4th gen TA owners - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

jims69camaro · 01-23-2006, 09:04 AM

i need help identifying exactly what i am looking at in some photos i received. the car is hurt, but i can't see from these photos exactly what is hurt. it's a black trans am, i think it's a 2000 (pretty sure). the reason why i've singled you guys out is that you see your cars everyday and can most likely pick out discrepancies and damage in the photos. thanks for taking a look.

from the photos, and the owner's description of what happened, it looks like only some damage to the driver's fender, bumper/support, and ground effects. the owner claims the engine/drivetrain are unaffected, which is, of course, what i am interested in anyway.

i can pick the car up fairly cheaply if i can get some verification of what i am looking at. anyway... here are the pics:

location of photos: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/marshu...=/7aa7&.src=ph

V · 01-23-2006, 10:16 AM

The car appears to be a trans am, just not a ram-air WS6 version. it doesnt look too bad, the headlights appear to still be aligned properly so most of the damage seems to be just cosmetic. only concern would be the undercarriage, if both side ground effects got damaged like that, it seems the car possibly went off road and bottomed out somehow. I dont know how bad that could have damaged the transmission or oil pan of the engine. It looks liek there are many bodyparts that are still good that could be sold for a decent amount to pull some money back out of the car. It really all comes down to how much you can get the car for, and if you can check on the undercarriage somehow.

LS1Hawk · 01-23-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingSS

The car appears to be a trans am, just not a ram-air WS6 version. it doesnt look too bad, the headlights appear to still be aligned properly so most of the damage seems to be just cosmetic. only concern would be the undercarriage, if both side ground effects got damaged like that, it seems the car possibly went off road and bottomed out somehow. I dont know how bad that could have damaged the transmission or oil pan of the engine. It looks liek there are many bodyparts that are still good that could be sold for a decent amount to pull some money back out of the car. It really all comes down to how much you can get the car for, and if you can check on the undercarriage somehow.

My thoughts exactly. The way the ground effects look below the doors...it definitely seems the car came down on something (mostlikely the curb) with some good momentum. So your concern there is a bent frame, busted lines, punctures, etc. Does the car start? Maybe you can get it up on ramps and to get a better look.

Brando56894 · 01-23-2006, 10:59 AM

if you can get it for pretty cheap id say go for it

foff667 · 01-23-2006, 11:58 AM

its definitly a 98-00 non ram air TA

jims69camaro · 01-23-2006, 12:16 PM

thanks everyone for taking a look. the story is that it went off road and bottomed out on the ground (dirt/grass/whatever) not on a curb or anything else less-forgiving. notice all of the dirt/dust under the hood. i offered 5k for it, but i will definitely have to go take a look before cash changes hands.

i figured the rolling chassis - if it's straight - will be worth 3500, and that means i get the motor/trans/rear for 1500. can't get them any cheaper than that, i don't think. i would just put another rear under it to keep it rolling, and of course let the potential buyers know about that. i might even keep the rims and/or sell them seperately. i know if i strip the car and sell the parts i could make a good deal more than that, but then there's hassle involved in that as well.

you've pretty much confirmed my suspicions about the car. thanks again for looking at her.

jims69camaro · 01-23-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1Hawk

My thoughts exactly. The way the ground effects look below the doors...it definitely seems the car came down on something (mostlikely the curb) with some good momentum. So your concern there is a bent frame, busted lines, punctures, etc. Does the car start? Maybe you can get it up on ramps and to get a better look.

i have asked for pics up on a lift, and pics of the inner fenders and radiator support. owner says the car was driven home, but hasn't moved since the incident. no other vehicle was involved, it was just poor judgement on a curve and too much momentum to correct it. i say they should be glad it's not wrapped around a tree.

like i said, i will have to go look at it personally in order to assess the true damage, but i'd like to make sure it's not a wild goose chase before i head out. supposedly they have asked a body shop to look at it, as well. i haven't heard anything back on that yet.

JL8Jeff · 01-23-2006, 01:01 PM

Looks like the rear axle is pushed back on the passenger side. And if that passenger door isn't partially open, then it's in bad shape. Depending on the year, miles and actual condition it might not be worth messing around with. Of course, it might be almost as fast as a Camaro now that some of the ground effects have broken off!

Mike · 01-23-2006, 03:06 PM

let me know if you buy it, and are parting it out

V · 01-23-2006, 03:11 PM

also the body may be twisted, i dunno if that door was shut or left open after the pics.

Tru2Chevy · 01-23-2006, 03:16 PM

The passenger door would be my biggest concern.

If the motor/trans are in good shape, you could part enough of the rest of the car to get back more than it's share of the money you spend.

- Justin

V · 01-23-2006, 03:20 PM

yeah, if the drivetrain is untouched its not bad, check pans and trans tailshaft. there are a load of valuable parts on a trans am, just all the exterior lighting will bring about $1000 alone, but try to see if theyll take less than 5k, like 4500.

jims69camaro · 01-24-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingSS

yeah, if the drivetrain is untouched its not bad, check pans and trans tailshaft. there are a load of valuable parts on a trans am, just all the exterior lighting will bring about $1000 alone, but try to see if theyll take less than 5k, like 4500.

i let them know up front that the 5k was sight-unseen, and that i'd have to physically inspect the car in order to make a real offer. they said they might accept 5k, which means we have room for negotiation. i asked about the body shop again, too.

anyone up for a road trip to AR?