Whats up guys...I am new to domestic scene and I want to get into it. The Z28 especially interests me. I drive a Honda Prelude right now, and I am sick of being slow. I need my car to have some ***** now. I was looking at the 1998-2000 Z28's. Are they reliable cars? How is the gas mileage? I am 17 years old and I am working really hard to convince my dad that a V8 won't be that bad on gas or insurance. I have around $14k to spend. Also, is there anything to look for in particular? Is the 5spd or 6spd better? Or is it preference? Sorry about all the questions but I am really interested in these cars! Thanks in advance...

 

I'm happy to hear you don't want rice anymore. '98 is probably the only year you'll be able to find a Z28 for 14k. 98's and up are the best route to go since they don't have an opti spark like the LT1's which are notorious for going bad. Shop around on some insurance though, probably going to be high for your age. As far as gas milage, it's like this: If you're doing a lot of city driving and driving like an a** hole like me, you'll get about 15 mpg, if you're good 19 mpg. The highway has potential for 26 mpg. Never had any problems with my 2000 SS yet.

 

I found a few 98's and one or two 99's for sale for under $15k. Which I think I could prolly afford. As for the insurance, it will be under my dad's name. And he is a 50 year old with no tickets within the last 10 years at least. What are some of yall's insurance rates?

[This message has been edited by rudeskawn (edited September 01, 2002).]

 

there is no LS1 5 spd if u want a stick the only option is the m6

 

Oh alright. Thanks for letting me know that. I would rather have a 6 spd anyway...I am trying to learn all this.

 

As always, dont be afraid to ask anyone on the board for help. thats what this place is all about.

My only last piece of advice is look within. If you think you are mature yet still want to go out and show off and drink with the guys you arent ready for the power of these cars. I know plenty of people who were sober and smart yet the power of the car and some unknown road conditions can turn a great car into scrap metal. You ahve to respect the car and you have to know your boundaries. Other than that.. good luck!

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Psycho Cabbage
2002 Camaro Z28
(6 sp) Bone stock
Webmaster for RaceHer.com
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-Traded in- 1995 Camaro Z28 (A4 (#6 I might add!),ES tranny mount and torque arm bushing,SLP CAI,ASP 34% Underdrive,Strange 3.73's (shredded Auburn),1LE alum driveshaft & intake elbow,Yokohamas AVS Intermediates,160-stat,MAF screen removed, HPP+(for shift points only),Borla Y-pipe, Flowmaster Force-II catback, Gutted Cat, Airlift Airbag, !TB Bypass, J&M LCA's, Bosch Platinums, Moroso BlueMax Wires, Free RamAir, Meziere Electric H2O pump, MAC 3point STB, BMR Panhard, SCR SFC's
Just installed:Nu-tek Heads (mild port) and Comp Cams 1.6RR's! New track and dyno #'s to follow!
best 13.44 @103.26
0-60ft 1.96
270 RWHP/296 RWTQ
0-60MPH 4.8sec
1987 Porsche 944S (waiting on LT1 mod)

 

Oh I am a very responsible person. I don't drink and drive now...and I don't plan to start. I just want a RWD car and this looks like a great platform to start with. I just hope I can make my dad a believer on how great these cars are.

 

these cars are nice. im a converted ricer also. these cars demand respect. i definitely recommend taking it slow with these cars at first.i bought my 98Z28 for $10000. it was in perfect shape and i bought it off an older guy. insurance is going to be fairly high.but good luck on your search.

 

Well, to help you with a bit of ammo: I'm only 20, and I've had a Camaro for more than half of my 4 years driving. My '81 Z28 was honestly just as fast, if not a little faster than my new Z28 (although that's soon to change! ), but I learned to respect the power very quickly. I was 17 when I got my first Camaro, and my dad helped me with a lot of the work on the car (since it was a 20 year old car), but if you can afford a new ('98-'99) car, awesome. They are a very tight car, and they do have a lot of power. I have, on a couple occasions, gotten over-zealous while driving and pulling "stunts", and had the back end come around a little further while intentionally fish-tailing (usually occurs when putting on a show for friends - so don't buckle to peer pressure). Luckily, I've spent almost all of my time driving RWD vehicles, so I know how to react, but you do have to be careful - it only takes fractions of a second to go from full control to no control.

Regarding insurance, I pay $3400 per year, but that's full coverage (plus extras like rental vehicle coverage and what not), and I'm only 20 and have 2 minor speeding tickets (both obtained while driving old Z28 - hmmmm?! ). If you can have your dad put as primary driver, that will help big time, although you'll still have to be the primary driver on a vehicle.

Well, good luck convincing your dad. If you do get a '98 Z28, you get the LS1 V8, which is a 5.7 litre (346 cubic inch) all aluminum engine (block and heads), that is "rated" at 305-310 HP, but realistically puts out closer to 340 HP (at the flywheel). If you like driving standard, get the 6-speed. I sometimes wish my car was a standard, but because it's a 2002 and I couldn't order one in time, I had to take what I could get.

Happy car shopping! And congratulations on realizing that Rice is no good!

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2002 Z28 - A4, 2.73's, Blk/blk, leather, T-tops, sport appearance package - just bought on June 26, 2002! - Pics

1981 Z28 - 383, TH350 trans., 3.42 posi - sold August, 2000 - Pics

1973 Camaro - Dad's & my project in the works - to be built: 355 Chevy, 11.5:1 pop-ups, "camel hump" heads (w/2.02 valves), solid cam, 4-speed.....it should be quick! - Pics

 

Thanks a lot for the help guys. This is exactly what I need for discussions with my dad about this. I just hope it all works out. The only reason I bought a Honda in the first place was because I was not allowed to get a V8. But I guess now he thinks I am more responsible. Anyways, thanks again for all the help.

 

You could act Ricer for a while and say, "Dad, Hondas are just as fast as Camaros anyways. Didn't you know they have more horsepower per litre??"

I hope you weren't one of those type!!!

Once again, good luck with things!

 

Haha...I was never one of those guys. And never will be. When I saw someone run 13's in a lude or whatever I was like, "Yeah thats fast..... for a Honda".

 

just to let you know my frame of reference for the age vs power output. 3seperate friends of mine.. all totalled their Z28s/firebirds by pulling stupid "stunts"...

One was leaving highschool parking lot.. decided it would be kewl to rap the engine.. Automatic car.. hits it at the wrong time, the ground was covered in gravel.. spun.. tried to catch it.. couldnt.. paniced.. gave it more gas.. lost the rear end to a curb..
Lost points with everyone who saw cause he was "showing off"...

Another was out by the school picking up a friend.. hung over.. did similar.. spun.. rear meets tree...

And last.. well. he decided that the rest of the world goes too slow and that the shoulder on the freeway was for him to speed on.. he did so.. and hit guess what??!? Yup! loose gravel and spins haveing the car meet up with tastey concrete barrier.
wasnt that special.. look at all the time he saved going around everyone...

Not that you would do that.. but at least it gives you an idea of how you can own the car and be comfy but one little bit of bad judgement can put your butt back into an import with a whopping 124hp 1.8 liter engine..
hehhe

Just be safe! good luck!