Hi guy,

it's me again asking for some advices before buying the '89 gray GTA

The car: 1989, L98 350, 150.000 miles, everything stock

So I took it to my mechanic.
No oil leak, neither in engine nor in transmission. Differential ok too. Inside engine pipes and belts look ok. Some few rust on surfaces and blades, but the mechanic told me it's obvious and not prejudicial in a 25 years old can. Brand new suspensions and paint.
The mechanic drove it and felt it good, engine with stable and good noise, correct and fine gears changing.

Questions are:
The transmission is stock with 150.000 miles. Is it to be changed?
Can this car afford and sustain burnouts?
The gear shaft seemed to me kinda hard to move. I mean, no problems with it, but you have to apply some force. It is normal? Can this be somehow related to extensive wear?

THANKS TO ALL

 

My transmission on my 89 GTA is the same somewhat. The shifting is a little stiff, but once in drive it's fine. No problems. Mine has 215k on the car, but in an unsure about the engine and trans because just looking at the shows signs that work has been done.

Though after 150k miles you need to take the car to have the transmission checked out. And at the least have the fluid and filter changed.

 

You have 215k miles or kilometers? What do you mean with "shows signs that work" ?

Yeah, oil has always been changed in tranmsission. What does imply to "check the transmission" ?

THANKS!!

 

Signs of work means that my transmission has been either been removed and worked on or it has been serviced. For a car being 25 years old the transmission is too clean. I feel the prior owner had the trans serviced or completely replaced. I won't know until I have the car put on a lift.

Well checking the trans means just the usually thing change the fluids and filter, and make sure there isn't a lot of metal shavings in the pan.

 

Ah ok, now I got it.

So there is no way to check the transmission status without actually "opening" it. Right? Is it sufficient to check the oil?

 

You can't really check on the mechanical insides unless you open it up. Automatic transmissions are slush boxes. A lot of parts inside it so you can't really know whats going on inside unless you take it apart. You can do some basic diagnosis to what sounds or how it shifts, but otherwise it needs to be taken to a professional.

 

Honestly I would purchase it, before someone else does. If they are as rare as you say over there, and your mechanic gives you the go ahead, jump on it.

As for the transmission, why not ask your mechanic what he would charge to rebuild it, just to have peace of mind, or at least tune-up?

 

The transmissions in these cars are only pulled out for a few reasons:

To replace
To Rebuild
To pull the engine
To replace a torque Convertor

The pan really only comes off to replace the filter and fluid, or install a shift kit

I wouldn't "freak out" about the transmission if it seems to be shifting well...if it has a noticeable problem, then it's something worth addressing...If your mechanic gave you the "ok" and the price is right for you...i'd jump on it!

 

yeah, you're right guys. But I'm terrorized by the actual car mileage... 150.000...
My mechanic is a smart expert guy and said me the transmissions behaved and sounded fine, but still I'm doubting about its mileage.

I was just looking for a method to see if it's in good conditions.

Cost to rebuild transmission here in Italy is from 1500€ to 2500/3000€. Kinda expensive.

Is it possible to find a new 700R4 or do you have to take an used one?

THANKS

 

A new 700R4 will still cost you around $1800 (about 1450 in Euros), and that's not including removal of the old trans and instillation of the new one.

And on the mileage... on average (I used to work in the used car department for David Penske Chevrolet), a person will put about 10-15k miles a year on a car. That's average mileage. The Trans Am you are looking into has 150k For a car that's 25 years old that's around 200k below average. SO you are getting a very good deal, and a car that seems to have been taken care of. I would stop being so overly worried that the car is gonna have some catastrophic failure and leave you stranded.

 

700rs can take a bit as well, mine has 240k on it and I'm..not very nice to it to say the least..and its just showing slight issues

 

My 89 Trans am with a 305 TPI needed its engine and trans rebuilt at around 100,000 miles, I don't know why, the previous owner had it done. My other Trans am was an 84 with a carbed 305 that died and needed a new motor at around 130,000 miles (also done by previous owner). Just judging off of these two cars i've owned, I doubt i would buy one with 150,000 miles on the original engine and trans unless the price was very low or unless I had some money set aside to cover engine or trans replacement.

 

Out of curiosity, what will be the purpose of the car?

If it's going to be a daily driver, I too would wonder how "reliable" it would be...if it's going to be a weekend driver, or nice weather car, I wouldn't worry about the 150k mile transmission...especially if the car is in good original condition, and you're happy with the price. If unhappy with the price, i'd try to work them down some...but I'd be worried about how long I'd be looking for a firebird in Italy.

Here in the states, I picked up a 1992 Camaro RS with an LS1/4L60E swap for $4500. But at that price it was a steal. I've found that it has some rust that I didn't anticipate, and the transmission is a bit finicky. I replaced an O2 sensor, and the engine is running like a top, but for a weekend cruiser it's a great little car. And I'm lucky enough to commute to work with it a couple times a week just to put more miles on it. At 9k, i'd have been a little more picky on my car, but i'm sure this car will eventually lead to a 9k car purchase, followed by a 15k car purchase, etc....

So if you're planning to drive a 25 year old car every day of the week without ANY issues, i'd highly doubt that's a good plan. If it's a "good weather" car, and it could be down for a week or two without you freaking out, then I think it's a very solid buy. Good luck

 

Thanks for your reply guys

That car will be a second car, a weekend car.

85f-bird I didn't understand what you said with your 9k-15k sentence

However I'm about to close my eyes, hope to doing the right think, and paying that GTA. I'm almost decided to purchase it