transaero

iTrader: (6)

Hey everyone, I'm looking to buy my first Trans am. I am looking for it to be a project, so I can really know my car. I'm a senior in highschool btw. I've found an 87 t/a that looks good, but it's been in an accident, and the front driver's side frame is buckled.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3499863053.html

Is it worth it/will I be able to repair it? I really have no idea how to repair a frame, but feel mostly comfortable with the rest. I know how to do basic repairs and a little more but anything I can't do, I'll get my dad to help.

My question is if anyone knows how much trouble this car would be for me/ is it worth investing in?

Thanks and sorry for the long message.

19CAMARO85

iTrader: (5)

Hey welcome to the site. Ill just tell you to run from that car. Trust me for 1500 you can get a third gen in much better shape. Granted that one WAS nice for 1500 all you are getting is a parts car. It would cost alot more just to take the car to a body shop and have the frame pulled. Save your money and keep looking. -Matt

transaero

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for the help. The problem is, down here in MD, there are no decent project cars that I can afford, or they are total ripoffs. The ones in nice condition are over $8000. Budgets suck.

6SIX6

iTrader: (35)

I wouldnt even pay that if I wanted it as a parts car. Move on to something else thats not smashed to crap

19CAMARO85

iTrader: (5)

yea sorry for the not so great news. Have you check around here on the site for third gens forsale?

Phenom-1

that 1987 Trans Am would make a nice restoration project for someone that has a lot of time and Money to invest in it and plans to keep it for a LONG time because just on the bent frame alone your going to have to take it to a frame straightening shop to get it fixed right and that is going to cost at least a grand or 2, then new windshield $300, hood $100, front end clip $350, driver fender $100. so your looking at a safe estimate of $3,500 in repairs just to fix the damage and get it road worthy on top of the $1,500 to buy it. so You have to ask yourself is it worth $5,000 for a Resto project that now being a salvage title car isn't going to get you your money back if you decide to sell it later on, and are you going to keep this car for the long term like 10+ years and put Sentimental value on it?


because that's the only way it would be worth it and also cost effective, and it's also the only way and reason I personally would purchase and take on a frame damaged restoration project car, for the keeping of it and putting it in my private collection to never sell it unless somebody one day made me a ridiculous offer that would give me a profit over every dime i put into it. because I personally would NEVER just part/piece out a Trans Am like Legos pieces and sell it off, especially one that is in still Very good condition and is VERY Salvageable and is not beyond Repair like one that has been crushed into a tin can like the cops crush illegal street racing cars. If the car has not been Literally cut in half or if the Entire frame has not been Literally crumpled and twisted like a piece of twisted candy then I deem it as Fixable/ repairable, it's just a matter of $$$. but for you I would also recommend you search for one that is currently running and driveable on the street like tomorrow, so you can drive it to school and what not, because unless your Mind/Body/Soul and Wallet is dead set on tackling a task as big as frame damage and seeing it thru all the way to the very End then save yourself the trouble and don't do it.

Phenom-1

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3512613887.html

this '88 Formula or this '89 Trans Am also look good but again... is it running ? and if not how much work and $ will you have to put in it to drive it. it doesn't seem like as much work as the '87 you showed us.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3474465110.html

this '95 LT1 Trans Am was a Great deal but it has body damage too. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3471106602.html


But for the money this 1996 Trans Am is a good Deal and seems Perfect for you 4th Gen, running and clean body and LT1 power in Good shape with Vette wheels.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3474282849.html


or if You want a 3rd Gen this '87 would be Perfect IMHO it's been babied
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3437526702.html


P.S. You think your message was long have you read mine ? LOL

bestracing

My brother bought an 86 IROC that had hit a pole and the damage was a lot less than that T/A. We found another Camaro, 83, and used the radiator support off it to fix the 86 and just with welding and a small stretch on the rack it ran him $800, 6 years ago. Like stated above, leave it for someone else and find a better starting point.

For third gen's in general check the areas around the ground effects as this is a good rust area and also around the rear wheel well areas where the seams are spot welded. The spare tire area is also a good rust through area.

transaero

iTrader: (6)

this one is perfect! fell in love on first sight. found one before but was in PA. Thanks alot!

Richboll

That one doesn't look bad. Just find out what constitutes "A little bit of engine noise" I've heard that term to describe loud engine knocks! Still it makes the price negotiable. Good luck with your search!

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I bet you could get that for $15-1800.

bestracing

Looks like that one has a rattle can paint job.

Be careful as this one has been torn into and is no longer running with a computer. It has a Holley carb so that means it should have a vacuum advanced distributor in it as well, not a computer controlled dizzy.

Take someone that has experience with cars with you. Getting a car that has been modified already could be a good buy or it can turn out to be a major PITA.

I'm guessing it was a 305 (5.0L) TPI car before getting modified.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

It doesn't say anything about being modified.

cIaRmOaCrZo

if you didnt live so far away, id sell you my trans am for 2k. but good luck on the hunt

Phenom-1

Your Welcome if I was you I'd try to see if I could Score it for $1,800 cash money right on the spot, because it does need some tlc, new rear spoiler, seats have tears so gonna need to fix that or replace and the right side taillight looks like it has a pebble sized hole. those repairs could take at least $500.

transaero

iTrader: (6)

Thanks guys! No matter what I get, I plan on keeping it for a LONG time. After a couple of years when I get a more economic/standard car, I'll drop a bigger engine it. Hopefully I'll know how to do that from Tech school. After tech school, I want to own my own muscle car restoration and repair shop.

Phenom-1

Ditto, let us know when you get it

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The 89 formula 350 needs some work but just by looking, I think its the best out of all these.
I'd personally skip any LT1 4thgen. They can be a pricey pain in the arss.
That flatblack 87 T/A has been swapped to a carb, rattle can paint/primer and engine noise?? (plus Im not huge on the tan interior in this car 4 some reason)
I do like the 87 T/A the OP posted about, very clean car, other than the crash. It would make a great car for someone with the cash to fix it properly so it doesn't end up in rattle can paint and with a "new" holley carb.

Phenom-1

I have a 4th Gen, hasn't been a pain so far cause it's been given maintenance and I don't drive it nowadays with gas prices

bestracing

It doesn't have to say it's modified to know that "installed New Holley Carb" means it has been modified (meaning not factory original).

That hole is more than pebble size. Either way you're replacing the passenger side taillight assembly. I wouldn't pay more than 1800 either as long as the motor is good and the "noise" is something simple like a pulley or belt making noise.

Steve86TA

iTrader: (57)

The Formula in the first listing is not that bad. 350 with no power options

The wrecked GTA is a turd. 5.7, disc PBR rear, dual cats, black interior.Still has some good parts for sale left on it though. LMK if you need anything from it.

transaero

iTrader: (6)

So I've been searching again, and I came up with a few more reasonable/nicer looking T/A's.

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/3411764443.html

This first one's my favorite, but it's about $2000 about my price range, unless my dad decides to give me a loan.

http://york.craigslist.org/cto/3479669413.html
This one looks pretty good, and it has a ''new'' engine, but there isn't much other info or pics.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3437526702.html
This one would be an easy project, and is a great price, but I really like the TPI parts of the 87-89 T/A's, which this one wouldn't have, so that's kind of a downside.

http://york.craigslist.org/cto/3545797158.html
This one seems sketchy, but it's Ravens purple, which is pretty appropriate right now. But the car is def. a project, and the only thing that really catches (for the price) my attention is the engine.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...555472587.html
And then there is this car. It's looks decent, could use some polishing. But $3000 might be a little steep. Also, I don't think it has TPI 'cause it's an '86. And it doesn't have a 350, which are the stock engines I prefer I like for 3rd gens. But this one is closest, and is about in my price range, and I can work the price at least somewhat.


Overall, I like the blue 87 TA the best, so naturally it's the farthest and most expensive. haha. Anyway, what do you guys think?

bestracing

85 and 86 could be optioned with the LB9, 305 TPI, which was only offered with automatics for 86. https://www.thirdgen.org/1986-pontiac-firebird. If you want a car that came stock with a 350 then you need 87 and newer.

Just keep this in mind. If you are not worried about keeping the car all original, you can get a 305 car and all the TPI stuff can swap to a 350 later on. You just need larger injectors and a ROM chip from a 350 car or get a ROM from a place like PCMs for Less. I have a friend that has an 84 vette with a CFI system on it and I'm going to be helping him convert it to a 350 with TPI system on it. He's got a 350 from a truck, unfortunately it's a pre-Vortec head motor but it was cheap and it runs great. A good base to start with. You can do the same thing.

bestracing

The first one is the same color as my 86. You can tell it was kept in a garage or it has been repainted or the paint would be peeling off. Very nice but I couldn't tell if it has the deluxe interior package which is the carpeted rear panels.

The second one looks okay but make sure you take a flash light and a mirror and verify that on the rear of the block it has 5.7 casted in it and not 5.0. Many people advertise TPI motors as 350's even when they are 305's

The purple one has had some work done to the motor and was originally an EFI car not a carb (LG4) equipped car. Some problems you could run into is the Holley needs the TV cable mount bracket for the throttle lever and you need a torque converter lock up switch which a lot of people don't do when they swap to a carb.

My pick would be the first or last one for you.