Basically I just graduated and my dad agreed to get me a loan.
There is a 1LE Transam GTA w/manual tranny, oil cooler, 305 TPI ect.The car is on a lot and the guy will take $3500 for it.
I also have the option to get a '86 Iroc with a automatic, a carbed 305. private selerl wants $3500 for it with 20 inch daytons that I dont even want or $2850 w/o rims and iroc rallys. Irocs are my fav. and my dream car.
so what is boils down to is
GTA w/1LE option and manual tranny
or
Iroc with 305 carbed but a dream come true


but also

I like IROC's better too (Camaro's in general actually, although Firebirds are still nice) but I think that the GTA with a 5 speed would be a much nicer car...

Not to mention every carbed 305 I've seen that was still stock ran like crap. (not EVERY one, but it's pretty common)

i'd go with the GTA, around here they seem to hold better value. Especially if it's a low mile car

Power windows/locks? Mileage?

I'd take the GTA, stick rules.

GTA, especially if it's a 1989. It will have all the good guy parts on it from the factory.

I don't think you'll enjoy driving an auto as much as the manual and the TPI 305 is better than the carb. Add the 1LE brakes, aluminum drive shaft and probably better gears and it's no contest. Go with the GTA.

GTA, tpi if its an 89' and it has the 1LE rpo you could resell it and got the other car for free. But yeah better throttle response, better brakes, better rear end and yes very very fun car. If you are into the racing scene have fun with the wrx's and mustangs.
LG4's aren't the greatest if it was an L69 the vote might be otherwise.

Good thing's come to those who wait . If at all possiable hold out for the car you want . I spent 1 1/2 year's looking at these car's befor I found what I wanted . I is easyer these day's with computer's and all kind's of car's to look at . Good luck Happy Hunting .

thank you RocBoy. That was wise. patience is virtue. I've been patient for almost 2.5 years since my Iroc got stolen in '03.
by the way its has about just over 100,000 miles and it does have the 1LE option with oil cooler, posi, suspension ect.

Sorry man did not mean to insult you . Dose not matter what you drive auto or clucth , have had both . Just saying if you like to shift and prefer Iroc's maybe explore other ave's . By the way that year and 1/2 spent was with money in hand must of looket at 15 car's befor I found the one I wanted . On June 27th I will be ten year's with my car and not once did I ever say wish it was standerd ( Follow your Hart not your head) It's your money .

no you didnt offend me. You helped me. lol silly guy!!
I think I'm going to get the iroc. I want a 383 stroker anyway.
Gosh I dont know what to do

I hate how 3rd gen firebirds look, but that 1LE GTA is a factory race car. It got all the best parts from the factory and should be worth some money someday.

The 1LE option and the GTA options do not go hand in hand. The GTAs did get some 1LE parts (driveshaft, etc....), but GTAs are NOT 1LE cars. GTAs did not get 1LE brakes either, unless its a TTA.

Verify yourself at www.gtasourcepage.com

In 1989 the GTA got the 1LE style brakes.

IROC of course!

Only on the Turbo Trans Am.

Check the diameter of your "stock" rotors... and check them against the size for the 1LE.

the 1LE package consisted of 12.5 inch rotors (from the 9C1 police package) instead of 11.5 inch...different steering knuckles, spindles and the nessary equipment...(inner/outer wheel bearings, anchor plates, hoses proportioning valve, etc..)

I have 2 1989 GTAs with stock brakes. Neither have 1LE parts for brakes. When I buy brake pads, I get the ones for my car instead of the peformance ones meant for the TTA which are way more pricey.

Do a "little" research.

Your signiture thre me off . My never like the T/A after the 73 Super Duty , Bandit ok . The hideawy's on third gen''s slow you down at nite LOL . Not T/A hater just not for me . From the info I gather in this post you are like me and stock just will not cut it . Take a good look at the roc , if it look's like it's up to par to your stander's buy it . It's only one more step to put a clutch in, when you put that T56 in that I know your goinng to buy . When I bought mine I knew it was going to be hack up so I had to find a real nice chassie one that did not need any body work . I like to spend money on stuff I can feel not see . Good luck . IROC all the way .

I never really liked the 3rd gen birds either and always drove the irocs instead.This is until i drove one and fell in love with it.I have never owned another camaro since.To me they ride,drive,and look better.But,u cant really go wrong either way.

GTA aalll the way

So does this car have the 1LE package? Could you even get it on birds?

no question, I would take the GTA. I just dont care for the carbed cars much, plus a carbed 305/auto isnt going to be very quick, where as a 305tpi/ five speed is going to be a fun car. Plus I dont care for the 86's, the 305's were slow with the "peanut cam" and I dont like the 3rd brake light on top of the hatch.

Take the GTA. I love mine, even though I could have found a TA or a formula with the same level of trim.

However, You could not get 1LE with the Y84 package. Starting in 1989 I beleive all GTA's got the 1LE rear brakes, which consist of 11.75" rotors with PBR calipers out back. However the front brakes are standard fare for thirdgens.

GTA's also received the JG1 aluminum drive shaft, quick ratio (12.7:1) steering box, and a few other performance goodies but nothing overly special. The only true "special edition" all out performance thirdgens are the 1LEs, 89 TTA and the 92 Firehawk. This doesn't include the numerous Firefox prototypes which would destroy a great many benchmarks. One of the Firefoxs was powered by a twin turbo 350 making 604hp and 700lb/ft torque.

Well, I'm a Chevy guy, regardless of what's under the hood...but in this case, I'd place a vote for the GTA...I think you have a better platform to work with.

Get the Firebird. It will be alot of fun stock and eventually when you get around to it, a 350 would be happy to take place of that 305 (till it nukes your t5)