Hello All, I've been wanting a 3rd Gen for a while now, and I'm sure there's a few posts on here as to what to look for when buying (feel free to point me in the right direction, new to the forum), and I was looking for some advice as to where to look for the hidden rust spots/weak spots. I'm not sure what body style I want, I'm selling a convertible and I'd love to replace it with another, but I also want to have a little fun with it and maybe throw a LS conversion at it a little later. What I don't want is to be constantly chasing and repairing rust. I've had fun restoring and building cars, but now I just want an affordable toy I can enjoy and drive, while upgrading it when I feel like it, not some planned out, years long build. Any help would be appreciated, and looking forward to contributing to the forum.

 

the factory hoods are bad about rusting right above the headlights, so look for that, around the ground effects, bottom of the doors, under the rear spoiler, behind the front tires, around the T-tops, A pillars around the windshield and floor pans are all bad places that 3rd gens rust, also try and find one if you can with original paint, that will really help you in the long run because you know what you are looking at as far as body damage, besides that its pretty straight forward as far as how it runs and drives, if the power stuff all works, all I have owned in 3rd gens is the carbed engines, I have no idea if the TPI/TBI stuff have stuff to look out for, also if you get an auto, ask if it has been rebuilt, and if it has a non original carb or different that factory intake manifold make sure the TV cable for the transmission is hooked up and adjusted properly! you will burn up a 700R4 quickly if its not adjusted properly!

 

Check the shock towers for rust in addition to what's mentioned above.

It will probably be more cost effective to find a finished car that already has an LS swap.

Ideally buy the nicest car that fits the budget rather than the fixed upper. I had rather have a good car with nice paint & body and interior first and foremost. The car can be upgraded as desired with LSx or LTx swap. Note money spent mods seldom adds to resell.

 

Other than corrosion, avoid any car that has any evidence of hacked wiring, no matter how minimal the hacking might appear.

 

By a 350.....

 

Depends upon what you are looking for...

If you want to have fun but have a car that appreciates and gives you a decent return buy the lowest mile one you can possibly afford in a convertible, a 1LE or a B4C.

If you are just looking to have fun and enjoy modifying cars - buy the best body you can find for the money & have your way with it.

 

I always look for a car that hasn't been highly modified that way you know what you got. Nothing worse than getting one some worm has went through and screwed up the wiring on. It would be great to get a lower mileage original 350 car. If not just try and find a good body and preferably a stock car and go from there building it the way YOU want it.

 

Buy the car with the transmission you want. IMHO it is easier to swap the motor vs drilling the holes and swapping the trans.

 

check the smaller details to, rust is huge but making sure the taillights are decent, weatherstripping is in good shape etc. will save tons, especially if its something a little rarer(like 91/92 t/a gta taillights).

as for the body style, pick what ever you like the most, im quite partial to hardtop 85-90 trans ams myself.

 

Thanks for the advice. Not settled on a body style just yet, though I'm pretty sure when I find the right car I'll know it. I just want an affordable platform that I can upgrade at whim. I'll be honest, I've been creeping on the forum for a bit, and you guys have fine tuned some great mods, and the aftermarket support for these cars are pretty good. I'd ideally like to start with a great body, preferably a manual transmission which I know limits engine options, but I'd like to build up to an LS swap with a little bit of power to make it exciting, and maybe go the pro touring route, just an all around fun car to drive. a little zip, a little reliable, and fun to tinker with. What are some hidden rust spots on these? Obviously rear wheel wells and floor boards, but any typical spots to avoid and keep an eye out for?