I would like the opinion from other Formula owners regarding my car.

It was manufactured in Fremont, Ca, therefore a base coat /clear coat paint job. The car is original black and still real shiny, it has never been repainted.

It has 126K miles on it and has not been kept undercover for less than 60 days. It is all original except: alt, complete exhaust, headliner, belts and tires. (??)

However at real closeup the upper surfaces show spots about the size of table top black pepper grains. Repainting would require a new set of decals.

The nose has a few pits and probably could use new paint.

The front and rear bumpers have some cloudy spots and fading and could use new paint.

I don' want a 2K paint job. Got a quote for $200 for each bumper.

Your ideal(s) will be appreciated.

 

Unfortunately if you want to keep your car, or sell the car I would recommend two different things. If your looking to keep the car, because you like it, then paint it, make it as nice as possible. If your looking to sell it to make a buck, then fix the simple things, make it look as nice as possible, many things like the center console fixes can be done for less than $10, but it takes time. I have done that to a few cars that just needed TLC, clean them up make them look as nice as possible, fix those things that have been neglected, and sell them for a profit.

3rd Gens are appreciating, but not on cars that have 100K+ miles. Unless you have a TTA or Firehawk...

 

I am spending nearly $4,000 total repainting my 86 Trans Am...and that was an excellent deal for the work done. Once you add up the cost of replacing the spoiler (be thankful you don't have an '85-'90 car...yours probably looks fine), replacing all the decals, weatherstripping etc. it gets expensive fast. Would I get my money back out of it if I sold it? Maybe...but I'm not selling it.

What John said is accurate...if you want to keep it (I would...Formula 350s, especially '91-'92s, are not common at all), paint it right...but expect to pay more like $3,000, not $2,000...

 

$4000 is a reasonable price for a quality paint job. I have yet to get a quote on my convertible, I am hoping to simply have the places touched that need help (mostly the areas of the ASC conversion)

The Formula 350's for 91 & 92 are quite a catch, I have seen a few, most of them are long gone. I want to think that about 200 for each year were produced with T-tops, so if you have the T-top version that is a huge plus, and definitely worth saving.

John

John

 

1) The paint job itself actually was $3,000. I spent $4,000, all-in, when you factor in the new spoiler ($500), weatherstripping ($250), stripe-kit ($250). Believe me, I know I got an excellent deal.

2) Good luck touching up red I don't think it'll look right unless you repaint the whole car...which I'm sure that car is worth doing. My red 88 TA is almost 3 different shades of red if you look at the car in whole. It was repainted about 10 years ago...over time, the flex additive they put in the bumpers has darkened them a little. The LF fender was backed into with the previous owner, so a new GM fender was put on 2 years ago. Because red naturally darkens slightly as it ages, my LF fender is just barely brighter red than the left door.

So, there you have it...3 subtle yet distinct shades of red on one car. Because a WS6/t-top/stick shift/TPI TA was something I've wanted for years, I am sure I will have it for years to come...I will likely repaint it somday, because while it is gorgeous and could hold its own at a show, it still irritates me

I tried "touching up" my '91 RS, also red...that went so bad, that car got a complete repaint, because again, nothing matched up perfect.

 

You got a great deal at 3K, I am doing mine myself and just in materials I am up to close to $800, add in the new weatherstripping and I will be at $1500 and thats not counting my labor. If you want quality expect to pay for it, if you want a scuff and squirt go to Macco, paint is not cheap.