How did I do?
How did I do?
Well, I've been Thirdgenless for almost four years and I just couldn't stand it any longer!!! So, I saw this 89 TA on eBay, under 60K, one owner, WS6, T-tops and... a factory L98 car (8th digit is an 8) and had to bid! I won her for $2550. I think this car has the potential to appreciate in value over the coming years. What do you guys think about price and collectibility (is that a word?) of this car?
Not many regular TAs were produced in 89 and I'm betting precious few of them got the L98 option. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the deal and can't wait to see her in my garage.
Not many regular TAs were produced in 89 and I'm betting precious few of them got the L98 option. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the deal and can't wait to see her in my garage.
Welcome back to third gen ownership.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Although most people are looking for a GTA, a T-top 350 Trans Am should be respectable as far as collectability.
Personally I would perfer a Formula 350 with T-tops but thats me. Its hard to really say which car will have the most value in the future.
What might hurt the Trans AM is the fact that I believe it will have the 2.73 gear not the 3.27 gear that all GTA's and Formuals had with the 350. Beyond that the car is almost identical to a GTA. You could get almost every option on a Trans AM as you could get on a GTA.
If you look at performance in 1989:
TTA - ***** stars
FORMULA - **** stars
GTA - *** 1/2 stars
Trans AM *** stars.
If you look at options:
GTA & TTA - ***** stars
Trans Am - **** stars
Formula - *** stars
A 1LE car is ***** stars because its a no option car, and it has the larger brakes.
Asthetically speaking everyone likes a different car, some like CAmaro's some like Trans AM's or GTA's and some like Formulas. It would really depend on the person when you go to sell it. I personally like the looks of the Formula, just because its a no nonsense performer, and I think of the ground effects as gaudy. But thats me, and I would go out seeking a GTA or Trans AM unless it was a TTA, as I want a Buick powered F-body.
John
Personally I would perfer a Formula 350 with T-tops but thats me. Its hard to really say which car will have the most value in the future.
What might hurt the Trans AM is the fact that I believe it will have the 2.73 gear not the 3.27 gear that all GTA's and Formuals had with the 350. Beyond that the car is almost identical to a GTA. You could get almost every option on a Trans AM as you could get on a GTA.
If you look at performance in 1989:
TTA - ***** stars
FORMULA - **** stars
GTA - *** 1/2 stars
Trans AM *** stars.
If you look at options:
GTA & TTA - ***** stars
Trans Am - **** stars
Formula - *** stars
A 1LE car is ***** stars because its a no option car, and it has the larger brakes.
Asthetically speaking everyone likes a different car, some like CAmaro's some like Trans AM's or GTA's and some like Formulas. It would really depend on the person when you go to sell it. I personally like the looks of the Formula, just because its a no nonsense performer, and I think of the ground effects as gaudy. But thats me, and I would go out seeking a GTA or Trans AM unless it was a TTA, as I want a Buick powered F-body.
John
Thanks for the comments guys.
John, while I like Formulas (would love to have a yellow TPI), they have always been at the bottom in terms of desirablity and resell value. I don't know why that is but it seems to work that way. I too like the no nonsense perfromance you get but I also like the "gaudy" TA & GTA ground effects (especially when they are the same as the body color).
I'll post a few pics when the car comes in.
John, while I like Formulas (would love to have a yellow TPI), they have always been at the bottom in terms of desirablity and resell value. I don't know why that is but it seems to work that way. I too like the no nonsense perfromance you get but I also like the "gaudy" TA & GTA ground effects (especially when they are the same as the body color).
I'll post a few pics when the car comes in.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 197
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Originally posted by TA76
Thanks for the comments guys.
John, while I like Formulas (would love to have a yellow TPI), they have always been at the bottom in terms of desirablity and resell value. I don't know why that is but it seems to work that way. I too like the no nonsense perfromance you get but I also like the "gaudy" TA & GTA ground effects (especially when they are the same as the body color).
I'll post a few pics when the car comes in.
Thanks for the comments guys.
John, while I like Formulas (would love to have a yellow TPI), they have always been at the bottom in terms of desirablity and resell value. I don't know why that is but it seems to work that way. I too like the no nonsense perfromance you get but I also like the "gaudy" TA & GTA ground effects (especially when they are the same as the body color).
I'll post a few pics when the car comes in.
Unfortunately even though a Formula will out perform an otherwise identical Trans Am or GTA for the same year. IE a 350 Formula will outperform an equally equiped 350 GTA from 89. The extra performance is not particularly significant... I prefer the looks of them tho...
You mean a yellow one like mine? I got 2
John
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,374
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From: Kingman, AZ
Too bad they didn't put a Buick V-6 Turbo into a Formula!
It would have been nice to see a stripped down (no options at all)model run.
Kinda sad, since almost always, the Formula had the same engine as the Trans Am.
John, you should do a conversion!
In yellow!
George
It would have been nice to see a stripped down (no options at all)model run.
Kinda sad, since almost always, the Formula had the same engine as the Trans Am.
John, you should do a conversion!
In yellow!
George
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 197
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Originally posted by Mr. TurboTA
Too bad they didn't put a Buick V-6 Turbo into a Formula!
It would have been nice to see a stripped down (no options at all)model run.
Kinda sad, since almost always, the Formula had the same engine as the Trans Am.
John, you should do a conversion!
In yellow!
George
Too bad they didn't put a Buick V-6 Turbo into a Formula!
It would have been nice to see a stripped down (no options at all)model run.
Kinda sad, since almost always, the Formula had the same engine as the Trans Am.
John, you should do a conversion!
In yellow!
George
John
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,467
Likes: 7
From: MA, USA
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Great buy for the price! But I hope you didn't buy it just for the collectibility... as these cars aren't going to be all that collectibe for many years (if they are ever as rare as the 60's/70's muscle cars!)
Well, I'm still thirdgenless. I had the car inspected (smart move) before finishing the deal. It did not run, was advertised to run and drive anywhere. The interior was shot, thanks to sitting out in the FL sun for years. The inspector was pretty sure the mileage was correct but this car had all kind of issues not divulged. Oh well, I'll keep looking... 