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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Off Brand Vehicles For Sale -> 1980 Firebird Esprit ** Just want to know your opinions **
Post Info TOPIC: 1980 Firebird Esprit ** Just want to know your opinions **
LandShark68_2+2


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1980 Firebird Esprit ** Just want to know your opinions **
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Hi guys,

I'm aware of a cherry 1980 Firebird Esprit for sale, but I don't have any experience with these cars. Does anyone on the forum have/had one and can suggest what to look out for ? What can you tell me about it's 301 V8 ? Good, strong engine ? Troublesome. Here's part of the description :

"This Firebird is a orginal car that has never been touched, It has org paint,  tires and only 39,613 miles. The car is an estate sale and is in the second owners name..... This car is in Mint Orginal condition...... The car is a 1980 Firebird Esprit it has a small V/8 301 cubic in  with factory air ,tilt power windows orginal bill of sale, buckets , console with floor shift. 7500$ safetied. "

Regards, Scott J.

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59poncho


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they are alot of fun to drive, and if you dont see any rust (check the trunk were it sits on the frame) then go for it. The engine is not the fastest (my brother has one with the 301 turbo) and i used to beat him with my 305. If you dont get this one my brother is selling his for around 5 i think. needs a paintjob but thats about it,nice car. Ive been bugging him for pics!

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73SC


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My wife's father bought her a 1976 Esprit 3 days after she got her license. It was a beautiful car and a very reilable car. Outside of tires and brakes I can only ever remember a water pump needing replacement. We kept that car until 1989. It did rust out around the door handles, both sides but we had body work completely done around '82 to fix all that. Ours was a Pontiac 350 which made this car very quick and fast. It was always a chore to keep the rear tires from breaking loose on spirited starts.

I did have a 301 4bbl in a 1980 Grand Prix, W37 option. I always liked that engine and I suppose the gearing in the GP made it feel like an unlimited top end. It was also very easy to break the rears loose on the GP. Again I only kept it to 145,000 km but I can not recall one single mechanical issue or problem with that engine.

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Ray White, Toronto ON

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59poncho


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my brother has had no problems with the 301 either, chirps the tires pretty good and he took some rubber off the tires i let him borrow!jerk!

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eeluddy


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If it doesn't need paint, has no rust out on the cowl, trunk or frame rails it's probably not a bad buy. I find the 301's a bit too slow, but a 400 will fit right in! Start at $6000 and see what happens.

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73SC


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Production numbers - 1980

 Firebird base price just over $5,600  29,811 produced
 Firebird Esprit  17,277 produced
 Firebird Formula  9,356 produced

 Pontiac Trans Am base price $7,179 50,896 produced

Engine Options
  • V6  231, "A" Code - 110hp
  • V8 265 "S" Code - 120 hp
  • V8 301, "W" Code - 140 hp
  • V8 301, "T" Code Turbocharged - 210 hp
  • V8 305, "H" Code - 150 hp

 


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Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 
427carl


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eeluddy wrote:

If it doesn't need paint, has no rust out on the cowl, trunk or frame rails it's probably not a bad buy. I find the 301's a bit too slow, but a 400 will fit right in! Start at $6000 and see what happens.


        What about the white 83 on this site...



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eeluddy


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427carl wrote:

 

eeluddy wrote:

If it doesn't need paint, has no rust out on the cowl, trunk or frame rails it's probably not a bad buy. I find the 301's a bit too slow, but a 400 will fit right in! Start at $6000 and see what happens.


        What about the white 83 on this site...

 

I agree Carl. it's a Trans Am,  probably a better long term buy as far as resale goes, and likely faster than an Esprit......

 



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67BBSD


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eeluddy wrote:

427carl wrote:

eeluddy wrote:

If it doesn't need paint, has no rust out on the cowl, trunk or frame rails it's probably not a bad buy. I find the 301's a bit too slow, but a 400 will fit right in! Start at $6000 and see what happens.


        What about the white 83 on this site...


I agree Carl. it's a Trans Am,  probably a better long term buy as far as resale goes, and likely faster than an Esprit......


Hey ! thanks for your help guys !

and although I'm asking $6900 I will take $5500, it has a current independant appraisal @ $10,700-I insured it that way with Lant. This is an original paint car, never exposed to poor weather, always stored, never smoked in, tons of paperwork (orig bill of sale, warranty info, service records etc...) two sets of wheels, no rust, turn key investment, 126,000 carefully driven kilometers (looks like 40km), just a great all around not messed with classic coming of age at a very affordable entry level price

Ken 905 714-1403 Welland (near Niagara Falls)



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87 player bird


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Fun car, but 301 is a boat anchor. 400 will bolt right in.

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TINY


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Check around the windsheild really good. Ive had alot of F body cars and they all rust there!

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eeluddy


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TINY wrote:

Check around the windsheild really good. Ive had alot of F body cars and they all rust there!

And the rear valance body panel.

 



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