Hello everyone. I’ve found a good deal (I think lol) in my area on a running and driving 1982 firebird. He says some interior bits are missing and it needs a headers gasket change but he has the gasket and it’s otherwise ok. I don’t know too much about these particular cars but I think it would be a fun project. I could probably get him to sell it for $1000. Is this a good deal? Are these cars reliable? It comes with the factory turbine rims lol so that should add 50hp haha. Any input and advice is greatly appreciated.
Somehow I get the feeling that you might be underestimating the time/skills/tools involved in putting in a new head gasket. Go and look at some Youtube videos on those before you commit to this. Also, getting a project car, you have to have off-street parking, and if doing something major, a garage at least to store your tools and parts.
I wasn’t clear enough, it’s not the head gasket it’s the exhaust headers gasket. I’m sorry for the confusion lol. And my grandpa used to sell used cars, but he would buy them in bad shape and fix them up first. We still have all of his tools, so tool wise I should be ok.
Oh, a exhaust header gasket is way easier and shouldn't be that big a deal - get a can of PB Blaster for those bolts, they will be sticky.
The cars themselves are a massive failure but they can be fun to play around with if you want a toy for a thousand bucks to fool around with you can't beat that price for a rear engine car
Reliable? Absolutely not. A fun project? Well, it can be, but certain things on that car are a real pain. As @Glen_Stet said, I think you may be underestimating the amount of work you'll need to put into it to make it road worthy.
I would pass.
I've been a witness to far too many disastrous Project Cars and bikes - and they always want to store the project in MY garage - indefinitely.
Well, it’s already running and drivable, it just needs some work to be in decent shape. And my mom’s suv occupies the garage so I won’t have worry about it getting left in there 🙂 And it sitting In the driveway is a good incentive to finish it lol.
Yeah I've housed a few of my friends projects. Even had a couple hang around the shop for awhile. Almost all of them wound up asking me to help them sell them as is because they either didn't have the time or the money to finish the job. If you feel you are up to it, more power to you and I wish you the best of luck with it. 🙂