Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
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From: CT
Car: 1985 Corvette/Searching For F-body
Engine: 350 TPI/????
Transmission: 4+3 Manual/????
Axle/Gears: 3.23/????
Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
Oh well guess the car sold, guess I have to keep looking
Last edited by gkrynick22; Aug 28, 2010 at 12:52 PM.
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From: Goodland, IN
Car: 1992 Pontiac Firebird Convertible
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
Hey everybody! I was here for a little while when I had my 92 RS. Sold that because wife got mad about dumping money into a car that I couldn't drive (didn't run very well). I sold that and bought a 94 Pontiac Trans Am. Loved that car but really needed a stick. So I sold that and bought an 1985 Corvette 4+3 with 36,000 miles. I really love this car too, but I need something that I can throw mods at and not worry about killing(definatly keeping the Vette). I have been searching craigslist for something that I can drive right away and down the road slowly convert it into a track car. I found this....
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1907416496.html
and it has everythink I want. Hardtop for stability, Auto(because I hear that built auto's make the best track cars), and 350 TPI (good power until i pop a 383 into it). I am on Vacation for another 2 weeks and i figured I would get some imput before I get home. I figure I will go over and drop down $3000 cash and see what he says. Tell me what you think. To much money? Would a 90-92 be better? I would love some imput whether it is good or bad.
I am pretty sure I started this thread in the right place, if I didn't please move it. 
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1907416496.html
and it has everythink I want. Hardtop for stability, Auto(because I hear that built auto's make the best track cars), and 350 TPI (good power until i pop a 383 into it). I am on Vacation for another 2 weeks and i figured I would get some imput before I get home. I figure I will go over and drop down $3000 cash and see what he says. Tell me what you think. To much money? Would a 90-92 be better? I would love some imput whether it is good or bad.
I am pretty sure I started this thread in the right place, if I didn't please move it. Thread Starter
Junior Member
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 46
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From: CT
Car: 1985 Corvette/Searching For F-body
Engine: 350 TPI/????
Transmission: 4+3 Manual/????
Axle/Gears: 3.23/????
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
I am going to call and ask about it tomorrow. It looks like a really nice car. Then again we all know pics can lie! I have a little more cash to play with but you have to start somewhere. So the digi dash is rare huh? I love the ram air look. How often is this functional?
Member
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Goodland, IN
Car: 1992 Pontiac Firebird Convertible
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
I am going to call and ask about it tomorrow. It looks like a really nice car. Then again we all know pics can lie! I have a little more cash to play with but you have to start somewhere. So the digi dash is rare huh? I love the ram air look. How often is this functional?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 46
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From: CT
Car: 1985 Corvette/Searching For F-body
Engine: 350 TPI/????
Transmission: 4+3 Manual/????
Axle/Gears: 3.23/????
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
The Good: The interior is in amazing condition (so he says ). The leather is not worn or ripped. Car is really a GTA and WS6 (he sent me a pic of the RPO codes). The Ram Air Hood, although after-market is functional! The car is a 5.7L TPI. The car has the 3.23 gear ratio (GW6) and Posi
(G80). He says car runs really smooth even at 80 with no rattles (probably due to the stability of the hardtop).The Bad: Car is a complete repaint. Only one headlight goes up. Car is missing GTA badges. Carfax states car once had 101,000 miles, but no accidents. Exhaust manifold gaskets need replacing.
The repaint doesn't really bother me since most of these cars have had paint some point in their lives. Exhaust gaskets = easy. Miles don't really bother me. I figured at his price it was not a true 60,000 mile all original car anyway. He is supposed to send me a bunch of pics tomorrow. I really can't wait to get back from vaca to take this sucker for a drive!
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 212
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From: Goodland, IN
Car: 1992 Pontiac Firebird Convertible
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
I called the owner today and here is what I found out.
The Good: The interior is in amazing condition (so he says ). The leather is not worn or ripped. Car is really a GTA and WS6 (he sent me a pic of the RPO codes). The Ram Air Hood, although after-market is functional! The car is a 5.7L TPI. The car has the 3.23 gear ratio (GW6) and Posi (G80). He says car runs really smooth even at 80 with no rattles (probably due to the stability of the hardtop).
The Bad: Car is a complete repaint. Only one headlight goes up. Car is missing GTA badges. Carfax states car once had 101,000 miles, but no accidents. Exhaust manifold gaskets need replacing.
The repaint doesn't really bother me since most of these cars have had paint some point in their lives. Exhaust gaskets = easy. Miles don't really bother me. I figured at his price it was not a true 60,000 mile all original car anyway. He is supposed to send me a bunch of pics tomorrow. I really can't wait to get back from vaca to take this sucker for a drive!
The Good: The interior is in amazing condition (so he says ). The leather is not worn or ripped. Car is really a GTA and WS6 (he sent me a pic of the RPO codes). The Ram Air Hood, although after-market is functional! The car is a 5.7L TPI. The car has the 3.23 gear ratio (GW6) and Posi
(G80). He says car runs really smooth even at 80 with no rattles (probably due to the stability of the hardtop).The Bad: Car is a complete repaint. Only one headlight goes up. Car is missing GTA badges. Carfax states car once had 101,000 miles, but no accidents. Exhaust manifold gaskets need replacing.
The repaint doesn't really bother me since most of these cars have had paint some point in their lives. Exhaust gaskets = easy. Miles don't really bother me. I figured at his price it was not a true 60,000 mile all original car anyway. He is supposed to send me a bunch of pics tomorrow. I really can't wait to get back from vaca to take this sucker for a drive!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: CT
Car: 1985 Corvette/Searching For F-body
Engine: 350 TPI/????
Transmission: 4+3 Manual/????
Axle/Gears: 3.23/????
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
That's my plan. I am going to walk away at $4000 though if it gets that high. I haven't decided yet but I think that is going to be my budget on the actual car.
Last edited by gkrynick22; Aug 21, 2010 at 12:50 AM.
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Posts: 432
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From: Long Island, N.Y.
Car: 1986 Camaro Z-28
Engine: Chevy ZZ4
Transmission: Select Built 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser Axles / 3.73 Richmond Gears
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
If it's showing it once had over 100K miles and now it says 60+k you know it's over 100K so how many miles does it really have? That right there would make me wait for something else unless you're ready to pull the drivetrain.
If it's not going to be a DD and if you're planning to rip it apart and make a street/strip car buy the most done car you can afford and build from there, it will save you alot of $$ that way as long as what was already done was done right. I love my car but I started with it stock, had I sold it and bought a done or mostly done car I'd probably have spent half as much and been twice as fast. This is just my opinion on it but it does make sense. Not saying this is great or the one but here's a possible example:
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1894922905.html
If that's too much of a project there's more around, check ebay for ideas of pricing and condition of what's out there before you spend your hard earned money. Take your time and wait for the right one, try not to let your excitement and emotions cloud your judgement and I'm sure you'll find something cool for the right price which is perfect for you. Good Luck!!
If it's not going to be a DD and if you're planning to rip it apart and make a street/strip car buy the most done car you can afford and build from there, it will save you alot of $$ that way as long as what was already done was done right. I love my car but I started with it stock, had I sold it and bought a done or mostly done car I'd probably have spent half as much and been twice as fast. This is just my opinion on it but it does make sense. Not saying this is great or the one but here's a possible example:
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1894922905.html
If that's too much of a project there's more around, check ebay for ideas of pricing and condition of what's out there before you spend your hard earned money. Take your time and wait for the right one, try not to let your excitement and emotions cloud your judgement and I'm sure you'll find something cool for the right price which is perfect for you. Good Luck!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: CT
Car: 1985 Corvette/Searching For F-body
Engine: 350 TPI/????
Transmission: 4+3 Manual/????
Axle/Gears: 3.23/????
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
Thanks ryn28. I am looking for a car that I can do piece by piece my self. This is more of a "learn how to" project. It will be a streetable track car (since I have my 85 Vette to drive around). I don't really care about miles as long as it runs well and looks decent. I will drive it until the winter or something breaks and then start the project. I am looking for a TA, i just prefer the body style. I love the color. I like the factory wing. I do plan on driving the car and checking it thoroughly before making an offer.
This is true and I have considered this, however had you bought the car done you would have missed out on the experience of doing it all yourself. Can you honestly tell me that the experience wasn't well worth it?
I love my car but I started with it stock, had I sold it and bought a done or mostly done car I'd probably have spent half as much and been twice as fast.
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 432
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, N.Y.
Car: 1986 Camaro Z-28
Engine: Chevy ZZ4
Transmission: Select Built 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser Axles / 3.73 Richmond Gears
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
I did learn a lot as a went along and still learning as it's never done so in that respect your right, it was worth it. Money wise maybe not so much but then again I understand what you're saying and it's not all about money. Sounds like you have a good idea of what you want how you want to do it. Since you seemed to like that car I hope it checks out for you and you can get it for the right price. Let us know how it works out.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: CT
Car: 1985 Corvette/Searching For F-body
Engine: 350 TPI/????
Transmission: 4+3 Manual/????
Axle/Gears: 3.23/????
Re: Thinking about getting back into a 3rd gen
I did learn a lot as a went along and still learning as it's never done so in that respect your right, it was worth it. Money wise maybe not so much but then again I understand what you're saying and it's not all about money. Sounds like you have a good idea of what you want how you want to do it. Since you seemed to like that car I hope it checks out for you and you can get it for the right price. Let us know how it works out.
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