older firebird as first car?

[BanaBanuFerry]

I'm looking into getting my first car and I don't really have tons of cash at my disposal. (probably like $8000CDN max) I found a pretty good deal on a 1983 firebird that appears to be in great condition. Are all firebirds rear wheel drive? That kind of worries me for the winter. (I'm talking WINTER lol...I'm in northern Ontario) Also, what would it be smart to stay away from a vehicle so old? Are these cars prone to breaking down often? Are they heavy on the gas? Are they unsafe to drive? Any advice would be great. Thanks all!

[Weapon_R]

They are very unreliable vehicles. I think the best of the older GMs were the Z28s, which were given praise for being the most stable.

[1badPT]

Personally, if I was spending that money and I needed daily driveability, I wouldn't be looking at that car. That's just me. I WOULD have something like that as a project, but not a daily driver. Fuel consumption isn't that out of the ordinary for a V8 but that's not saying much. Unsafe would be you driving it carelessly. You can get killed in any car in any accident.

To answer your first question - no I wouldn't get that as a first car, especially if you have that kind of money at your disposal - you can still get something fun to drive that's more reliable and easier on gas.

My 2cents... GL with whatever you decide.

[EK 2.0]

Hey Welcome, my girlfriend is from Timmins as well...

Anyway's, back to your post, for the money you have you can pick something, like PT said, a LOT more reliable and way more efficient on gas, look in the local traders, and if so head down to Toronto, where becaue of population, I am SURE you will find a better deal, yes its like 9 hours away, but I am sure you cna pick up something a lot more economical for you...

[BanaBanuFerry]

Yes, for $8000 I could definately get a better vehicle. The firebird is priced at $2000. $8000 would be my total max, I'd actually like to keep it around $6000 or under, because insurance after that is like $3000+ :eek: Perhaps 1983 is a little TOO old however. Would the firebirds around 1990 - 1994 be about the same thing gas wise and everything? Also, do any of you have experience driving a rear wheel drive car around in the winter? I heard that can be pretty scary. (and no, i woudlnt be driving it around dangerously)

[NickGT]

I have always driven rear wheel drive. No accidents yet, but a couple close calls. Know your limits, you'll learn fast. A good set of winter tires will help alot.

Insurance and fuel consumption can be killer. So budget accordingly..

[hjr]

the firebird is bairly worth $2000 in perfect condition.

Just keep you eyes open and you should be able to find a good car for reasonable. People like to say that imports are more reliable but if its 20 years old you will have stuff to fix on any car. make sure you account for some fixing in your price too.

[hyperwhite]

83 firebirds only made like 170 hp. it would be cheaper on insurance but they guzzle the gas and need alot of upkeep when they are that old.

[fast95pony]

For your first car I would suggest something boring ,low powered,small,cheap, front wheel drive. You are a new driver . Your insurance will be high.You will likely have a few fender benders,especially in the winter. Don't buy the first car you see. Take an experienced , older person with you.Ask lots of questions about any car you want to buy,and research it on the net.If you see one you like, have it checked out by a licenced mechanic.You may have to spend $50-100 on an inspection,but it could save you thousands down the road.If the person selling the car is unwilling to take to an inspection, walk away.
There is nothing worse than an unreliable car. You may not enjoy it,but after driving a boring,reliable car for a few years, you will have saved on repair costs,insurance,gas and headaches.

[Benny]

I'd get some cheap 5.0L Mustang. Pretty quick but not TOO fast. Good engine too. From what I've heard, they're pretty reliable.

[core_upt]

If you're form Northern Ontario and so is this irebird, I can gaurantee it'll be a rust bucket! Second of all, the car will suck gas like a french prostitute (read: A LOT!) Third, it will be considered a sports car and insurance will be high. Fourth, rear-wheel drive and think, heavy No.Ont. snow is a bad combo for a new driver (not to criticize your ability to drive but winter control does have a long learning curve)

Its your money and your car, but I would suggest a smaller, less powerful 4 cyl with FWD for your first car. You'll save gas, insurance and possibly a lot more. My $0.02:thumbsup:

[fast95pony]

Originally posted by Benny
I'd get some cheap 5.0L Mustang. Pretty quick but not TOO fast. Good engine too. From what I've heard, they're pretty reliable.

I would NOT reccomend a 5.0 Mustang for a first car. High insurance,not fuel efficient , likely been abused and beaten,not much fun in winter...

[Benny]

Originally posted by fast95pony


I would NOT reccomend a 5.0 Mustang for a first car. High insurance,not fuel efficient , likely been abused and beaten,not much fun in winter...

High insurance - Yes, but with a budget of 8 grand you have plenty for the car and the insurance for a while.

Not fuel efficient - Well, can't really argue with this one.

Likely been abused and beaten - Hence, why you check it out first. Maybe even get a specialist to look at it for you. They're not all fucked up.

Not much fun in the winter - Are any sporty cars fun in the winter? Sure some are much better than others (FWD and such) but with a good set of winter tires and a bit of caution any car can be driven in the winter.




Maybe I'm a little biased though. I'm not exactly an import-nut like a lot of people on here...

[fast95pony]

I'm not saying a 5.0 Mustang is a bad car, just maybe a bit much for a new driver. Actually a 4 or 6 banger Mustang in decent shape would be an okay car with some decent tires for winter.There's lots of them around and parts are cheap.

[Ducati]

If the Firebird is nice and has been well looked after and it is only $2000, it might be okay. What engine is it? The V8 is a good solid reliable old cast iron ohv workhorse. The TurboHydromatic transmission is solid. (it is an automatic, right?) It will be reliable but somewhat thirsty.
If it is the 2.8 litre V6, make sure it has been very well looked after. With that engine, you can expect to need a new set of cyl. heads at about 225000 Km, and this engine did not have the best oiling system. The previous owners should be able to demonstrate that they had oil changed regularily, and flushed the rad every second year. 2.8's did not stand up to neglect well. Sludge clogged the way-too-small oil journals if oil changes were skipped. If it was well looked after, you will be able to get 300,000 km out of it if you are careful.
Now, that horrible transmission in the V6 is a different story.

There arent that many American cars that I can really recommend, but the old Chev malibu's and Camaro/Firebirds with V8's were great cars, albiet rattly and handled rather dismally. The Mustangs are perhaps the best of the lot. The V8 is best, but the 2.3 litre 4 banger would be my choice as they were reliable, had better transmissions than the 2.8 or 3 litre V6, and parts are plentiful. The non-air conditioned ones are a breeze to work on.

Then there is the venerable, tough old Dodge Diplomats and Chryslers of the era. If grandpa gives you his old Fifth Avenue, thank him, as they were outstandingly good old rear wheel drive sedans.

And the Yank Tanks didn't rust as bad as the Japanese cars. For $2000, though, any of these peices of Detroit Iron will do you fine.
However, the eighties was a pretty low tide mark in the history of the automobile.

I actually prefer Rear Wheeel Drive over FWD. I will never again own a FWD vehicle.

[Ducati]

OOps. I forgot the mid & late 80's Buick Regals and Olds Cutlass. They were also excellent cars that actually offered a lot. Not as fast as the Mustang (Unless you had the Grand National...which are almost unobtainable for reasonable prices now).
Still, classy cruisers. And versatile enough to customize into whatever you wanted from a car.
_______________________________________________
These are the $2000 cars.
If MY budget was $8000, and I wanted a class ride that was tough, reliable, economical...and had street credibility, and would hold its value, go for the 123 series Mercedes Benz (the 300 model). I have one myself - a 1983 model with the Turbodiesel. Of the just shy of 50 cars I have owned in my lifetime, this is without a doubt the most reliable car I have ever owned. It is easy to work on, parts are actually quite reasonable (especially compared to parts for other Mercedes models - or Audis and even VW''s)
Both the straight 6 gas engine and the 5 cyl turbodiesel are long lived motors, however the diiesel will get you over 30 mpg (10.3 km per litre is what I get) and the power is actually quite okay.
You will pay 4000 to 6000 for this car, and have $ left ober for a good stereo (to replace the MB's shitty Becker radio) and some Euro headlites to radically improve the appearance over the 123's stodgy old 4 round ones.
Spend more for a coupe or a Touring Wagon, and you will have a classic that may actually increase in value a bit.

Or get a Buick Regal, and turn it into a customized low rider or a street machine/cruiser.

[BanaBanuFerry]

Thanks, everyone, for the input. I may have some fender benders and such down the road but as long as the car wasn't that much money to begin with, it won't bother me that I've dented it. I've actually been checking insurance quotes in montreal because I'll likely be moving there and they seem FAR cheaper than here in northern ontario. fast95pony, i'll definately take the advice on getting it thoroughly checked out and researched before i make a choice. I have a few other choices i'm considering as well. I just needed some feedback on the older firebirds because I don't know a lot about them. :) The mustang is not too bad an idea either. Something else to look into. :p thanks