Hey guys,

Like many of you I love cars. I've got a 2005 Mustang and a 2005 Impala. My first experience with trans ams was obviously Smokey and the Bandit and Kitt from Knight Rider. I'd love to grab a 77/78 Bandit but they are too pricey for me at this point in time. Which brings me to my post. I don't have much hands on experience with the Third Gen Camaros and Firebirds, but I've been thinking about getting one as a bit of a fixer upper to learn about working on cars and also to practice manual driving. (My goal is to get a Dodge Viper one day. Good to proficiently know manual )I was wondering if anyone has some advice on what to look for and what to watch out for. I'm pretty much going to be looking for a 87-92 Firebird (Preferred) or Camaro, V8 (preferred), manual trans, running with no major mechanical issues, body in decent shape, same goes for interior. I have about $2,000 to spend. Do you guys think a car matching this description could be found for 2,000 or below?

I hope to be seriously looking in a short while depending how things go.

I want to thank you in advance for taking the time to read. Hope to speak with some of you on the subject.

Thanks,

BAN-ONE

 

It's entirely possible. I got mine for right at 2k, and Have had it for a few years now. Finding a manual one will drive the price up slightly, but it won't be that much higher if you find a motivated seller in an area where they are less expensive.

Cheers !!

 

We have alot of the 77-78 here in Az For sale for a good price.

 

i picked up my 305 5 speed for 400$ only 120,000 miles , i replaced both doors and fenders and got a new hood and it almost looks as good as new, i only have 800$ invested including the car

 

The problem is I'm not really a mechanic. The only thing car related I can do well is drive them and detail them. I'd love a 77-78 Bandit but I'd probably have to buy one that has already been restored to look like the movie car, which is what I want, and those run about 15-25Gs. Sadly the more i think about now probably isn't the time to bother. I'd need something that really doesn't need work and is in good shape so 2000 ain't gonna cut it for that.

 

Your setting yourself up for a fall here maybe...

Let me point out the fact that, on a manual car, the largest engine option was a 215hp 305 V8 - not alot of excitement there. The reason is because those 5 speed trannies GM used wouldn't handle the power of a 350 motor.

So, if your looking for potential 'go fast' out of the car in the future, you won't see it in a 5 speed car without swapping both motor and tranny.

If your just looking to learn a stick drive, any stick drive car will do - manual is manual is manual - all your doing is teaching your brain to smoothly negotiate your right foot down and your left foot up. Heck, you can get a set of pedals and a wheel for the Xbox/PS3/whatever and learn that.

I guess all I'm saying is, if you want a 3rd gen F body, great - just know that a manual car won't ever have much 'go fast' without major modifying.

 

Oh I fully understand that. I'm not expecting to go really fast nor do I care to. Hell my 05 V6 Mustang will probably beat almost any stock car, minus maybe the GTAs, from this generation of 80s cars. I mainly want to learn manual and I figure since I like the 3rd gen Firebirds, and I don't need a bank loan to get one, I'd go for one of them. When I say I want the V8 I'm fully aware its only the 170 hp 305. But honestly if I could find a really nice manual V6 I'd take that as well. The problem I face is I think I want too much out of the price I can pay at this point.