Hey guys,

Wasn't sure where to post this kind of question, didn't see any particular forum to post about whether buying this certain Firebird is a good price or not. I am new to the forum, owned a 1991 Firebird a few years back. It went off to the junk yard a year ago and I really miss it so now I'm looking back into getting one.

I looked at this 1992 Pontiac Firebird with a 5.0 V8 on Saturday and the guy wants $3250. Not sure if it's a good deal or not and was looking for input. It only has 68,000 original miles on it and the interior is CLEAN and original. Not a mark anywhere even with original delco stereo. The outside does have some minor issues so it will need to be repainted, also the passenger fender is dented slightly including the flare ground effects up front which is missing. Otherwise though the car runs awesome, strong motor rides good. I want to buy it because of the low miles, clean interior, strong motor and it seems solid. Only I just don't know if it's a good price or not.

Thanks and I apologize if I posted in the wrong forum, I wasn't sure which one to post in.

Steve

 

Price varies from place to place, but ~$3,000 is a fair buy for clean thirdgens. Chances are they aren't going to get any cheaper then they are right now.

 

I'd say try and talk him down to $2500 or so, i got my t/a in near perfect condition with a swapped out motor, new tranny, pretty much new everything except for weatherstripping for $2800. I say i got lucky, but it doesn't hurt to try.

 

Yeah I think its a good deal, I like it because its all original with no modifications. Interior is spotless with original ac delco radio. That's what I want is original. Not to mention 68000 miles is low with original motor.

 

Why talk him down? The car is in great shape according to the original poster, except for a few items. The seller knows of the body damage and knows that his asking price is probably fair for the car. I also find it hard to believe anybody that says they bought a "near perfect" car for $2800. I can guarantee that for $2800, the car was far from perfect! It might have been perfect for you, but generally speaking, perfect is "new".

 

doesnt sound bad, but how bad is the paint and is there any rust under the car on the floors?

and that missing front ground effect piece is going to be a bitch to find.

 

Post some pics and the VIN# for us. Also run a quick carfax/autocheck.

 

Like I said the paint just has some hair line scratches in the hood and a few minor blemishes here and there, with that missing front fender flare ground effects. I would post pics but the owner who posted it on craiglist only posted outside pics and they aren't very good quality. I wish he would've posted some of the interior so you guys could see how clean and original it is. It even still has those cups holders on the door panels that three quarters of these cars are usually missing. Ran the car fax already, everything checked out good.

It is a Florida car so there's not one spot of rust under, on top or inside the car, none at all. I will just have it repainted even though I could probably get away with touch ups but it is an 18 year old paint job after all (the original) most of the time if you take it to a body shope and want them to do particular panels the cost ends up almost adding up to a paint job anyway ya know?

here is the craigslist add for the car, he did originally want $4000 for it so he did drop to $3250. I tried to get him down to $3000 but he told me how so few firebirds are in this good of shape with this amount of miles and originality and he's holding for $3250. Who knows? The car may even be gone by the time I get back on Saturday to buy it.

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/1731532974.html

Steve

 

Please don't think that because a car is a Florida car that they don't rust. There is just as much rust there as in Illinois. The coastal areas, even Ft Myers have rusty cars. I've seen plenty. My uncle used to live in Boca Raton and had a Jaguar that had paint bubbling all over. He is the original owner. He also just got his Ferarri repaired for the same reason. Central lying areas like Orlando are safe from the salt air, but not the coastal areas.

 

Well living in Florida my whole life, I've not seen a car with rust personally. But aside from that even though it is a Florida car and you say that doesn't matter, it is rust free. I checked it out allll over. And I live right on the coast myself.

 

Eh...not to say that I know better than you would, but my work buys TONS of Corvettes from FL that have rust and corrosion issues. Just because it doesn't snow there doesn't mean that you're not prone to rust, the salt in the air down there plays hell on the cars. The steel wheels on my sister's 03 Vibe are COVERED with rust just from the air, and the 01 NHRA Edition T/A that I bought brand new with 300 miles as a dealer transfer from FL was covered in rust on the suspension. Ended up trading it on the 02 I have now just because of that.

I'd give this car's chassis and suspension a thorough look before you assume it's rust-free.

 

A little rust wouldn't bother me honestly, the interior, outer body and engine bay are so clean I don't see how there would even be any rust. I did take a quick look and I noticed the exhaust was not rusted. I think I am going to buy it, I miss my Firebird so I want this one

And I will examine the under body more carefully though before I do buy it for sure. Appreciate all the helpful advice.

 

Ended up buying this car, it's actually a 1991. Already found a missing front fender flare GFX for it. The car is sooo clean though! The motor for the trunk closing even still works, tell me how many of those motors still work in 3rd gen cars? I'm very happy!

Bottom of car is very clean too, rust free!

 

thats awesome=] i say as long as you like the car it was a great buy. how long was it sitting without being started? original engine? trans?

 

Yep original 305, only 68,000 miles on the entire car including engine and transmission. It's so smooth! And it was started at least once per week according to the seller. So yeah I'm definitely happy!