Hi all,

My Escort finally bit the dust after 10 years and I think I'm ready to make the switch from driving something hilarious to driving something cool. So, Camaro

This one caught my eye today:

Cars for Sale: 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe in Grandville, MI 49418: Coupe Details - 338936943 - AutoTrader.com

I'm pretty sure the 160k makes it a raw deal, but it's the first one I've found that's a manual in my price range (that wasn't a "project car").

I have a few specific questions about what to expect out of a Camaro in general:

1. I live in Michigan where the roads are solid ice for at least 2 weeks out of every year. Around here everyone with a pickup has to load the bed down with sandbags every winter; it seems to me like the RWD+front engine would turn the Camaro into a sled as soon as the road gets slippery. Is that the case, or is there something I'm missing?

2. I'm not a "car guy" just a dude who wants to drive a fun car. That said, I have a badass Mexican mechanic who always surprises me with how cheap he can get stuff fixed. It seems like the Camaro engines don't tend to last much beyond 150k; at least from what I've seen out there used. What kind of mechanical agony am I looking at on a higher-mileage engine? Am I pretty much guaranteed to have to rebuild the engine before 200? Are parts crazy expensive?

3. I hate computer crap. Power windows (freeze up in winter), power locks, ABS, traction control (!?) to me that's just all more stuff that'll break one day. Cars were meant to be mechanical, IMO. How far back do you have to set the wayback machine to find a Camaro with a sweet engine that isn't loaded down with electronics?

Any other tips, heads-ups, or even "hey you can't afford this buddy just get that Prelude and move on with your life" would be hugely appreciated. This will be the most expensive thing I've ever bought. Also, the first car I've ever bought where the #1 consideration isn't "is it reliable enough to make up for the fact that it's dirt cheap?"

Thanks!

Josh

 

To much money for so many miles !!!!!!
In N.C a stock 95 Z28 with 85,000 miles will sale for around 6,500 !!! LOOK at the cars for sale
on here or craigslist compare the price ..and yes they suck in winter driving but at the same time there fun!! lol

 

Yeah, I already started looking at nationwide listings instead of local ones. Considering the investment the trip is definitely worth it.

 

Rebuilds on LT1 motors are expensive. I'm finding that out the hard way right now

 

IMO...Buying an 18 year old car requires one of two things 1- interest, skills and tools to maintain an unreliable old car. ..OR.. 2- expendable cash and ability to find a shop that knows old cars. Heck just getting a '95 scanned for a SES indicator is becoming a major event..

 

I agree it's a bit pricy, that's what you get at a used car dealership though. I think the traction control is a misprint, don't see the unit on the valve cover, one less thing to break lol. See if your Mexican friend can come with you to look at a few private sale cars, while the car is clean, I think you could land a lower mileage car for much less dollar-wise.....just keep looking! And do not drive it in the snow or ice unless you must

 

Let's lock this thread because the OP has been banned.