First off I apologize if this is in the wrong section. I've come across this 1989 Trans am GTA on craigslist. It's red with t-tops, 305 engine, manual transmission. The seller said everything is completely original except for cd player. Has 327500km (ouch) and he said nothing is wrong (no leaking t-tops etc.) He's asking $3500 for it but do you think it's reasonable to talk him down to $2500? mainly because of the high mileage. Here's the link
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...927732716.html
What do you think?

 

That's a pretty nice looking car, assuming the paint job isn't a Maaco quicky. Interior looks alright.

I can see why he's asking $3500, but that mileage does hurt it so I would try to talk him down a bit.

 

Didn't realize a t-top car that had a 5spd came with a 5.7. I don't know much about GTA's though. It does look like a nice car, that has alot of miles on it.

 

There was no 5.7 (350) with the 5speed available in the ThirdGens from the factory. Since this shows a 5speed, it should be the 5.0 (305) unless someone swapped the engine to a 350.

It may be the bad CL pictures, but it appears the steering wheel has no leather.

 

That's what I was thinking, I just couldn't say for sure. It's still a super clean car that I would love to own, haha.

 

I wouldn't pay 3500 for it, unless it really has the 5.7 in it. And I think that's unlikely b/c of that 5-speed that never came with the 5.7. BUT, it is always possible. And if it really is a 350 in there, then more than likely the engine has less miles on it then the odometer says. or maybe they swapped in the manual tranny? But I don't think that's as likely. I wouldn't pay more than 2k for that car if it only has the 5.0 with that kind of mileage. just my

 

I phoned the owner and he said that it is the 305 engine. Have no idea why he put 5.7L in the ad. So a reasonable offer would be 2k?

 

I would take it for a ride and see how it runs. If it runs good, buy it. It's rare to find a 5-speed GTA. I know of several 305 5-speed cars beating 350 cars in drag races. Offer 3k and see what happens.

 

I'll make a starting offer of $2300 and see where it goes from there

 

Wow it looks really nice. I would try to get it if it were me.

 

If everything checks out I would at least try and talk him down to $3000. Looks like a nice ride.

 

It does, but my concern is the really high mileage

 

It's definitely something to think about. But with any 25+ year old car you almost have to take the millage with a grain of salt. And now a days any third gen with low miles you can expect it to be worth 10k or more. As long as it's in good mechanical condition that's all I would be concerned about. And you should be able to use that fact to bring the price down a couple hundred dollars. My '86 had 340 000 KM's on it so don't make me feel like I made a mistake.

 

I saw this on vancouver craigslist a couple weeks ago, looks pretty badass, I would go for it.

 

I agree that $2300 is a fair starting point. If the car did a lot of commuting over distance, that mileage adds up in a hurry and it if is mostly highway mileage, not a concern. The V6/5-speed combos I've had have all easily done up to 450,000+ km with no issues. Having said that, I would be curious as to if the numbers in fact do match as I have an '84 T/A that I know does not have the original engine and it "only" has 264,000 km on it.

Back to the top, I love the car, I love the colour, I love the interior - too bad the dash isn't digital LOL. So, $2300 is a good starting point.

 

3500 is not bad for a manual GTA with t-tops miles dont matter to me but rust does with that many km the car was most likely driven all year round check the undercarrage and get a friend that lives in the south that can go to pick n pull and get you bolts and nuts that you have to cut off when you do any work under the car.

 

Lots of good advice here. Mileage is not a problem, mechanical repairs are just part of life with an old car. The biggest potential problem is rust. If it's completely rust free it's worth the $3500.

Looks like a real GTA, not sure if you can prove it by the Y84 code on the SPID. 305 manual GTA is rare because 350 auto was standard equipment. With T top even more so, only about 25% of GTA's were T top. No digital dash option available, 1988 was last year for that.

Ask if the guy has the original radio. They are specific to steering wheel radio cars, and they are hard to find. The only other thing that pops out is that stupid alarm light the guy drilled into the 5 speed shifter plate (which are also hard to find). Check that everything electrical works, those alarm installs usually cause more problems than they solve.

Good luck!

 

I agree with the alarm issue mine had an alarm took me all day to remove and re solder the connections.

 

Are the alarms aftermarket?

 

mine was but never got the remote so i never was able to see if it works.

 

I called him again and offered him some prices but he won't go under 3k, Looks like I have some saving up to do

 

You should go look at it before offering him money. who know what it looks like under the car.

 

I agree but he lives quite far away from me so I would rather have all the money with me so I don't have to make two trips

 

That is a super clean GTA for that kind of KM's on the Odometer. It appears to be a very well maintained car from the pix.

The LB9/M5 combination is a desired combination, make no mistake, I sought high and low for one for years for my wife... now I have two. Some years there was only two ways to get a GTA, with the L98/A4 and LB9/M5...

John

 

Some days I wish I had a manual gta with t-tops I love t-tops

 

Eh... T-tops... get thyself a GTA LB9/M5 Convertible

 

I had the equivalent in a regular TA...it was a blast. However, I will say, I do prefer the L98/A4 combo of my IROC. Planting your foot and feeling that quick downshift and the rush of torque is actually more intoxicating to me than rowing my own gears with less power...

 

it would be nice to have both.