I am in need some good, objective advice. I am looking at buying a 1987 formula, 305 TPI, 5 speed. I went and took it for a test drive the other day, the drivetrain is really quite solid, and the engine strong. The four disk brakes were really strong, and no shaking...mostly everything works, but the oil gauge is screwed i think, and the radiator is leaking antifreeze...the car wasn't blowing hardly any hot air at all...and what kind worries me is that when i checked the antifreeze, it only filled half of the tanks on the radiator!!! And i checked the oil after, and it was down way lower than it should of been. the car has about 95,000 miles on it, a torn drivers seat, and the cruise doesn't work...i am just wondering if i should bother to get the car, and really be getting a piece of ****...my dad went with me, he has been a certified mechanic for like some 25 years, so he knows what he is doing, and he says i will just be buying a piece of ****, it could have cracks in the engine due to the low oil and antifreeze levels and who knows what else is wrong with it...but I really do want the car, i mean, who doesn't? but i don't wanna go fixing a whole bunch of stuff either. I would really appreciate any responses, another guy is going to look at the car today so i guess i will have to make up my mind soon, but thanx to everyone who replies ahead of time...and keep those cars a'truckin!

 

i have a question what did the temp guage read? was it overheating?

 

yes, it was getting near the red...i am not sure do to the low level of antifreeze, or just a gauge is screwed up since the oil guage may be screwed...but i would think the radiator and antifreeze is the culprit

 

oh yeah, and i forgot to mention, no cap on the antifreeze overflow tank!

 

If it was right near the redline you probbly would have able to seen steam and it probbbly was boiling you can hear this. It sounds like the guage is messed up.

 

yeah are factory guages are not 100% correct

 

The smallblocks are really pretty bulletproof engines. I agree with the other guys, it may just be some small issues to deal with. As long as there is no oil in the coolant you are probably OK. Fact is these cars are getting old so putting in a new rad and dealing with some small**** should not break the bank. If the price is right go for it. Heck, even if pop is ambivolent the guys here can walk you through anything. Good Luck!

 

i'd fill up the oil/coolant and take it for another drive, maybe like 1/2 hr. then park it over cardboard or something and look for any wetness or drips.

(maybe even show up a couple days later unanounced and ask to check the fluids again)

 

and if nothing else, use it to drive down the price

 

I live in buffalo and i drove to new york city to get my car cause i found a good deal, mine is and 87 GTA it only had 70k when i bought it and really really well maintained along with some performance parts i payed $3700 for it and i think it was a real good deal i wouldnt pay more than $1800 for the one your lookin at unless its real nice looking. You just got to look and look until you find the right deal i found mine in the classifieds on thirdgen.org, check them out, a good thirdgen is worth traveling a few hours for I drove 8 hours for mine. There and back in one day it was fun.

 

8 hurs one way got up at 3 in the morning and got home at 10 at night. Got home real fast though at 130mph

 

First off, I want to thank you all for replying. I got some really good ideas from all of you. I am sad to report that the guy wants a crazy amount for it, and although like a bunch of you said, these engines are pretty bullet proof (small block chevy...what more can you say? ), I will have to spend about 1000 bucks getting it working good...and he at this point isn't willing to go down any...I think he will learn quickly when no one wants it...mind you there are always suckers who will go for it. Plus I was going to trade my Ford Probe for it, it is a 93 in mind condition, and he told me he was gonna give me 2000 bucks less than I could easily sell it for, so i basically told him to keep the car. But thanx again, and if everyone doesn't mind, I will stay on the message board, I think it a valuable source of info and comardrie ship...but enough bs, talk to ya'll later!

 

Sorry to hear it. Patience always pays off. Found my rock in late 90, it's an 89. Divorce deal, bank was gonna repo the thing. Picked it up for 8k with 9k on the odo. Must have looked for over 6mo and a lot of grief from friends saying I was too particular. I laughed all the way FROM the bank.