Questions about Z28

Hey guys. How much do you think I can get a used 98-02 for? The used car price guides I have looked at average $9500 for retail on a 1998 going up to about $15K for an 02. The used ones I have seen recently seem VERY over priced, saw some 1998's going for $16K-$18K, thats double what all the used car guides I have looked at quote, whats up with that?

Also, how does the LS1 respond to mods? 305 hp is pretty sweet but can you get it up close to 350 hp? and if so, how much money would that run and what kind of parts do I need to look for? Thanks.

From my experience you can laugh off GM's ratings for the LS1s, they are way underated.

305 HP for a car that usually puts that to wheels stock :rolleyes:

If you can get a newer Z28 thats in nice shape for about 18k, thats a decent deal.

Dont forget they dont make the almighty Camaro anymore.:cry: :mad: The books dont factor in that. Price is subjective on the avalibility(?too early) of the cars and what you are willing to pay for something you cant get new. HP wise, I have not done anything YET, but 350 seems to be fairly easy. By they way,there is a big diff b/n the 98-02 as far as prices.

Originally posted by 02pewterss
If you can get a newer Z28 thats in nice shape for about 18k, thats a decent deal.

Mine is mint, very fast and only $16,000

Yea i picked mine up for 16,500. A 2001 with 13,500 miles on it. Mint condition. And i live in new york where alot of cars are cheaper out of state but i found mine in NY. Its a matter of finding a good deal. Just be patient, it took me over 4 months to find mine. If you have a source of transportation its worth the wait.

I just bought a 98 ss three months ago and the books for these cars are way off. I think it's a matter of supply and demand. People want these cars and the number of them out there goes down everyday. I paid 13.9 for my car with 28k miles on it and I would say it's in excellent cond. This was from a dealer and I tried for three days to talk them down and they wouldn't budge. The car is worth every penny though. 350 hp can be achieved for under a grand very easily depending on your trans choice. Good luck! If you wait until winter you can get these cars a bit cheaper.

dyers98, the hp dont change w/ the trans, how it gets to the road may change.

Originally posted by 1stls1
dyers98, the hp dont change w/ the trans, how it gets to the road may change.

Well assuming the kid was wanting 350hp to the wheels the transmission you get could play a part in that. It will take more mods to get an A4 car to 350 at the rears than it would an M6.

go to kelley blue book .com they list trade in value,private party & retail. if you look around you should find a decent 98 or 99 z28 for 10k maybe less. (supply & demand) i bought mine last fall approaching winter storage.

Shop around and don't be afraid to walk away. I got a dealership down to where I wanted them, but it took a couple of weeks of them calling and making lower offers. Too bad for them they played around because I bought the car I have now for less w/half the miles of the one they had. If you're near or in OK, I can send you to a good place to buy an f-body.

350 hp rwhp is obtainable with bolt ons.

Well I am looking at Autotrader.com around my area and all of these damn Z28's are automatic :confused: I have heard its really hard to find 6 speeds in Cali because of the strict emissions laws and crap. If I absolutley had to get an auto, how well do they perform? Is there a big difference in power?

i have a 2000 z28 a4 with 22k miles $15000 obo

Originally posted by SAM MAXWELL
i have a 2000 z28 a4 with 22k miles $15000 obo

Thats another minor problem, I need to go thru a dealer because I need to finance.

if you dont mind me asking how old are you? usually if you have any down payment at all your bank that you bank with will hook you up. one thing that really helps is if you go to the bank with all the leg work (a carfax report, a nada report, and your down payment) done. just a few suggestions. thats what i had to do to get my first loan. and your bank can probably get you a better interest rate.;)

I don't know what part of Ca. your from but I'm in Fresno(middle of state)and they have a z at Bingham toyota with the m-6 it has 24000 miles and they want 21 something for it, I saw it Sunday, but I'm still thinkin, the wife says I have to sell my classics to buy another car:D and I can't decide what I want more, look on cars.com and put in about 350 miles, you'll find alot of em and I'd say half are 6 speeds, If I do get one, I'm gona get a S.S. with as low milage as possible, I want an 01 or 02, even if I have to buy out of state, the z-28 and S.S. are about 19000 to 25000 for low milage from what I see, I also would buy a trans am or firehawk, keep lookin they are out there, Iv'e been lookin for 2 weeks and found a couple I could like, but now all I have to do is make up my mind if I want to get rid of my old cars.
:cool:

Originally posted by 2112
Thats another minor problem, I need to go thru a dealer because I need to finance.

You don't have to go through a dealer. They just call your bank/credit union and try to work something out.

If you go to the bank yourself, they'll give you the loan and a certified check. Then you give it to the private owner and they give you the title.

i wouldn't even bother with a bank. when i bought my 99z i went through Capital One Auto Finance.

they do a thing called "blank check". you apply for a loan for the max you want to pay for a car....no need to have a car picked out yet!!
when/if you get approved for that ammount the send you a blank check. then you go car shopping. when you find what you want you write the check for what the car costs.

what's cool is if you apply and get appoved for say $15,000 but you find a car for only $13,000 all you have to do is write if for the $13K. and they adjust your monthly payment accordingly.

this way you can buy from a dealer, using "cash in hand" as a way to get better deal. OR you can buy from a private person...using the same bargaining chip.

and their rates are great! i got about 5% interest on a 60 month loan for my 99z on $13000, so i only pay $251 a month!!

check em out:
capital one auto finance (http://www.capitaloneautofinance.com/Public/Home/Default.aspx)


oh yeah...and there is no real need for a down pqyment with them. so you can save that for mods...or do the right thing and make a nice big payment the first few months ;) but mods are more fun!
in my case, i applied for $13K, got approved, but found a car for more...so i used my cash as a down payment, and gave him the "blank check" for the difference.

Sammy's right, Go thru a bank. It's less hassle, your not paying the dealer anymore commission and you'll probably get a better rate. My SS is an auto and I love it! With these cars there is plenty of power either route you choose, it's a matter of preference and what you plan to do with it.

I choose the auto because I drive it alot and shifting gets old after a few months. Also, the auto's are all around cars. With a $500 Stall you will be amazed at how the auto's launch compared to the manuals. I would say that 6speeds are more fun to drive though

capital one is doing 4-6% interest....hard for banks to compete with that.

when i did mine, the two banks i checked were trying to make me feel good about 12% :rolleyes:

and as for hassle...

apply online, they call you in an hour or so with the decision, mail you the "blank check" and then you go car shopping.
when you find the one you want you fill out some paperwork, fax them some info, wait a hour for their appoval and you're done

Originally posted by teke184
capital one is doing 4-6% interest....hard for banks to compete with that.

when i did mine, the two banks i checked were trying to make me feel good about 12% :rolleyes:

and as for hassle...

apply online, they call you in an hour or so with the decision, mail you the "blank check" and then you go car shopping.
when you find the one you want you fill out some paperwork, fax them some info, wait a hour for their appoval and you're done

my bank is right in that area for me (4-6%). is the capial one a set percentage rate?

Just to clarify...Capital One is a bank! I was just saying a lot of the time dealers aren't looking out for your interests the way a bank does. I'm not dogging Capital One. Do you have stock in the company or something? I just bought my car three months ago financed through a bank and I'm paying 3.85% vs the 7 my dealer was trying to charge. Just be smart and do what works best for your situation.

i am not dogging on capital one either, for me it comes down to the fact that if a problem comes up i can drive down the road to my bank and talk my banker face to face.

i wouldn't be to concerned witht he year..i mean there isn't a big difference between the 98's and the 02's id be concerned with condition, miles..and treatment in general of the car your looking at buying..I bet i can find a pos..road like hell 02...that only sells for 10 and a 98..that is in great condition well tooken care of...for 14-16 see what i mean?...

mine is for sale for $10,000

see "website" its a 2001 B4C with 112,000 miles on it. needs spark plugs and possibly a knock sensor. it has the LS6 intake and no egr stuff.

Originally posted by wdz_lt1
i wouldn't be to concerned witht he year..i mean there isn't a big difference between the 98's and the 02's id be concerned with condition, miles..and treatment in general of the car your looking at buying..I bet i can find a pos..road like hell 02...that only sells for 10 and a 98..that is in great condition well tooken care of...for 14-16 see what i mean?...

actually there seems to be 25+ rwhp diffrence between the 98 an 01/02's

I think there are few upgrade in the 01 02 like intake. But all in all they're the same car. You can make up the few Hp difference. And I don't think it's quite as high as 25...maybe more like 10.

Thanks for all the input, that leads me to another question. Is it worth it to pay $3-$4K more for an SS with only 20 more hp then a Z28? I figure you could get that 20 hp back for alot less then that with some minor tweaks.

its just the SLP airlid and cat back exhaust. thats what gives it the 25 extra hp. if you get an SS your paying for the name, hood, wheels and spoiler basicly.


if you have a chance get a 01 or 02 deffinatly worth it. it dosent have stupid egr stuff and it has a LS6 intake, which is expecialy good if you want to upgrade your engine later. you put a LS6 cam into it, port and polish your heads and basicly you have a LS6.

Originally posted by 2112
Is it worth it to pay $3-$4K more for an SS with only 20 more hp then a Z28?

No.

The SS package holds it's value pretty good, but it sounds like your looking the newest car you can afford.