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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Definately a beautiful car... Too bad it is not a 350 or an LB9/MM5 car, if it was one of those it would sell a lot easier.
Beautiful car IMHO.
That same car was on Craigslist in Massachusetts a few months back as part of an estate for $5000. It needed brake lines and the original tires were junk. Hadn't been run in years. If it was a tpi car I would have jumped on it. Like said above a great motor swap car.
WE ALL HOPE that this FBody sells for that price. Just a few years ago, these TURD GENS were a dime a dozen. Now the really nice ORIGINAL ones are coming up in value and the rebuilt are showing an investment. Tell me, how many of these models are still on the road? When was the last time YOU spotted a 3rd Gen (nice or not). These cars are also ANTIQUES (1982-1991) and a 34 to 25 year old car, in most cases, is a beat up roadkill. Good thing is that we have this Club and most members want to keep their Maro or Bird alive, despite the flaws and weaknesses, we LOVE'em!
WE ALL HOPE that this FBody sells for that price. Just a few years ago, these TURD GENS were a dime a dozen. Now the really nice ORIGINAL ones are coming up in value and the rebuilt are showing an investment.
I agree, I would hope they get it. The car is beautiful.
Originally Posted by edpontiac91
When was the last time YOU spotted a 3rd Gen (nice or not).
The only 3rd gens I see any more is when I open my barn door.
Funny thing, if the car was a 350 car, I do not think anyone would question it... If we would have seen this way way back in 2014, people would have been going crazy saying how ridiculous of a price it is, and how the dealership is ripping someone off, but even with the lowly LG4, some seem to think there is a possibility that it could fetch it.
They don't mention the MILEAGE. It also is missing some lug nut covers. No pictures of the engine? It shines nice, but what has been done to make sure this 28 year old car has been inspected front to back. If you like the looks, it really has to be the main reason, because without the TPI 305 or the L98 350, GO FAST IS NOT AN OPTION!
Don't know if it would be good for a formula to be worth 20g, maybe 1/2 that. Maybe.
I don't think most of us could afford another 3rd gen if that was the norm.
We all want our rides to be worth something but leave the high value for the rare or performance models. Just my thought.
Don't know if it would be good for a formula to be worth 20g, maybe 1/2 that. Maybe.
I don't think most of us could afford another 3rd gen if that was the norm.
We all want our rides to be worth something but leave the high value for the rare or performance models. Just my thought.
On this Formula, you're paying for the CONDITION. To say "Keep the Price LOW" so everybody can afford one is wrong. There are plenty of these FBodys in rough or poor shape, for someone who wants to rebuilt it or restore it and NOT PAY a lot ($1,000-$2,000). This upward trend for the very nice originals or rare (TTA-Firehawks-GTA's tec.) should be allowed due to the fact that they are getting harder and harder to find. You can (as the seller) ask whatever you want and whatever (the buyer will pay), because the bottom line is 'WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO FIND ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE THIS".
For sure. Regardless of motor. It's the miles and condition. Seems like I've seen the 1/4 mile times are negligible from the factory motors. 350 certainly would give more possibilities, but then you destroy the factory presence this car may possess
Ps. Good luck finding any car with less than 20k miles for less than 20k these days
Last edited by LiquidBlue; 03-28-2016 at 10:55 PM.
The problem, though, is that this car's biggest selling point is condition. If the new owner adds mileage to it (and thus some wear and tear), then it will depreciate rapidly. It doesn't have an L98/A4 or LB9/T5 plus all the performance bits to fall back on.
For sure. Regardless of motor. It's the miles and condition. Seems like I've seen the 1/4 mile times are negligible from the factory motors. 350 certainly would give more possibilities, but then you destroy the factory presence this car may possess
Ps. Good luck finding any car with less than 20k miles for less than 20k these days
Its really not that hard...just have to know where to look. Even on eBay there are good deals. Found a 26k mile 91 TA Convertible in amazing shape that's only at $11,500 with a day left.
Even if it blows up to $16-17k, its still worth that all day long, and is way more car than an LG4 Formula. Maybe I'm just biased against any third gen that doesn't have at least TPI in it....L69 notwithstanding.
Its really not that hard...just have to know where to look. Even on eBay there are good deals. Found a 26k mile 91 TA Convertible in amazing shape that's only at $11,500 with a day left.
Even if it blows up to $16-17k, its still worth that all day long, and is way more car than an LG4 Formula. Maybe I'm just biased against any third gen that doesn't have at least TPI in it....L69 notwithstanding.
Still not hard...my local Craigslist has a GORGEOUS maroon 88 GTA with 14k miles for $15k obo. Its so perfect, I wish I had the coin...closing on my new house in less than 2 weeks
Still not hard...my local Craigslist has a GORGEOUS maroon 88 GTA with 14k miles for $15k obo. Its so perfect, I wish I had the coin...closing on my new house in less than 2 weeks
send us a link, would like to see that one. Not finding it in the Tampa Bay CL section. The vert you mentioned looks a little off. Not sure if I trust those miles. Worn driver seat is suspicious, but sh** does happen. The price is right though.
For sure. Regardless of motor. It's the miles and condition. Seems like I've seen the 1/4 mile times are negligible from the factory motors. 350 certainly would give more possibilities, but then you destroy the factory presence this car may possess
Ps. Good luck finding any car with less than 20k miles for less than 20k these days
send us a link, would like to see that one. Not finding it in the Tampa Bay CL section. The vert you mentioned looks a little off. Not sure if I trust those miles. Worn driver seat is suspicious, but sh** does happen. The price is right though.
WE ALL HOPE that this FBody sells for that price. Just a few years ago, these TURD GENS were a dime a dozen. Now the really nice ORIGINAL ones are coming up in value and the rebuilt are showing an investment. Tell me, how many of these models are still on the road? When was the last time YOU spotted a 3rd Gen (nice or not). These cars are also ANTIQUES (1982-1991) and a 34 to 25 year old car, in most cases, is a beat up roadkill. Good thing is that we have this Club and most members want to keep their Maro or Bird alive, despite the flaws and weaknesses, we LOVE'em!
Problem is, it's becoming difficult to get a decent one cheap, but the rest still won't bring scrap value, because noone wants to build one anymore. Mine looks like beat-up roadkill, but it has no structural damage, and I can't find a blue '91-'92 'bird, so it sits waiting for a V8.
A red '87 formula with an LO3 and an auto and t-tops isn't worth anything. If it was a yellow hardtop, with TPI or a T5, if not both, then it would be interesting. Not $20K interesting, not even $10K interesting, but maybe $5K interesting.
Two nice cars for sale there! Love the '89 Formy.... looks like it may have some undercoating, would take that one over the GTA, but I'm a Formy Guy. Gotta give kudo's to the cell phone tho!! Pictures are hard to tell true shape, but zero mile speedo's are a dime a dozen. Be careful out there kids, especially when guys tell you not to waste their time.
That same car was on Craigslist in Massachusetts a few months back as part of an estate for $5000. It needed brake lines and the original tires were junk. Hadn't been run in years. If it was a tpi car I would have jumped on it. Like said above a great motor swap car.
These are two different cars although located very close together and optioned close to the same.
The red one in Plymouth MA that was the estate sale had 11,000 miles on it but had been garaged it's whole life in a damp dirt floor single car garage. Some items had fallen on it, had a few dents and was VERY crusty underneath. Although advertised at $5k, the sister (executor) was unwilling to let it go for that or anything less, but they finally took $4,500 for it a few weeks ago.
I never actually set eyes & hands on the car but was in play for months on it. I'd have bought it for $3,000 sight unseen, had to see it for $4,000 but was passing at the $5,000 number. It would have needed an EvapoRust shower and a whole lot of work done to it to even make it presentable.
This one came out of Rhode Island and has 13 or 14,000 miles on it and has more options. Looks to have been better stored as well.
All three of these cars lack picture details to really be able to value them sight unseen. The 89 Formula has fuzzy cell phone photos, why do people do this? Why? Why? The GTA guy who says not to waste his time really needs to get more and better photos up there so people don't waste his time.
OMG, This is a DISASTER. Except for the TTops and a radio plus a power antenna, this is a no option car. Fluids leaking underneath-rust EVERYWHERE-dings and dents-chunks on the side mirror-aftermarket riveted body side moldings (had to drill into the body to install) and that's just the TIP of the iceberg. Whoever bought this, paid for an 11,000 mile speedometer.
Plus how do you remove the smell of mold. Once it gets into the vents and cloth, the smell comes from mold spores growing and dying. Everything inside that interior has to be gutted. Dry rot on all rubber surfaces and who knows what the engine will sound like or the entire brake system being replaced.
Last edited by edpontiac91; 04-03-2016 at 04:24 PM.
Might be. The ad says RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE NEW. EXCELLENT CONDITION. I would wonder what it would look like if he stated FAIR Condition. Hard to tell since all the crap pictures were on the passenger side. Can't see the 2012 inspection sticker or damaged R.S. mirror, plus ONLY one picture (from a cell phone)? This is usually the description most people put into a used car ad (Excellent Cond.) which to them means it was washed within the last year. Don't get me wrong, it looks good from afar but it's far from good.
Last edited by edpontiac91; 04-03-2016 at 04:36 PM.
That's OK, they all look the same. Now that's a real looking low mileage car. Again, are people afraid to post MORE than 4 pictures? Wonder if it has the TPI 305? Price was reduced to $9,600, so that tells me it has been around for awhile and could be bought for even lower. Original tires must be on the way out with 40,000 miles on them.
That's OK, they all look the same. Now that's a real looking low mileage car. Again, are people afraid to post MORE than 4 pictures? Wonder if it has the TPI 305? Price was reduced to $9,600, so that tells me it has been around for awhile and could be bought for even lower. Original tires must be on the way out with 40,000 miles on them.
That one does not have the 305 TPI. The speedo would go up to 140 not 120 as shown. Nice car though if you don't mind doing the slow mosey around town.
I saw an 85 TA at a show over the weekend sell for $11,500. It was an auto LG4 car with 40k miles. I was really surprised it brought that but it was immaculate. Looked brand new condition and the man who owned it was 74. He sold it to another older gentleman.
I saw an 85 TA at a show over the weekend sell for $11,500. It was an auto LG4 car with 40k miles. I was really surprised it brought that but it was immaculate. Looked brand new condition and the man who owned it was 74. He sold it to another older gentleman.
AGAIN, where do you find another one like it? You buy a used car based on how much is left in it. Is it a 1989 TTA (low mileage) say under 5,000 miles. The car listed for OVER $31,000 and is 27 years old. BUT what your buying is the UNUSED portion. If the buyer realizes it is still almost brand new, then THAT's the value, even if the selling price is close to the original list!
There is an old saying that goes about pricing a car and it says "YOU CAN ALWAYS GO DOWN BUT YOU CAN NEVER GO UP" on an asking price. You have to have some wiggle room so that the buyer feels comfortable if he talks you down some and YOU got what was in your head by posting a higher number.
I bought my 89 gta for $3500. It had 135,000 miles. It looked like it had 30,000 miles on it. I would have paid twice that if they would have asked for it. Man I love these cars!!!
Not all TPI cars got a 140 MPH speedo. Not sure what the rule was for 89 Firebirds, but my 88 TA was a 305 TPI 5 speed with a 120 MPH speedo.
Meanwhile, my far slower 86 LB9/A4 TA had a 140 MPH speedo. Go figure...
In 1989, all Formula 350's and formula LB9/MM5 would have had the 140 speedo. This has to do with the fact that the Formula would have come with the 3.45 gear. The Trans Am however could have come with the 120 speedo because it only had the 3.08 gear.
Therefore that 1989 would be an L03/MM5
Clarification: 140 speedo:
1986: L69 & LB9
1987: LB9, & L98
1988 & 89: LB9/MM5/GM3, L98
90-92 LB9/MM5 or L98 (Some LB9/MM5 did not get the 140 speedo, I think, again it has to do with the rear gear ratio, Specifically on the Convertibles and the Trans am. All Formulas and GTA's with LB9/MM5 should have the 140 speedo...
I believe speedo type would be driven by tire usage. If the car was to have V speed rated tires then the 140 speedo would be included. I say this from a liability perspective. If the General (GM) installed 140 speedo in cars with tires only rated for 110mph there would be incurred liability for every blown tire crash regardless of reason for failure. 1988 seemed to be a big production year for IROC's sold with LB9 5 speeds and 15 inch tires, all that I have seen had the 110mph speedo, presumably due to lower speed rating for the tires.
I believe speedo type would be driven by tire usage. If the car was to have V speed rated tires then the 140 speedo would be included. I say this from a liability perspective. If the General (GM) installed 140 speedo in cars with tires only rated for 110mph there would be incurred liability for every blown tire crash regardless of reason for failure. 1988 seemed to be a big production year for IROC's sold with LB9 5 speeds and 15 inch tires, all that I have seen had the 110mph speedo, presumably due to lower speed rating for the tires.
Although this sounds logical, the suspension option determined the tire size, IE WS6/FE2 cars from 1985+ came with the 245-50R16 tires, when I did my research on the speedo/tach, that was not a factor. With that said, I believe that if you did indeed get the G92 (on the Camaro) or the R6P (Firebird) then it automatically got you the FE2 (WS6) suspension which in turn got you the Performance Tires... Interestingly, I know you could get WS6 without the performance gear, and I am pretty sure that the WS6 Trans Am Convertibles only got the 120 speedo, and the 245/60ZR16 Tires.
Also consider that all cars up until 1986 only had 85mpg speedos as mandated by the feds.
On the Firebird side of things, the Formula and GTA all got the performance gear (in the US Market) with the LB9/MM5 and the L98. All Formulas and GTA's also got the WS6 suspension. The only outlying car was the Trans Am where WS6 was an option, as it seems to me, All Performance gear cars, seem to have gotten WS6, but not all WS6 cars got the performance gear.
I saw this same car at Atlantic city collector auction this Feb. Car is in the wrapper new. Paint is 150% perfect. No chips Put a setof 88 Formula wheels and i'm in heaven.
03-25-2016, 01:57 PM
