Right now’s Good Value or No Cube Firebird might not be not a rip-snorting V8-powered Trans Am, but it surely does have a few of that mannequin’s appears to be like and a T-top roof. May this extra economical mannequin show the higher discount?
Do you keep in mind a time when Ford’s Lincoln Motor Division provided solely luxurious vehicles of ample proportions just like the 2018 Lincoln Continental Premiere we thought of yesterday? Pepperidge Farm remembers. With a view to survive, Lincoln has adopted the market down the crossover/SUV rabbit gap, and that has triggered precipitous depreciation amongst vehicles like our Continental. That was apparent within the $16,995 price ticket our automobile carried. And, that was additionally low sufficient to engender some nostalgia amongst lots of you, giving the Lincoln a slim however plain 53 p.c Good Value win.
Like most Lincolns of yore, yesterday’s Continental didn’t have a less-pricey analog over at Ford, as did the lesser Mercurys. Certain, it shared a number of widespread company components below the pores and skin, however at the very least visually, it was allowed to face out. Such components sharing below a veneer of individuality has been widespread observe over at Common Motors for many years as effectively. Right now’s 2000 Pontiac Firebird is one instance, sharing all the pieces from its glass T-top roof right down to the fender tops and your complete chassis with its F-body platform-mate, the Chevy Camaro. Including to this being a household affair, the three.8-liter L32 pushrod V6 below the Firebird’s hood comes from Buick.
Now, it might be good if this Pontiac as a substitute carried the LT1 V8 from Chevy, however with 200 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, plus the L32’s distinctive popularity for reliability, this could show a fairly frugal and pretty fuss-free cruiser.
In response to the advert, there are a few points that want addressing earlier than that period of exceptionalism can begin. The primary is a non-functioning A/C. That could possibly be a foul compressor or minor leak to a dash-out substitute of the evaporator. With summer time simply days away, that’s a severe consideration.
The opposite drawback is an obvious electrical quick within the energy window circuit for each doorways. Chasing down electrical faults might be time-consuming and irritating, however at the very least the home windows are caught within the up place, making the automobile safe in the intervening time.
Apart from these considerably main worries, there’s not a lot improper with the automobile. Apparent points are a free piece of door guard on the passenger facet, some scratching and abrading of the paint on the entrance bumper, and clear coat failure on the wing mirrors. These appear to be minor aesthetic demerits fairly than actual issues.
The cabin appears to be like to be in nice form, save for the presence of an ill-fitting carpet toupee on the sprint. That might get the heave-ho leaving no matter horrors it hides as a extra pleasing consequence. The remainder of the inside appears to be like tremendous, though this Firebird does come from the period when Pontiac selected an inside design that centered round bulbous buttons and dashboard plastics that lend the automobile a glance as if it had been stung by many bees.
On the plus facet, the vendor says the three.8 V6 and four-speed computerized drivetrain “Runs nice,” boasting that the automobile is “enjoyable to drive.” It comes with the T-High roof, which is an extra bonus so long as the seals are strong. There’s additionally a clear title and an inexpensive 112,380 miles below the automobile’s belt. What may one thing like this be value?
Per the vendor, a $3,995 worth appears becoming. That clearly takes under consideration the aesthetic and practical points, none of which, it ought to be identified, would stop the automobile from being pushed.
What do you assume? Is {that a} good place to begin for a enjoyable and flamboyant automobile that wants a little bit work to be complete? Or is $3,995 simply the tip of the iceberg on a automobile that gained’t ever give again what it takes?
You resolve!
Stockton, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Tom Paulson for the hookup!
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