I have the opportunity to buy a 1988 fiero V6 automatic (I don't know if its a GT) with 46,000 original miles for CHEAP. Like possibly $1,000 cheap. It is owned by a 55 year old lady and she is the original owner. What I'm worried about is that in only has 46,000 miles and its 25 years old. It has been doing a lot of sitting and hasn't even been driven for the past 2 years.
What I'm concerned about is that every seal and every piece of rubber is probably toast and will need to be replaced. I'm sure the struts and shocks are leaking and mice might have gotten into the wiring. If its been sitting outside a lot (this is washington) it could possibly be made of rust. It's quite possible the paint is toast too.
I mean my 86 gt had a lot of trouble with dry seals and it has been used all its life. What should I expect knowing its been sitting most of its life?
Was it sitting in a garage or outside? I just picked up an '88 the hasn't been driven off the guy's driveway in 10 years. He ran it on his driveway every year until the gas finally went bad (a couple of years ago), then always put it back in the garage. This car was immaculate underneath! I got it running for a couple hundred dollars (basically redid the fuel system). Runs great now! Passed the safety (needed one balljoint) and e-test with flying colours!! ...of course I also bought it because I was planning on pulling the engine an swapping in a 4.9L...
FWIW I would buy a car that has been sitting outside in the elements (but not driven) for 30 years over a car that has been driven in the winter for 10 years. It's almost always the salt that rusts cars, not the elements themselves.
I got stationed overseas for 5 years and had to park my formula. When I got back I put fresh gas, oil change and a new battery. Ran fine and got better the more I drove it. Sounds like you are getting a steal. Take it, I would.
I bought one in a very similar scenario. The initial problems I ran into were clogged injectors from setting so long and hoses and belts that broke down over time. And if the tires are original plan on replacing them even if they have good tread.
I'de buy it. Remember these cars are a quarter century old. If it needs repairs, dont look at the over all cost. Think of it as beeing a project, a little at a time. Recently I replaced the struts in my other car, a 2000 Grand Prix, the struts had 140,000 miles on them with a little rust. After removal, they were as firm as they day they were made! Find out if it runs,because ethonal Gas abosorbs moisture and could rust up the fuel tank and fuel pump (replaceable).Pop the engine compartment and make sure rodents didn't damage the wireing.You could get a replacement wireing harness in the mall section.
So it turns out that this is a yellow formula. I'm not sure on price but it sounds like they just don't have the space for it. If I bought it I would sell either my 86gt or just flip this car. I'm not really sure because I love the GT's styling and it has a manual. The formula is automatic and I don't really like the styling.
I bought my 86 from an elderly man in Los Angeles for 3k even. It had 91k on it and he was the second owner.
The only problems I had so far was the EGR valve gasket went, the 02 sensor and It needed a radiar flush, new cap and thermosat. thats it. It has been my daily driver for over a year now and the best car I have owned so far. The next thing I need to address is the spark plugs and the belt.
GET IT!!! your getting one hell of a steal!
[This message has been edited by VF1Skullangel (edited 08-16-2013).]
Yellow Formulas are sort of a special case. Only 436 made and who knows how many are left. You should have bought it by now. You can flip it in the forum if you need to, and if you could enter the VIN in "88 database guy" it would be nice.
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 08-16-2013).]
Signing the paperwork now!!! $2000 and the only issue is a sticking left rear brake caliper. 76,000 miles and they are the original owners. It also has stickers on the windshield that say collectors edition or something. Body is completely straight and the only accident it had was a minor bump in the rear facia which has been repaired. Spent most of its life in california so the only rust is on the muffler and battery tray.
