GasMask52

I always loved Pontiac Firebirds and blah blah , you know , usual stuff.

Found one for 7650$ , the guy said it's a 1989 firebird with the 3.1 V6 engine , external , internal and mechanical parts are in excellent conditions and the car performed 50.000 miles ... , at least that's what he wrote...

Point is , I did a lot of research and I didn't find a lot about the 1989 3.1 V6 firebird...

What do you guys think about it?
What should I check when I'll see it?
Does anyone own this exact same model ?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Just a V6 Firebird. The ground effects package was available with the base Firebird in the late 80's, similar to how the Camaro RS got ground effects to resemble the IrocZ. The Firebird in the photos has had the tail lights changed, they came with the base Firebird/Formula style lights originally.

Aside from the ground effects, everything else about the car is the same as a base model Firebird. The 3.1L is anemic and sluggish, but the gearing somewhat makes up for the lack of power. From a dead stop to about 55mph performance is comparable to the 305 TBI (not great). Gas mileage is nothing special either. They're relatively dependable if that matters.

I drove a 3.1 Firebird as a daily driver for roughly 7 years. It wasn't exciting or glamorous, the lack of performance was hard to ignore. I couldn't give the thing away. Ended up doing nearly exactly that, sold it to some guy for $1500 and threw in a pretty nice stereo to sweeten the deal.

$7500 is highway robbery for a V6 base model. Should be able to get into a real Trans am with a V8 for that kind of money. I'd suggest test driving a few different cars before you buy, because you'll feel the difference between a V6 and a 350 TPI car and the price difference usually isn't much. Abandon any thoughts of upgrading a V6 to a V8 now. There is more different between a V6 and V8 car than what they have in common.

Vanilla Ice

Doesn't look like it's in America. And that car is possibly worth that much here.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Yup, just a Plain Jane, low-option Firebird. Very common in the US.

Looks to be in good shape, clean, not much wear; maybe not too many miles/km but that would have to be verified.

Appears to be in south/east Italy? *Suddenly*

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Maybe they are worth that much in Italy. Here, it'd be like paying $2950 for the car and $4700 for the wheel/tire combo.

3rdgenparts

iTrader: (8)

Are you sure its an 89 ?? I ask cause that red car has a driver airbag and those didn't come out until 1990 Model year. Or possibly 89's had them for export ??

And as mentioned has the T/A taillights but if its a GM EXPORT option car it could be correct. Past 15 years dealing with these cars and international customers, Have seen Loaded TPI Trans am's and GTA's with the base model lights and Base Firebird's with T/A lights. weird stuff for sure

I would have that car checked out make sure 100% what year it is(You can post VIN hear) and make sure it hasn't been in any wrecks or accidents


Dave

paulo57509

I believe the car is somewhere in Italy. At least the photos were taken there.

NCC-2569

iTrader: (1)

Those pics are from Italy, yes. And these cars are rare down there, so they are indeed so expensive.
I can't recall having seen a V6 in that body around Germany before. Usually we get the banshee facelift models and the 2.8s wearing their old rubber inset bumper dress.

This one's not too shabby from the pics, just the tail light center piece seems to be from a base bird, or as you guys have said, the lights themselves have been swapped.

I would assume the rear wing is not the one it originally came with. Probably the old wing rotted out.

Perhaps someone added the ground effects onto a base bird, so yeah, get us the VIN and we can get you more reliable info about that car.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I've never been a fan of the 3.1 Without ever actually looking at advertised numbers, I'd swear my 2.8 was faster. DD'd a 2.8, dated a girl with the 3.1, so plenty of seat time with both.

Regardless, I wouldn't buy it, regardless of price. Unless it tugs on some emotional heartstring or something.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

3.1 is the same motor as the 2.8; in the same way the 305 and 350 are the same. Outside, identical. Inside, different bore and/or stroke. But to the eye, the same. At least going off of what I've seen in pictures: I don't think I've ever seen either one in person. I avoid them altogether.

The 3.1 replaced the 2.8 at some point in the late 80s in these cars, as I understand.

This particular car does appear to have several non-original things installed onto it; wheels & tires of course, exhaust tips, maybe the GFX (not familiar with what combinations of things like that were available for export, as compared to domestic), etc. Doesn't make the car "unusual" or "valuable" IMO. It remains, a low-option car at its core, with a few bolt-on accessories, and in relatively good, clean, well-cared-for, low-mileage condition. I have no clue what the "value" of such a thing is, where the car is; but $7650 doesn't strike me as too terribly far out of line if it's in Europe.

I sure wouldn't get all wound up over the taillights though. And I have to agree w/ Drew about the 6-cyl; to me, that would make the car completely undesirable. But that's just me. Personal opinion.

redneckjoe

did the door handles and locks come painted red from the factory? maybe it's been re-painted?

sonjaab

Its prob. a repaint.
The handles should be black.

GasMask52

Thanks for the answers everyone , I'll do some more research

GTA1990

iTrader: (1)

a TBI formula with around 150k on the clock recently went for a little over 4k (GBP) in the UK. These cars are valued a bit more in Europe. Auction FYI:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2528550316...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I'm seeing fewer and fewer for sale over here and lower end models starting to fetch more cash. Still, 7.5K Euros seems a bit steep for the red V6.

I get the feeling there is more relatively reasonably priced cars in the UK compared to continental Europe and without any punitive taxes whilst we're still in the EU. Maybe something to consider if not already...

hold out for a 5.7 TPI or '88 and up LB9 5 speed. These are the hottest of the 'normal' (non TTA, firehawk) thirdgen's and still not fast by today's standards. Anything else will be just as rattly, poorly built and then also gutless

GasMask52

Ok I found out what model it is ,
just a 3.1 V6 1990 firebird , NOT from '89 like the guy that's selling it said...

This was actually the last good looking firebird for me...

Since they ruined the looks in the 1991+ models... hate that "new" nose of theirs

3rdgenparts

iTrader: (8)

Figured it was a '90 model with that DS airbag


I know its $$$ But have you ever consider getting a car from the US ??? Atleast the car YOU want ??

Dave

GasMask52

Yeah I thought about it , and I quickly found different intresting deals , but it will be an insane amount of money for expedition , registration and there's more aswell ...

The minimum price of a V8 firebird here is like 16496,25 $

Though there's a load of KITT replicas around here , normal trans ams are kinda rare