I hope im in the right place, sorry if im not.

So basically what the title says. I know i can get a beat up mustang for that price and im curious what kinda 3rd gen i can get.

think i could find a TPI in the price range of 1500-2500 max?

 

Check the cars for sale section, you would be amazed.

 

Yes, I bought my 88 TA TPI 5 speed for 900 bucks.

 

Awsome deal, I bought my car in sig for $850

 

I have a 1990 RS 305 LO3 TBI Auto I got for $500 - it needed motor mounts, a tranny mount, a tune, and rear shocks.

I have a 1992 RS 305 LO3 TBI Auto I got for $900 - it needed a oil pressure sending unit and a battery.

Of course, both need paint - paint is the worst thing on most of these cars - the other stuff is easy to fix usually.

 

im not gonna worry about paint. I dont expect any good paint when chasing after a car thats 15-20 years old.

 

I bought my 87 formula with 65k for $1000
and my 88 Iroc-z 305tpi for $800

 

Deals are out there, but I think these cars are just starting to get a bit more expensive.

I bought my '92 Formula 350 TPI for $2800 back in October, which is just a tad above your $2500 limit. Wouldn't expect to find another one for that money anytime soon...only about 400 made that year with the 350 TPI.

There is a 305 TPI '91 Formula with 5 speed in NY right now, here's the link to the ad on this site:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cars...d-formula.html

Car is gorgeous, has minor body damage, and is just above your limit ($2900). Great car and price, IMO...way sweeter than any Mustang

Keep us posted with your search.

 

yes you can find them, but they are going to get really unusual soon.

Could you find a beat to heck TPI car for $1000, sure, from what I have seen sometimes they dont run, have a bunch of problems, and the interior is shot or there rusted out...

A local guy sold a 1987 Red Formula 350 that was trashed for $1500 not too long ago. Keep in mind that a running L98 complete with wiring harness and ECM is worth about $1000...

The new rule of thumb is any car that runs is worth $1000 at least around here.

John

 

Cheap thirdgens are everywhere.

Buy as nice as you can afford in the first place as it will save u money down the road.

I have alot of beaten but not dead 350 cars out here for $2k-<$4k

Non TPI cars are even stupid cheaper, including 91-92.

I wont even get into the carbed(non HO) or 6 cyl cars lol

It wont last forever, but there are still tons out there.

later
Jeremy

 

not to bring my own thread off topic, but my buddy spent 4800 for a carbed 5spd 3rd gen LOL

granted it had like 70k original miles

 

I think your geographic location will have a major impact on what your money gets you.

Down south, apparently rust-free thirdgens grow on trees, and nobody pays more than $1k for a show winning garage queen. Up north, we aren't so lucky. I paid a grand for my IROC and it was absolutely beat to death, but was rust free. Around here, it's very uncommon to find a rust free car that's affordable, because if it's a no-winters car, it's probably been very well maintained and is worth a lot of money. If it was somebody's beater or daily driver, by now it's a rust bucket.

People's opinion of what makes a good car also plays a big role. Often I see somebody brag about their great car that they paid virtually nothing for, but their picture from 50' away doesn't even begin to show what kind of bondo trap the car really is. I've seen some of these "great deals" in person, and trust me, they got what they paid for.

Unless you really do get lucky, if you're up north, a clean, rust free car that's beat up enough to be affordable isn't an easy thing to find.

 

Im in Ca, rust free is the norm.

Anyways, i might go down and guy an RS if i find one for the right price, then just spend money and do a smog legal TPI swap on it. Maybe save up and cough up the cash for that whole Stand alone Super-Ram kit.

3rd Gens seem to be dime a dozen here, however the amount of them for sale is getting lower and lower.