I'm looking at a 1988 Firebird Formula 305 (Throttle Body Injection), 700R4, WS6 suspension, 150,000 miles. Is there anything I should watch out for before buying it? It was stored every winter and there is no rust on the body, and only a few small spots on the underbody. The car is 100% stock, even has the stock radio. I took it for a test drive and it drove straight and smooth, no shaking. The paint is yellow (or was) it has faded now, and is chipped off on parts of the front. Paint isn't a major issue with me, I care more about not having rust.

The interior is in decent shape, no cracks in the dash or anything. Headliner is sagging though. It has power windows an locks, the windows seemed to be slow, and the locks were sticky (both are fixable fairly easily though, I think?) The guy wants $2400 for it. Does that sound like a fair price? This is my first firebird so please let me know what to check out before buying one.

-Mitch

 

T-tops? If so be very careful with the floors. Check near where the front sub-frames end, that's a very common problem area. Also check the strut towers for excessive rust.

Does the motor puff blue smoke on start up? If so it might need valve guides (or better yet new heads). Expect 10k-50k out of the tranny depending on how it was taken car of. You'll also need to replace most of the bushings in the suspension.

And then there's the fact that that little 305 TBI only pumps out 170hp. In all honesty $2400 is a good price. Expect to put $100-$200 to get it in tip top shape. And you'll probably dump more into it as time goes by with goodies like headers, cat back, etc.
I'd say get it
Good luck
Alex

BTW, where are you? I've got a friend named Mitch who mighta been looking for a birdie.

 

No T-tops, and it did not blow smoke. I did check out the strut towers and they did look clean. The guys said the radiator, battery, fuel pump, and a couple other small things are new. The engine bay was very clean.

I'm located up in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Thanks for the help, anything else I need to take a look at?