt it is a 350. In my '83 I have a 350 carborated. What are the horsepower and torque differences between a 5.0 5 speed GTA and an automatic 350? I am not looking to race the car, but was wondering if I would loose badly to the rustangs and other 350's on the road. Thanks.

 

ANYBODY? I need help quick, I want to make sure that I will make the right decision.

 

To answer to your question, the Manual LB9 made 230HP and 300lb Ft (You didnt mention year, I assumed it was 89-92). I don't know much about carbs but I thought that carbed 350's could be pretty damn powerful. Anyways if I were you I would only take the car for 3000$ at the VERY most if the only thing wrong with the car was forn end damage.

You could get most of the parts you need used for very cheap (and in good condition)and its very easy to swap the entire front-end yourself. The paint for that part should cost you around 200-400 (just a guess).

If I were you I would stick with your 350, save yourslef some $$$ and use it to make your TA haul *** instead. Just my opinion though...

-Max

 

I paid $950 for this car. $3800 is a joke.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

Wow Jim. Nice car. I will try and talk her down a lot. The body damage on this one is similar, but not as bad. But the headlight isnt damaged. Maybe I will have her take a look at this website as proof that her price is too steep. What is in your white GTA by the way? I really want a GTA, especially for a first car. My car is pretty nice, but needs work. So I figured that it would be better to spend the money on a GTA, rather than my TA. My TA has some problems with the tail lights, the front end needs to be rebolted on, and I need side gfx. I also need to redo the interior. It has a swapped 350, but it needs to be cleaned up. As a first car, my '83('86 look a like) is perfect. I wanted to go all out with my car though, but figured that it might not be worth it. Is the 305 TPI 5 speed even worth buying? Or should I look for a 350 TPI TA or GTA? I have an automatic 350 in my car now, but it is carburated. I need to make a decision, and hopefully talk her down in price. O yea Jim, I live in NY as well.

 

I wouldn't get too over ambitious with your first car. Keep in mind that you're a new driver (i.e. no skill yet ) plus I'm assuming that you're not an experienced mechanic yet. Find a car that you don't mind making mistakes on. If the 83 is nice but not perfect, I'd say stick with it. The little projects are great to learn on, and if you do screw up, it's not going to be such a big deal. Plus, there's always another deal of a lifetime right around the corner, so as long as you've got a decent car to drive, I'd just be happy with that.

My white GTA is the stock 305 with a 5 speed. The car's loaded: dig dash, leather seats, etc. The interior is in pretty rough shape though. It needs a new dash, new carpets, seat covers, a couple plastic pieces and everything else needs a good cleaning.

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

Amen......a very valuable "lifes lesson"... and if you get me that VIN and mileage I'll print you up the NADA dealer values. It will knock the heck out of that price tag and it's hard to argue with as far as legitimacy. Probably why Jim got such a deal.

 

Very true. I bought my car from a small dealer (ok, a gas station with a dealer's license) so he knew what the car was worth. And, the damage was worse than I thought too. The radiator support had to be pulled almost an inch. But, I've got the abilities to do it, so for me it was still a good deal. If you had to pay to get the car fixed, you'd be in it for more money than if you just bought a nice one.

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

hahahahaha i only paid 1200 for my 87 GTA , it was my sisters. its in almost perfect shape , except someone re-ended my sister so its not all that bad . i have a 350 auto. its black (with a flip flop green to it). and tan interior, which is the best that ive seen on any 3rd gen, so you said it has T tops and a stick shift, then it should be a 305, am i correct guys?

 

Yup. It is a 305. I dont know if it is better off having the automatic 350 rather than the manual 305. What are the horsepower and torque differences? Am I going to take stangs and TA's off the line in a race...or am I going to loose miserably? I currently have a carburated 350. I got my car for free, so should I just stick with it, then look for another after a year? I always wanted an '87 after my dad had his. Which is better to work on...a 350 carburated or a 350 TPI? Can you mod the manual 305 TPI engine in the GTA to get it pretty quick? I dont want to be racing, but I also dont want to loose to a stang is a challenge happens to pull up. Thanks. So far, I have decided to keep my '83('86 look a like). I like my car, because of how it doesnt look like an '83 at all, some people think it is an '86 b/c of the hatch.

 

I only paid 1250 for my 87 GTA. although it had a engine fire, but it is fully loaded, 350 TPI, Auto, digital Dash, 68055.1 miles on it, black with the gold wheels. It is about half done. End of July it will be done!!!!

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire hope to get running soon
Flowmaster exhaust