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89 formula bird to buy or not to buy

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Old 02-10-2005, 08:54 PM
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Default 89 formula bird to buy or not to buy

A guy at work is selling an 89 forumla bird with a 350, new white with pearl blue paint, new tires and the ws6 package. Im almost hell bent on getting this car but i dont wanna pay too much. it blue books for 2750, but i know he will want more and ill pay more, but how high do you think i should go? it has 75000 original miles on it
Old 02-10-2005, 08:58 PM
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Wow, if its in that good shape, I would pay 3000 easily.
Old 02-10-2005, 09:00 PM
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He says its in perfect shape, ill probly go drive it sunday.
Old 02-10-2005, 09:03 PM
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Cool. Why is the blue book so low though? I thought it would of been higher for a car like that.
Old 02-10-2005, 09:05 PM
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THink about how many firebirds are out there. even though it has the 350, it still isnt worth much, just fun to have
Old 02-10-2005, 09:06 PM
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Good point. But I was un aware that there were a lot of firebirds out there.
Old 02-11-2005, 05:30 AM
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Make sure you try to drive a couple of examples of a Formula 350. Third Gen F-bodies are known for rattles & creaks.
Old 02-11-2005, 06:09 PM
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From what he said the body is still tight, but im gunna check the doors and stuff like that to see
Old 02-11-2005, 09:00 PM
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where is the car located? if it'* in the rust belt area look real close to the unibody subframe at the drivers and passengers feet as with hard driving i have seen more than a couple with cracks in the unibody also check for rust in the trunk/hatch floor area, and in front of the rear wheels where most of the body cladding holds **** next to the sheetmetal and will eat right through the rocker panels on the underside. and also look real close for a "bubble" on top (eng compartment) or under (above the tire/strut) the front wheel wells as the factory did a horible job spraying the sealer to prevent the spot welded panels from rusting fron the inside out.
just a few pointers fer ya! bring a flashlight/jack/cardboard and take a good look!
the TPI 350'* are great engines and i have only seen pattern failures of the EGR (vacum leak will run sjitty at idle) and the fuel pressure regulator, and the cooling fan switch in the drivers/passengers cylinder head.
if it has the 4 spd 700R4 auto your lucky, the 89 and later were much improved over the 87-88 ones, if it'* the 5 spd manual see how it shifts into second gear under WOT-if it'* difficult you will need the 2nd gear synchro'* replaced (this depends whether it was driven enthusiaticly for most of it'* 75K miles or not)
otherwise they are great cars-easy to go fast (thats what matters right lol)
good hunting!
regards James
Old 02-11-2005, 11:26 PM
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Its an auto i know that for sure. THanx for all of the info, that really helps but i still have no idea what a fair price for this car would be


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