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Low Mileage GTA: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am

This 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA has under 30,000 original miles and features sharp black paint with gold-painted mesh wheels. It’s a classic GTA look, and while it may look somewhat unassuming to fans of more bodacious muscle cars, I’ve always found the GTA of this era to be an extremely handsome car. While it doesn’t deliver the same level of thrills at the turbocharged model that blew the doors off almost every comer in Pace Car tribute form, the more modest  5.7L-equipped models are no slouches, either. Find this survivor GTA here on eBay with bids to $12,500 and the reserve unmet.

The GTAs were a well-rounded package overall, offering the upgraded WS6 suspension as standard equipment, along with body-colored ground effects, thickly-bolstered seats, and other small tweaks inside the cabin. The GTA name may be shared with a tiny Renault coupe, but in the case of the Trans Am, its 5.7L fuel-injected V8 offered respectable performance and an awesome soundtrack. While the turbocharged editions may run circles around it, there’s nothing wrong with choosing the allure of an uncorked V8.

With next to no information provided about the vehicle’s mechanical health, we have to hope for the best based on the low mileage and nice attention to detail under the hood. The seller doesn’t detail any recent maintenance, but the 5.7L isn’t a super needy engine to begin with. Still, some insights into how it’s been maintained over the course of 30,000 miles would be helpful for bidders. Shift-it-yourselfers need not apply here; in GTA form, the V8 was assigned a standard automatic transmission. No signs of leaks or tired hoses are noted in photos.

The interior features black leather buckets with inflatable lumbar adjustments, and the seller notes this example is fitted with T-top roof panels. The multi-function steering wheel is ugly by today’s standards, but was downright high-tech when it was introduced. The seller doesn’t disclose any major flaws with the GTA, and the cosmetics certainly don’t seem to be an issue based on photos. Some scans or copies of service records would likely help nudge the bids past the reserve price, and also confirm that the low mileage claims are accurate.

Comments

  1. Avatar Classic Steel

    Looks like kit of knight rider son will have to drive as i like standards 😜
    Fyi i think kit was a 82 year 😎

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Stangalang

    KITT..Knight Industries Two Thousand…Hasselhoff rules and so does this GTA. Beautiful car and in its day pretty fast. Pontiac had gotten a bit more potent

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Doc

    Remember racing one of these back in the early 90’s. Could not keep up with it as it was a corner carver with stout power. They were no joke, I’d venture to say these will perform well as collector pieces in the short run

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Poncho

    Still have my 1987 GTA 5.7 liter, auto, hardtop, black and gold combo (trim and wheels) as this one, black cloth seats, digital gages, doesn’t have the buttons on the steering wheel (’87 only). My car handles like it is on rails and easily will do 130 mph on the highway. Under full throttle from a stop, spins tires all thru first, shifts into second, then the rear squats down when the Goodyear Gatorbacks hook up, and launches the car forward. I remember there were a lot of these on the roads in various colors. Comparable to the Camaro Iroc-Z of the same era. Don’t see as many of these anymore. Probably a good time to get in on this future collectible and this is a nice car too. GTA’s had all the creature comfort options (power locks, windows, seats, etc…), handling, and power. Still a great ride today.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar Sal E

    You could get theses with the 5.0 TPI V8 and 5 speed a well. 10 less hp and 40 less pounds of torque, but the 3.42 rear and lighter weight made up most of the difference. Plus those stick TPI cars were a blast to drive

    Like 0
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      I had a 1987 Formula 350/auto and a 1991 Z28 with the LB9/G92/5-speed combo. I am here to tell you the Formula was way more fun to drive due to the awesome torque curve the L98 350 has. It was not the fastest car in the world but it felt great. The LB9 did not replicate that feel.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    & most of the airbag steering wheels are not ugly?
    R12 a/c still work?
    Not stingy with the gages!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Always believed the GTA to be the best looking Pontiac of the day, surprisingly sedate in it’s body kit and absence of tacked on wings, flares, decals and scoops…runner-up for me was the Fiero in Formula trim.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Made it up to $16,300 but did not meet reserve.

    Like 0

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