I guess I got burned

I just bought an 89 TA a few days ago. I thought it was a 5.7 tbi, but looks as if its a 305. The dash has an emblem that says "performance suspension" but a couple guys at another 3rd gen site said someone just put that in there to sell it. I thought it had posi the way it spun both tires in the gravel and fishtailed all over, but they said because it has drums instead of rear disk brakes theres no way it's posi.

Yes this is my first trans am, and first "hotrod" or what appears to look like one anyways. The motor has 119000 miles on it but religiously maintained. The seats are all ripped from dry rot and the paint is bad in spots. No rust at all. The worst part is the rear spoiler, it looks like hell. It has a sunroof also. It hold 60lbs oil pressure at idle. Runs great and has lots of power. I guess all in all Im happy with the car, but them guys assured me its a POS :( And I am a fool for paying $1200 for it.

Your VIN number should tell for sure what the engine size is. A 5.0 and a 5.7 will look the same from the outside. The only difference is bore size (and maybe stroke length, not sure), but otherwise it's the same block. As far as the posi, jack up the rear end and with both tires in the air and in park (any gear if manual) and try to turn the tires. If they turn opposite of each other, no posi. If you can only move them as far a the driveline play will let you, you do have it. Also look for a metal tag held by one of the cover bolts that says "use limited slip fluid". I've seen lots of posi units with drums, so I wouldn't rely on those guys 100%.

A 89 TA in WI for $1200 with no rust would be classifed as a STEAL-
10th digit = Year
8th digit = Engine code

that was a good buy. I would not listen to the naysayers.
jake

Thanks guys, I was really excited about this car seeing as I've wanted one for years. It kinda bummed me out that they all thought it was a piece...

I guess if i like it that should be all that matters, but I wouldn't mind a little respect from the other TA owners, not disrespect because I didnt buy a 300+ HP Dragster.

dont even worry about them. you bought what you wanted, $1200 sounds like a steal to me.

to be honest, when i bought mine i didnt know all the options it had. the previous owned didnt either.

turns out it had everything available, from posi, to 4 wheel disc's, A/c, everything but leather seats.

people still knock me becuase it has a 305, the performance 305, but it still isnt a rocket. i dont care. and you shouldnt either.

Everyone wants to feel good about thier car so they knock someone else. everyone wants to justify spending 3800$ on that turbocharger. or 2000$ on that new exhaust.

bottom line is, if someone knocks your veichle, and your happy with it. just ignore them.

The 305 in mine is way fast enough to, A. Kill me, B. Get me a hefty ticket, and C. Smoke alot of vehicles that are on the road today. Yeah, Ill prolly get a fair share of being smoked too. I'll have a nice backup ready when the old 5.0 fails though. ;)

They are just pissing and whining because you don't have to pay 400 $ a month for XXX # of years to pay off your 2005 Honda shoebox - There is a TON of mods you "could " do to a TA for not too much $$ (WTH you could drop in a Big Block for crying out loud)
or just drive it like it is and enjoy it-The 88-90 TA / Birds have always been best looking of the 3rd gen- And 4th for that matter...

i agree. hence the reason i have GTA body parts on mine, but still have those older rims, wich i think look killer with the gold in the spokes.