Everybody I need your input on this.. I was driving home from work today and saw an 86 Trans Am for sale in a parking lot. I pulled over to check it out and its in pretty good condition except for a dented quarter panel and missing side-light. 98,000 miles, a turbo V8, and the interior is PERFECT. the owner says it needs a new filter or something to pass emissions (he didn't remember what it needs), missing A/C, and he wants $700.

Is this worth it? Or should I keep my 91 firebird v6 with 71,000 miles, decent interior, passes inspection, has some rust spots(one rot spot).

OR should I do some swapping? Put some stuff from my 91 into the 86 or vice versa?

 

A turbo V8? Maybe the install was crappy, and that's why he's trying to get rid of it for $700?

A new air filter is no reason to get rid of a car... have your mechanic check it out first.

 

I don't know what I'm gonna do, I'm starting to doubt I'll get it at all.. I went back again to look at it with a friend and it didn't look as good the second time. Headliner is shot, the driver seat is covered (must be a reason), the dent is causing a gap between the 1/4 panel and hatch, theres lots of touch up paint (but the paint does look pretty darn good).

Plus, I don't have the money to fix that AND my car right now. It still seems pretty tempting though, so tomorrow I'm hoping to test drive it and pop the hood

Even if I don't get it, I have a few friends who are very interested in it so no matter what I'll get to work on it.

 

Well, for starters, with no emissions-legal turbocharger kit available for that car, yeah, I'd say it doesn't stand a chance of passing regardless of what's done to it

 

i don't kow how familiar you are with cars so this isn't meant offenseively...did he possibly say it has a turbo 350? if so, that's a 3 speed auto transmission, not a turbo charged engine.

 

Hmmm. As owner of two F-bodies, I can vouch for the allure of having two toys. However, two toys means two leeches on your wallet, as you already mentioned. Might be a good parts car if you haggle it down some more, you could always rip out he engine and stick something else in it, or whatever. 700 bucks is still under bluebook, even in Fair condition. Maybe the owner just doesn't have a clue.

 

Today I met with the owner and test drove it. Man, it drove beautifully. I just wish it looked that way too. I really think I'm just gonna forget I even saw it. The work it needs isn't much but it would take a lot of time and a good amount of money, all of which I don't have. As for the "turbo" thing, the guy gets confused and means Tuned Port Injection

It'd be a good deal for anyone who has the time to put in the effort and a little more money than I have right now. If I didn't have my current firebird, I'd have that T/A in my driveway right now.

 

haha i had the same thing. this guy wanted me to do some tune ups for him on his firebird. and i was juss askin bout it and hes all yea its a "twin turbo". so i got real excited went popped the hood didnt see anything. and he goes not there look in the back. i go look and he shows me the two exhaust pipes. haha he confused dual exhuast and twin turbo. shows how car illiterate some people can be.

 

Still, 700 for a working car isn't too shabby. I had a guy asking 1700 for a beat-up 86 Trans Am, paint was crud, passenger door inside panel was trash, cracked aerowing, stupid rally wheels, it didn't look like it was worth even a thousand. Plus, it was carbed... Eek!

However, I willingly paid 300 for a basket-case 2.8L car. Oh well...

 

700 bucks for a working v8 powered gm car, with some cosmetic problems?? i don't see why not, at the worst put it up on blocks and work the crap outa it in your spare time, or when your other 3rd gen messes up, beat the crap outa it, but you may be able to part it out on e-bay or somehting and get alot more than ya paid for it,

 

Just my $.02...

Two Camaros = Two Money Pits !!

Between the '70 and '89 Camaros I have close to $15,000 (not bragging, just stating a fact).

I guess it all comes down to how large your wallet is, and what sort of committment you can put forth into two Camaros/Firebirds.

Personally, I like the '89 just as much as the '70... however, this will turn the '89 (daily driver) into a car that sits winters. That means that I NOW NEED to buy a winter-beater (Ohio winters suck), cars rust BADLY here after a few winters of driving in the salted roads.

Do what you need to do man, it's your wallet... but, I'd offer this... use some judgement on whether this car will be available again down the road at a more "financially opportune time".

 

Hey where's this guy at thats selling the car.. This is exaclty what I am looking for I have a Camaro with a non-working V6 and I want a V8 car that the drive train works and the body is shot. For a parts car. E-mail me @ EvlCamaro@aol.com if you would

 

Hmm, you all bring up good points and I'm starting to consider buying it again. I know it would be another drain on my wallet and i don't have the funds to restore it now, but it might be a good idea to hold on to it until I do. The only real problem I have with getting it is a place to store it. My garage is filled and my mom(i'm 17) wants the driveway for her car. The only place I could keep it(without having to insure it for now) is on the lawn next to my house.. but then there's the issue of being white-trash haha Thanks for your advice, this is a really difficult decision.

 

JOE DIRT!!! JOE DIRT!!! having a car on your lawn doesn't make you white trash, being trash and white makes you white trash

 

I was at a car show, looking at a nitrous'd/blown big-block, and a guy and his girl walked by. The girl asked what all the switches were inside the car (fuel pump, nitrous, starter, etc) and the dude said "for the hydraulics". There was obviously nothing hydraulic about that car!!

 

i was at a car show one time and saw/heard a kid and his mom talking about, "this car has 4 nitrous bottle..." until the husband/dad said, "no, that's the solenoids, its only got one nitrous bottle."

I love cars! :lala: