Hey, I'm going to look at (and drive home if everythings alright ) an 84 Trans Am tomorrow, and I was wondering if there was anything important I should look for?

He said he had to engine rebuilt (It's a 305, not sure how many miles age but he got it done professionally and has the reciepts) and that he had the water pump done with it, put in a new computer, and a few other new things when he had the engine done.

Now I know I should look for the common stuff (wheel well rust, which it has a little, undercarriage rust, the tread left on the tires, etc.), but I was wondering what exactly I should be looking for, I've never owned a 3rd gen before and I'm not aware of the common problems like you guys are.


1) I know I should check the exhaust and make sure it's not burning anything when I start it
2) I know I need to listen to the engine to see how it sounds, make sure its not making any noises that it shouldnt be

Should I try shifting through all the gears on the tranny to make sure its not slipping? I know he'll let me, and I'll have to demand, test driving it before I buy it but I dont know if I will be able to get it into 3rd or 4th (it's automatic, stock 700r4 I believe), it's a pretty populated city area so I dont know what the situation will be like.

Anything yo guys could give me some advice with would be great. I've been saving up for a 3rd gen ever since I turned 16, and I'm putting all my money into this so I just want to make sure I dont overlook or forget to check anything.



Thanks

 

Where are both you and the car located....?

 

Do the t-tops leak? Look at the carpet and rear seats for evidence of water damage.

Open the hood and look at the very edges of it for paint flaking off and see if there is another color beneath - possibly indicating a past accident.

Make sure the accesory key fits the t-top locks and the trunk box lock! It's the key that opens the door - make sure it opens everything else.

Find out if the spare tire is in the trunk. Ask the owner to remove the plastic molding to reveal the spare tire or not.

Take the car for a test drive. Make sure you let it idle for a few moments before actually driving it. While it idles inspect the serpentine belt (does it have one in 84?) to ensure they line up with all pulleys. After an engine replacement, sometimes the pulleys aren't completely seated correctly, leaving part of the belt hanging off the edge of the pulley as it runs.

Inspect all guages and ask if the owner replaced the guages (changed from 85mph to 140mph guage). Sometimes the new guages aren't calibrated correctly giving you false readings.

Do the rear seat belts retract? Are the drain plugs under the rear seats there or just an open hole? Look under the car's floor pans to see.

Will the center console door close?

Sheesh... so much more. Start with that, then during the ride, listen for all the squeaks in the car and decide if you can live with it. Older 3rd gens are really bad with that.

Good luck!