I'm going to look at a GTA tomorrow. I've read the FAQs and articles. I've got an 87 Vette and am very familiar with EFI, L98s, and 700R4s. I think I'm pretty good at looking over used cars, but are there any special problem areas to look out for when checking out this GTA? Thanks for the info.

 

specific problems areas of firebirds:

- flip-up headlights
-digital dash in GTA (if it has one)
-steering wheel radio controls
-look under the hood and under the dash for any half-assed electrical repairs...a spliced/cut wire will be a pain in the *** later on
-trunk opening motor
-cruise control (this is common to all thirgens)
-look for loose plastic trim pieces or excessive rattles when driving. some of the firebird/TA interiors tend to fall apart.
-the console compartment doors tend to break away from their plastic and they're not cheap to replace.
-the rubber wrap-around spoilers tend to warp, split, and crack



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'87 Red Formula Firebird
-mostly stock LG4 w/cowl induction setup borrowed from '83 TA and T5 tranny

'85 Corvette
-stock L98/4+3 manual tranny
-z51 package

 

I think the biggest thing to look for, is if it is inspected or not. If it's not and the guy is REAL NICE and says it needs nothing to get it inspected, then he is lying out of his @ss. But besides that, look at mostly electrical stuff.

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Jordan Rundell

89' Pontiac Formula WS-6
*Grant steering wheel
*Borla exhaust and tips
*BF Goodrich GForce T/A's
*That's it

 

All good comments...
Since I think you know the mechanical part, I'll talk a little about the other. You also might want to check out gtasourcepage.com

The 87 GTAs are unique. It was really just a TransAm with an extra option. Not its own distinguishable car. But I believe it would still have the GTA emblems in the same locations. Try and find a picture of one and make note of their "specific" location. People who copy these cars tend to put these in the wrong places. The dash pocket will say GTA for an 87, not a bird or Trans Am.Be wary of the brand new paint job. The "pontiac" at the headlight door drivers side will be gold. Steering wheel will be sport leather wrapped, but they didn't have the steering wheel controls for that year. See if you can read the rear end tag...should be a 3.27 9 bolt rear end. Check for VIN numbers matching on fenders, rear bumper underneath, quarter panels, doors. Spray a water hose, or go through a car wash to check for leaking t-tops. IF the door creaks, or scrubs when opened...could be from people hanging on doors or hard take offs. Check to see if the ball joints have been greased...usually a good sign the if car has been maintained or not. Check for brown or rusty burnt transmission fluid, or slipping trans. These 700R4s in these GTAs all seem to go out around 100K. The spoilers are real bad about cracking and splitting. Look at hatch trim, engine bay, and stick your head under front of car and look at all the metal to check for rust. The 8th digit in the VIN should read 8 or F. I would think all GTA automatics are usually the 5.7 liter (8) motor. These cars only came with gold laced wheels, not black (87 year). There was an option on these 87s for an overhead console as well. Most of the 87s came with digital dash I think. Also look at the SPI label inside the console.


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89 TransAmGTA L98/Auto Grey/Grey T-Tops
Best 1/8th: 9.02 @ 76
89 TransAmGTA LB9/5speed FlameRed/GreyLeather Hard Top

 

also if the guy has the RPO code sheet look the for the "Y84" code, thats the GTA code

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*89 Trans Am GTA
*Moderator at www.transamgta.com

To hell with the GM vs Ford war. We must unite, as brothers to fight the plague that is overtaking the world...RICE

Tony

 

Check the door hinges, and alignment of the body panels.

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Check out My Car Pics http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...667&a=13599419

Gran Turismo Americano "The Ultimate Firebird"
Smokin 1989 GTA- Bone stock except for exhaust. (no catalytic-stainless pipe into Flowmaster 2 chamber) & AC Delco Rapid Fire Plugs; Removed Smog Pump and all other Smog related parts.