1986 firebird. Should I buy it? First car...

zsracing · #1 02-21-2005, 08:35 PM

Hey guys, one of my good friends has a 1986 firebird, and I asked abaout it. He said the last time he drove it, it ran great... but it has been sitting for about 2 years.... so im sure it would be a beast to start. At first he said 600 bucks... then i spoke with his dad, and he said that it had a little over 100k on it, but it did run good the last time it was driven. He said he would go with me to check it out, and try to get it running. He said he would sell it to me for 50-100 bux, lol. I figured for that it must not work, but I looked at it and it looks pretty good for being a 19 year old car. I have'nt go to test it out yet, but do you guys think it would be worth it. (this would be my first car) ... and the reason why I am so interested in it, is that I only have about 300 bucks... because my parents will not let me work during weekdays; concequently, I only get about 40-60 bux for working on the weekends up at albertsons. Anyways, let me know what you guys think. I figured for that cheap it must be a POS... but it looks nice... so maybye it will run nice. Heheh.

Any suggestions for getting it started? I was gonna put about 10 bux of gas in it to try to start it, because it might of had gas in it when it was last driven... so the octane would be gone by now... and it would need quite a bit of gas to remix w/ that old crap... unless u know how i could drain it. As far as the oil is concerned... i'll check it out... I really wanna get it started first... before i start putting money it in... for oil, and transmission fluid... etc... Anywho... if by some miracle it does happen to run, I think changing the plugs, distributor cap, plug wires, the fluids, air, and oil filters all should be a good start.

As I said before, I have never had my own car before, or worked on one for that matter, but I am definitely willing to learn. I wouldnt consider myself too dumb. I'm pretty good w/ computers, and make webpages for various companies... build and program robots, race 1/8 r/c nitro, etc.... so I think I could learn how to work on cars. Anyways if u have any suggestions or would like to help me out. Post back, or email me at:

[email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]

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Thanks!

blindeyed · #2 02-21-2005, 11:12 PM

Well that 40-60 bucks your getting, is that for every 2 weeks? If so, then I'd say that a car in that shape seems like it's going to require a little more income to get it up and running, if in fact it currently won't run. The mileage on it though, as you stated being a little over 100K, is great.. especially for a car of that year. And you said the body looks good as well, so there's another plus. But here's a question, is it a V6 or V8? If it's a V6, then I highly recommend that you keep on looking. I made a mistake by buying a V6 95 bird. They're great on gas, but suck at power. So if your looking into a nice cheap daily driver, then I'd say go for it, given of course that it runs fine and doesn't need alot of maintnence done to it. But if your wanting it for the power, then forget about it and keep on looking for another car.

cooltc2004 · #3 02-21-2005, 11:47 PM

I wouldnt say the V6 is suck on power, I own a V6 1992 Firebird, of course its a 5-spd, but she doesnt suck on power.

I know its NOTHING like a v8, but for a V6, not bad at all.

Lets just say I burned rubber in 3 gears

blindeyed · #4 02-22-2005, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooltc2004

I wouldnt say the V6 is suck on power, I own a V6 1992 Firebird, of course its a 5-spd, but she doesnt suck on power.

I know its NOTHING like a v8, but for a V6, not bad at all.

Lets just say I burned rubber in 3 gears

yeah I remember your post when you first purchased your bird. Might I add, it's a great looking car. i suppose I just see my V6 lacking power because it's an automatic. Plus.. having a friend constantly rubbing his 305 V8 in your face doesnt help much

Twizted_3KGT · #5 02-22-2005, 03:13 AM

if it's V6 don't buy...'86 those motors were horrible...305 or 350 V8 then go for it...cheap to fix no matter the problem and at 100k its at about half it's life.

volkerc · #6 02-22-2005, 03:58 AM

how can you go wrong for $50-100. If you can't get it to run, sell the thing again for more or part it out and sell, the parts...
a new battery will probably aid you big time and getting it to run...

CreepingDeath94 · #7 02-22-2005, 12:14 PM

agreed...100 dollars is worth it if the body alone is in decent shape.

cooltc2004 · #8 02-22-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindxeyed

yeah I remember your post when you first purchased your bird. Might I add, it's a great looking car. i suppose I just see my V6 lacking power because it's an automatic. Plus.. having a friend constantly rubbing his 305 V8 in your face doesnt help much

Thanks.

.Yeah having a buddy with a V8 rubbing it in your face doesnt help much D:

zsracing · #9 02-22-2005, 06:41 PM

Cool, thanks for the suggestions. Will the battery from my mom's station wagon work in it? ... I really know very little about cars. hehe. I assume all 12v car batts are standard in size tho.

cooltc2004 · #10 02-23-2005, 12:40 PM

I transfer my 74 Firebirds battery into my 78 Silverado all the time, so yes it will work

CreepingDeath94 · #11 02-23-2005, 02:41 PM

youll need a side post battery...unless your moms station wagon is a GM, it will probably have a top post battery in it. Most batteries are different sizes as well, there is no standard battery size. Make sure you get the correct side post battery....

Twizted_3KGT · #12 02-23-2005, 03:49 PM

Well the cranking amps matter as well as the way the cables connect (side/top). For the most part any car battery will work as long as the cables connect correctly...but some batteries might not fit. I retract what I said before, for $50-100 you can't really go wrong...you could make that back by selling a door or a hatch if it doesn't run.

ponchonutty · #13 02-23-2005, 08:52 PM

I'd say go for it if it is indeed a solid car. My first purchase was a '82 Camaro for $200 about 10years ago. It had a blown v6 but was loaded. So, I went to a junkyard to find anything with a 350 that would run. Luck had it they had a '76 Chevy Laguna with a rotted body but it ran. Bought the motor and tranny for $150. Cleaned and checked everything and stuck it in the car. The most expensive part was buying a new electric cooling fan that would work with the setup. End result was a very quick runner for under $500. I ended selling it to some guy for $1500 about a year later!!!

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