I know this is off topic but I got nobody else to ask. I'm looking at an 83 firebird, she has t-tops a special edition black and white interior. It's got a 305 with a TH700. The interior is trashed, it must have been owned by some punk. I don't know how many miles are on it but I don't really car. It doesn't have any non-surface rust. The carb is extremely filthy which I believe but am not certain is causing the engine to miss. I should be able to get a rebuilt 305 and th700 tranny for $1700 including labor, assuming it needs an engine and tranny, I'm not sure. If it books for $5200 and the interior is missing the healiner, door panel, and some other misc crap. I can get the car for $400, this sounds like a good deal to me, here's the link to the ad: http://desmoines.craigslist.org/ctd/1061446867.html. Does it sound good to you guys or am I crazy? I don't know if I'll be able to keep my nova because It needs about 7k in body work and I just can't afford it. That's why I'm lookin at this one.
Thanks guys
Alex

it's gotta be worth more than that just in parts... i'd say it's worth it ;)

The condition that third gen is in - is not bad at all... considering some parts cars ive seen posted for around 500 or so. Ive just gotten a 85' Maro free from a friend who had her sit WITHOUT preping for storage for damn near 6 years.... Ill tell ya the little boat ancores they put in there are amazing - Dropped in a battery, Did a quick fluid change some oil thru the sparkies holes and she fired to life.

if this cars on a dealership lot with a missing batt bad tires and no interior id bring 300 in cash... put it on the hood and watch how fast they jump at it with the other hundred a good tuneup for the miss' and be good to go. one cool fact about these third gens is that most of the fourth gen interiors dash pads and dash with little modification bolt in. in fact 4th gen seats will bolt right to the floor. not to take away from the camaro sister site but http://www.thirdgen.org/ is a site that caters purely to 3rd gen camaros/firebirds

Johnny.. you shoulda kept the one you won so you could be kool like us! :-p ;)

Thanks for the info guys. The situation with it is kinda funny, the dealer doesn't own the car, the gal who owns the dealer is selling it for her friend. Therefore they have to call the guy selling it every time they get an offer. The guy wanted a thousand I beat 'em down to $300 but when they called the guy he said no less than $400. The car sat for 5 years unprepped. So its full of spiders and other lovely dead bugs. I'm looking at a 1990 Firebird with tpi and t tops for $475, needs a starter and exhaust. If I get that one I should be able to keep my Nova:hurray:. Therefore I'll probably get that one. I'll send ya some pics of whatever I get.
Thanks guys
Yak yer ear off Alex;)

75 dollar diffy for a tpi? dont walk RUN after that one!!! the tpi alone can go for around a grand then the wiring harness is another 500 or so... that car is a steal!!!!
if its the original motor it'll have either the stouter lb9 305 (200 hpish) or l98 (250 hpish) itll have the 30 spline 700r4!

one thing to keep in mind on these is keep a eye on the t-tops.. 20+/- year old rubber
just about 90% of the 3rd gens out there have a leak :/

sounds like you have a good one lined up... and dangit I wanna see PICS !!!

:D

I'm gonna go look at the 90 in a few minutes. It might be tbi but I'm not sure I only spoke with the guy for a few minutes. I can definitely spend $150 on t top seals if it means I get a removable glass roof. If I get it (which I probably will), you guys will get pics tonight or tomorrow. I gotta go get a k-car for my step-father this afternoon.
Alex
PS: Shifty won a Firebird?

yeah but it was years and years ago... won it off a radio station (no biggie really)

for a "Free" car it cost me a bit of cash to take possession... taxes, dealer prep yada yada yada then i got hit with a 1099 and the IRS came knockin' at my door :( also, for a "Free" car i thought at the time, this is an H.O. and should be driven as one... not sayin' i thrashed it but i drove it pretty hard. the dealership had to warranty the differential after it sorta had problems :eek: :rolleyes:

it was a cool car at the time, the first new car i'd ever owned. up to that time i had nothing but '55's and a few Chevelle's & Camaro's. looking back i think i'd have rather NOT won the car and stuck with the double nickles ;)

Sorry bout the crappy pics, I'll get ya some better ones tomorrow when I work on it. Its a 1990 Firebird Formula, tbi 305, 700r4. Needs a starter, door pins, hood latch, hatch lock, seats are ripped, headliner, t top seals, horn button fixed (that's what that button next to the column is), radio, and paint. Pretty good for $475. Plus the guy towed it to my house for free. The guy I bought it from is really cool. He's got a 72 chevelle, 59 El Camino, and a 69 442.My parents and brother each bought a car off him too. He has the coolest Camaro that needs a new home. It's an early 80's third gen Berlinetta. It has a half digital dash, the radio is on a pedestal that swivels, plus t-tops and a tbi. He only wants 2k if anybodies interested. It's got some surface rust and one dent on the rh fender. It's a really cool car:cool:
Alex

Johnny.. Just pullin the rotten ones chain ;) (always found it funny.. the irs was setup for paying off the debt to ww2... yet they're still around! politicians... go figure.)

bowtie, check out http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com the guys got just about every part you could imagine for a 3rd gen - including a pull parts lot and alot of new parts in warehouse. think id try looking for a 4th gen seat - they are comphy and bolt right in.. might end up cheaper thru a craigslist/boneyard then a "recovery" kit and have that fun to drive due to fit factor.... imo. all in all looks like round a bill and you got a cruiser ;)
>Needs under hood shots!!!! ;) <

and johnny dont feel bad about the 55's... ive had family members who totaled out everything from a original one owner 64' chevelle (supposed to be mine) or a 56' bel aire (family member said couldnt have due to flat tires like wtf.)

guess mysery loves company :/ (esp on car loss!)