I'm going to look at a '89 IROC this week and I was wondering what I should look for? It's an original owner, L98, low mile car (68,000). Other than that I don't know a whole lot about it. Anyone have an opinion on things I should pay special attention to?

 

my first suggestion is to check it out when it is cold and have it started up. see how much smoke comes out of the exhaust. the 3rd gens are notorious for having bad valve seals which leak oil into the combustion chamber. all the owner has to do so you don't see this is starrt it up before youget there

other than that, check to see if it has a "wonder bar". my 87 IROC had one, but i'm not sure it was original.
just check the integrety of the frame where the steering box bolts on. it is a comon problem that the force of turning the wheels weakens the frame there and causes failure and the bolts rip out.

 

check the VIN to see if its a real L98 car...the 8th digit of the VIN should be an 8.

if it has t-tops,take them out and look in the space between the 2 t-tops for rust.

 

From the picture I can tell it doesn't have T-Tops. I've had 2 F-bodies with T-Tops and they both leaked. I'm not going down that road again.

 

Tom,

I cannot comment on your original question but after seeing your sig, I now know that I'm not the only one who owns Camaros (or did own) and an SVT Ford. I own two third gen Z28's, a 1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 and a soon-to-be twin turboed 1987 IROC-Z coupe. I also own a 2000 silver L (which is up for sale) and an '03 Cobra (otherwise known as the "Terminator"). The Cobra is an awesome example of Ford finally "getting it right". Sorry for the tangent but I don't know anyone else with the same combo as myself and I couldn't help myself.

Willie