Buying My 1st Camaro

Yesterday I took a drive in my buddies '01 Z06, and have decided that one day I too will own a car of this caliber, but I don't have the money at the moment, so I am looking to purchase a 99-01 z28, 5 speed MT, and preferably black, with a 373 rear end. The only problem is I have never owned a Camaro before. I was just wondering if it would be at all possible if you guys could give me any advice with defects, common problems and basic buying tips. Keep in mind that I am 22 years old and will be attending college in the fall, after getting out of the Military, so my resources will be limited to about 10 to 12 grand. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ron

first off...

the z28s have a SIX speed manual tranny, none came from the factory with 3.73 gears. the manuals all had 3.42s.

for $12k you can find a decently low milage camaro in good shape. just look around.

Yesterday I took a drive in my buddies '01 Z06, and have decided that one day I too will own a car of this caliber, but I don't have the money at the moment, so I am looking to purchase a 99-01 z28, 5 speed MT, and preferably black, with a 373 rear end. The only problem is I have never owned a Camaro before. I was just wondering if it would be at all possible if you guys could give me any advice with defects, common problems and basic buying tips. Keep in mind that I am 22 years old and will be attending college in the fall, after getting out of the Military, so my resources will be limited to about 10 to 12 grand. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ron

If one day you will own a Z06, you would be best to start off in an LS1 camaro as you want. Then keep in mind that the 2001 & 2002 models are built on the LS6 block which is faster and much more bullet proof than the earlier LS1's. Also keep in mind that the camaro SS's such as mine (2001 camaro SS) are even more refined with fiberglass panels such as that of the z06. There is a much different feel with this kind of car.
Be careful of used vehicles of this nature. They were made for speed and nascar thrashing and more often than not, they have been.
Good Luck!

Every add Ive looked into shows that the z28 comes stock with a 5 speed transmission, so I was under the impression that every z28 is a 5 speed. Pardon my mistake though, like I said, I'm kinda new to this, but I want to soak up as much info as I can! I spoke to a local car guy that said he bought his Z with 373 gears, then again, he could've been lieing, I would'nt have known the difference. Id write more, but I alas duty calls. I'll write more later, cause I have a ton of questions.

I would like a SS, but I havent been able to find one with reasonable mileage, anything over 50,000 miles for a 01 or 02 car seems to raise my eyebrows a bit. Is the Sports Apperance/Performance Package worth the extra cash I would drop for the SS? From what Ive read, the measureable gain in HP is only 15 ponies more than the Z28, of course the SS handles better, but I dont imagine I would be running my Camaro in any kind of road race, unless it was just drag. I guess what Im wondering is if for an extra 4 or 5 grand, so I really get my money's worth with the SS package.
Ron

I would like a SS, but I havent been able to find one with reasonable mileage, anything over 50,000 miles for a 01 or 02 car seems to raise my eyebrows a bit. Is the Sports Apperance/Performance Package worth the extra cash I would drop for the SS? From what Ive read, the measureable gain in HP is only 15 ponies more than the Z28, of course the SS handles better, but I dont imagine I would be running my Camaro in any kind of road race, unless it was just drag. I guess what Im wondering is if for an extra 4 or 5 grand, so I really get my money's worth with the SS package.
Ron

The Camaro SS is based on NASCAR tradition, with its wide and long wheelbase and lightened body panels and functional air intake and 17" wheels and 325+ HP out of the box motor.
I have a stock 2001 Camaro SS w/41,450 miles in BRAND NEW CONDITION for only $14,500 now.
I have never been in a race, because nobody wants to race it.
I did go 140 mph one time on the freeway just to see what it could do.
It felt like I was doing 80.
Of course their was plenty of juice left so I'm convinced that 160, 170, 180 mph tales I've heard are real.

Adding even small mods such as taylor plug wires and iridium plugs and especially a hypertech programmer unleash the hidden monster lurking in these camaro SS's as they are detuned from the factory because of their enhanced performance build.

There is no comparison to the SS and Z28.

There is a comparison to the SS to any 200 mph+ exoticar ..

Just by sheer virtue of the SS mystique.

Eddie

For a fair amount of cash, and time under the hood, couldn't you make a z28 perform just as well if not better than a SS?
Mechanically speaking, the more I compare the two the more I believe that I could buy a z28 and have it perform just as well as a SS. And the purchase price would be substantially different. Im not sure how much I would have to spend on after market parts to bring it up to par, but it would be worth a shot. Then again, this is all my personal feelings, and I look forward to spending time under the hood of whatever vehicle I decide to buy, the more the merrier, I say.
Ron

For a fair amount of cash, and time under the hood, couldn't you make a z28 perform just as well if not better than a SS?
Mechanically speaking, the more I compare the two the more I believe that I could buy a z28 and have it perform just as well as a SS. And the purchase price would be substantially different. Im not sure how much I would have to spend on after market parts to bring it up to par, but it would be worth a shot. Then again, this is all my personal feelings, and I look forward to spending time under the hood of whatever vehicle I decide to buy, the more the merrier, I say.
Ron


Sounds like you're having conflicts betwen the SS & Z28.
The best thing to do is get thorough spec sheets on each.
Then make up a price sheet for the mods you would like to do, how much they cost and the estimated HP gains.

No matter what, most of the mods are same price for the Z28 & SS.
So which is better to build on?

Since you're looking at Z06's in the future, there is no reason to be spending a lot of money on either.

In fact make it easy on yourself.
Drive a Z28 & SS and see which you like the best.

But see all the forums about how a lot of guys have spent more on mods than the car itself and end up selling it at the book value of the moment anyway.

Eddie

Not a bad idea Eddie, not a bad idea at all, I'm not in a rush to buy a z28 or an SS at the moment, but I should test drive one of each.

As for getting a Z06, my plan as it stands right now is to purchase a Camaro, then upgrade to the Vette when I complete college, so as you can see, Im not in that big of a hurry.

Ron

oh yeah, anyone know anything about LS1 Edit?

bump...

hey if you wont to make a z/28 to run like SS and dont wont to spend a lot of money all you need to do is put a cold air intake system and a good exsost
system on it. that realy the only difference between a SS and a z/28. if you do that you will be makeing about 320 hp.

hey if you wont to make a z/28 to run like SS and dont wont to spend a lot of money all you need to do is put a cold air intake system and a good exsost
system on it. that realy the only difference between a SS and a z/28. if you do that you will be makeing about 320 hp.

:bs:

You will also need to add the fiberglass panels and the stock out of the box 325+ HP LS1/LS6 motor for a Z28 to run like an SS.

hey budy do you wont to see the dyno sheet I have 96 z28. oh yeah my dad owns an SS and I have worked on and driven both of them!!!

hey budy do you wont to see the dyno sheet I have 96 z28. oh yeah my dad owns an SS and I have worked on and driven both of them!!!

Sorry, a 96 z28 is an LT1. Not even in the same league as an LS1.

:bs:

You will also need to add the fiberglass panels and the stock out of the box 325+ HP LS1/LS6 motor for a Z28 to run like an SS.


Arnt they all fiberglass ???

The z/28's will perform just as well as the ss, as listed above, its only got ram air and better catback then the z/28's ....

Arnt they all fiberglass ???

The z/28's will perform just as well as the ss, as listed above, its only got ram air and better catback then the z/28's ....

An SS is a z28 with an "SS PACKAGE."
See the package on any window sticker for specifics.

This is why the SS is $5,000 + more costly.

no man. a z28 will run just as fast as an SS if you put cold air intake and a good exsost system on it. fiberglass panels only take of about 75lbs. it aint that much.

I don't know what "fiberglass panels" you are referring to, other than the hood(on the ss), front fenders, spoiler, and doors. The only "lightweight" part the SS has over the z28 is the hood, and the weight loss from that could more than likely be offset by the 17 inch chrome wheels that come on it (15 inch painted < 17 inch chrome in weight, and its rotating).

SS cars have a different intake setup, and a different exhaust setup. It's not some glorified "325hp+ out of the box" engine, its the same thing as the z28. You said it yourself, an SS is a package for the z28. This "package" has the same engine. The exact same.

To the original poster: buy the car based on what you like, and what is affordable. If you like the SS hood/spoiler, get the SS. If you want a car that's just as fast but more subtle and inexpensive, get the Z28. Either way you cannot go wrong.

:bs:

You will also need to add the fiberglass panels and the stock out of the box 325+ HP LS1/LS6 motor for a Z28 to run like an SS.

1) What panels are you referring to?

2) There has never been a stock LS6 in an Fbody

1) What panels are you referring to?

2) There has never been a stock LS6 in an Fbody

Since everyone answering these posts owns an SS except me .. hee hee .. I invite you to put a Z28 & SS side by side.
Go around all the body parts and tap on the them. You will notice that the sound changes on the SS due to its fiberglass components as opposed to the z28 which will make the same "metal" sound.
The 2001 & 2002 SS's are based on the LS6 block design, most noticably the intake. Check the part numbers and reference them with LS1 & LS6 numbers.

I have a 2001 SS .. who do you think is qualified to know ..

I don't know what "fiberglass panels" you are referring to, other than the hood(on the ss), front fenders, spoiler, and doors. The only "lightweight" part the SS has over the z28 is the hood, and the weight loss from that could more than likely be offset by the 17 inch chrome wheels that come on it (15 inch painted < 17 inch chrome in weight, and its rotating).

SS cars have a different intake setup, and a different exhaust setup. It's not some glorified "325hp+ out of the box" engine, its the same thing as the z28. You said it yourself, an SS is a package for the z28. This "package" has the same engine. The exact same.

To the original poster: buy the car based on what you like, and what is affordable. If you like the SS hood/spoiler, get the SS. If you want a car that's just as fast but more subtle and inexpensive, get the Z28. Either way you cannot go wrong.

Put your in the sand and never read the SS Package options .. Buy a Z28, It's a cheaper car ..

Since everyone answering these posts owns an SS except me .. hee hee .. I invite you to put a Z28 & SS side by side.
Go around all the body parts and tap on the them. You will notice that the sound changes on the SS due to its fiberglass components as opposed to the z28 which will make the same "metal" sound.
The 2001 & 2002 SS's are based on the LS6 block design, most noticably the intake. Check the part numbers and reference them with LS1 & LS6 numbers.

I have a 2001 SS .. who do you think is qualified to know ..

Go tap your quarter panels and get back to me.

The LS6 block is just that...a block. A real LS6 (the whole thing) has 405 hp.

Put your in the sand and never read the SS Package options .. Buy a Z28, It's a cheaper car ..

I already said it was cheaper, thanks for proving my point again.

Put my in the sand, eh?

Oh yeah, by the way..... read this:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0211gmhtp_realworld/

A quote: "12.89 run in a stock 1999 Z28 (GMHTP 7/99)"

That is the fastest documented stock LS1 time that I am aware of, can you explain why it was from a z28 and not an SS?




FORGOT :

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366356&highlight=fiberglass

Amazing how a website dedicated to F-bodys manages to concur on z28s and SSs to be the same speed....

Go tap your quarter panels and get back to me.

The LS6 block is just that...a block. A real LS6 (the whole thing) has 405 hp.

Tap the front fenders, doors, quarter panels, hood and back deck.

You are referring to the 405 HP Z06 LS6 .. only difference is bumpier cam and intake .. I have the LS6 block and intake ..

Please read the tech specs for the LS1 & LS6 blocks ..

I already said it was cheaper, thanks for proving my point again.

Put my in the sand, eh?

Yes the z28 is a can of beer .. the SS is champagne .. why do you think its more expensive?

Oh yeah, by the way..... read this:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0211gmhtp_realworld/

A quote: "12.89 run in a stock 1999 Z28 (GMHTP 7/99)"

That is the fastest documented stock LS1 time that I am aware of, can you explain why it was from a z28 and not an SS?

FORGOT :

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366356&highlight=fiberglass

Amazing how a website dedicated to F-bodys manages to concur on z28s and SSs to be the same speed....

Hee hee .. yes read this .. the praise is for SS not the Z28 ..

What was that you were saying about the LS1 & LS6? Its all there pal ..

Tap the front fenders, doors, quarter panels, hood and back deck.

You are referring to the 405 HP Z06 LS6 .. only difference is bumpier cam and intake .. I have the LS6 block and intake ..

Please read the tech specs for the LS1 & LS6 blocks ..


You obviously have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to body panels. Reference my first post in the thread about that. My car (a 94 v6) has fiberglass front fenders, doors, back deck. The quarter panels over the rear wheels are metal. The only thing you have that I dont is the hood.....

I know which LS6 I'm referring to

You obviously have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to body panels. Reference my first post in the thread about that. My car (a 94 v6) has fiberglass front fenders, doors, back deck. The quarter panels over the rear wheels are metal. The only thing you have that I dont is the hood.....

I know which LS6 I'm referring to

Super! All you need now is the LS1 er LS6 er LS7 er LT1 motor .. er ..
on second thought .. just get some SS badging ..

whats the diff as you say?

hee hee ..

Super! All you need now is the LS1 er LS6 er LS7 er LT1 motor .. er ..
on second thought .. just get some SS badging ..

whats the diff as you say?

hee hee ..

There are better reactions to being proven wrong.

Since you like to turn things around on people, there is a lot of difference between a v6 and v8 in these cars. I can tell you if you'd like, but you wouldn't believe me. Regardless, I'm done.

To the original poster: sorry about this, good luck!

There are better reactions to being proven wrong.

Since you like to turn things around on people, there is a lot of difference between a v6 and v8 in these cars. I can tell you if you'd like, but you wouldn't believe me. Regardless, I'm done.

To the original poster: sorry about this, good luck!

*YAWN*
:tired:

Tap the front fenders, doors, quarter panels, hood and back deck.

You are referring to the 405 HP Z06 LS6 .. only difference is bumpier cam and intake .. I have the LS6 block and intake ..

Please read the tech specs for the LS1 & LS6 blocks ..
Besides being wrong about the SS being the only car with fiberglass body panels, you are also wrong about the LS6. The LS6 has its own specific heads.

Besides being wrong about the SS being the only car with fiberglass body panels, you are also wrong about the LS6. The LS6 has its own specific heads.

*YAWN* :tired:

tell you what, just get a z28 and make it a SS convert just get intake and exoste system,and then get a SS hood,spoller,and badges.my frind did the same thing to his 98 z28 and you could'nt tell the difference. and it only set him back about 1400$

dont mind my spelling.

tell you what, just get a z28 and make it a SS convert just get intake and exoste system,and then get a SS hood,spoller,and badges.my frind did the same thing to his 98 z28 and you could'nt tell the difference. and it only set him back about 1400$

dont mind my spelling.

Forget all that .. just buy the lowest priced most trashed camaro from 1993 and up and get some SS badging .. no one will know.. whats the difference until you get into a race and get your doors blown off .. then who cares
You still have an SS ..

*YAWN* :tired:

who said eney thing about 93z28 (i said it was 98z28) their is a big difference between 93 and 98 about 5years.


I forgot to tell you he took it down to the strip and outran a
2001 trans/am ramair which is the same thing is the SS.and
his doors are still on his z28/ss.

who said eney thing about 93z28 (i said it was 98z28) their is a big difference between 93 and 98 about 5years.


I forgot to tell you he took it down to the strip and outran a
2001 trans/am ramair which is the same thing is the SS.and
his doors are still on his z28/ss.

OMG DUDE AWESOME !!!!!!

.. hee hee

*YAWN*

:tired: