ok, im having a hard time deciding which car to get. I have a choice between a 97 WS6 and a 98 straight T/A. The 97 is red with black leather interior and a 6 speed. It has 70K miles and they are asking 11,500 for it. The 98 is white with tan leather interior and 38K miles. im pretty sure its an auto but i think it might be a 6 speed. both are unmodded. the 98 is going for 13,500. i want to get something that i can mod. i was going to get one and go heads cam intake on it, but with college i wont be able to do that right away. my plans are gears, full exhaust and most likely nitrous. which one would be a better buy??? it will be my daily driver for a while, i dont mind having a 6 speed as a daily driver. really i want a 6 speed. which do you guys think i should get???

 

Get the 98, 11,500 for a 97 is a rip especially with that mileage. With the WS-6 you'd only be paying for the fact that its kinda rare.
The 98 has an LS1 which gets better gas mileage so for day to day driving will be a little better (something like 1 mpg)

 

Just remember each car has its own problems LT1 - Optispark LS1 - piston slap

 

The 98 for two reasons, Less milage = more reliable... (Although through todays standards 76K isn't to bad anyway) and the 98 came with the LS1 engine and if I recall correctly the 97's are still LT1's... The 98's are probably faster even if it's an auto. But for me, the determining factor would be, "which one has T-Tops"... I do however admire the 97 for being Red, I hate white cars, they're a PITA to keep clean...

Happy auto shopping!

 

i got my 93 trans am(very similar to a 97) for 7,500 and it only had 73k mi on it.. and its in great shape, altho it is auto it has t-tops and leather... oh, and its red... so id go w/ the 98 if i were you, alottttt less miles

 

go with the '98 it's faster and will be more responsive to bolt on's. But don't spray it if you want reliability

 

simply because the 98 has a lot less miles, go with the 98. The 97 WS-6 is a sweet ride, but the one you mention has too many miles on it.

 

I personally think the '98 + Trans-Am is BUTT UGLY!

 

you might want to consider which one is cheaper to insure. but if thats not your problem go with the LS1!

 

Personally, I would choose the LS1... if I had the money.

But since you're in college, you might want to look into a 93-96 with low miles on it that some old couple drove on nicer days or something. Cost reductions in insurance (1500/6mo (97) compared to 1150/6mo (93) for full coverage, and I've never been pulled over. I'm 18) and total car price would leave you with a lot more money to mod.

Just my take on it.

 

The LS1 car is going to be faster, but your insurance is also probably going to be higher. Bolt on's car for car the LS1 will always be faster, but once you start talking heads and cam or a rebuild on the bottom end it starts to even out more.

The LS1 has mucho R&D going on it still, and a very healthy aftermarket base, as does the LT1. However, some of the vendors have since shunned the LT1 as being old news.

I think both prices are fair, the 97 may be a tad bit steep, but if it's a true WS6, then it's going to retain it's resale value a bit better.

Left up to me, I'd be hopping in the 98. I had a 99 at one point, and not having a LS1 to play with sucks, but then again I've got two LT1's.

 

i love the way the 98+ t/a's look with the ram air hood. i found out today that the 97 is also an auto so now im leaning more toward the 98. for 2 grand more i figure its worth it getting a car with less mileage and a LS1. both have t tops. the 98 was drove by a teacher at one of the local colleges. he also has an 01 WS6 M6, an 02 SS M6 and a 01 Z06. he knows his stuff about f bodies. the only thing done to the 98 is a lid and K&N. i think i will get the 98. now on to the next question. what mods should i do to it first. i know im going to put on an exhaust and was leaning toward a B&B or GMMG. i dont want something that is going to drone on the inside. I plan on putting on longtubes also. when i do this should i keep the cats or cut them out. like i said, i want it to sound mean but i do not want it to drone when im cruising it down the interstate.

 

if your getting the 98 post what you want your mods to be in teh ls1 tech area.... B&B??? haha... just some advice

 

I'm an LT1 fan, but considering the price difference and mileage difference, if you're not particular, go with the 98.

However, for a 98 T/A, I still think $13500 is too much money. You should be able to get in it for about $10500 if it's on a dealer lot. That car is 6 years old.

 

My preference is the 6-speed, but like they said, not for the price. If you want an LS1, just look for another one with a 6-speed. No disrespect to the auto crowd, technically speaking they can be made to hook up better / go faster. Only thing is, in stock format I've hear the automatics are kinda junk & would require some beefing up to take anything more than stock power. T-56's can take a little more abuse when you start changin parts.