i have been looking for a while. this is in my price range and since i cant do too much body work this is looking good to me. the auction is about to end and it doesnt look like he will make the reserve but he says its not too far away. guessing around $5k i am wanting to do a trans am tribute project. this is close enough that i can go pick it up and not have to ship it.

tell me what you guys think

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230306682925&_trksid=p2761.l1259

I saw this one on craigslist posted here in FL, but in Texas I think. Looks like a nice car not a convertible, but maybe it can be bought right in this market.

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/ctd/912533568.html

Good luck in your search!

Looks good for 5K. Go for it!

You mentioned that you don't want to do too much body work, but did you notice that it needs both quarters replaced? This is not a trivial job.

I would also recommend getting better pics of the replaced floor and trunk. The ad mentions that they have been replaced, I would validate that there were and not just patched. I would also want to see close-ups of the seems where they were repaired.

As much as I hate to admit it (being a Firebird owner), the value of a Firebird is less than a Camaro, keep this in mind. The car overall seems fairly rough to me. The interior will all need to be replaced (someone really hacked up the dash...this alone is $400), I don't see the console, make sure that is included, they go for big $$ also. Also, it was an A/C car so you will either need to plan for what you want to do with that (cover it or repair it).

I am not saying it's a bad deal, I think it is an ok deal. It is a vert, so that makes it worth more.

If I were buying it, I would approach it as a decent shell that needs qtrs with an expectation that I will need to replace almost everything else. Especially, if you are planning a full restoration.

Phil

thanks phil, i am a little worried about the quarters. the only good thing is that i think they are easy to buy. i have been thinking about the finished value as well, it is not something i would buy to flip but should it be considered.
he sent me these pics of the rockers. one side is rough, should i stay away?

i am thinking to offer $4k maybe $4500the guy seems to really want to get rid of it. he said he bought it 6 months ago for $7500.

Make sure that you are getting some good pics of the subframe and shock towers as well before you buy! Quarters and rockers are not hard to replace if you can do bodywork. If not your paying $40-$60 an hour to get it done which is going rate for any good bodyman and it adds up quick.

It's so hard to tell just how bad things are from just pics, but there are a few red flags that would catch my attention:

- He just bought it for $7500 and he is now willing to sell for $5K? This may suggest that it is a lot worse than even he had thought. Why is he WILLING to take a loss?

- Severe rot at the quarter panel in the last pics. That hole is actually in the quarter panel not the rocker panel. However, that severe of a rust hole suggests further deterioriation. There are 2 pieces to the rocker panels, the inners and the outers. I would want to get a look inside that rust hole to see the inner rockers. It is a VERY common rust area (where they weld to the floor). It is not uncommon to find cars where the floor has been patched and welded to a rotted inner rocker basically making the floor repair useless.

- Those are the original rear shock mounts, so the full trunk was not replaced (the full trunk includes the mounts and up to the seam at the rear seat supoports). It looks like the bottom of the trunk may have been replaced (see the new black paint in the upper left of the very last pic). This is okay as long as the weld is good (butt welded) and all of the rot was removed. I would also want to check how solid the existing shock mounts are...there is a lot of rust scale on them.

My opinion is that there are enough red flags that I would not purchase it sight unseen. IF you can see it in person AND verify the work that has been done is up to par (correct welds), validate that the inner rockers are solid, verify that the frame rails are solid, and for good measure check the area at the bottom of the windshield (inside and out as best as you can see it) for any signs of pitting or bondo (very common rust area that can be totally deteriorated behind the windshield), then I would make him an offer. If all of these things checkout, I would offer him $4K with cash in-hand.

Per noted above, do not under estimate the cost of quarter panel replacement if you cannot do it yourself.

Just my opinions, I am sure others here will offer more insight as well.

Phil

Why would he sell it for 4k when it went up to $4,400 on Ebay with no sale ? If it was mine I'd contact the guy who bid the $4,400 and see if he still wants it.

he said he is selling because his wife lost her job and they need money. (sold his harley in another auction) you are right about the red flags phil. already replaced fenders, hood, doors, floors and trunk. quarters are shot, how good can the rockers be? i do think he might take $4k if you were waiving it in his face, but i think i will pass on this one.
besides my new house (and garage) is not built yet, I dont have anywhere to store it and the top is not even on it.

thanks to everyone. another reason to love this site. objective opinions.

if you do get it ... use the 10% off coupon pay pal is offering. just trying to say you some bucks.. :D