Ok so I went to look at an 85 trans am today. Its white and in decent condition..

The current owner has restored most of the mechanical work, new brake lines, new transmission, new muffler, all kinds of things that were bad or rotted cause the first owner, a kid, tore it up then let it sit in his aunts yard

So the mechanical is good..but the outside is only in fair condition. There are the occasianl small rust spots, discoloured paint around the back bumber edge, the tail lights have a sort of haze over them and the black around the T-top removable covers is faded and looks a little odd. Also inside the doors the weather stripping seems to be rotted out mostly and the front seats have some wear and tear. The biggest thing is the front bumper is cracked and scratched and currently has a tattered black bra on to cover this up.

The guy is asking $2200 straight up and not budging. Is it worth it and how difficult would it be to replace the weather stripping inside the doors, fix the coloration around the T-Top and the front bumber?

 

Based on condition, I'd say $1200

 

I guess it would depend on the Engine, is it TPI, the HO or LG4

LG4 - $1200
HO - L69 - $1500
TPI - LB9 - $1500

John

 

How much do you want to have in it when you're done? You can price the weatherstripping (try Hawks), get an estimate from a local shop on the seats, etc. Make a list of what's wrong and add it up. Then double it for things you don't know.

TPI is generally more desireable than carbed, but carbed is easier to modify for power (my opinion). HO is nicer than LG4, the fresh air scoop is cooler, but if you're going to swap cam and add headers it doesn't much matter. Limited slip is worth a little too.

 

After thinking about it, check out other F-bodies in your area, and see what people are asking, see what kind of condition they are in and make a judgement call.

If you like the car its worth more to you than if you don't.

I am asking $2800 for my Formula 350, but I do not need to sell it. Its a little rough on the edges, and it has higher miles, but it would be a great project for someone thats looking to make a nice car. Its solid, and runs well. It would be an easy fixeruper for someone who enjoies puttering with a F-body.

John

 

I wouldn't pay more that $1500. From the sound of it you might have a lot of work ahead of you, as far as interior and body. Keep looking in your area, I'm sure you can find one in better condition for a pretty low price...or at least in better shape for $2200. These cars can be had for cheap just keep looking.

 

I think checking for the problem areas rust wise would be a good idea.Basically the floors and the bottom edge of the doors and check for rust in the quarters and wheelwells.That can tell you really fast if you want to bail.Especially the floors,check behind the front seats and where the floorpan meets the rocker panels.

 

Definately check the floor pans, if there solid rust, and especially if there are any holes avoid the car. I bought my Formula 350 with that in mind, the car has some surface rust, the surface rust is approx 10% woth surface rust on the floor pans, so it was a safe bet.

John

 

Thanks everyone for the input I appreciate it.

Sorry I think I came off a little strong describing some of the body problems, the small rust marks are just that...small. Like if someone took a black pen and poked it, instead of an ink dot its rust. Theres only a few of those, I could count on one hand.

The interior isnt BAD, just one small hole on the driver seat other then that its fine, obvious wear but not raggedy and holey.

I did check the floor pans, first thing I did. They seem to be completely fine definitely no holes didnt seem like any rust.


I have been looking in my area for quite some time now (South-western PA) and they are oddly hard to come by. I see them out and about now and then but 80% they are newer models. Almost all thirdgen cars around here are in bad shape because people didnt take care of them in the winter. The ones that are in good shape are rare and out of my price range.


Like I said I appreciate all of the replies and I will take everything in to consideration next time I talk to this guy about the car and try to bring him down on the price.

 

Good luck. I just bought an 85 TA last week (wanted a second driver so I could do more work to the camaro). Down here you don't even want to look at a third gen if they're asking less than 2500. I've seen cars that wouldn't run that were listed for 1900. Seems the prices on these have gone up over the past few years.

If you like it, go for it, just make sure you have enough cash left to fix the things on your list. It's a pain to buy some problems then try to figure out how to pay to fix them later.