Thinking about buying a 2001 Firehawk
09-02-2014, 04:01 PM
#1
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Thinking about buying a 2001 Firehawk I've decided it would be too costly to repair and repaint my car so I'm going to pull the motor for a backup and then scrap the frame. So I'm out car shopping and I found a local dealership has the following car:
2001 Firehawk, gold on black, 75K miles, M6 & T-tops. Asking $10,900 but can probably get them to $9,900 due to a few issues.
The car runs great and the clutch feels good. Plus remember that I have a longblock LS1 with the mods in sig as a backup should anything happen to the motor that's in it. But there are a few issues:
1). Rims have some gold paint peeling and needs to be repainted or replaced.
2). The stock sterio works but has no digital display on the OCP so I can not see the time or even what radio station I'm on.
3). Two headlights (the brights not the regular headlights) have filled up with water and blown the bulbs. Also there is some water condensation in one of the backup lights.
I'm thinking I can try to figure out where the water is getting in and try to fix those issues, get the rims repainted and possibly swap the stock sterio from my 99 formula into the firehawk.
What do you think?
2001 Firehawk, gold on black, 75K miles, M6 & T-tops. Asking $10,900 but can probably get them to $9,900 due to a few issues.
The car runs great and the clutch feels good. Plus remember that I have a longblock LS1 with the mods in sig as a backup should anything happen to the motor that's in it. But there are a few issues:
1). Rims have some gold paint peeling and needs to be repainted or replaced.
2). The stock sterio works but has no digital display on the OCP so I can not see the time or even what radio station I'm on.
3). Two headlights (the brights not the regular headlights) have filled up with water and blown the bulbs. Also there is some water condensation in one of the backup lights.
I'm thinking I can try to figure out where the water is getting in and try to fix those issues, get the rims repainted and possibly swap the stock sterio from my 99 formula into the firehawk.
What do you think?
09-02-2014, 04:20 PM
#2
All the issues are relatively minor. Still, even if you get them down to $9,900, after taxes and whatnot you are going to be paying what, like $11,000+? Not bad, but not a steal either IMO.
For comparison, I recently picked up a 100% stock 2000 single owner WS6 wtih 52k miles for $9500 (private sale). Granted yours is a Firehawk, and mine needed new tires and headlight motors and was filthy, but was otherwise in great shape. You got any pics?
For comparison, I recently picked up a 100% stock 2000 single owner WS6 wtih 52k miles for $9500 (private sale). Granted yours is a Firehawk, and mine needed new tires and headlight motors and was filthy, but was otherwise in great shape. You got any pics?
09-02-2014, 04:27 PM
#4
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply. I honestly could care less about it being a firehawk. I'm fime with a trans am or formula as long as the mileage is reasonable and it's an M6. But I don't have all cash so I have to buy from a dealership. My other choices are a 2001 TA with 68K miles for 12K or a 2002 TA with 50K miles for 20K!
There is even a dealership out here that has a WS6 with 148K miles and they still are asking 13K for it. It's crazy how much money the dealerships still want for these cars. It's like the prices havn't dropped at all in the last 5-7 years.
There is even a dealership out here that has a WS6 with 148K miles and they still are asking 13K for it. It's crazy how much money the dealerships still want for these cars. It's like the prices havn't dropped at all in the last 5-7 years.
09-02-2014, 06:32 PM
#5
Thanks for the reply. I honestly could care less about it being a firehawk. I'm fime with a trans am or formula as long as the mileage is reasonable and it's an M6. But I don't have all cash so I have to buy from a dealership. My other choices are a 2001 TA with 68K miles for 12K or a 2002 TA with 50K miles for 20K!
There is even a dealership out here that has a WS6 with 148K miles and they still are asking 13K for it. It's crazy how much money the dealerships still want for these cars. It's like the prices havn't dropped at all in the last 5-7 years.
There is even a dealership out here that has a WS6 with 148K miles and they still are asking 13K for it. It's crazy how much money the dealerships still want for these cars. It's like the prices havn't dropped at all in the last 5-7 years.
09-02-2014, 08:46 PM
#7
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Just FYI, you can get a loan for a private sale. I did with my first T/A. I did have to create an account at a local credit union, since they were the only ones who would finance an older car. So you might want to check into a credit union for a loan before you pay the dealer's premium prices.
Besides that I have a 98 dodge ram van 1500 with a leaking head gasket and 166K miles. I can get $200 for it at a junk yard or 1K for it as a trade-in at a dealership. So between a mediocre credit score and my broken van I figure it's better for me to try and get a loan through a dealer. I can get more for my van and rebuild my credit.
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09-02-2014, 08:48 PM
#8
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Yeah, that's the one. But trust me when I say it looks much better in the pics than it does up close in person. The paint is peeling off the rims, there are a fair amount of scuffs, scratches and of course the other issues I mentioned. And it's missing the fuse box cover and console door but I could steal those off my Formula so I wasn't worried about it.
They are shopping me for a loan as we speak but it's been tough. Even with $2,500 down the banks are hesitant to loan money on a 2001 anything. The dealership all ready told me I was approved for a loan on anything they got as long as it's under 25K and newer than 2004. So if I wanted an 08 Mustang GT it would be no problem. If I wanted a 2010-2012 V6 camaro it would be no problem.
Of course I do NOT want a Mustang or a V6 anything. So now I'm playing the waiting game to see if they can get the loan as is with $2,500 down or if I need a bigger down payment. It sucks but what can you do?
They are shopping me for a loan as we speak but it's been tough. Even with $2,500 down the banks are hesitant to loan money on a 2001 anything. The dealership all ready told me I was approved for a loan on anything they got as long as it's under 25K and newer than 2004. So if I wanted an 08 Mustang GT it would be no problem. If I wanted a 2010-2012 V6 camaro it would be no problem.
Of course I do NOT want a Mustang or a V6 anything. So now I'm playing the waiting game to see if they can get the loan as is with $2,500 down or if I need a bigger down payment. It sucks but what can you do?
Last edited by darrensls1; 09-02-2014 at 09:37 PM.
09-02-2014, 10:15 PM
#9
Yeah, that's the one. But trust me when I say it looks much better in the pics than it does up close in person. The paint is peeling off the rims, there are a fair amount of scuffs, scratches and of course the other issues I mentioned. And it's missing the fuse box cover and console door but I could steal those off my Formula so I wasn't worried about it.
They are shopping me for a loan as we speak but it's been tough. Even with $2,500 down the banks are hesitant to loan money on a 2001 anything. The dealership all ready told me I was approved for a loan on anything they got as long as it's under 25K and newer than 2004. So if I wanted an 08 Mustang GT it would be no problem. If I wanted a 2010-2012 V6 camaro it would be no problem.
Of course I do NOT want a Mustang or a V6 anything. So now I'm playing the waiting game to see if they can get the loan as is with $2,500 down or if I need a bigger down payment. It sucks but what can you do?
They are shopping me for a loan as we speak but it's been tough. Even with $2,500 down the banks are hesitant to loan money on a 2001 anything. The dealership all ready told me I was approved for a loan on anything they got as long as it's under 25K and newer than 2004. So if I wanted an 08 Mustang GT it would be no problem. If I wanted a 2010-2012 V6 camaro it would be no problem.
Of course I do NOT want a Mustang or a V6 anything. So now I'm playing the waiting game to see if they can get the loan as is with $2,500 down or if I need a bigger down payment. It sucks but what can you do?
09-02-2014, 10:51 PM
#10
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
yeah only so much u can do, if ur set on getting something. was totaly ironic, i look at autotrader online about once a month just to see whats out there, just eyeing c5 vette prices. havent searched firebirds for months but was bored so i did. thats the only one that caught my eye, read the ad and looked it over. never as good as it looks. but still a decent car for the money, and if u cud get it for 10k or less imo its worth it. they are the sexiest 4th gen period. kepp us posted, interested to see if u score it.
09-03-2014, 01:16 AM
#11
Hope it works out for you!
if not, I don't know how far away Peoria is, but this one is pretty sweet too. Great deal if it is all legit (probably the only upside to buying from a dealer - not as likely to get scammed)
http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/4623040307.html
if not, I don't know how far away Peoria is, but this one is pretty sweet too. Great deal if it is all legit (probably the only upside to buying from a dealer - not as likely to get scammed)
http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/4623040307.html
09-03-2014, 06:16 PM
#13
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
It sounds like it is a 10th anniversary edition, but I would look up the VIN here to verify. https://www.slpcamaro.com/vin_login.asp
But the loan is not looking good right now. I've come up to 4K down which is my ceiling and they still don't know if they can finance the other $6,800. This really sucks.
I'll join my sisters credit union and try a loan through them but after that I may be out of options.
Last edited by darrensls1; 09-03-2014 at 06:31 PM.
09-04-2014, 02:34 AM
#14
good luck. i waz actualy suprized they werent asking more like 13 or 14k for it. being a 10th ann firehawk, with low miles. figurex a dealer wud wanna killing for it due to rarity/milage. maybe theg dont realize it? also wondered if it has a clean carfax?
09-04-2014, 10:22 PM
#15
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
It's a clean car fax but as stated earlier the vehicle has some issues although none of it was major. But it's all a moot point now, at least for me.
The dealership could not get any financing on that vehicle for me. I went up to 5K down and would have only financed 6K but they said it doesn't matter. The banks refuse to loan a cent against a 2001 vehicle unless the borrower has prestine credit in which case it's more like a signature loan.
So with my tail between my legs I had to walk away. I have to look at 2005+ vehicles if I expect to get any kind of a loan. That leaves me with two crappy options.
1). Buy a 2010 or 2011 V6 Camaro. The SS's are still out of reach for someone who needs to stay under 20K for a car.
2). Buy a 2005-2010 Mustang GT. They can be had for well under 20K if you shop around.
I love the look of the Camaro but a V6 is just not for me. I couldn't stand not having the deep throaty exhaust sound you can only get from a V8.
I hate to say it but I found a 5 speed manual 2007 Mustang GT with 35K miles for 14.5K and the dealer says I am all ready approved. I left a deposit to hold the car and told him I would be back Saturday with my trade-in. I can still walk away but I need a daily driver and my choices are unfortunately limited.
The dealership could not get any financing on that vehicle for me. I went up to 5K down and would have only financed 6K but they said it doesn't matter. The banks refuse to loan a cent against a 2001 vehicle unless the borrower has prestine credit in which case it's more like a signature loan.
So with my tail between my legs I had to walk away. I have to look at 2005+ vehicles if I expect to get any kind of a loan. That leaves me with two crappy options.
1). Buy a 2010 or 2011 V6 Camaro. The SS's are still out of reach for someone who needs to stay under 20K for a car.
2). Buy a 2005-2010 Mustang GT. They can be had for well under 20K if you shop around.
I love the look of the Camaro but a V6 is just not for me. I couldn't stand not having the deep throaty exhaust sound you can only get from a V8.
I hate to say it but I found a 5 speed manual 2007 Mustang GT with 35K miles for 14.5K and the dealer says I am all ready approved. I left a deposit to hold the car and told him I would be back Saturday with my trade-in. I can still walk away but I need a daily driver and my choices are unfortunately limited.
09-05-2014, 01:59 PM
#16
It's a clean car fax but as stated earlier the vehicle has some issues although none of it was major. But it's all a moot point now, at least for me.
The dealership could not get any financing on that vehicle for me. I went up to 5K down and would have only financed 6K but they said it doesn't matter. The banks refuse to loan a cent against a 2001 vehicle unless the borrower has prestine credit in which case it's more like a signature loan.
So with my tail between my legs I had to walk away. I have to look at 2005+ vehicles if I expect to get any kind of a loan. That leaves me with two crappy options.
1). Buy a 2010 or 2011 V6 Camaro. The SS's are still out of reach for someone who needs to stay under 20K for a car.
2). Buy a 2005-2010 Mustang GT. They can be had for well under 20K if you shop around.
I love the look of the Camaro but a V6 is just not for me. I couldn't stand not having the deep throaty exhaust sound you can only get from a V8.
I hate to say it but I found a 5 speed manual 2007 Mustang GT with 35K miles for 14.5K and the dealer says I am all ready approved. I left a deposit to hold the car and told him I would be back Saturday with my trade-in. I can still walk away but I need a daily driver and my choices are unfortunately limited.
The dealership could not get any financing on that vehicle for me. I went up to 5K down and would have only financed 6K but they said it doesn't matter. The banks refuse to loan a cent against a 2001 vehicle unless the borrower has prestine credit in which case it's more like a signature loan.
So with my tail between my legs I had to walk away. I have to look at 2005+ vehicles if I expect to get any kind of a loan. That leaves me with two crappy options.
1). Buy a 2010 or 2011 V6 Camaro. The SS's are still out of reach for someone who needs to stay under 20K for a car.
2). Buy a 2005-2010 Mustang GT. They can be had for well under 20K if you shop around.
I love the look of the Camaro but a V6 is just not for me. I couldn't stand not having the deep throaty exhaust sound you can only get from a V8.
I hate to say it but I found a 5 speed manual 2007 Mustang GT with 35K miles for 14.5K and the dealer says I am all ready approved. I left a deposit to hold the car and told him I would be back Saturday with my trade-in. I can still walk away but I need a daily driver and my choices are unfortunately limited.
09-05-2014, 03:48 PM
#17
TECH Enthusiast
Too bad you couldn't swing this as 2001 anniv hawks aren't that common. They only built 139 of them. That's a tiny fraction compared to the 1999 or 2002 CETA WS6 anniversary cars for which they made 1500-1700 of each. The 2001 anniv package cost an additional $2,000 new vs. a regular Firehawk. And the FH base package cost $4K more than a WS6. Figure a 75K mile anniv FH carries a premium of $1,000-$2,000 depending on condition (half because it's a FH and half because of the anniv model). It's debatable on how much premium is there for a higher mileage car. I figure my listed range above is typical.
There's a number of affordable Firebird automatics in your area. But, when it comes to 6 speeds there are fairly few to choose from. The prices on these seemed to hit bottom right around fall 2011 to mid 2012. Since that time they have slowly moved back up in price or stayed the same. There are always some great buys popping up but you have to be lucky with cash waiting to get to them first.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Used+Cars/cars+between+5000+and+12000/Pontiac/Firebird/Sandwich+IL-60548?endYear=2002&engineCode=8CLDR&engineCodes=8C LDR&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&makeCode1=P ONT&maxMileage=100000&maxPrice=12000&minPrice=5000 &mmt=[PONT[FBIRD[]][]]&modelCode1=FBIRD&photosOnlyActual=true&pricesOnly =true&searchRadius=500&showcaseListingId=0&showcas eOwnerId=0&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=1998&L og=0
There's a number of affordable Firebird automatics in your area. But, when it comes to 6 speeds there are fairly few to choose from. The prices on these seemed to hit bottom right around fall 2011 to mid 2012. Since that time they have slowly moved back up in price or stayed the same. There are always some great buys popping up but you have to be lucky with cash waiting to get to them first.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Used+Cars/cars+between+5000+and+12000/Pontiac/Firebird/Sandwich+IL-60548?endYear=2002&engineCode=8CLDR&engineCodes=8C LDR&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&makeCode1=P ONT&maxMileage=100000&maxPrice=12000&minPrice=5000 &mmt=[PONT[FBIRD[]][]]&modelCode1=FBIRD&photosOnlyActual=true&pricesOnly =true&searchRadius=500&showcaseListingId=0&showcas eOwnerId=0&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=1998&L og=0
09-06-2014, 08:10 PM
#19
TECH Fanatic
Did you ever try talking to a credit union. Mine gave me $4000 back in 2007 to buy a 85 Monte Carlo SS, $2500 to buy my current 86 MC SS in 2010, $8500 to buy our 98 T/A, pay off the MC SS and one credit card in 2011 (4 year lone will be paid off next spring), and $2000 against my 86 MC SS again to help pay for our wedding last summer. They don't care how old the car is as long as it books for more than you want to barrow.
