89 camaro RS worth it??

[Dirtautoguy]

In my area there is a 1989 camaro RS with a v6 and 150000 miles. he is asking $700 for it. We went and looked at it and its deffinatley a project type car.

 

things he did.

new starter

plugs

wires

cap

rotor

pinion seal.

hood lifter things.

fan solonoid

near new tires

 

things that concern us

the motor has a ticking it sounds like it is a lifter but I dont have a lot of experience with it.

 

around 3500RPM the car has a shake. he said that he talked to a mechanic about it and was told that it could be a motor mount, harmonic balancer, or clutch. there is a little rust on some chassis parts and under neith but none on the body not even any dents.

 

the tires look almost brand new. and it drives like its healthy all the gears feel solid. the interior is a little bit rough but ok, the dash has some cracks and it needs a windshield. the rear truck hatch thing has some issues that he was chasing but has not had alot of time to get into it. the interior does smell like gear oil but he said the pinion was leaking pretty bad and he thinks thats where it came from. the check engine light is on but he said its more than likely because they guy who owned it before him took the cats off which would make sense.

 

I know its not the most saught after camaro or rare or anything but we were thinking it would be a fun project and a neat car for us, plus if it was reliable I could drive it and get better mileage then my pickup. so were not looking for a car show rare car just as a fun project possibility and driver. what do you guys think? if we go into this I dont think that we want to go into it for more than $500 and he just doesnt have time to work on it and wants to see someone that will keep it more originall and use it nicely. this would also be a learning experience for me.

[Truckin 55]

It's really up to you but good chance it will be a money pit. Save money for the vehicle already have or get a 4 wheeler or motorcycle to tinker with.

[Imcrazy]

Sounds like a money pit to me.... Late 80's was not the height of automotive quality

[Dirtautoguy]

thats what I am afraid of too. that it will just be a money pit and not be reliable ever if that makes sense. does anyone have a report for MPG for one?

[TJay74]

What is your thought or plan for it?

 

I have owned 2 3rd gen F-bodies. As said, they don't do much very well without throwing lots of money at them. Brakes are weak, suspension is weak and most 4cyl cars now make more power than ever the top of the line V8 models made.

 

Now with that, if you want to drop $3k in brakes, $5k in suspension mods, $5k for a decent engine setup and another $1500 for a good transmission and then lastly around $1500 for a good rear end then you can have a really stout ride.

 

3rd gens are becoming more sought after now, ones in pristine shape and fetching good money. We are almost at the point of where bone stock to ones that have been fully reconditioned can get into the $15k-20K range at times.

 

Fun cars, I had a 1989 Formula 350 that I loved, great car other than it was a factory t-top car and even with me taking care of it the T-tops still ended up rotting out. Replaced it with a 2001 Formula and never looked back.

[Dirtautoguy]

he messaged me today and said that he would do $550 if I wanted it for a project. as for what I would do with it. it would probably be mostly a daily driver with some small mods done to it over time but I probably wouldnt go as far as replacing it with a v8 and things like that.

[Jsdirt]

$550 for something that runs and drives? I'd grab it. Worst case you can make your money back on parts. Everything you buy these days is a money pit - even the new ones!

 

First thing I'd do is pitch that boat anchor of a V6 and drop a 350 or larger in there

[Atlas]

I'd keep looking because you can probably find something equally ragged out that's got a 305 for about the same price.

 

In '89 they were still using the 2.8L for the V6 which was good for about 125hp. They're slower than balls and those 2.8's love to puke oil. I wouldn't be surprised if what you are smelling is the entire underbody coated in engine oil because of a blown ring around the distributor.

 

Gas mileage is deplorable for a V6 putting out that few HP...if I recall, you'll get in the high teens to about 22mpg at best. At least that's what mine got. I had an '89 RS (with the 2.8!) too.

 

3rd gens are fun cars, but they're built like crap. They're rattle traps, everything is brittle plastic and breaks easily, or comes unglued. If the car sat outside for any number of years, and has t-tops, the seals will leak.

[kstruckcountry]

Frankly for that price you can get a late 90's Grand Am... I don't like either choice but I'd pick the Grand Am over that. Neither will get "great" mileage.

[Jsdirt]

Sounds exactly like my '89 S10 Blazer - can't get the OEM radio loud enough to cover the squeaks and rattles inside.

 

Yeah, those F-bodies were total sh**-boxes - I even hated them back in the day because every pimply-faced kid in town owned one ... but $550 ... you can hardly find a single major auto part up in this part of the country for that price, let alone an entire running, driving vehicle. I'd be tempted to drive the POS for that price ...

[Dirtautoguy]

haha he still has it. it looks like there isnt much other interest in it. the oil smell is almost positively gear oil. thats what I was thinking too. its just hard to justify when we would have to put a little money into it and liscense it and then put it somewhere. especially when there is two of us and we have 2 good running vehicles right now. but we both think it would be a fun project

[SnakeEyeSS]

Frankly for that price you can get a late 90's Grand Am... I don't like either choice but I'd pick the Grand Am over that. Neither will get "great" mileage.

I found a 96 grand prix locally for $1000 obo. Judging by description it needs an oil pan gasket(maybe a main seal), door handle, and a fuse. And a major cleaning(filthy inside). Saw it and started thinking about a beater....Those things were extremely reliable (my family had 3-4 of those gen w-bodies of I remember correctly. Brother had a GP, dad had a GP, mom had a regal coupe)

[jimlem]

Can you post any pics???