chrisandro

I am very new to this message board but I have learned alot. I recently was offered a 1989 Pontiac Formula with 104,000 miles & a 5.0 engine with 5 speed manual shift. The body red & in great condition as well as inside. Here are the problems..Broken emergency brake cabe & the owner says it needs valve seals since he has to add a quart of oal every 300 miles. The car sounds great but I just learned to drive stick. For $1200.00 is this a fair price or should i wait for a better car? Please tell me what I should look for. Oh also it need new tires as the rears a almost bald. They are pretty wide tires does anyone have an average cost for each tire. I know I am a newby but I could use the advice. Thanks....

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chrisandro1@yahoo.com

Crusader

iTrader: (1)

My GTA has 245/50/16's and for good tires your looking at about 120 each. Not sure how much new valve seals would be. If you look at is this way: the body/interior is excellent and if you have to put in an engine say ~1200 for a rebuild or something. you might be looking at a nice Formula for a total cost of ~2000-3000 so it could be a good deal.

Jess

Drkhrse89

iTrader: (1)

I think it is a decent price. I would agree about the tires being $120 but they could be more depending on what you buy. The Valve seals themselves are not that expensive but to get them done is quite a chore it could cost you quite a bit in labor depending on the average shop price. The E-brake cable shouldnt be that bad you might be able to got one from a junk yard for cheap and do if yourself. I would however take the car to get looked at before you go and purchase it. There may be more wrong than what he says there is. It will cost you $50-100 but that is way better then spending $1200 on a lemon. Hope this helps let us know.

chrisandro

Well The guy who is selling it to me says he will sign the title to me & let me register it & drive it for 1 month & if I like it i can pay hime the $1200 & if i dont just give himr back the title.

PONTIMANIAC 90

In that case you have almost nothing to loose. He seems sure of the car and is willing to trust YOU. Also, if I was selling a car, I wouldnt tell the buyer about leaky seals or other stuff that will hurt the sale. As a private seller he's selling the car "as is".There's no liability.
The guy seems honest but get the car on a lift and check the underbelly in any case.

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1990 Formula
Factory:TPI-305/Dual Cat(230hp),5 Speed,3.42 rear, Dealer:Aluminum Drive Shaft
Mods:SLP air foil,K&N Filter, Accel:wires,coil cap,rotor.Hypertech Thermomaster chip,Stat,Fan switch,TES headers,MSD6AL,AFPR(46), Harwood fiberglass hood,original GM "Notchback GTA" hatch.
Flowmaster 3" Cat-back exhaust,TB coolant bypass, Centerforce dual friction clutch.

ploegi

If he is going thru a quart every 300 miles, there is more than just bad valve seals there. You can look forward to rebuilding the engine SOON!!!. However, for 1200, you cant beat it. If the body/interior are in good shape, buy the car, and start looking for a good engine to drop in.

formul8!!

$1,200 for a '89 TPI car in good condition,even if the motor is a little tired, is a great deal!!

PETE

iTrader: (1)

dunlops do for 98 a piece valve seals should cost you around 225 with labor!

chrisandro

Thanks for the info. This will be my first Stick Shift car so I am worried.

Thanks