Hi, I am currently looking into getting a 1989 Pontiac Formula and want to know if anyone can point out any red flags from these pictures or the description, I need help with this as it is out of state and would cost me $200 for a train ride there and I want to know as much as possible about this car, thanks in advance.

Posting Description:
1989 Formula Firebird
350 V8
4 speed automatic
New Lowering springs and struts
Power Windows and locks
Runs and drives good!
Needs tags
Clean title
Have cash on you.

 

It says it has a 350, but its just a formula according to the door decals so either description is wrong or engine has been swapped. Fenders have heat extractor vents, this is a trans am only fender so they have been changed.
It looks like all of the other decals are missing, sail panel, hood and nose either they have been removed and/or the car has been painted.

Cant really say these are red flags, just quick observations. Im always overly careful of an engine swap car. This could have been a TBI or TPI 305 when it was born. There were no factory 350 TBI cars as far as I know so a 350 swap would be to a TPI, aftermarket FI or carb. Obviously we cant tell from this info. Watch out for "shade tree" wiring is what I'm trying to say.

 

Thanks for the info, I thought they started offering the 350 V8 to Ttops starting in 1989 and what I could find was that 43 convertible formulas were made with the 350 V8 in that year, but thanks, I'll try to contact the buyer about this.

 

 

Sorry guys nevermind, the seller sold it just today, I just sent him a followup text after he said he had it yesterday evening and turns out he texted back and said it was sold

 

Nevermind, the person is just a basket case

 

I was worried about that interior. LOTS of parts needed, and I never like seeing rust on the steering wheel spokes like that. Makes me suspect it's been VERY moist inside the car for a long time.


There are better examples out there for you.

 

Yeah, well the guy eventually said that he sold it, then sent a message complaining about asking so many questions even though he didn't answer a single one, seems like he is a bit crazy, saying that it is only a $1500 car and said I should just stop by and look at it even though I communicated that it would be a 9 hour drive to get there.

 

I think moist is an understatement. The steering wheel has rust, which in itself is very odd. The door panels look trashed. What really got my attention is that the entire rear seats have been replaced. The back is not the same color as the seats themselves. Even after the front seats were replaced by 4th gen seats, they are still in crappy condition. Given that it is a T-top car and appears to not have been well maintained, I'd be willing to bet that there is significant rot in the floorboards underneath that carpet.

9 hour trip just to look at it? Nope. Don't care if he was only asking $200 for the car. If it were me, this car is a hard "pass" regardless of location.

 

Ok, sounds like that I'll pass on it, its just hard to find a black trans am thats close to me, closest one is about 6 hours away that I've found and that one looks like it will be $10,000 for it and I definitely dont have the money for it.

 

Looks like my car except I do not have the T tops

 

Might be better off finding one farther away and just budgeting the cost of shipment into your market. I know it sucks, but it widens your search area and you might get lucky and find one within your budget even after factoring in shipping. For reference, I had my '92 convertible shipped from Florida to CA because it was the car I was looking for. Cost $1100 to ship (I went with a higher rated/more expensive shipper) across the country, so it might not be near that much for you. In retrospect, I'm glad I went that route. I got the car I wanted instead of settling for something else and not being as happy.

 

keep shopping craigslist and local papers

 

What part of the country are you in my1st66mustang?

 

Northern California

 

I think my max budget on the whole knight rider project is $7500

 

I can deal with not having the interior done for it but I want to get the exterior done before September.

 

Hmmm...I'm NO Knight Rider expert. But I did just read several articles in the POCI Smoke SIgnals magazine about folks who had built KITT replicas. Sounds like the special parts were quite expensive, on top of the cost of the car itself.

 

I think I might get it done mostly, I found a 1983 firebird that has the turbo cast wheels, a tan interior and correct hood and fenders, but it is a hard top, for $1500. I also found a 1990 firebird that was damaged on its bumper and fenders that is a ttop with window motor, headlight motor, and rear latch issues that is $500. I will just do a major swap and paint it black, then have enough money to drop a ls in it.