Firebird trades? Advice?

[avoiceoffcamera]

Alright, so I believe I am getting an '87 Firebird Formula. 305 TPI, 62k original miles (I believe), all that is needed is a tune-up, fender and headlight, which I already have. I figured I would ask you guys this seeming as how this probably won't be very biased unlike when I ask Mustang people. I want to trade this car after giving it some TLC for a foxbody Mustang Convertible, either LX or GT (as long as it has the 5.0). I really don't have a use for this Firebird unless I was to turn it into a race car. I already have a '79 Firebird Esprit I am currently replacing the subframe on (with a friend), and having the two Firebirds, I know I will drive the '79 more because I like it more and the '87 would just sit there. It is either that option or I could sell it and maybe get enough money to buy a Cherokee Chief and a '67 Mustang. Both need a bunch of work but at least they are all there, the Mustang has a lot of underbody rust but only has like 60k original miles, two owners (the second one is a friend of the first), all paperwork and original title. Or I could see if the guy down the street wants to sell his Chief because it just sits there in his yard. What do you think would be the best option: trade for Mustang Convertible, sell for a '67 Mustang and Cherokee Chief, or possibly ask the guy down the street if he is willing to sell? Thanks.

[WagoneerXJ]

Trade for a 5.0 Convertible :thumbsup:

[NickDCJ7]

2 vehicles is always better than 1. go for the '67 and the cheif.

[MBood82]

have you thought about selling the firebird and putting the cash away or using the cash to get a better deal? I know when I was looking for Firebirds, finding an unmolested V8 TPI car was pretty hard.... if it has any other desireable options (WS6, t-tops, rear discs, etc) it could be worth some decent cash.... fox bodies in comparison seem to be a dime a dozen. You could probably buy a fox body straight up and have money left over to bolt a supercharger on it.

*edit* just noticed you actually mentioned that.... i'd definitally sell it.

[avoiceoffcamera]

I'm getting it for free pretty much, it was supposed to be a trade with the Firebird and some of my R/C cars but now I will sell them to get the cash. My friend wants like $350 for it (he has like 10 other muscle cars and an '84 with T-Tops and a Camaro so he doesn't need it). The '67 Mustang is $300. The Cherokee Chief I could probably pull off for like $200. I just don't seem to want to have two Firebirds, unless I get another 2nd gen. There is nothing too special about this car other than it only has 62k miles on it, 4-wheel discs, 305 TPI. My mom is a Mustang person and she had a nice foxbody convertible that was fun, so I figured why not get a Mustang? Either way, I have lots of deals I can get because I know some people who would sell their cars for cheap. I want to get my hands on a newer muscle car, just don't want to go with an 80s Firebird. Either that or I might just try to find any kind of muscle car, new or old, for a great deal. BTW, how much do you think this car could fetch? I have pics. Thanks.

[MBood82]

is it rusty?

if it's rust free with a documented original 62k miles, I wouldn't be suprised at it fetching 3k for it. check out a few forums, thirdgen.org and z28.com probably, to see what others are selling for. I spent 2500 for a rust free 92 firebird without rear discs but with the WS6 package and t-tops with 116k miles on it recently and thought I got a pretty fair deal.

[avoiceoffcamera]

It has some surface rust spots on the underbody of the car, actually nothing too bad that a little TLC can't help. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/TorchesofChange/IM000989.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/TorchesofChange/IM000991.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/TorchesofChange/IM000990.jpg

[MBood82]

If you gave it a Maaco paint job, fixed the wing and rust, you should be able to sell it for decent money. Alot more then a couple hundred.

As it sits, it needs enough work most people would pass it by and you probably are best served trading it for something cheap.

[avoiceoffcamera]

Yeah, I just got another wing off eBay for $15, I'm planning on painting it and removing the rust. That should do a little bit of help. Either way I am planning on a Mustang, or maybe the Cherokee Chief, and I would like a little bit of money so that I can do a bit of work to my XJ. I mainly wanted the Chief so that I could tow stuff and fit parts in the back, my XJ can pretty much hold the subframe for my Firebird but that is only if I fold down the back seats, move up the front seats all the way, take off the headrests, and set the frame in there. Next week I am planning on going to Indiana to pick up yet another subframe for my Firebird and hopefully that project will be almost out of the way... for now.

[Mo_Corley]

Looks decent to me, and thats saying alot. I hate the 80's years of firebird/trans-ams.

If you can get a good deal on a paint job and know how to do the rest of what needs fixing, it might bring a good profit.

[MBood82]

Yeah, I just got another wing off eBay for $15, I'm planning on painting it and removing the rust. That should do a little bit of help. Either way I am planning on a Mustang, or maybe the Cherokee Chief, and I would like a little bit of money so that I can do a bit of work to my XJ. I mainly wanted the Chief so that I could tow stuff and fit parts in the back, my XJ can pretty much hold the subframe for my Firebird but that is only if I fold down the back seats, move up the front seats all the way, take off the headrests, and set the frame in there. Next week I am planning on going to Indiana to pick up yet another subframe for my Firebird and hopefully that project will be almost out of the way... for now.

Maaco should be able to do a decent job for 300 bucks or so if you do the prep yourself and it will sell SOOO much easier if it looks good.

You could have yourself a good deal there.