Over-powered steering?

I've been looking at purchasing an '00 to '02 Z28 (used to own a '79, and then had an '82 Z28 for 15 years), and have test-driven a few. Recently I drove two the same day, an '01 with the typical stiff steering (hard to turn the wheel when not moving forward, thanks to all that rubber on the road), and an '00 that seemed to have greatly assisted powersteering (could turn the wheels no problem when not moving forward).

My question... is there an option available that could explain this difference in asist? Could it have been modified aftermarket (why would someone do that?), or is there possibly a problem with this car, and I'm just confusing loose steering?

Gotta make a decision in the next day or so, so any thoughts from the experts would be fabulously appreciated! Many thanks in advance!

I've been looking at purchasing an '00 to '02 Z28 (used to own a '79, and then had an '82 Z28 for 15 years), and have test-driven a few. Recently I drove two the same day, an '01 with the typical stiff steering (hard to turn the wheel when not moving forward, thanks to all that rubber on the road), and an '00 that seemed to have greatly assisted powersteering (could turn the wheels no problem when not moving forward).

My question... is there an option available that could explain this difference in asist? Could it have been modified aftermarket (why would someone do that?), or is there possibly a problem with this car, and I'm just confusing loose steering?

Gotta make a decision in the next day or so, so any thoughts from the experts would be fabulously appreciated! Many thanks in advance!

It sounds like a pump going bad on the 01.
My 97Z28 moves very easy and when my pump went out a couple of weeks ago it was very hard to turn.
I am not aware of any options on the power steering pump.

It sounds like a pump going bad on the 01.
My 97Z28 moves very easy and when my pump went out a couple of weeks ago it was very hard to turn.
I am not aware of any options on the power steering pump.
Hmmm... That could be. I guess I just assumed that they would have naturally stiff steering at low speeds. Do they have a variable assist steering? I used to race autocross with my '82 Z28, and the 01 seemed to have a heckuvalot less "feel" then what I would assume they would have - certainly less then I would want racing autocross...

Denis

2 things...

Bad pump on the one... or different size front tires on the 2 different cars.

I've driven a Camaro which had the stock tires on it (255s I think or narrower); and it was noticeably easier than turning my car with stock 275s on the front.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I testdrove them again last weekend, went to a large parkinglot, and put them through their paces, paying particular attention to the steering, and I think you're right. Potential pump problems in the near future, so I decided to go with the 2000. Bonus: the 2000 has ASR, the 2001 did not.

Its been way too long... after driving Camaros for almost 20 years, and out of them for almost 10, I'm back in a Camaro again (well, when it gets delivered in 2 days). I'm a very happy camper!!

Congrats. I went a few years Camaro-less and it does feel good to get back in the saddle.

Of course... mine's broke down right now...