thinking of going second gen

[scoutsniper]

ive really wanted a late second gen ( espcially a t/a) for a while and i found a car i think might be worth it

http://flint.craigslist.org/cto/1030897327.html

he said he'll take around 2k for it. it needs paint is all he says. its a chevy 350. the one thing thats really stopping me is its not a t-top car. how crampy are they without t-tops. my thirdgen isnt to bad but getting in and with the t-tops on is a little hard.

so my main questions are. do you think its worth the price if its clean as he says. and if its gonna be crampy or not. im 5'10 and 160ibs.

if i do get it im probably gonna get a macco paint job. and try to save the bird on the hood ( i know macco ant the best but there cheap and i only need it for the summer before i leave for the marines)

thanks.

[badinfluence]

pretty good deal if it isnt rusted out underneath

the pass compartment is smaller than 3rd gens (i think) but i'm about the same size as you and its not cramped

[mikek18]

Looks like a pretty good deal. I like the second gens

[Kwazrollinz28]

your be fine getting in, I'm 6FT and i can get in and out of my Z28 like nothing, I do whack my head sometimes on the GTP though hahaha

[MP81]

I almost bought a '79 Firebird with the little V8...

People who went to ROHS might remember that car. The girl who owned it graduated in '07, and has a V6 4th gen now.

The car had some rust on the top of the fenders, but it woulda been cool for a while...

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

ive really wanted a late second gen ( espcially a t/a) for a while and i found a car i think might be worth it

http://flint.craigslist.org/cto/1030897327.html

he said he'll take around 2k for it. it needs paint is all he says. its a chevy 350. the one thing thats really stopping me is its not a t-top car. how crampy are they without t-tops. my thirdgen isnt to bad but getting in and with the t-tops on is a little hard.

so my main questions are. do you think its worth the price if its clean as he says. and if its gonna be crampy or not. im 5'10 and 160ibs.

if i do get it im probably gonna get a macco paint job. and try to save the bird on the hood ( i know macco ant the best but there cheap and i only need it for the summer before i leave for the marines)

thanks.

No, it will DEFINATELY not be cramped...2nd gens may have the most front seat room of any of them...I'm 5'11", and my seat is 4-5 notches or so from being fully rearward...

If you're only looking at it as a one-summer only car, it should be a great buy...but crawl underneath it in the back and check for rust on the rear sub-frame, and check the lower rear corner of the door jambs...that's where it starts...

[JoeliusZ28]

i dont see the need to maaco it, just sand/prime/painit the area thats rusty for now and get a real paint job later. black is easy enough to match.

[zmanrc]

...but crawl underneath it in the back and check for rust on the rear sub-frame, and check the lower rear corner of the door jambs...that's where it starts...

He knoweth and speaketh the truth.

I'm 6'4" 260lbs and have had 3 2nd gens. Room is not an issue.
No T-tops is fine as many of them leak which ruins the interior. And you don't even want to think about having to pay for that new weather stripping.
However .... if stock, it likely will not handle as well as your 3rd gen.

Looks like a good price.

[MP81]

However .... if stock, it likely will not handle as well as your 3rd gen.

A lot of vehicles don't...

[ITSSLOW]

I'm your exact build (5' 10" - 162lbs) and get in and out of my uncles 77 Trans Am all the time with zero problems. His has t-tops but they aren't always off. His is for sale for $4000 if you'd want something that doesn't need paint

[scoutsniper]

he says the car could use a new paint job b/c the clear coat is starting to peal. if its a true trans am. im hoping it will have the WS6 package. my thirdgen is only a basic firebird but it does handle corners descently. it will feel weird if i do get it and have a 350 chevy under the shaker with the 6.6l still on it. lol.

and the t-tops will be a big bummer but i can live without them if there gonna leak most likely.

i just really wanna save the bird if i can. they cost 250$ for a new one.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

he says the car could use a new paint job b/c the clear coat is starting to peal. if its a true trans am. im hoping it will have the WS6 package. my thirdgen is only a basic firebird but it does handle corners descently. it will feel weird if i do get it and have a 350 chevy under the shaker with the 6.6l still on it. lol.

and the t-tops will be a big bummer but i can live without them if there gonna leak most likely.

i just really wanna save the bird if i can. they cost 250$ for a new one.

If you can, shoot us the VIN and the data plate info (driver's side of the firewall)...a lot of questions can be answered there...not all, but many...

[92conv]

I'm with everybody else, I've been in many 2nd Gens and IMO they are the roomiest of all. I would not hesitate buying one without T-tops.


BTW- Jeff mentioned to look at the rear subframe...here is why. This pic is the front half of the rear subframe, you also need to check the rear portion as well.




And the door area......

[TSTONE]

you shouldnt have any issues comfort wise = 5'11 210

rust is by far your worst enemy here - also check under the rear bumper

honestly Adams 73 is a much better buy - something to work on and drive and end up with a better investment in the end - just my .02

[scoutsniper]

adams 73???