I am looking at Camaros for first car and I was thinking about the 1994-1998 Model year. I am currently looking at high mileage cars like the 140,000 miles and higher. What are some of the problems I should look for in these high mileage cars.

 

Intake leak on the LT1's!!! lol. Other than that mine has been fine, and i'm not sure on the LS1 models.

 

Spend a little extra and get an LS1. You can get 98's and 99's in the $5000 range if you are patient. The early 98's used to lose the roller bearings in the rockers. Other than that they are pretty tight. I bought my 99 with 100,000 miles and haven't really had any major issues, even after the motor swap.

-Geoff

 

I'd get a 98 car at the earliest. You can get 98-2000 models for pretty cheap.

The LS1 is lightyears above the LT1 platform in engine setup. Do a search for more info.

Problems? Pretty much any problem you'll find with any high-mileage American car. Rattling interior panels, nasty suspension jiggles, electrical things going out like window motors, switches, etc. The only thing you don't have to sweat too badly on a high-mileage LS1 F-body is the motor and possibly the transmission (if you have a 6-speed)

Mike

 

Oh yea, my driver's door window went out too, but that will only be worse on an LT1 car, since they are pretty much the same motor setup.

-Geoff

 

+1 for LS1. Ive had a few things go out on my car, but nothing compared to the problems my brother had with his LT1 (ignition, fuel pump, emissions).

 

if its your first car, and you're young. go for a beater slow car.

i only say that so you can save up more money to get a newer, lower mileage ls1. dont buy an lt1 when you can get a good ls1 for under 6 grand. i wish i did. but i wanted low miles and undoctored. ive had my lt1 for 2 years and 8k miles and did tires, belt, battery, starter and driver window switch. alot of problems with these cars come from abuse. the people i've talked to that have them as a daily driver and dont abuse them, have awesome luck with them. i ask everyone i see with one about it. the less they know the less problems they've had, odd how that happens

 

How the hell do you guys find LS1's for under $6K period. I can't find crap for under $8k with a 200mile radius around here.

I bought my '95 4-1/2 years ago. Previous owner had put LT4 heads, intake, and mild cam on it. With 57K on the clock I bought it for $6K. Helluva deal.

 

i know, when i was lookin for an ls1 2 years ago, i couldnt find anything under 8 or 10. for some reason though there has been a flood of them on autotrader lately. there's a 00 black on black coupe z28 6spd with 101k miles going for 4800 about 75 miles away from me. i emailed to ask about title and if it had any mechanical issues. the guy never got back to me so i'm guessing it sold or it was a POS. with how few fbodies are in my area, its not hard to sell one at all. i got my lt1 bone stock with 67k miles for 5500 two years ago

 

Because the 98s are nearly 12 years old and 2000s are nearly 10 years old?

If you're willing to spend $100 on a plane ticket and drive the car back, you can find great deals across the country.

The 97 Procharged Vette that I had a few years ago (514/466 to the wheels and drove like a BABY -- a VERY mild setup -- my wife even drove it) was MINT and garaged-kept with 21xxx miles on it. I was willing to fly there and drive 14 hours back home. Guess what? 14 hours later it was in my driveway. No big deal. Once your drive is over, you have what you want at the price you want.

I put some BFG DRs on it and went low low 11s @ 125+ mph. I sold it for a $2000 profit after I had it for about a year.



I think it was worth the 14 hour drive

 

If you want a good deal on a car distance shouldn't be one of your concerns, good deals aren't just going to pop up in your back yard. My friend and i did a 1200 mile round trip to pick up my 01 Z28, at the time it had 16k miles, fully loaded, garaged kept by an elderly man, i paid 13k for it in 2003 which was a steal since blue book was like 24k.

 

well, it's been a while since i've posted in these forums. after selling my 97 z28 in 2005..it hurt too much to visit very often. heh. BUT NOW!

just bought a 2001 SS yesterday. some deals out there are pretty amazing, still not sure how i scored this one. even from a dealer.

49k miles, only 10,900. i had called in since the price was 11,383, and guy told me they lowered it again that morning. so..i promptly went in and bought it.

runs beautiful, and looks beautiful

http://gallery.robstercraws.org/v/jackarse/stuff/SS

looks like i gotta update my signature too.