This is a good example of why to research a car before buying, rather than believing anythign the buyer tells you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...tem=1803911571

Note he says its a 91 Formula 350... then note its a base model Firebird with the aero package, and the VIN says its an L03.

This is a perfect example of someone who doesn't know what the hell they're selling, or if he does he's trying to get more $$$ out of the car by misrepresenting it.

 

Well I just sent him this email:

Got a few questions:

1.If the car is a 350 formula why is the 8th didgit in the VIN an E which means the car originally came with a T.B.I. 305

2. Why does the car have ground effects? Formulas came from the factory without them.

3. What happened to the rear spoiler. Formulas had the wrap around aero spoiler like the Trans Ams.

4. What happened to the 16 inch Formula wheels?

5. Why is there a FIREBIRD emblem on the fender?

If there are specific reasons for these problems, I'd like to hear it.

If you don't and need help identifying exactly what you have I suggest you visit

www.thirdgen.org

www.sethirdgen.org

the people there would be glad to help you out.

If you are trying to rip someone off then you should be arrested.

Thank You,

Bill Tyler


I'm interested to see his reply.

I've seen this on ebay several times, I even saw an original 1992 TA with a V6 one day.

 

Well I got his reply....

Sorry buddy, I just go by what the title/insurance forms say. Upon further
research, it appears that the previous owner before me had put on a Formula
package or somthing. I have a mechanic at the pontiac dealership look at the
engine, and it is indeed a 350. Look at the insurance form and title for more
information.

Now you go to jail.


He sent me a scan of the title and his insurance form, they both list the car as a Formula.

 

..

 

Yea, I emailed this kid about 4 days ago about it and he was sure it was a formula and a 350. He send me the title and insurance scans and I told him that it's just an insurance thing, the way they list firebird/for. He also said that the guy before him might have put in a 350 because he "knows" the same kind of engine went in as what he had. Still don't know how you can tell the difference between a 305 and 350 just by looking at it as the mechanic did though.

 

Insurance forms mean nothing since the VIN doesn't designate the model. Give any insurance company a Firebird VIN and they'll enter it in, and ask if its a Firebird, formula, or trans am...

I don't see anything on the title that shows the car is a formula.

 

the VIN on that title scan shows its a firebird with the 5th digit as an "S" formula and trans am were "W"s chevy was "P"

 

Not to step on your toes, there is some bad info on the internet, the Formula was a Firebird, with the "S" in the VIN, the Trans AM & GTA were "W". The reason the T/A & GTA were given a different Vin designation is because GM pays "Trans Am" $5.00 for every car that gets the name.

There is NO way to tell a V8 Firebird from a Fomula by the VIN from 87-92.

John

 

I was looking at the title, does the Milage say 160,712 or is that something else?
I thought he said 30,000 on e-bay... Hmmm

Also read where he states that the actual miles are not known...

And where exactly does it say "FORMULA" I see "FBF" which meas absolutely NOTHING

Sumptins fishy...

John

 

ouch my toes lol thats where i got it from alright ... the internet so sorry for the bad info... i will go over there and sit in the corner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> rats
thank you for clearing that up
once again sorry...

 

no problem, I think you probably have seen a vin breakdown that was incorrect. I have seen it too, and when I bought my car I was concerned that my car was not a Formula untill I noticed that all my body panels matched my VIN, thats how I knew.

Its an honest mistake...

John

 

He just emailed me about 12 pictures of the car with new information saying this time the body has 140000 original miles. The engine has been replaced. Looks like an LO3 to me and I don't buy the "it's a 350" for a second. He thought it was a formula because of the way it's listed on his insurance form which I've seen because he emailed a copy to me. It's listed as a "FIREBIRD/FOR" so he took for granted it was a formula. He's just very ignorant about his car.

 

Yeah he just sent me the same email.....that is the nasty engine I've ever seen...not to mention just about every panel is dented.

The guy just has no idea what the car is and is selling it as what he believes, sad really. He thinks someone put the GFX and flat spiler on it.

 

"0-60 in 5.9 seconds" :sillylol:

You'd need a calendar to measure the 0-60 in that thing!