Hello everybody. I'm Turkish and been living and working in Bucharest, Romania for more than 3 years now. I got my first car, an '89 Trans Am GTA last year November and been lovin' it since. I'm a daily driver but try not to be too rough on her, against all the temptation... I've done some restoration work and minor mods till now, nothing much, but plan to do alot of things in the future.

I've been a member of this forum for some time now, and gathered and used a lot of information but never posted anything. I'll try to participate more in the future. There are not much thirdgens around here - I actually didn't see any on the roads, but saw a couple of sales ads on some websites... so I kinda feel lonely.

 

What would a typical 3rd gen sell for in Romania?
I've often thought it would be a great holiday to ship my IROC-Z overseas and spend a few weeks touring around then sell it and head home.

 

Hello .You need to look at it the other way... you're unique! Don't you get a lot of people checking out the car? Wondering what it is?

James

 

A typical 3rd gen has a price around 5000-6000€ here, if well kept. There is even a modified one from '87, a GTA selling for 10,000€, but it is very well kept and has some moderate modification i think. Seems like the guy could be lying, but I can't tell much from the pictures and I didn't see the car for it is in another city and I didn't have the time for the trip yet. Here are the addresses:

http://www2.autovit.ro/masini/pontiac/trans_am/
http://www2.autovit.ro/masini/pontiac/firebird/
http://www2.autovit.ro/masini/chevrolet/camaro/

You'll be surprised by the prices.. a '99 350 fourth gen for 5200€, but it's not registered in Romania, which would be another 16,000€ That's why it is so cheap.

To James: Yes, actually here are some typical conversations at a parking lot, a gas station and with the workers on our construction site:

Guy: V8?
Me: Yes.
G: Big?
M: Yes.
G: How big?
M: Too big.
G: Horse?
M: A lot.
G: How many?
M: I couldn't count.
G: Fuel consumption?
M: I'm planning on investing in a gas station.
G: ...
M: ...
...

I've even occasionally had some people taking pictures of my car on red lights, parked and when I'm away, walking around the car as if they're gonna break in... Ladies taking each other's pictures sitting on the hood.. etc. I was very surprised for a while after I got the car, but kinda got used to it. I've even had police stopping me just to ask what the hell is this thing. Being unique has its advantages and disadvantages.. There are a lot of luxury cars on Bucharest streets from Bentley to Ferrari, Lamborghini, even a Veyron, it is no big deal to see such cars, but older gems like this, are not much really..

Can

 

Hey Can,

I don't know your status, but your car has got to be a good conversation piece with the ladies

James

 

Welcome to the site.

Give us some more information on your car and a pic or two.

 

Nice car. now many 3gens you have in Romania ?

 

That makes me sick.....I doubt there is even ONE in all of Texas!

 

Attached are some pictures.. It is an '89 GTA with 350, 700R4, BW 9-bolt 3.27:1 rear.

Here's what I've done so far (all myself)

-Powermaster 140 amp alternator, and respectiva upgrade for wiring
-K&N open air filter, removal of air box
-Headlight conversion kit from Hella
-Edelbrock runners
-KYB front and rear shocks
-TB spacer (will be removed), TB Air foil
-160F thermostat and fan switch
-AFPR and rail mounted pressure gauge
-Hypertech coil+cap+rotor, MSD 8.5mm wires
-A.I.R pump and pipes removal, serpentine alternative routing, throttle body heater by-pass
-All sensors and IAC motor renewed
-All sway bar end links and bushings
-GMB water pump (old one was shot)
-New brake master cylinder, EARL flexible brake hoses, one way bleeders

Here's a brief list of things to do till this summer:

-A new windshield (cracked due to a stone or something)
-A new heater core (leaking)
-New driveshaft u-joints that are close to destruction (according to sounds emanating from them :P) Probably a new aluminum or carbon driveshaft altogether actually + Rebuilding the diff.
-Rack and pinion steering kit, or alternatively renewing all steering components, including gear. (20:1 considered)
-Coilover conversion for front, rear lowering springs, Koni front & rear shocks
-Subframe connectors, strut and steering braces
-Tubular front and boxed rear control arms, k-member
-Crossmember mounted torque arm, adjustable panhard bar

I already established what brand and where to get all of these. The problem is that the shipping costs for large items are astronomical from USA to here. I'm getting everyting for nearly 1.5x the price in the end. Plus I have the customs taxes...

After these, I'll start dealing with the motor, ultimately I'll have a supercharger, but I'll make the necessary upgrades for the motor and drivetrain first, like a strong 700R4 tiptronic transmission, forged 383 stroker kit, heads, rockers, cam, programmable computer, miniram intake with holley 58mm, etc..

Dmity Kiev, I have no idea how many there are, but I've seen since I came here (3.5 years now) 5 different 3rd gens, from car sales ad's. I didn't see even one on the roads, and I've travelled a lot really

Can

 

Hey Chilekesh, glad to see there are some 3rd gens in Romania. I'm orginally from Romania now living in Canada.
Skinny Z, to ship the care to Europe is around $2-2500 one way. One day when I win the lottery I'll ship my car to Europe and drive to Romania but my baby will be coming back with me though.
I used to have a car export business, that's how I know some of the shipping prices (RoRo, container). You might find a cheaper shipping company if you shop around but make sure you buy the right insurance.

 

Where did you source your BW 9bolt parts from? I was curious if there was another place to get parts other than 9bolt.com.

 

The aluminum support cover I got from Hawks, was around $190 including the stud upgrade. I didn't get the rebuild kit as it turned out I don't need one yet. But Summit has a complete kit from Ratech (available as a back order) and here's the link: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAT-332K/