Hello all, I go by IROCNROLL89, but lost my password.
Anyhow, I have a situation. I am now stationed on OKINAWA, JAPAN. Now in the land of ****, I have found a forgotten soul. This is an 1989 Trans Am. It has a tpi 5.0, A4 and the 2.73 10 bolt.
My situation is this.... I am very versed in the ways of thirdgens, but this one has issues. The owner speaks no english, only to say it has a broken engine. It has sat for at least 2 years. I believe it's "engine" problems may be no more serious than a sensor or 2, because they know nothing about american muscle.
Soooooo the long and short is tommorrow i go to take a hard look at it, and may even buy it for...... $150.00 american!!!!!!!
I welcome all inputs... Thanks it's been a while since I talked to you all, but can't wait to get it the seat again.
shaggy

 

$150 American! Not bad. Keep in mind that you probably won't be stationed there forever, so your going to have to ship it back, if you keep it, when you leave. Also, I'm sure parts arn't very plentiful in Japan either. Still, not a bad deal!

 

parts are not an issue...... napa.com, csk.com etc.....
I will go back to the states 2 times per year. And have plenty of folks to go junkyarding for me. Oh and i can bring it back, or sell here.

 

For that price how could you go wrong? How much would it cost you to get it back to the states when you return, does it have the steering wheel on the PS? That would be neat to have. Either way im sure you could find a replacemnt engine anywhere on the globe used or new.

 

NOPE THE STEEERING IS onn the left.
Free the military will ship it. I gotta go after it. The big bummer is the surface rust in the engine bay here and there from the salty air. I will spend some time in the body forum i suppose. The actual body is sweet,a dn so is the undercarriage. But hell there is like only 12 -20 thirdgens here. Everyone has a skyline/ supra, but damn I will have a thirdgen. shaggy

 

Get is. Diagnose it. We'll be here to help you get it running.

 

Hey man, you got an Okinawa related PM.

 

ok i just got back from buying the car for 200,000 yen...... about 175.00 american.
The guy says, okninawan, that it may be a head gasket. He says may have overheated. This ride has less than 30,000km on it, and has not run/been registered in 6 years. The interior is mint, as is the body. There are areas around the tops that show rust, and the engine bay needs help, but DAMN could I be more hyped up!!!! What do you guys recommend i do first? I have a week before i can get into taking it apart but....
They already have the oil pan retainers/smog pump/and starter off. It appears somone was trying to get into the pan. All engine fluids are removed. Keep an eye out on the body and tech boards, i will be in the mix from her on in. Later shawn

 

IROCNROLL89 is back, and gonna clean okinawa house....... as soon as i get it running!!!!!

 

Just sent you another pm to the A/F name, let me know if you get it or not.

 

just to let you know if you in okinawa as a military member, i was stationed there in 98 to 00. you can have the car shipped free by the military. and if it still has all the american stuff on it your good to go. if you want more info email me and i'll tell you all you want to know.

Nick

 

i have to keep my head on straight.......
I keep hearing these stories about Japanese loving older american sports cars.......
I have heard they will pay alot of money for a clean good running thirdgen!!!!
Huh now what's the price i am willing to part with this one for.
There is an 79 berlinetta over here the owner is selling for 200.00 US.
PCS'SING AND ALL, but the motor is a 70,s 305. UGH!!!
later, and i will definitely chat your ear off. shawn