Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
Trans Am Information => Trans Am Information => Topic started by: TransAm_Stan on January 07, 2011, 12:03:23 PM
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I am so close to pulling the trigger on this TA.
Experts weigh in with your opinions please!!!!! Hit me with the good & bad.
This is what I know....
either 47 or 147K mikes
been sprayed several years ago
no rust
numbers matching
PHS documents
I am excited....
Stan
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The only reason not to buy it.....it's not a Camaro!
Wait a minute...that's a reason to buy it!
I love those cars. I would love to own one. I would pick it up if I was looking for another Trans Am. However, if I was in the market for one, I would buy a T-Top model.
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it looks really good to me. other then the stuff in the engine bay that need corrected.
if you get it , I have the vent tube needed for the rocker cover to the air cleaner. and a nice set of rocker covers.
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I guess a big question is how much is he asking for the car? If he is asking $7,000 for the car then I can't think of too many reasons not to buy it. Sure, there are alot of things wrong like decals and such, but that can be fixed and taken care of. But if the guy is asking $20,000 for the car, then I can think of reasons not to buy it.
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He is asking 13.5K. We have not started the haggle process.
I really appreciate the quick responses.
Great to know there are experts in the ways of the Trans am here. And even better that they share their vast knowledge with a newbie such as myself.
Thanks guys!
Stan
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I'd suggest you come up with an estimate to get it freshened up. How's all the mechanical stuff?
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I'd suggest you come up with an estimate to get it freshened up. How's all the mechanical stuff?
Owner says he drove it 900 miles 2 months ago. AC compressor locked up & threw a belt. He has another compressor. Also says everything works as it should.
I wish I can lay eyes on it, but alas, it is 962 miles away from me. I have not bought a vehicle sight unseen before. Makes me nervous.
Thanks for the responses!
Stan
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Check to see if one of the guys on here is close and will go take a look at it for you. May cost you a dinner and a cpl beers.
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Check to see if one of the guys on here is close and will go take a look at it for you. May cost you a dinner and a cpl beers.
That is a OUTSTANDING idea!!
Anybody up for it? Dinner & Beer on me...
Stan
304-265-zero-six-seven-zero
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Where's the car located? If its in Western NY (Buffalo, Fredonia, Lockport, etc) I could help out as I'm very close to those areas.
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The car is in Minneapolis
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The car is in Minneapolis
Correct, it is in Minneapolis or at least near. I think its real close to Princeton. I really haven't asked that question yet. And I admit I should be flogged for not saying where it was located in my previous post.
My Apologies.
Stan
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Don't think you'll be able to buy this car and simply drive it without any additional investment. It's 35 years old.
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Don't think you'll be able to buy this car and simply drive it without any additional investment. It's 35 years old.
Understood.
My Father always said " expect to spend 10% of the purchase price to get it on the road". Obliviously it could be more. Be nice if it was less.
Thanks for the comments!
Stan
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I would only spend around 9-10 on the purchase of the car. for 1500 more you can get so much more of a reconditioned t/a than that with alot more that is correct. but if its what you really want....value is in the eyes of the guy who holds the cash. not the owner trying to sell it.
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Looks nice, good luck
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I would only spend around 9-10 on the purchase of the car. for 1500 more you can get so much more of a reconditioned t/a than that with alot more that is correct. but if its what you really want....value is in the eyes of the guy who holds the cash. not the owner trying to sell it.
Rick,
You sound wise beyond your years. Can you comment on what you see that is not correct on this vehicle? I do not have the experience with this car. Any help in this area is appreciated.
Stan
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Stan, If the car just made a 900 mile trip and is roadworthy (for 13.5 lets hope you can at least limp it home) maybe a meet and greet 1/2 way would be something the seller would agree to. I mean you really dont wanna buy this thing without going over it with a fine tooth comb at that price. Take a rider along with you in case it's a sale. Meet at an airport that offers one way rentals back to his home town. One way rentals are cheap usually and it's a weekend adventure. Kind of like a mini vacation. Let your rider drive your car back and you drive the TA back. Have some tools with ya in case of trouble. If you don't like the car...cover his gas home and be glad you didn't spend 13.5K on a POS.
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stan, for 13.5 i wouldnt expect perfection. However, I would expect atleast the right decales and maybe a slight engine bay detailing. this car is tricky to put a value on because of what it is. people like hammer could chime in alot more than i can on value. do i think the car is worth 10? sure. not much more though. if your not capable if some of the things it needs, then you will have to pay out to have it fixed, unless you would take it as it is and just enjoy it for what it is. things to be considered. the small things add up fast. for example new power window covers for the door panels arent cheap. same with the shift bezel. you can easily wrap up 4 grand on an interior. what if the paints really not as it appears in the pictures? it may need not only a decale kit but possibly a repaint too. how are the weather strippings and window sweeps? whats the underside like? how much has really been gone through? it looks like a car that was repainted and decaled with the cheap non preformed kit....when it comes to doing these cars, when you save $50 here and $100 there in the end it shows but it also draws another question as to what corners have been cut on the car in other unseen places? dont get me wrong, it appears to be a nice "driver" quality car. but show ......local will do but the nats it will get picked apart like yesterdays toilet paper. but for 10grand i would buy it. 12 if you really really want it. if your handy 2-3 grand and some elbo grease it could be a really really really nice looking car.
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I would wait to see what mike has to say.I also think you will be better off to test drive it your self to see if is wourth your coin. I love the 76 50th ann, trans am wish i found one in good condition myself. I hope this helps trans am dave florida trans am's.
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From what I can see there's only nit picky stuff wrong. And, those things aren't the big money drain. Make sure it's really rust free. All the body lines are correct and the car hasn't been in an accident. Finally, make sure it's mechanically sound.
The way I look at this stuff is that as long as the body is straight and rust free, all the mechanical stuff can be fixed. I am always willing to pay a premium for a rust free car. If you quibble over a few thousand dollars you could lose the car. It all depends on how bad you want it and what you're going to do with it. If you're going to keep it forever (that's what I do), then paying a little more is worth it for the right car.
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Thanks for posting everyone! Everybody has valid points. I am extremely bothered by purchasing this car, or any other car sight unseen. If I go by what the owner says this is a rust free straight car. I, as well as many of you, have been burned before when buying "sight unseen". This is a type of purchase that I just can't return if the owner misrepresents it.
I can't look at it either. Its just too far away from me. My only recourse (at this time) to see it is drive out & take my trailer and make a decision. With current conditions (winter) this means a 5 day trek. My greenhouses can't stand to be unattended for that long. In the wintertime I am the ONLY employee. If I loose heat or electric, well you can imagine the outcome. It won't be a pretty sight.
I threw out a number of 12K including shipping. He did not think that this was possible, although he was going to think on it & get back to me. I was budgeting 1K for shipping. After research looks like that MAY be around 700 or so.
When the reality of all the logistics are factored in, I may have to pass this TA up. After I make this decision (probably today) maybe I can get some sleep! LOL
Again a big hearty thanks goes out to all who have responded. Some great points were made. My hats off to the 78ta community. Your a fine group of individuals.
Stan
WV
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stan were only here to help. if your happy, were happy for you.
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So, did you make your decision Stan?
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Personally I wouldn't trust driving the car back, I'd trailer it. Too many unknowns for that length of trip to be stranded in the middle of winter. I'd take a truck and trailer for my own piece of mind.
To me, the rental price of a trailer (and extra toll fees) are well worth the extra money spent not having to diagnose a problem (or problems) on the way home.
Other than that, the car looks decent to me for the price being asked as long as it isn't a major bondo bucket. That would be my biggest concern.
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So, did you make your decision Stan?
I passed on it.
Mainly because I could not see the car in person. Rough weather coupled by 900+ miles, and some opinions from this forum helped me make the decision.
My quest continues...
Thanks to all who chimed in.
Stay warm,
Stan
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http://medford.craigslist.org/pts/2150326390.html
Try this, all of them.
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http://medford.craigslist.org/pts/2150326390.html
Try this, all of them.
Shank bro...
Thanks for the link. Too far away. Lets get something on the right (Atlantic) side of the country!
Regards,
Stan
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Hi
My dream came true last october when I got my T/A 77 , dont know if I payed to much or what but I just fell in love. There are few things I had to fix but Im very happy!
Good luck ;)
Gudfinnur
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could you find anyone close enough to look at it for you...thats the ticket. hate to see you miss it
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something tells me with all of us questioning it, this one just may be a good car to look at pictures and thats just it. I thought for sure hammer would have had more positives to say since it is what it is. but if even hammer is questioning things, sounds like it is a really good idea to just pass on it.
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Stan, I posted a wanted ad on pyears for you.
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Stan, I posted a wanted ad on pyears for you.
What is pyears?
stan
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Stan, I posted a wanted ad on pyears for you.
What is pyears?
stan
http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/index.php
Did you get my PM?
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Stan are you interested in a 75 with the original 455 rebuilt for 10.5k. I pm'd you about it.
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Stan are you interested in a 75 with the original 455 rebuilt for 10.5k. I pm'd you about it.
Yeah I got it.
Want to stick with the 76 models.
Thanks for the effort!
Stan
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sorry mike. i didnt mean it like that. i mean more your usually very optimistic. that leaned me to the fence on the car is over priced as you are more familiar with their correctness and value that i would be.
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Well I bought my T/A almost sight unseen.. Found it on craigslist back home where I was from...although being in the af I couldn't just pack up n drive 1000 miles to look at it. My parents lived about an hour away from where it was so I talk to the seller a bit and told my father bout it and he didn't really have a problem goin to check it out. So they did, looked good and checked it out again a week later...next thing you know they went and picked it up for me. It was in their garage for a month after that before I could come home and see it. Then 2 weeks after bein home using it as a daily driver and figuring out this things attitude I loaded the trunk with tools, spare parts, hoses, and a couple of jerry cans and made the two day-1000 mile trip back to my home...Not one problem! Pulled over once cause I thought I lost oil pressure but it was just a little warm and all good after 10 minutes.
Point of my story is; I know how expensive it is to ship/trailer cars(at least it would be for me) so if you got someone to check it out it could easily be able to make that trip.
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In 2002, I bought a 75 Lemans Sport Coupe from long distance...1850 miles. It's not a very valuable car, but it's a model that I've always liked, and this one had only 62K miles on it. So with the exception of some small defects in the original paint, it still had a "new" look to it, especially the interior. The cool northern temps preserved the vinyl well. It was reasonably priced for the condition. The seller was the second owner, and had all paperwork from day one.
The seller said it could be driven anywhere. I thought to myself that a Pontiac with only 62K miles in 27 years(at that time) is just now broken-in good :) , and there couldn't be much wrong with the drivetrain with that low mileage. The car looked all original and well-cared-for in the pics, so I took a chance on seeing if it really could be driven anywhere. I sent him a small down payment to hold it until I could fly up a couple weeks later. He was very nice and said he'd refund my down-payment if I didn't like it. All I was risking was the cost of the airplane ride and some time. I flew from Atlanta to Minot, North Dakota, where he met me as the airport. I looked the car over, and it was just like the seller said it was. I was concerned about rust, being from up north, but it had practically no rust. I paid him and we checked all the fluids, including rearend lubricant, and I drove it the 1850 miles back with no trouble. I got to drive through parts of the country I'd never been to before, in an interesting old car which made it more fun. And I stopped to see some friends in NC on the way back. It was a great experience. I've doubled the mileage on it in the 8-1/2 years I've had the car, so it's been a good one.
So, with that 76 TA, you could do the same thing. Fly there and take a look. It looks like it'd make a 900 mile trip to me, as long as the tires are good. Just do a little test drive, and if you like it, buy it, check all fluids, and drive it home. If you don't like the tires, you could get some new ones installed before you leave to go home. But, if not satisfied with the car, fly back home :) .
Here's one of my favorite pics from my trip. This is at an Inn where I stayed in Hudson, MN:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/104-0404_IMG.jpg)