Hey everybody I Don't know to much about 3rd gens. I am looking at a 89 formula 305 tpi with 700r4 (wanted a 350 but am thinking about swapping one in down the road). The guys bottom dollar is 2100. Its got a new paint job. Engine and tranny seem pretty sound. Its got 97000 miles. I am just wondering if you guys would jump on it or pass it up.

Thanks

Joe

 

It sounds like a fairly good deal, but how good is it? Have you checked to make sure everything works like AC, heat, rear defrost, windows, door locks, gauges, seats, rear hatch, headlight motors, etc.? These problems add up (this is from personal experience). Does the transmission shift smooth and shifts in all gears. If the car is a T-top or convertible, does it leak? Just check out everything you can about the car before you get it. Also, get the VIN number and RPO codes and decode them at www.thirdgen.org , just to make sure that what the seller says is true about the car.

If everything on the car checks out good, than yes, if I was in your situation, I would get it. $2100 isn't bad atall for a good 3rd gen. Good luck!

 

i would be all over it for $2100. me personally i prefer a stick car but still all in all thats a killer deal for a car that old and with that many miles.
as for myself if certain small things didnt work i wouldnt sweat it as those things in most cases can be easily fixed.
but it also depends on your access to get things fixed or your knowledge to fix.

 

Check the fluids. Make sure they are not brand spaking new or you might need to take a closer look. Take along a scantool to see if the engine is rattling around or not. Run compression checks on all cylinders. Should be over 140 psi and within 5% of each other.

 

Yea pick it up man. If it was stick I would be over there fighting you for it.

 

i bought my 82 z28 for $1800 a few years ago, it had a fresh paint job and a nice motor, but everything else was shot. brakes, tranny, suspension, shocks/struts, torgue arm, steering, etc. just keep in mind that a lot of people want to trick you into something you cant handle, check for rust on all parts of the car, including floor pan and suspension. check all fluids, if they are new the owner may have replaced them all to hide an underlying problem, check the brake fluid! this is vital, miscolored or low brake fluid may indicate neglect or a major leak, and can cost huge money in repair. check all electronics, nagging wiring and sensor problems are terrible to chase down. otherwise, a formula t/a with the tpi will run very strong for a very long time, its essentially the same package as the iroc-z, which is a very strong pack. in the event that you switch to a larger motor, it is incredibally easy to swap in another small block, as they all have the same mounting points and fit about the same. plus, formula tpi on a 305 is getting pretty rare, and is probably a good snag at that price, regardless of certain problems, as all cars have problems.

 

I's wait if i were you. You could find a nice formula 350tpi for that price. Just my .02