I found an '88 Formula 350 on Craigslist that I'm considering going to look at. I'm looking for a car that I can fix up for my 14y/o nephew since he mentioned wanting my GTA.

I talked to the owner and he said it has the TPI 350, so it's not really an LT1 (I think he got LT1 and L98 confused). He said it needs tires and headlight motors. Theres a drain on the battery, but he can't figure out where it's at. The original hood was damaged and he has another one, but I'm not sure if it's a correct Formula hood or not. Odometer shows 260k, but he said it doesn't burn oil, so maybe it was rebuilt at some point. No rust.

Maybe worth $1200 or so?

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/2978884503.html

 

I say it would be worth the money it dont look like it would take much to be a nice car

 

To its credit, seems relatively intact, though some engine and underside pix would be nice. As to if I'd buy it, that would depend on how handy and patient I was. If I could do absolutely everything myself and had another car to drive day to day, sure, why not.

 

To answer the question directly, there is no way in hell I would buy a 260k mile car. The car will need everything, and I am too much of a perfectionist with too little time to deal with issues to own a car like that.

Objectively, if he's looking for a Point A to Point B car that will be fun and far from perfect? Its hard to get one much cheaper than that! Good luck.

 

Lol. I guess I should have phrased the question a different way. There's no i would buy a perfect car to give to a 16 year old, too risky even though he's responsible. Im mostly just wondering if it looks like a $1500 car, or a $800 car.

 

I think its priced just fine...its a semi-rare, fun-to-drive car with the right equipment. If it was an LG4, I would say don't bother.

 

I would never buy a car from someone that can't advertise what they have. The car has an LT1? Yeah, you already mentioned that. It also has 4 wheel dick brakes! What does that mean? The pictures are way too small and taken way too close to see any details. No engine photos or real interior shots, etc. I don't know if I'd go $1200 on this. It may need way too much and it'll cost too much to get it in a clean, drivable condition. You can do better for a little bit more.

 

I was 14 not to long ago, and let me tell you I would crap a brick if someone bought me this! I was 14 when I got my GTA and still love it!

 

I think it would be worth taking a look at anyway

 

I'm LOLing for real, lolol

 

Well, the guy sounded older, and because it's TPI, he probably thought it looked like an LT1. I don't even think he uses a computer much, which is why he put "no emails or text". He admitted his 1970 Camaro is more his thing.

DD9, my nephew just turned 15, so I've got one more year to find something, or fix up what I do find. His parents are in no financial position to buy him anything, so it would make me feel good to help him out, especially since I have no kids myself.

I may go Monday evening to just look at it, I'll be around that area anyways.

 

If you show up with cash, you'll get it for less.

I bought my last firebird (89 TBI) for 400 bucks from Craigslist. It had problems, but my point is the body was decent and its driving someone to work every day now.

If you DO buy it, and you have trouble finding a Formula hood, if you want to drive down to Lakeland I'll sell you one cheap. I have an extra that needs to be sanded down and painted but for a project car it will be fine. By the time you spend the money in gas though, it might not be worth it hahahah.

Good luck!

 

I'm sure he won't be picky on what you get, I started out wanting a yellow gold Iroc-z and ended up with a 87 GTA with carmine interior/flame red

 

I went and checked it out, but I just don't think it's worth the time and money. It looked like someone run the front end under something, because the tray supporting the bumper is bent down, creating a gap between the bumper and the hood. When I looked under it I found neon lights, that ruined it for me, I don't want to deal with someone else's hack job.


He does have a '92 RS that has a perfect body (even the paint), but no motor or tranny. No title and some interior is missing. He said he'd let me have it for $300. If I had a way to drag it home I'd part it out and make a few bucks. It's teal with the bright green decals. Someone was supposed to turn it into a race car, but that never happened.

 

You could probably find a solid GTA for a little more money. Especially getting money from parting out the RS

 

I'd pass for that price...willing to bet the wiring harnesses are all hacked up judging by the general condition of the rest of the car.

 

Just to finish off my thread, I ended up buying a '95 Camaro, V6 with 5spd. It's pretty basic, hardtop, manual locks and windows, but perfect for my nephew.