This forum maybe the wrong place, as most of you on it are hardened Z28 enthusiasts but could do with some advice. I am a Brit, living in Spain who has brought a Florida condo in which I intend to spend 3-4 months in the winter. I intend to buy a car, and naturally buying in America for me it has to be a piece of USA V8 muscle, the problem is which one. Looking at the specs and with a budget of around $5,500 a Camaro Z28 would seem the best choice, giving good performace and the possibility of fitting in a couple of visitors in the rear. I have read that I should be looking for a post 1996 model as the optispark system was improved, but are there any other pointers I should know about ? An alternative would be a Mustang but I would imagine a lot of you will have auguments against this !!

 

Well, you're likely going to get a ton of different opinions from a ton of different people, and a lot of it comes down to personal preference.

I'll just chip in my personal opinion ... look for a 1998 or newer, as they get the LS1 V8 instead of the older small block chevy. It's a better engine in almost every way.

 

if you are looking for a Camaro and cant afford the 2010, then definitely get a 1998 or newer. may also want to looking to the Firebird/Trans Am.

 

Alot depends on what you are looking for and what compromises you are prepared to make. If your target price is about $5,500 the that does put you squarely in the early-to-mid 1990s if you are looking for a V8 American "pony" car. At that price point, you also shouldn't expect a perfect car. Between Mustang GTs and Camaro Z28s of the early-to-mid-90s, here's my honest take on them.

First, (and keep in mind I have owned a '93, '97, and currently a 2002 Camaro), 93-96 Z28s were quite quick, very fast, have a nice rumble (that dissappeared with 98 and later V8 Camaros), have 6 speed manuals, and are all round good cars as far as performance value and appearence that holds up pretty well over the years. But quite honestly, these cars are boarderline junk or at the very least extremely frustrating in many other ways.

The power window motors are absolute crap. The fuel gauges tend to go retarded when it gets to about an eight of a tank (you'll suddenly go from the guage showing you have gas to being stranded and out of gas with alarming unpredictability) . When the water pump leaks...and on LT1s they eventually WILL... they will damage the optispark if you don't change it at the first sign of leakage, and replacing it ain't cheap. The rear differential isn't the strongest in the world, if the car was abused or modified (keep in mind we're talking about a 13 to 17 year old car here). There will be some rattles and leaks, especially if you have a T-top (something to consider in Florida). The stock clutch on the manual is substandard. GM's alternators of that era also tend to require a separate allowence for regular replacements.

The good side of these Camaros are that the exterior tends to hold up exceptionally well (thanks to good original paint and reinforced plastic body panels). If you don't mind dropping to the pavement getting in, it has a low and stable driving position. GM's stereos (unlike Ford) tends to last more than a few years (save the radio's lighting). GM's leather seats tend to last longer than the competition's, and there isn't a anti-depressant pill on the market that has the mood changing ability of crusing around on a sunny day with the T-tops off, the stereo pumping in a good looking Z28.



Mustang GTs of that era tend to be a little ratty today. The Mustangs were so plentyful on the used car market that most that old tend to have passed through the hands of at least one teenager or some young adult who drove the thing hard. Mustang owners also tend to modify their cars far more often than Camaro owners simply because there are far more aftermarket Mustang parts at far cheaper prices than 4th gen Camaro aftermarket parts. Back in the 1st half of the 90s, Ford was also skimping on paint and was using alot of durable (they actually held up well over the years), but cheap feeling plastic in their interiors back then as well.

Only in the past 8 to 10 years it seems that has Ford figured out how to make stereos and A/C units that last longer than the original warranty, though Ford's stereos always tended to have better sound than GM's. However, you'll find that many Mustangs that old will have aftermarket stereos as well (like I said, Mustang owners like to change things).

On the positive side, Mustang GTs have a bullitproof drivetrain. The engine is extremely solid and built for modifications without self destruction, the clutch tends to have a long life unless you intentionally try to burn one up, the differentials are capable of more abuse than you'd ever want to throw at it. The car the car gets pretty good fuel economy around town (Camaro's 6th gear manual makes the Camaro tops on fuel economy in long distance driving), they have great exhaust tone (though LT1 Camaros have enough base to set off car alarms) are pretty cheap to maintain, and they are relatively a dime a dozen... great if you're buying one, not so great if you are selling one. Also, the Mustang clubs on the local and national level are extremely large and numerous, and Mustang gatherings are pretty good events.


Other things to consider. Camaros are structural tanks, Mustangs are pretty much toast in major accidents (there's a tradeoff for it's light weight). Mustangs have smaller fuel tanks than Camaros, so you'll be stopping off at gas stations more often. Mustang is a piece of cake to do alot of your own maintenence, while you WON'T want to change your own spark plugs on the LT1 Z28. Camaro is a better bang for the buck (both Z28s and Mustang GTs tend to be priced pretty closely, depending on the area) since you get more car for the money in stock form. Ford wasn't as serious about the Mustang GT being top in performance back then.


With this honest assesment of both cars, you know what to look for when you go shopping for both. There are plenty of Camaro Z28 and Mustang GT owners who take good care of their cars, keep up on maintence, and replace parts as they go down.


My personal opinion: I'm no big fan of '94 to '98 Mustangs. Though very stylish back when they 1st came out, their looks haven't aged well in my eyes, and although they were by no measurement slugs, Ford wasn't very competitive in performance with the Mustang outside of the more expensive Cobras (The 1999 and later Mustangs were heaps better). Also, like I pointed out, Mustang GTs 13-17 years old tend to have had one owner somewhere along the way who rode it hard, so the interior might not look as nice and the car won't feel quite as solid as when it was new. So by default, I'd give the Camaro Z28 the edge over the GT, but be prepared for issues and irritations that the Mustang GT owner will never face.

If you were willing to go up to $10,000, then I'd reccomend a 2001 or 2002 Z28. It's easy to find a very good, well taken care of example. Everything is improved, though if you keep the car more than a couple of years, you're going to want to track down the the guy who approved the power window motors and punch him square in the face.

At $15,000, I'd forget Camaro Z28 all together, and track down one of the special Mustang of early this decade, like the Mach 1, the Bullitt, or (if you're lucky) the "OH-MY-FRIGGING-GOD-THIS-BEAST-IS-QUICK" supercharged Cobra.

 

I admit being biased, but at the time the fbody had more performance than a Mustang.
First, the Camaro came stock with a 6 speed, the Firebird with an automatic. So you'll see most of them with that transmission. I have always found the interiors of the Firebirds more attractive, although it's a wash on the hidden headlights. I prefer the more subtle look of the Formula, but you'll find TransAms a lot more plentiful.
AFA the year, I would choose a 94-95. 93s were not flash programmable, and 96-97s have OBDII to contend with. Also, tuning s/w for the 96-97s is more expensive and they are generally a PITA to deal with.
98s are an odd duck, the first year of the LS1, and a kind of transition vehicle. Several things we care about are unique to that year, like the PCM and the fuel tank (when you have to replace the pump). If going LS1, I would certainly choose a 99 or newer.
AFA fitting folk in the rear seat of a fbody or a Mustang, well, make sure you don't plan on trying to sleep with them later, because you won't be their friend for a while after.
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Hi guys,
A very belated thanks to all of you for your advice and in the end I bought a 1996 Z28. When i was back in Florida last year I used it quite a bit, and find it a comfortable and quick ride. This particular car has a shift kit, fresh air induction, a posi-drive rear, performance mufflers, and Corvette wheels,and it looks and feels good . I've had to replace both window motors, and the battery, and I have a problem with the interior lights ( tried a new B.C.M but kept blowing fuse ) and at high speed it has a vibration which feels like a drive shaft , but I still love the car and is admired by others.
Bazza