Hey there guys.
I used to come here a lot, about 5 years ago...but apparently my username was deleted. So anyway, I'm back!

I am thinking about buying an 89 Firebird Formula.

Guy says it misfired so he checked the plugs and they were all fouled up and that "it has to be the plugs".

He now has no plugs in it for 3 or 4 days and has no battery.

He says he drove it on a 10 day but he doesn't wanna bother fixing it.

My question is...is there anything that could be wrong with it that could be really expensive that'd cause misfiring? He's asking 1000 for the car, and it appears to be in decent shape (should be going to see it today) and apparently all it needs is spark plugs, a battery, and rear brakes (which he's including).

I don't wanna buy something that could have huge problems, so if you guys could help, that'd be great.

Welcome back. Are you sure you just didn't forget your password?

Anyway, could be the plugs. Could be wires, cap, rotor contributing to the fouling. Or, could be misfiring injectors (which engine does it have?). Could be low compression due to burnt valves (pretty rare these days). Could be gunked-up lifters. Could be an oil burner, which is why the plugs fouled.

Well, according to the charts...the only 305 TBI in the 89 formula was the L03.

Hmm...burnt valves would be bad...oil burner is pretty bad...

I just don't wanna buy the car and realize I blew the money on something I can't drive. I'm in college and I'm moving soon...I can't get it towed to my house and then to the new place and then still not have a workin car, ya know?

Is there anything I should be looking for when I'm under the hood? I really wish I could start it, but that'd involve buying a battery, 8 plugs, and spending a few hours putting it together.

spend the money and the time, if it turns out bad you will waste a lot more later on anyway, and if it turns out good, you had to do it anyway. you can worry about the brakes later, nothing there to be a problem even if you need rotors(drums), pads(shoes), even brake lines are easy compared to engine problems. check to see if its smoking when you get it up and running, and your seller sounds kinda shady, or he is rich and doesn't care.

if you dont have the time, then find someone else who does and get then to do it(beg/pay/blackmail). if you cut corners you will have to turn around and do twice the work later, thats just how it works.

edit( cars with problems sell for half that around here, but up and running thats not a bad deal, rural Indiana

I'm not asking for ways to cut corners. I'm just making sure the car is good before I buy it, ya know? No point in purposely buying a junker.
My buddy is a 3rd gen nut...he's on here somewhere...he says he'll go with me today to take a peek. I'm considering it. Worst I can do is lose some money...

Aha! But, you didn't say it was TBI!

Hard to imagine going too far wrong for a grand, as long as the body and interior are in decent shape.

Went and saw the car today. Outside is mint except for bottom of doors and slightly at the fenders...easily fixable in a day of good work.
Engine compartment is clean as hell
Interior is MINT, other than a few normal dirty spots.
I'm gonna offer him a bit less than a grand considering it has no plugs or battery and I can't drive it yet.

I'm gonna tell him I'll be back on the weekend to hook up a battery and plugs and drive it away...see what he says...

if he dont wanna show you that it runs than hes hiding somthin??...dont buy a car that u never seen atleast run..sounds a lil fishy

he has no problem letting me see anything. He even told me he'd turn it over if I really wanted to make sure it's not ceased up.

I'm sure he'll be fine with me hookin up plugs and a battery. He seems like a nice guy. So far he's been completely honest with everything he said. Told me about all the problems.