someones selling a "gta" they claim, wondering if anyone knows how to tell with the vin. it's an 88 1G2FW218XJL204673 thanks !

 

nevermind the decoder helped me thanks! i might buy it wish me luck!

 

Hey think 2300 is fair for this?

You asked me this question in PM. I think it would be better to answer it here where the input from other members would be helpful.

I didn't post the link to the ad for the car you sent me in PM so no one could horn in on your "deal" and I also don't want to publicly talk down someone's car that might be a member here. If you want to post a link to the ad or pictures from the ad here that's up to you.

To answer you question. Yes it could be a fair price to the right person. To the wrong person it would be best to pass on this car and spend more money on another car in much better condition to start with.

The right person is someone who is close 50 years old and graduated in late 80's and had a car just like this one or lusted for a car just like this one or has fond memories of their Dad's car just like this and wants one just like it. If you have to hire someone to do all the work this car needs to be right again and have money to burn and are willing to spend it and a black 88 GTA with black interior, digital dash, electronic climate control is exactly what you want then yes it could be a fair price. It could also be a fair price if you can do all the work it will take and have money to burn.

The wrong person is just someone who wants a nice late 80's Firebird/Formula or Trans Am/GTA and it doesn't have to be the exact combination this 88 GTA is. Pass on this one and save up/spend more money on a car in better shape to start with. You are always miles ahead and cheaper in the long run to start off with as nice a car as you can start with that is complete and not been monkeyed with than buying a car for cheap and trying to fix it up nice.

This is just my opinion. I don't know anything about you or what you intend to do with the car. It may be perfect for you and a fair price.

 

Thanks for responding.. i just haven't seen any Gtas in my area especially for this price. He claims it runs, says the previous owner tried to switch from TPI to carburetor so it doesn't run right now because he was in the process of putting a tpi back on it. He says "it was running great before i took the intake off". Also says he's only had it a few months. So its hard to decide. Also i don't know how to do any mechanical work i just really like the 3rd gen style and its a gta. i have till 6pm tomorrow to decide

 

OK this makes it easier now. You ain't married to the idea you have to have a black on black 88 GTA with digital dash and electronic climate control. You don't have any experience working on cars or painting them. You'll have to hire all the work out and that's not cheap and a paint job for sure ain't cheap.

PASS. Spend more money on a much nicer car to start with. You'll be miles ahead and have a much fatter wallet in the end.

 

lol yeah you're probably right. im just gonna keep doing research

 

i asked him if it would be possible to put the intake back on that he said he took off to make it run again. because he told me "it was running great before i took the intake off. so once you get the tpi back on it should be good to go."

 

Only the SPID sheet can confirm the Y84 code for GTA unless you run the vin at a place like Compnine, the VIN alone doesn't distinguish whether it is a GTA or not.

 

If the RPO sticker is missing on the center console like it was on mine try the driver side hatch compartment in the back. Sometimes there is one there. Barring that you have to make an educated guess based on the equipment on the car. Biggest tell tale sign is a GTA has no fender vents. Original fenders should have a Vin sticker on the inside but you have to remove the wheel well dust covers to get a flash light and your head in there to see.

 

It's not a matter of "sometimes". 84-91.5 it's in the center console. 91.5-92 it's in the trunk compartment.

 

What'd I say? 😄 Little Carmine scene just popped in my head reading your reply.