I am writing for some advice from whoever has it for me!
Here is the question....
I have a 1988 TransAm GTA in which I purchased for 1100.00. The car was purchased in Georgia and lived there for 22 years and never saw salt or snow.
The last two years it was garaged in another state and never driven.
It has 205K miles on it and was a one owner car in which the lady who owned it took spectacular care of it.
It burns very little oil, body is in excellent shape except for a few little dents in the hood. The paint looks great and when I waxed it, returned pretty much to it's original color.
The spoiler needs to be replaced or repaired..
The front seats need to be redone, power antenna replaced, radio now works, the power windows are both slow going up and down.
It has the normal things which need replacing at this age and mileage.
Okay, here is the question...
I do plan on keeping whichever car I purchase...
If I do all this work on this car, along with eventually rebuilding the engine or do I go out and purchase one, a later year Trans Am with less mileage and less work to be done?
My husband says, go out and buy one which doesn't really help me too much... lol !
I love this older TransAm but am a bit hesitant to put the money into this one if it isn't worth it.
I do plan on keeping it and driving this car or the one I purchase until death do us part! LOL!

 

GTA are pretty sought after cars and the 85-89 cars seem to be the most popular. As long as the car is in good shape and not rusting or anything i would go for it. The things you described that may need fixing are really nothing at all. When it comes to the motor i would personally rebuild it rather than replace it to keep things original. If you do decide to sell it ill pay more than what you did for it.

 

Hey Adrenaline 1,
That is kind of what I was thinking.. to keep it and keep her all original.
That way I would know what I had for the lady who owned it didn't abuse it in any way so I know what I am starting with, an excellent body along with an engine that I know once the rebuild is done, I will have something decent.
Thanks for responding with the great advice for I am taking it.
Thank You!

Judy T.

 

Those power windows will probably benefit from having each individual track removed, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled one at a time. You will also want to make sure each of the track wheels turns freely on their shafts when you remove each track. Sometimes they bind pretty bad. Also check to make sure you're getting full battery voltage at the motors when you hit the switches.

You're not going to find a later model car with less miles on it for less than what you'll pay to either have the engine rebuilt or do it yourself... Better off keeping what you have and staying numbers-matching until such a time as you want more power (if and when).

 

If you fix what needs fixing and then take good care of it, that car will last you a lifetime. Go for it!!

 

Thanks for all the great advice! No problem with fixing her up and taking good care of her, she gets wonderful care, stays garaged all year round and is in the process of Princess making new seats for her.

 

they are very nice cars and fast depending on your motor but if u need a new engine id defiantly put an older engine in that way u don't have all the electronic problems and harness etc to mess with. i have a 89 fire bird 2.8 v6 special addition all white just replaced the whole fuel system and if you ever have a problem with ur car check the pick up coil first before searching for everything else found this out the hard way and put 500$ into it before i found the real problem it was a 15$ park and some spark plugs but i would defiantly go with older engine and less miles..

 

Thanks for your advice! Well, I am selling this one for I bought a 94 Yellow Firehawk and this one doesn't need anything at all, just drive it and enjoy it!
I am not real handy at doing work myself so I had to make the choice.

Judy T.

 

You know, the thing is, you should get the one you like the best to look at.

The resale is not going to be any more for a 4th gen than it will be for a 3rd gen. They are already commanding nearly the same prices in my area down in Central Florida, when you compare them by the shape they are in and mileage.

Everything that you have to do to that GTA, you'll have to do to your 4th gen as well, eventually, if you plan on keeping it forever.

So pick the one you like driving the best, and sell the other one! Happy Motoring!

 

A guy has an 87 gta for sale in my neighborhood (MN, which ain't too far from WI) with a 406/t56 built up by TPIS. I think he's asking 6,800 i almost thought about buying his gta, they selling my + parts.