For me, the driving factor that caused me to get my car versus a 98-02 was mainly the higher initial cost of the car and slightly higher insurance premiums. Other than that, there were no other factors in terms of reliability or such to sway me away from one.

 

No reason besides cost, 98-02 cars are great cars. But be prepared to pay out the *** for a couple more base hp, and then pay alot more for mods.

LT1 cars are easily in the top 3 best bang for the buck cars out there. Next to thirdgens and fox body 5.0s, they're just way.. way.. nicer cars. I love my car to death, because it's nice and hauls ***

Putting a car on a lift is absolutely essential in my opinion. Of course it's easier for me - we own a shop. Once under there you can usually pick apart a seller's price pretty easy.

Also in that pic above it looks like the pinion seal is leaking. To fix that the rear end must be disassembled. It's a big job. If it's just the cover, it's a much easier fix. However a leak from a pinion seal usually isn't serious if it's nice and slow.

 

O i love this forum lol...Yea i definitly want to get the cheapest price and the nicest car lol... I mean i guess 80,000 isn't too bad on these cars? I see them with like 140,000 i think i will never try to get one with that on it. I would really like to have around 50,000 but i am trying to stay in the 7,000 dolla range. so anything else that under the car is should check to get that price down and check to make sure i don't get screwed....??? Thanks guys..

 

Point out every leak, everything that looks worn, make sure to mention how hard the tune-up is and ask lots of questions about the maintenance of the vehicle. Point out every dent (check the rear quarter panels on both sides, almost EVERY 4th gen gets dents there from the frame flex - it's normal), every ding and every scratch.

You can get a nice ride for $7k, I got a great deal on mine with 54k for $5500, you should be able to find a ride with similar mileage for 7,000 without problems.

 

Thats good to hear... I no my sister has to lil dings in the quarters, but i mean aren't there some leaks that ar bad? I wouldn't no because i never owned one. I want it to last a REAL long time you know, so i know there are some common leaks like the intake form the egr right? What else is common places for some leaks...

 

Eh, it's he say she say. The members on this site drive thier cars pretty hard. If you look everyone else who just daily drives them and really takes care of them there's been pleanty of them that have lasted 150-190k. Mines got 135k and always fires on the first shot.

 

lol...yea i think i probly gonna do both beat it up and take care of it.. if it is possible to do that...i mean i wouldn't just start it up without it being warmed and start doing some donuts...but i plan on haveing some fun. I want a stock one that is perhaps not been beat, but i plan on some exhaust some intakeish stuff... and maybe in the far future a cam... depends how fast i want to go... any other things i should hear how about people tell me of there luck buying these cars? I mean what was the mileage how did it run.. that stuff i don't want one that takes a lil to start up and then sounds ****ty and vibrates and has engine light on. Thanks guys

 

On these cars the back of the intake leaks. Both of my LT1s have had it, but my first one had already had the intake resealed. You'll notice this as oil on the back of the engine, and on the transmission right there.

Another one on these cars is the rear end, like the picture that was posted. Both of mine have had pinion leaks.

 

I used to sell cars, so i have a few things to say about dealerships. Know the trade in value before you talk to anyone! Most dealerships use www.nada.com and not kbb.com. They're usually pretty close in price, but use nada. Knowing the trade in value will help you bargain with the price. If they refuse to put the car on a lift for you to check out the undercarrage, then you need to tell 'em to f off and then you walk. If you're looking to finance, then go to a bigger dealership. They work with a lot more banks and do a lot more business with those banks, so they will be more likely to get you better financing.

Make sure you check with your ins company before buying. With financing, you will be REQUIRED to carry full coverage. If you let your coverage lapse and the bank finds out, they can reposses the car, but more likely, they'll buy ins for it and you get to pay for it anyways... trust me on this one, when they do that, it is NOT cheap. Ask me how i know that one. lol.

 

I never bought a car by taking out a loan so, can you tell me more about this? You need to get full coverage you said? Thats is crazy...so tell me about this little more thanks alot... very interested in this

 

Alot of banks and loan companies will require full insurance coverage including collision while your making payments. Its how they protect their money. If you were in an accident and the car was totaled the bank would lose their principal and any subsequent interest you would pay. Bear in mind that loan companies are out to make money, not make it convenient for you to own a car. In alot of cases full coverage must be maintained even if the car is stored.

I also hope your a good mechanic with alot of good tools if you plan on working on the car yourself.

Also keep in mind that the engines may go well into the 200K mile range, everything else will not. You must keep on top of the maintenance in order to get a car to 200k. Brake jobs, tune ups, tires, starters, waterpumps, alternators, leaky seals and rear end repairs can add up really quick on a 10 year old F-body. My Z is a garage queen and It still seems to hit my wallet hard once a year in repairs.

 

Well the bank or finance company that gives you the loan will require full coverage because they don't want you to wreck the car with liability ins. on it only because then the car would be a lose if totaled. The car is basically still the lenders vehicle untill you pay it off with them and get the title.

 

Oops I was replying I guess at the same time Corp was lol.

 

So if i had paided off the car they wouldn't care about having collison? I will have to find out how much this is gonna hit my wallet if i need collision lol...thanks alot i never thought about having to have collison I don't know if my sister had to do that. she has a 98 convertable (v6) but hers a v6 maybe they made her or not i don't know...thanks anything else to bring to my attention go ahead

 

the GM dealer in my area provides a service where you leave your camaro for half a day and they prepare you an assessment report on every aspect of the car for approx. $60. Maybe a 2nd hand dealership might not let you do this, may be an individual seller might co-operate. The other option is to do what I am going to do, having bought my car (98 Z28 at 80K miles) from a trusted owner (my wife's cousin who treated the car like a flower from brand new), no problems so far but I am giving it in soon for the GM assesment. Shall let you guys know what how it went.