89 firebird to buy or not to buy

[Wumbo]

Yes. But, at least in my experience, when a seller lists a car online and doesn't show pics of them in the closed position, they are likely stuck open. I'm only going on the pics that were included in this post. So, they may in fact have provided additional pics that we didn't see.

My first thought too.

Firebird daylight pic with headlights on means one or both doesn't close.


Second thought:

"Car has a short, but it's simple to fix"

Sure it is. Where's the short?

 

[82sbshortbed]

My first thought too.

Firebird daylight pic with headlights on means one or both doesn't close.


Second thought:

"Car has a short, but it's simple to fix"

Sure it is. Where's the short?

I'm betting it has something to do with the radio missing. I like how it runs pretty good at start then it runs awesome at the end. Lol

I think it may be worth a look. Then low ball him. Lol

Keep them coming tho. Yall my mention **** I didn't think of.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Keep them coming tho. Yall my mention **** I didn't think of.

I can't remember off the top of my head when it became standard equipment, but if it is an ABS equipped car, make sure the system is intact and functioning correctly. Those early GM ABS systems are becoming more and more difficult to source parts for. I searched everywhere for a replacement ABS relay for my '87 Corvette a while ago. Finally found a used one on Ebay, but I really had to pay up for it.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Keep looking. You will find something better.

 

[yevgenievich]

I prefer the TA body kit. Headlights not hard to repair but probably needs to be done. Looks like a formula hood, might be a 350tpi. Not a bad price if tpi car. Auto trans a negative

 

[bucket]

What exactly does 18,000 miles driven mean?
I got leery of that mileage when I saw they replaced the exhaust, then saw the motor was replaced too.

Plus it's a gen 3, the worst of all the gens.

I'd love to have a Firebird, but it would have to be a 76 or older.

A third gen is the one to have right now. They are quickly going up in value where the 1st and 2nd gen are already sky high and the 4th gens are still depreciating.

This one needs checked out though. If it's a regular Bird, it's got a Formula or T/A hood on it. The hatch glass is for an '86.

 

[gotyourgoat]

A third gen is the one to have right now. They are quickly going up in value where the 1st and 2nd gen are already sky high and the 4th gens are still depreciating.

This one needs checked out though. If it's a regular Bird, it's got a Formula or T/A hood on it. The hatch glass is for an '86.

The hatch glass is special As is the windshield banner on the deck lid.

The interior would be the issues on this generation. If the body and driveline were acceptable the interior is the heavy weighted factor here.

 

[bucket]

The hatch glass is special As is the windshield banner on the deck lid.

The interior would be the issues on this generation. If the body and driveline were acceptable the interior is the heavy weighted factor here.

Interiors can be easy too. There's a lot of people like me that stock piled parts when these cars were super common in the pick-a-part type junkyards. There's a lot of restoration parts that are available now too. Most of it is not 100% like original, but close enough for most people.

 

[Old77]

If you get him talked down to $3k you can’t go wrong even if it needs a little tlc

 

[gotyourgoat]

Interiors can be easy too. There's a lot of people like me that stock piled parts when these cars were super common in the pick-a-part type junkyards. There's a lot of restoration parts that are available now too. Most of it is not 100% like original, but close enough for most people.

Good to know. Usually when I see these the interior has been removed and is in a pile somewhere out of the car but 'all there'.

 

[SK 99]

My first thought too.

Firebird daylight pic with headlights on means one or both doesn't close.


Second thought:

"Car has a short, but it's simple to fix"

Sure it is. Where's the short?

Exactly. I hate it when people mention a potentially serious issue, but it's "just a simple fix" supposedly.

No, if it was so simple, you would have fixed it. "Simple fix" actually means "I have no idea what the problem is and I don't have the skills or money to have it properly diagnosed"

 

[SK 99]

Do you have any pics of the engine bay? Judging by the description, I'm assuming it's a stockish 350 (or 305) with a carb and a bunch of sloppy wiring all over the place, maybe a Jeg's sticker on the shroud or firewall

 

[Rusty Nail]

I was thinking this too. There's not a pic with them closed. It's vacuum operated?

No. There are motors beside the light.
Definately broken. Definately a pain in the ass or they would brag about having them adjusted right and show em off closed.
Bet if you want them closed - you gotta pop the hood, get out and open it, then stick half of your hand in there and turn EACH knob about 5 million times.

It looks to me like the odo reads 175k and repainted to me - no side trim with bumperettes? Nahhh. A base v8 firebird in 89 was a 170 horse TBI 5.0 ?
Yep. TBI. That car has a round air cleaner.
The gearing ? Probably open 2.73... with a 700r4. YEE HAWWW!

I'd keep lookin. You don't want that.

If you get him talked down to $3k you can’t go wrong even if it needs a little tlc

I disagree.

 

[82sbshortbed]

The hatch glass is special As is the windshield banner on the deck lid.

The interior would be the issues on this generation. If the body and driveline were acceptable the interior is the heavy weighted factor here.

Interior looks clean and all there.

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[82sbshortbed]

Do you have any pics of the engine bay? Judging by the description, I'm assuming it's a stockish 350 (or 305) with a carb and a bunch of sloppy wiring all over the place, maybe a Jeg's sticker on the shroud or firewall

No pics of motor which I find odd. He says it's a v8 (305, 350?) Idk.