There is a '89 Firebird Formula for sale near me that I want to take a look at. Supposedly it is a 5.7L and has the WS6 package. It's black exterior, black interior. 36,000 miles and receipts of all maintenance...

Guy is asking $4500 for it.

Sound like a good deal? Too good to be true maybe?

Question: Were all 5.7's in 89 L98s, or were some TBIs or whatnot (I'm not fully up to speed on my 3rd gens). Also, if I were to go look at it, what things should I look for? How do I check if it's really a WS6? Etc...

Thanks

 

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Tough to find low milage 3rd gens, if I were in the market for a low milage 3rdgen, I'd probably buy it for that price.

 

Same as my car, but with 100K less miles. I'd do it.

 

Didn't notice this before, but all 5.7's were TPI (L98's). TBI's were the 305 engines.

Someone else will chime in on the WS6 package, I've no knowledge about it or what to look for.

 

i would check the car out and write down the vin and rpo codes down and decode them here on TGO. If it looks safe, i would deff take that car then

 

If it is a 5.7 ws6 then It it top of the line and has all the performance goodies. IMO if its also 36k original miles it is worth the 4500$. Just make sure everything is in good condition and checks out and you will have a good deal. Sounds like its worth getting a carfax on it.

 

Where are you? if you don't want it I'll take it. I'm kidding, I need a beater for the winter, not another fun car.

To find out its really a WS6, look in the console at the "Service Parts Identification" label. If WS6 is listed, its really a WS6.

VIN 9th digit is "8" for the 350. Also look at the SPI decal for B2L.

 

I just got a Carfax on it. Really does have 36,000 miles, only two owners. No accidents or anything like that...

Thing is, guy said it was re-painted black because the hood and spoiler were faded. So now I need to see the car, and if I don't like the paint job (ie runs, non-wetsanded parts of the car, overspray, etc) I won't get it

 

sounds like a good idea, go for it, if you like it

 

The crap GM paint job knows nothing of age. Mine had 45,000 when I bought it and it showed a little fade. Good thing about white is it shows as a dull spot but you have to look close.

 

sounds like a good deal to me especially for how low the mileage is

 

Yeah my car is faded really bad too. The '88 and '89 models had the problem the worst. '87 was the last year of nice OEM paint jobs on these cars. I believe they had a warranty on it for 5 years back in the day..

Anyways, sounds like a hell of a deal. Get under the car and check the swaybars. The front should be 36mm and the back should be 24mm for the WS6 package. There should also be a badge in front of the passenger seat on the dash that says "Performance Suspension" but I've heard that was also on some non-WS6 cars, so that isn't a for-sure thing.

 

I thought charcoal grey was the only interior color in 89 with black paint.

 

Well, it could be that.. guy might just be calling it black *shrug* I'll know for sure on Saturday

 

either way its still a pretty good price for a WS6 with so low mileage.

 

Maybe that badge is for any package above the FE1?

 

Yeah, that's very possible. That's why I said its not a for sure thing, it just should be there anyways. In any case, the swaybar test will guarantee it, and so will checking the RPO codes in the center console (one of the codes will be "WS6").

 

i have an 89 GTA and its paint looks okay but its the wrong color its supposed to be a metallic maroon but its faded to a burnt orange. If you don't know the orginal color it dosent look to bad.

 

About paint. Yup, GM sure knew how to pick their painting methods and materials...

 

I'd jump on that....i dunno how they are around you, but up here in WNY low milage third gens are hard to come by..my 91 rs w/new paint, tires, exhaust, and 46k i paid 6500, my 91z fully loaded w/crap tires and paint i paid 5000 for...so yea..i'd say go for it

 

F41 package got the badge, as well as WS6.

 

Old thread, but oh well...

ALL Formulas got the WS6, without exception from 1987 - 1992

If the car has TPI and does NOT have ground effects then YES it is definatly a Formula

1n 1989
Base firebirds were standard with the V6 and optional LO3 V8 Formulas, standard with LO3 and optional LB9 & L98 TPI
Trans AM standard with LB9 and optional L98
GTA standard L98 and downgradable to LB9

Even with an LB9, that car sounds like a good deal, with only 36K

Good luck hunting

John