I've been working on a 87 Firebird for my girlfriends little brother...ported small chamber heads, Performer RPM, 268 Extreme Energy cam, headers, 3.73 disk brake posi rear, and a TCI built 700R4 with a mild stall. He started with a real rough car(he's 16), and I have been getting parts for him and building the engine. I grew up working on Fords, and specialise in late model Mustangs. I have a pretty fast street/strip car (should go mid nines this year, still drive it two hours to the track), but am looking for another driver for my girlfriend to drive to work every day, and for me to enjoy some on the weekends. I was going to buy another Mustang, but doing this Firebird for him got me looking around some, and I found a nice 1987 Trans Am in the autotrader nearby. It's a 350 Tune Port, 5-speed, disk brake posi car, supposedly has 20k miles on a new engine, has a new clutch and alternator, and three inch exhaust. I don't know the mileage on the body, but it looks really nice in the pictures. It is dark red/maroon with the gold basket weave wheels. The guy is currently asking $3850 for the car...does this sound reasonable? My girlfriend drives about 40 miles each way to work, mostly interstate at 80mph. She isn't great with a 5-speed, so she will need a refresher course. I was thinking just leave it stock except for a good shifter, like a B&M or something with positive gates, possibly some exhaust depending on what is on there. Can I expect decent mileage out on the highway with this car? I don't know what gears are in it... I'm guessing 3.23's or 3.42's? Let me know what to look for...here is a pic of the car:


car pic

 

This is just my opinion, but for just a tiny bit more money you could have a 93 or newer LT1. Much better car IMO. Better gas mileage as well.

 

well i got to get to class here soon, so this'll be short
first, it can be a stock 350 5speed
you either got a 305 auto, 305 manual, or 350 auto
since he said new engine, i'm guessing he swapped a 350 into a 305/5speed car
so the gears are probably 3.45 iirc
that car should have the 9 bolt borg warner rear end in it which is stronger than the stock 10 bolt
that's all i got for now
other guys will fill in what i left out
good luck

 

Honest opinion? I really like the earlier styling...I guess it is just what I was around back then (I just turned 30). I don't remember there being any 350/5-speed cars, but it didn't really strike me until now...hmmm

 

Yeah it prob was the good ol t-5 which could barely handle the lb9's 220hp..lol So yes that car is not stock all stock 350 L98 TPI cars came with the 700r4. So either he swapped in the trans or motor. If he was smart he would have swapped in a t-56.

I like stangs and f-bods alike and if you want something different i would say go for the bird. Fox bodies are nice but they just remind me of an escourt. A lt1 car is prob going to be better but i havent seen any yet in that price range Most are 5k and above in good condition.

Another thing is to ask him what he has done to the car, check for rust on the 1/4 pannels and floor boards. If it really is a L98 then it has alot of potential in it. Plus it can use the SBC market as well as the EFI/TPI market as well. I was thinking of picking up an 91 z28 L98 car and just moddin it to the gills. But then i found my SS

Would you ever concider a G-body? They have alot more room and trunk space since its going to be a daily and all. Monte SS's look pretty mean and well, we all know what a Turbo Buick can do.

 

I have owned 4 second gen T/A's (6.6) .... 2 Iroc's .... 1 3rd gen Formula .... 3 LT1's .... and do like the 3rd gens and the one in the pic does look good, but for the price I would rather have an LT1.
I just sold my Z28 6 speed for $5000 and it was a very nice car. Around here 3rd gens go for as much as a LT1 in the same condition and in my opinion the 4th gens dont seem to rattle as much interior wise, they are faster, and have better factory radios.
Honestly my 1988 Formula was probably one of the meanest looking cars I have ever owned and wish I had it back.
Also the factory never installed 5 speeds behind the 5.7's, only the 5.0's
Thats my opinion, and good luck on your next car purchase.

 

I paid 3,000 for my 95' Formula with 118K on it. I've rebuilt the A4 tranny, replaced the opti, fixed the intake manifold leak, replaced the tires, new waterpump (it still worked when I replaced it), new plugs, new thermostat, replaced lots of fuses that were dead when I bought the car.

I've got 126K on the car now.

I don't know much about 3rd gens, but I love my LT1. It was/is worth all the trouble I've gone through.

Right now I'm working on getting a new opti since I destroyed mine while chaning a fan switch. How embaressingly expensive.

- Z28WannaB

 

*tear* looks like my first car...I'd buy it if I could...distance wise....I've allways loved the 2nd and 3rd gen styling....just the way I sink into the driver's seat....ugh...God, I miss that car

If you've ever taken one for a ride, you'd see my point...

 

Looks like a solid car, but if mileage is a major concern I'd go with an M6 4th gen.