I've reached a point of completion for the most part on the Cobalt, still some fine tuning needed and some suspension work but it will make a fine fun daily driver.
But enough about that, I've been yearning for something a bit more classic, bigger power, RWD, badass. Something that will have some collector value. I think this car fits all those things. I've always wanted one of these I can't believe its actually happening on sunday since these are so rare now!
1989 20th Anniversary Trans AM #82 of 1555. T-tops/Cloth only 187 made with these options and its a festival car which means it was actually on hand at the 1989 Indy 500 when the TTA served as pace car and used as a courtesy car for drivers and track employees.
The details
Buick 3.8 Turbo Engine
GNX Intercooler (stock for these cars)
GNX Turbo (also stock for these cars)
206 Cam
Ported Heads
Upgraded Valvesprings
Walbro 340 Fuel Pump
Stock injectors and chip
3inch Terry Houston Downpipe
BSTC boost controller
RJC power plate
Welded Subframe braces
Scanmaster
Stainless Steel 3inch Intake
on to the pics!
The bad
It needs a new spoiler as most 3rd gen firebirds do, its just something that goes bad. The underside has no rust but the subframe braces were not painted so I gotta scrub the rust off them and then repaint them. Paint could use updating. It needs bigger injectors, chip, and alky injection, 3inch Borla Exhaust. Beyond that its going to stay as is, which is quite perfect.
I plan on taking it to shows and just out for fun driving, prob not going to race it, wouldn't want to chance breaking or hurting anything on it. I certainly want to preserve this legend well.
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
So I take it this means that this is now the greatest car ever made and that everything will now be compared to it (and will obviously be crap by comparison)?
The buick 3.8 is certainly one of the best engines GM ever made, I wouldn't say its THE best. For its time though, nothing could match it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, May 27, 2009 4:48 PM
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Very nice car! I love the front licence plate "Best Pontiac Buick ever built!"
Clean ass car for a 89. Nice find.
I like
~2014 New Z under the knife, same heart different body~
______________________
WHITECAVY no more
2012 numbers - 4SPD AUTOMATIC!!
328 HP
306 TQ
nice find...
modding it is not gonna help it retain it's "Collector value" though...
its already modded, original parts are either impossible to find or not worth the cost
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Rodimus Prime wrote:its already modded, original parts are either impossible to find or not worth the cost
? By spending on original parts you increase the collector value.
I'm not paying 400 dollars for a factory air cleaner that does nothing but bog it down and run crappy, its got 94,000 miles on it, its not a museum piece anyway
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Then why are you talking about collector value. At this point its worth as much as you Cobalt anyways.
No collector goes looking for a modified car with 94000 miles. Unless it would be for a restoration but even then the body miles are too high.
actually higher mileage more highly modified ones go for several thousand more on ebay
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, May 27, 2009 8:13 PM
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Collector car or not, that tan interior is just plain hideous, but at least it's an auto so I can drive it
!
Darkstars wrote:So I take it this means that this is now the greatest car ever made and that everything will now be compared to it (and will obviously be crap by comparison)?
i was thinking the samething. but 2 things that i find funny about this new car of his.
1) all the age jokes Rodi made about Dustin's (JLaudiocavalier) mustang and my camaro, Rodi gets an older car yet.
2) the jokes Rodi made about dustin buying a modded car, yet he buys one himself.
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
Cool car but you're still a douche bag...
- 93 mph in the 1/8 mile
Member of J-Body Of Michigan.
Boy this is just a love fest for Matt going on here. Im itching to know what you spent on it and how many credit cards you signed up for to have your modding budget.
Unlike most other cars of its era this is one that won't go down in value. Look at whats happening with the Buick Grand National and T-Type Regals, they are the most desireable muscle going right now. The Buick GNX is going for 100k now and theres only 547 of them. The Turbo Trans AM while not quite as rare with 1550 examples is experiencing the same increase, just in the past few years they have jumped up 3-4k. Everyone is kinda waiting for them to go "GNX". I wanted to jump on one of these now while they are still available at a decent price because in a few years they will not be found for under 20k even with higher mileage and poor condition. It just so happens I'm ending up with one of the more rare option combos. Low Mileage below 10k are going for 30-40k right now.
I don't plan on doing much more than a few hundred miles a year so in a few years its certain to have more value when I'm finished with the restoration. Its a car I'm certainly not going to lose any money on. The difference between this car and a 4.6 Mustang or a Ls1 f-body is that those cars will never be worth a large sum of money and will likely be worth less 5 years from now, there was far too many of them made for alot of years.
As far as money its not a great extension given some recent liquidated items of mine both material and financial. On top of that I just got a significant wage increase at my job. At the moment I have more in my savings acct than I've had in 6 years. I'm not concerned with my approval rating on here, I enjoy the hobby and a 3rd generation firebird is something that I've wanted since childhood being a huge fan of Knight Rider. Theres no question this is the finest example of the third generation. If your not familiar with the history of the car look it up on the internet you will find it to be some interesting reading.
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Quote:
The difference between this car and a 4.6 Mustang or a Ls1 f-body is that those cars will never be worth a large sum of money and will likely be worth less 5 years from now, there was far too many of them made for alot of years.
your point being?? i cant speak for dustin but i didnt get my camaro thinking it will be worth a large sum of money 5-10 years down the road
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
Rodimus Prime wrote:actually higher mileage more highly modified ones go for several thousand more on ebay
What? So your car with its mods and 94000 miles is gonna sell for "Several thousand" more on ebay than an all original 10,000 mile car? Go Fuck yourself.
Seriously what an amazing car. I've always like these TA's but this one is one of a kind.
What are the specs on this engine?
