History / Originality Got a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!

buying a car question.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 29, 2014 | 09:15 PM
  #1  
ssj2link's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Boynton
Car: 2000 Trans am vert 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7/5.0
Transmission: T56/700R4
buying a car question.

Looking at an 89 gta all original with 67k on the clock.
Good points:
All original
Leather interior
350 tpi
Hardtop ( I live where it rains all the time )
New fuel pump
New calipers
Complete tune up

Now for the bad:
Car has been sitting for 8 years ( just recently started for the first time a few months ago )
Needs new tires ( given )
Needs paint, its all faded.

All in all it appears to be a nice solid car. The owner wants 4000 and wont really budge from the price. What are your opinions. The car is over an hour away from me so I dont wanna go back and forth alot
Reply
Old May 29, 2014 | 10:34 PM
  #2  
red rock's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 5
From: WI.
Car: 1987 iroc
Engine: 383 TPIS intake, Dyno Don headers
Transmission: 700R4 w/Pro-built Auto/transgo 2-3
Axle/Gears: 3.27/3.70 borg warner 9 bolt
Re: buying a car question.

I just told another member here the other day, "when you find and buy the right car, that's the car meant for you." If you are thinking wishy washy on this car, don't buy it.
Reply
Old May 29, 2014 | 10:39 PM
  #3  
ssj2link's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Boynton
Car: 2000 Trans am vert 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7/5.0
Transmission: T56/700R4
Re: buying a car question.

well its not that as i want to know if its a fair price.
Reply
Old May 29, 2014 | 11:12 PM
  #4  
red rock's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 5
From: WI.
Car: 1987 iroc
Engine: 383 TPIS intake, Dyno Don headers
Transmission: 700R4 w/Pro-built Auto/transgo 2-3
Axle/Gears: 3.27/3.70 borg warner 9 bolt
Re: buying a car question.

Without looking at it myself, i can't say. A car that's been sitting 8 years is going to have some issue's beside's needing paint and tires.
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 06:56 AM
  #5  
RedLeader289's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 158
From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: buying a car question.

Ya gotta wonder what made it sit for 8 years. Really need some pics before you could say anything, and a test drive.
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 07:45 AM
  #6  
ssj2link's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Boynton
Car: 2000 Trans am vert 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7/5.0
Transmission: T56/700R4
Re: buying a car question.

Well from the story, the car was the owners father, bought it in 92 parked it in the garage 8 years ago due to not being able to drive it anymore ( old man is what I was told ). Since then the son bought it and has changed all fluids and all rubber parts, except for the tires. I think I'm gonna check it out today. See if I can't come to any conclusion and try and get pics.
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 07:47 AM
  #7  
ssj2link's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Boynton
Car: 2000 Trans am vert 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7/5.0
Transmission: T56/700R4
Re: buying a car question.

Here is the original ad
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/4466388758.html
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 07:51 AM
  #8  
RedLeader289's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 158
From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: buying a car question.

Looks like it could possibly be a pretty good car to me. Be sure to look the thing over for rust
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 09:04 AM
  #9  
FinallyGotMyZ's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Car: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 5.0 L TPI
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: buying a car question.

In my completely uneducated opinion, except for what I know about my own purchase a year ago and looking for similar cars around here for sale for sake of comparison to a year ago, if the car checks out mechanically, I would think $4K would be a great price.
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 09:11 AM
  #10  
Ransford2987's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: Tampa
Car: 1990 IROC-Z/1980 Firebird
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: buying a car question.

Definitely take it for a drive and look for any cracking vacuum lines under the hood. Like RedLeader said, look for rust too. Other than that, it seems to be a nice car. With him doing all that work first, even if it needs a little extra, it's probably still a solid car. Check the SPID to make sure the proper RPO codes are there. If everything works like it says in the ad, you probably won't be able to talk him down much. I'd probably offer him 3500 just to see if he'd take it. If not, I wouldn't mind going to the 4k mark. JMO. Good luck
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 09:51 AM
  #11  
lonestar7's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Car: 1988 Firbird formula 350
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Nine Bolt
Re: buying a car question.

If the car is as represented by the seller, $4k would be a reasonable price. Like other have said, check it over carefully and do a test drive. Looks like the sway bar links were replaced but it's likely the control arm bushings (front and rear) and steering components will need some attention even if the car's been sitting.
Reply
Old May 30, 2014 | 12:29 PM
  #12  
ssj2link's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Boynton
Car: 2000 Trans am vert 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7/5.0
Transmission: T56/700R4
Re: buying a car question.

thank you all very much im gonna try and look at it today if not on monday, wish me luck and ill report back!!!!!
Reply
Old May 31, 2014 | 07:16 AM
  #13  
eseibel67's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 10
From: Kitchener, ON
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: buying a car question.

When it comes to buying I am automatically the pessimistic devil's advocate. Probably because it's the tactic I use to beat the price down.

The chronology of the story I don't like here is the car sits for 8 years, then the old man sells (doensn't gift it) to his son, the son gets it running and immediately puts it up for sale. If the son didn't want it, why did he pay for it in the first place?

It may still be a good deal however, I'm just not up the market.
Reply
Old May 31, 2014 | 07:47 AM
  #14  
OrangeBird's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 801
Car: 1989 Firebird
Re: buying a car question.

.

Last edited by OrangeBird; Feb 10, 2017 at 07:58 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2014 | 11:40 AM
  #15  
ssj2link's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Boynton
Car: 2000 Trans am vert 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7/5.0
Transmission: T56/700R4
Re: buying a car question.

too good to be true, car has been sold. ah well ill keep looking
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2014 | 08:15 PM
  #16  
James Sutton's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 4
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Car: 1991 Camaro RS yellow
Engine: was '91 V6, now '89 5.7/355 TPI
Transmission: 4 speed automatic
Axle/Gears: Moser 3.73 with zexel posi
Re: buying a car question.

Whe restoring, start with the best body you can find; get better results that way.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2014 | 09:25 PM
  #17  
eseibel67's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 10
From: Kitchener, ON
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: buying a car question.

Originally Posted by James Sutton
Whe restoring, start with the best body you can find; get better results that way.
YES YES YES! This is everything. Especially with these types of cars, you can buy a perfectly solid one for a very reasonable price. Why anyone would even entertain the thought of replacing rotted body parts is beyond my comprehension.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Scorched1984
Wheels and Tires
66
Apr 16, 2016 06:56 PM
mustangman65_79
Body
3
Aug 11, 2015 03:17 PM
1992 Trans Am
Suspension and Chassis
1
Aug 9, 2015 04:32 PM
MENINBLK
Transmissions and Drivetrain
6
Aug 5, 2015 11:58 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:59 AM.