Firebird Formula Purchase Worries
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 27
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From: Long Island NY
Firebird Formula Purchase Worries
I have not purchased this 1989 Formula yet but I have registered it so i can drive it first. The car has 102,000 miles in it & has the 305 tpi Engine with 5 Speed. The car is red with black interior. hardtop
Here are the problems:
Door locks need new cylinders
Blue smoke comes out of pipes at startup
Emergency Brake does not work ( Needs Cable )
Factory CD Player does not work
Needs new tires
Radiator has a leak
Small dent on drivers side front about 12 inchs
High Beams switch does not work.
Slight stress cracks on roof about 1/4 inch on both sides.
Clunk in front at times
No rips on interior
*******
Engine runs smooth
A/C Works great
Transmission shifts fine
Interior in good condition
paint still gloss except on spoiler
All gauges work
Power windows/ Locks work good
No rust or rot
The guy wants $1,200.00 for it which was less then the 2,000 he asked for it at first.
Is this still a decent deal inspite of the needed work. What problems should I look for. Please...I know I am a pain but I need help.
Thank You
------------------
chrisandro1@yahoo.com
Here are the problems:
Door locks need new cylinders
Blue smoke comes out of pipes at startup
Emergency Brake does not work ( Needs Cable )
Factory CD Player does not work
Needs new tires
Radiator has a leak
Small dent on drivers side front about 12 inchs
High Beams switch does not work.
Slight stress cracks on roof about 1/4 inch on both sides.
Clunk in front at times
No rips on interior
*******
Engine runs smooth
A/C Works great
Transmission shifts fine
Interior in good condition
paint still gloss except on spoiler
All gauges work
Power windows/ Locks work good
No rust or rot
The guy wants $1,200.00 for it which was less then the 2,000 he asked for it at first.
Is this still a decent deal inspite of the needed work. What problems should I look for. Please...I know I am a pain but I need help.
Thank You
------------------
chrisandro1@yahoo.com
Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, Texas, U.S.A.
Sounds like a lot of problems but htey are all pretty minor, except for that blue smoke at startup, just slap a new set of heads on there and it should be fine, although i thought the tpi f-bodies didnt come with 5-speeds?
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,968
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From: Macedonia ,OH
Car: Formula
Engine: 6.0 LSX
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt 3:27
Sounds like a good buy. All problems are minor. Even the smoke on start up. its the valve seals. When I bought my car at 58,000 miles it was doing it and 10,000 miles later still working good.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,264
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Why are people So scared of this? its anot a big freakin mystery.
Blue smoke at startup = Bald valve stem seals, Almost every SBC on the face of the eart has or has had this problem. It dosent effect anything except oil consumption, and Maybe your ego.
Sounds like an excellent deal to me, Providing you Don't mind Fixing it Up. If your looking for a reliable Car to drive and Not worry about, Id pass, but if your looking For a potentially great, Fun Car, that will take a little knowledge and TLC, Then this looks like a great oppertunity, the price is sure right!
And big Chevy 342, Think before you Go Giving Bad advice, Change the heads ? What the hell are you talking about ?
------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver
Reader's ride -> My Ride
Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype
Blue smoke at startup = Bald valve stem seals, Almost every SBC on the face of the eart has or has had this problem. It dosent effect anything except oil consumption, and Maybe your ego.
Sounds like an excellent deal to me, Providing you Don't mind Fixing it Up. If your looking for a reliable Car to drive and Not worry about, Id pass, but if your looking For a potentially great, Fun Car, that will take a little knowledge and TLC, Then this looks like a great oppertunity, the price is sure right!
And big Chevy 342, Think before you Go Giving Bad advice, Change the heads ? What the hell are you talking about ?
------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver
Reader's ride -> My Ride
Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,197
Likes: 10
From: Manassas VA
Car: 04 GTO
Engine: LS1
Transmission: M12 T56
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by chrisandro:
Here are the problems:
Door locks need new cylinders
---no idea how hard to fix, shouldn't be too bad.
Blue smoke comes out of pipes at startup
---As stated, most lilely just valve seals. Think of it as rust-proofing for the exhaust, lol.
Emergency Brake does not work ( Needs Cable )
---Yeah, and then you find out that the rear disks parking brake jimmies are seized from years of not moving, andthis adds up...
Factory CD Player does not work
---Does this bother you? Unless it has the factory steering wheel controls, no biggie IMO.
Needs new tires
---most cars do when you buy 'em, i'd rather a car need tires than have some cheapos slapped on by a guy trying to sell it so i can run rubber that suits me.
Radiator has a leak
---You might get a way with stop leak. The best thing is to replace it though, wasn't there a post around here just abit ago about $139 autozone replacements?
Small dent on drivers side front about 12 inchs
---this is for you to worry about but doens't sound serious.
High Beams switch does not work.
---go to the tech articles section, macgyver explains how to wire in a floor dimmer, lol.
Slight stress cracks on roof about 1/4 inch on both sides.
---Common enough
Clunk in front at times
---Uh oh, i'd take it to a shop and have it looked over, this could be trivial, or it could turn into an entire front end rebuild and new hard parts ($$$$$).
The guy wants $1,200.00 for it which was less then the 2,000 he asked for it at first.
</font>
Here are the problems:
Door locks need new cylinders
---no idea how hard to fix, shouldn't be too bad.
Blue smoke comes out of pipes at startup
---As stated, most lilely just valve seals. Think of it as rust-proofing for the exhaust, lol.
Emergency Brake does not work ( Needs Cable )
---Yeah, and then you find out that the rear disks parking brake jimmies are seized from years of not moving, andthis adds up...
Factory CD Player does not work
---Does this bother you? Unless it has the factory steering wheel controls, no biggie IMO.
Needs new tires
---most cars do when you buy 'em, i'd rather a car need tires than have some cheapos slapped on by a guy trying to sell it so i can run rubber that suits me.
Radiator has a leak
---You might get a way with stop leak. The best thing is to replace it though, wasn't there a post around here just abit ago about $139 autozone replacements?
Small dent on drivers side front about 12 inchs
---this is for you to worry about but doens't sound serious.
High Beams switch does not work.
---go to the tech articles section, macgyver explains how to wire in a floor dimmer, lol.
Slight stress cracks on roof about 1/4 inch on both sides.
---Common enough
Clunk in front at times
---Uh oh, i'd take it to a shop and have it looked over, this could be trivial, or it could turn into an entire front end rebuild and new hard parts ($$$$$).
The guy wants $1,200.00 for it which was less then the 2,000 he asked for it at first.
</font>
...ed
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ont
That clunk up front is more than likely your upper strut mounts...not too bad to change and you won't even have to get really dirty. If it's that. Judge Dread says bring it to a shop to check out the front end.
[This message has been edited by Steve89GTA (edited May 02, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Steve89GTA (edited May 02, 2001).]
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Thanks for all the info. I took it to my mechanic in the morning & he will check it out by tomorrow for me for anything more. I said there was a clunk in the front but its more of a pop sound but not from the engine from the front end.
I never drove stick before & just learned this week. I learned that if you try to go up hill in 5th gear you dont have much power at all. I dont mind putting money into a classic car ( Well sorta classic ) but I dont want to put money in it every week.
Thanks again!
------------------
chrisandro1@yahoo.com
I never drove stick before & just learned this week. I learned that if you try to go up hill in 5th gear you dont have much power at all. I dont mind putting money into a classic car ( Well sorta classic ) but I dont want to put money in it every week.
Thanks again!
------------------
chrisandro1@yahoo.com
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
I want to fix this car up & keep it pretty much stock thats why I mentioned the factory cd not working. I didnt even know they had in dash cd player for that car. Anyway with its red color, Wide tires & rumbling exaust this car it looks fast without even making a move.
------------------
chrisandro1@yahoo.com
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chrisandro1@yahoo.com
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
Dude, go for it. The 305 5speed cars can run pretty good. Like everyone said, ahve the heads freshened up and forget about the smoking!
------------------
L98, 3.27 9-bolt, Hooker shorty headers, custom 2.5inch Y-pipe, no cat, 3inch 2chamber flowmaster, JET AFPR, Ported MAF, Best ET: 13.86 @100mph. 1.99 60'
17 inch ROH "ZS" wheels. 17x8.5(front) and 17x9.5 (rear). Firestone Firehawk SZ50s. 245/45/zr17s and 275/40/zr17s. T56
On the way... Radar Blue 89 Formula, T56, Ram Jet 430, Ram Air, 17inch ROHs.
------------------
L98, 3.27 9-bolt, Hooker shorty headers, custom 2.5inch Y-pipe, no cat, 3inch 2chamber flowmaster, JET AFPR, Ported MAF, Best ET: 13.86 @100mph. 1.99 60'
17 inch ROH "ZS" wheels. 17x8.5(front) and 17x9.5 (rear). Firestone Firehawk SZ50s. 245/45/zr17s and 275/40/zr17s. T56
On the way... Radar Blue 89 Formula, T56, Ram Jet 430, Ram Air, 17inch ROHs.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
My mechanic has checked out the car & said it was a good deal yesterday. He said the engine still pulls strong. That noise in the fron that I thoughgt might be serious was a sway bar link that was broken.
Thanks
Thanks
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