I am lloking into buying a used (of course) Z28 or SS. Anything i should know about them as far as reliability or maintence that needs to be done? What about mods? I know there are lot of them out there but do any give u a large amount of gains? What about handling (i had a mustang that always slid out on right hand turns at about 30. Also what am i looking at for insurance cost?

 

insurance is gonna depend on your age, driving record, how much insur you get, where you live and all that...

i paid $125 on my 96Z...full coverage...before i turned 25.

i turned 25 and it dropped to $100

then i totalled the car...bought a 99z...and it went up to $130

 

was that a month? How reliable is the LS1? How many miles can i get on it?

 

F-Bodies are fun cars but be prepared to shell out some cash because things like to break on these cars.

Since I've had my car I'd say I've spent over $2,500 in repairs on it, mostly due to the cheap factory parts breaking.

As far as mods go, simply uncorking the engine (lid, headers, no cats, exhaust) averages most people about 30-40 HP at the wheels and will cost about $1,500 depending on what parts you choose.

These cars handle very well and can handle even better with chassis and suspension modifications.

The LS1 engine itself is strong and reliable and doesn't require any unusual maintenance to keep it operable.

Like I said, they're fun cars, but unless you have money to shell out every few months when something goes wrong, steer clear.

 

Only things I've HAD the change on mine were front rotors and pads, got rears turned and reused stock pads, and the AC compressor went out. Only other things were tires and plugs and other preventative maintenance that you have to do on any car. Everything else has been due to upgrades.

As far as the LS1, I drive mine daily. I get over 20mpg city average 28 mpg hiway. When I was new to driving it, it ran mid 13's and trapped at 107 mph (stock and in full street trim) and has been no problem so far at 55k miles.

The prob you had with the Stang sliding on you would be worse with the power the f-bods make, unless you get some decent tires or learn not to floor it during hard cornering. I rarely fishtail without knowing its coming though. In other words, its usually because I'm leaning on it hard in a U turn to jump a gap. Then I'm ready for it. There have been only a few times it happened unexpectedly, but I attribute that to the tires. I've got the F1's on the rear so I can wear them out and be rid of them.

 

oo i c. how well does it do in the rain and would i be crazy to try it in the mountians. I live in so cal so not alot of rain and no snow ever but i like to snowbaord so i need to be able to get up there.

 

Just go easy on the acclerator and it should be fine with clear roads.

 

im paying 400 a month for insurance......if your an 18 yr old male with some tickets on his record and a big fun V8, you aint gettin any breaks.

 

I pay around $170 a month for 2 cars full coverage... Don't drive like an idiot and you can save lots on insurance. Of course, telling you this means nothing, you'll learn the hard way. They always do--- myself included. I should be paying around $125/month for full coverage on two cars right now, but eh... sh*t happens. Insurance rates are probably gonna go up another $125/month when I get the ZR1 insured.

 

glad to see your considering leaving the dark side. Like others said these cars can be expensive, I've had my heart and wallet broken a few times. I'm driving my 02SS in the winter regretfully , but out of necessity, with smaller 16"X7 steel wheels and bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's & am holding my own have made it to work in every snow storm this year. I am very surprised how versatile the Goodyear eagle F1's are, they hook very well(on stock suspension) and are pretty decent in the rain too. Torque management says it all. I strongly recommended to any one buying these cars do the suspension/chassis first, then go for power, it'll make the 300 plus horsepower rating seem more realistic, as you get the power to the wheels quicker also the LS1 does not hit max torque(stock) till 4000 rpms, so it's also a little more gentle off the line(unless you floor it) than other cars with the power down lower(i.e. LT1 2400 rpms 325lb/ft. but of course 4000 rpmsin 3rd gear yeehaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . Insurance depends on your record, but once you drive one you will be seduced cause theres nothing else like it in the whole world. Long live the LS1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Who are you going thru to get that rate???????

 

i pay $93.00 month for full coverage on my 00 SS & 97 GMC at state farm.

 

With Progressive I pay $2200/year liability on my 96z at age 20 (turning 21 in two days don't know if it will change anything). That's with two 25 mile over the limit tickets on my record. It would be $1700/year without the tickets (you can quote easily with the online account.) Full coverage for me would be $5400/year I live in New York and car is registered 60 miles north of NYC. NYC rate for me is $3500/year liability. When I got insurance for the first time at 18 it was $3000/year liability with a clean record. You get a discount for having your license at least 3 years which I didn't at age 18... having 1 year consecutive insurance history, and I believe if your 25 you get a discount. The dual air bags and anti lock brakes make it cheaper... my first car was titled as a 4 cylinder mustang (8 cylinder conversion) and my insurance dropped like 10% when I changed the policy over to my 94 Formula.

 

* The mustang didn't have antilock brakes or air bags.