I might be getting an 89 Firebird Formula (if everything works out the way i hope it does)...and i am wondering if there is anything i should know before getting one. I have tried looking for websites about 3rd Gen Firebirds, but there arnt any good ones that i can find.

The car is automatic, has a 305 tpi, 90,000 miles, and is all original. It does not have T-tops (i like them, however, my dad who was a mechanic for GM during the 80's says that they are nothing but problems).

 

Did you find these 2 sites?

http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/home.htm

http://www.f-body.org/

 

Past research has shown that 89 formulas are very common.

..Dave

 

Not that you need to know this, but it's interesting trivia.

1989 is the last year F-body to not have an airbag, last year to use a MAF sensor instead of SD, first year to use VATS and the first year to not have a cold start injector.

 

....VATS was introduced in 1988

 

Vats must have been very late 88..

also first year for the good rear disk brakes (PBRs)

I love my TTOPs ,yes they leak, thats y I have a garage

 

VATS was only available in GTA's in 1988. Roughly 2/3 of these cars( which is over 6000) were equipeed with VATS.

 

I didn't know that. I even have a friend with an 88 GTA and his doesn't have VATS. His must have been an early production unit.

 

what is VATS?

 

Vehicle Anti Theft System .Its the chip on the key

 

oh yea...i knew that...except i didnt quite put it together with the acronym...

the car has a alarm system on it too..but i believe that is disconnected.

 

actually...i was just thinking about something....

how long do you think a car like that would last me (assuming it was maintained extremely well for its entire life). From what we already know, the car has had 2 mature owners, the guy who is selling it now just had a full tune up that including servicing the transmission and all of that stuff...and it has new tires. The car looks excellent in every facet...so i would be led to believe from all of these factors, that it has been taken care of very well over the years. This thing will (if purchased) be my baby and will recieve fantastic treatment. So i am wondering if i can expect this F-body to last awhile...

and to go deeper, what kind of problems to 3rd gen f-bodies encounter once they pass 100k miles.

Any input is greatly appricaited.

 

My car has 240, miles 7 motors and 14 trans with 3 rears 3 paint jobs 3 sets of brakes 1 carpet and 1 headliner shocks and struts 2nd set.. I do run the crap out of it though...

 

well, here is the end all solution to your Formula Delemma...

www.3rdgenformula.com There is alot of good info there, and if you have any specific questions I will try to help.

as far as specific questions after 100K... nothing amazingly unusual. THere are people here with 250K that have no problems, and others with only 25K that have problems from the get go. It really depends on the car, who has owned it, how well it was maintained, and wether or not the car was neglected. Unfortunately there is nothing that will determine some factors until you have owned the car for a while.

The 305 TPI (4 Speed Auto) is unremarkable as far as the engines go, BUt there are several mods you can do to make it faster. IF you want one of these cars for collectability and a little more umph, you may consider waiting for a 350 car or a 305 with a 5 Speed. AVOID the LG4, and LO3 V8 engines, they have the old fashond aircleaner and look like an old 4BBL from the olden days. TPI is definately a big step in the right direction.

T-tops are a problem, and some people hate them becaouse of the problems that can occurr. BUT the leaking can be fixed and if propely done it will be a dry car.

Since this is a Hard Top there are usually cracks that pop up on the roof by the rear upper corners of the Door windows. These are caused by the torque of the car and are common. I have seen V6's with 1" cracks, and V8's with none. There are mods you can do like Sub Frame connectors that will keep this from spreading and are always a good upgrade.

If rust is a problem in your area, check the floorboards, around the wheel wells, and the bottom of the doors.

If there is any kind of mechanical problem I imagine the TPI guys would be able to help, of course some of them are popass.

Good luck

John

 

yea ive had your site bookmarked already. i saw it in your signature a few days ago and checked it out. Good site.

I dont mind a 305. You have to understand, my dad is insanely picky when it comes to cars (and considering these cars are in upwards of 15 years old, few are without their flaws) so its rare that one actually does come around that passes his 'strick checklist'. So imagine trying to find an excellent condition low mileage 350 f-body that is REASONABLY priced. That would take forever. But like i said, the 305 doesnt bother me. Its just fine for me.

 

A 305 TPI isn't too bad I've had mine run in the 13.50 range for next to nothing

 

Just got back from testdriving the car with my dad. Upon seeing it, i will say this: It is in fantastic shape for a 3rd Gen F-body, and the only problems with it seem to be general things that happen to cars as they age. And it is reasonably priced. I found out alittle more about the car. It has the 2.73 gears, which isnt nesscarily good for performance, but its good for gas mileage and for my first car i guess its good that it wont spin out very easily. But us buying the car is pending on a few things:

1.the spoiler on the back needs to be replaced...its cracked in 2 spots, the paint is faded (its white so the fading is unnoticable until you get rigth up next to it), and because of someone trying to fix the spoiler, the hatch is misalligned. Dont know how much this would cost with paint and labor (the guy, who was simply awesome, said a fiberglass replacement would be around 250$-just for the spoiler itself). This doesnt affect the drivability of the car at all, but because the hatch is slightly misalligned, there a few places where rust will form if this is not changed. and we cant have any rust...so therefore it woul dhave to be replace fairly soon (not immediately)

and

2. upon startup, the smallest puff of blue smoke comes out of the exhaust pipes. My dad says it is a valve seal, and despite the seals themselves being very cheap, the labor is probably going to cost alot. So he really wants to see how much this will cost to fix...this problem right here is the deal breaker. If the repair isnt too costly, we might get the car...but if it will cost alot...i doubt it.


Also, the power steering hose (something like that) needs to be replaced because it leaks. Dad says it will cost approx. 75 and he can do all the work. Easy. This really isnt anything big.