What to do when buying a 1982-1983 Pontiac Trans Am?

Nelson B · Post by **Nelson B** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:25 pm

Have you checked out the convertable kitt thats has a bunch of replica parts going with it? The seller only wants $5500.00 bucks. Its on ebay sorry I don't have the link. Maybe some else can put it up? You can get the link if you check out the classifields on the foundation and knight registries websites. Looks like its one hell of a deal.

Lost Knight · Post by **Lost Knight** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:31 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac- ... dZViewItem

"I paid over $5500. for Just the KITT parts and $3500. for the Firebird. Over $9000. worth of car and KITT here thats not including the shipping on all these pieces, yours for $5500."

Appears to be one of the rare 663 1992 Firebird convertibles. Considering these cars by themselves usually aren't worth more than $5-6,000.00, it seems to be an accurate price for an uncompleted replica. The seller also lists how much he spent on each of the spare parts, so his asking price seems to make sense, and it does sound like it's a great deal considering that the car is still in good running shape. But the mileage is very high at 100,325 miles. Just be aware that it's a garbage, sluggish 305 V-8 Crossfire engine, which probably amounts to 150HP or less. [/i]

Lost Knight · Post by **Lost Knight** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:31 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac- ... dZViewItem

"I paid over $5500. for Just the KITT parts and $3500. for the Firebird. Over $9000. worth of car and KITT here thats not including the shipping on all these pieces, yours for $5500."

Appears to be one of the rare 663 1992 Firebird convertibles. Considering these cars by themselves usually aren't worth more than $5-6,000.00, it seems to be an accurate price for an uncompleted replica. The seller also lists how much he spent on each of the spare parts, so his asking price seems to make sense, and it does sound like it's a great deal considering that the car is still in good running shape. The seller also said that he's selling it because he needs the cash for a new home.

But the mileage is very high at 100,325 miles. Just be aware that it's a garbage, sluggish, 305 V-8 Crossfire engine, which probably amounts to 150HP or less.

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:32 pm

I'd rather have the enjoyment of modding it myself plus dont buy cars off ebay and have a mechanic look at the modded vehicle

Nelson B · Post by **Nelson B** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:49 pm

Its not a 305 crossfire engine. It has a tpi set up according to the auction. So good luck with your search since you have decided not to look for transams and kitt replica parts on ebay.

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:23 am

it just looks too good too be true. i have bought and would buy KITT/KARR parts off ebay just not cars

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:31 am

"Looks Can Be Deceiving"

T.A.H.O.E. · Post by **T.A.H.O.E.** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:07 am

Will do.....

"I'll keep my scanners peeled....full surveilence mode"

( and then the crowd grumbles at the silly cliche'.....--Grrrroan! )

Nelson B · Post by **Nelson B** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:18 pm

True a car usually does look better in pictures. But I find it hard to believe that a person would go thru all the trouble to buy all those kitt replica parts just to install it in a piece of junk. Well somebody is going to get one hell of a deal.

msKEN · Post by **msKEN** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:22 pm

Yes they are getting a hell of a deal with this car, and 100k miles on a 15 year old car is far from garbage. Considering the American average is 15k per year the car should by all rights be at 225k.

Crossfire fuel injection was dropped after 1983 for being too buggy. This is a TPI engine which are actually very decent set ups if maintained.

Wish I had an extra 6 grand, this car would be mine lol.

TurbomanKnight · Post by **TurbomanKnight** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:44 pm

The car in question has a 305 Throttle Body Injection. (TBI) The car isnt a Crossfire or TPI.

8th Digit is a E which designates the 305 TBI. And also it says TBI right in the listing. lol

TBI SUCKS!!!

TurbomanKnight · Post by **TurbomanKnight** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:09 pm

CJaguar442 wrote:i have heard of people who inspect vehicles professionally for you if the vehicle is some diastance from you. i fonud one car in south carolina too, a 1983 25th daytona 500 edition at a dealer and carfax check the vin if the seller wont give up the for a carfax history report you know there is something serious with the car

Dont convert A Daytona Pace Car. Those are too nice. And Rare.

When looking for a Third Gen Firebird:

1. Inspect the Miles, overall Condition of Exterior, interior. (Because the odometer says 55,XXX doesnt mean it's corrrect. 82-86 Firebirds had 5 Digit odometers. So if you were to Go over 99,999, it would start at 00,000 again. Checking the conidtion of certain parts may help guide you in knowing if the mileage is true or not.
2. Check out the Rear Quarter panels and lower body for Rust, Rot.
3. Look under car for any leaks, rot, or anything out of place.
4. Pop the Hood with the Engine running. Check out for any visual leaks, listen for knocking, tapping.
5. Test drive car, check for Transmission shifting, stability, brakes, acceleration, how well the car rides over bumps.
6. If the car is a T-Top, remove the T-tops and inspect the T-top support bar for Rust. (All GM t-tops leak. Water is bound to be stored in there. I went to look at a 88 Trans Am a few days ago and the T-top support bar was rotted and the ridge for the T-tops on the Roof were as well. The Support bar is the easy part cause that can be changed. The ridges, not so much as they are apart of the roof.)
7. Check that all VINs match.
8. Check if the accessories work. (A/C, Cruise, Electronics, Headlight motors.)
9. If you're looking to build a KR conversion, try to get one the most structurally and mechanically sound. And the one with the parts you need. (Cowl Hood, Turbo Cast (not Turbo Fin) Wheels w/ Caps, Rear Spoiler, 82-84 T/A Taillights, 82-84 Ground Effects (make sure it isnt the AERO ground effects.), T-Tops, Tan Interior, Black Exterior.

I'm running off of memory here, so I know I'm missing something. Feel free to add.

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:42 am

ebay is not a good place to buy cars because you cannot physically inspect them and you are at the whim of the seller if somethings top good to be true it most likely is. i am not say this is a bad car it is most likely a good buy. but why is it that cheap when a buying a modded car you need to have a mechanic inspect to see if it was done correctly. you can t take it at face value.

"think crazy not stupid"

TurbomanKnight · Post by **TurbomanKnight** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:53 pm

Buying on eBay isnt a problem. I mean, if you can find a car locally or a little drive away, you can still inspect it yourself.

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:38 pm

if its in my state

TurbomanKnight · Post by **TurbomanKnight** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:53 pm

Dont forget your local Craigslist.

T.A.H.O.E. · Post by **T.A.H.O.E.** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:31 pm

Cjag....T.A.H.O.E. here...saw a f-bird-t/a for sale out on rte 123 in Norton...blue, early,mid 90s.....

thought you should know....sighted 2 days ago

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:34 pm

thanks for the update tahoe

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:03 pm

i found this great 1982 trans am on ebay with only 18,000 miles on it the vin checks out it has ac, ttops, v8, auto, power everthing, 1 owner, summer car, garged. only $8500 plus $720 for shipping. for some reason half my gut tells me not to buy the other half says you will regret it buy it now. but i have only $5000 to spend

Nelson B · Post by **Nelson B** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:49 pm

That car sounds to good to be true thats awful low milage for a car thats almost 26 years old. You should of went after that white convertable with all the knight rider parts. But I'am glad you didn't because I bought the dash from it and now its in my replica YAHOO. The seller took my advice when the car did not sell and sold everything seperatly. Took alittle over a week everything sold.

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:37 am

th guy gave me a second chance offer it has no rust http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 67522&rd=1

CJaguar442 · Post by **CJaguar442** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:43 am

i am still looking at the 83 daytona 500 edition trans am with 55,000 miles on it which is $8000 that also checks out with its vin with auto check and carfax

do you think i should go with that car on ebay or this one

Nelson B · Post by **Nelson B** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:42 pm

I think if I was going to spend that amount of money on are car definatly go see it first. Even if you have to jump on a greyhound bus or somthing. When I bought my 1982 transam almost 16 years ago I only paid $3500.00 for him. And he was only 10 years old at that time. The used car lots at that time wanted ten grand for any 82 that was sitting on the lots. Personally I wouldn't spend that much on a used car unless I won the lottery or somthing. But that is only my opinion.

What to do when buying a 1982-1983 Pontiac Trans Am?

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