First post (sorry if this isn't in the right section).

Hi everyone, I've been shopping around for about a year for a 93-97 Z28 (love the 98-02's but they're out of my range right now) and I think I might have found the right one, I just need a second opinion from an expert to help me make up my mind.

Over the past year I've seen many cars:

- 93 red A4 Z28 hardtop
160,000km (about 100,000 miles)
8900$ (about 6k$usd)
didn't buy it because too many miles plus it had obviously been in an accident

- 95 purple M6 Z28 ttop/leather
100,000km (about 60,000 miles)
11500$ (about 8k$usd)
had some electrical problems, still almost bought it, but someone else bought it before I could get it inspected

- 98 white A4 Z28 hardtop
(the only LS1 I saw because it was cheap)
120,000km (about 75,000 miles)
14500$ (about 10k$usd)
was hesitating because of the mileage, and then someone else bought it.

Just yeaterday, I went to see the car that I'm thinking of buying:
- 96 black A4 Z28 ttop/leather/power everything
90,000km (about 56,000 miles)
10900$ (about 7k$usd)
car looks to be in great shape inside and out, all the electrical components seemed to be working when I test drove. The only thing I noticed was that car sound at idle was different from the other cars I tested, but that could maybe be attributed to the cold weather. I'm sending to be inspected/compression tested tomorrow, are there any things that I should specifically look for in this model camaro? The dealer claims that the car has a clear title and was well maintained and 100% original. It's a two owner car. Almost forgot the car comes with 3 month/4000km warranty on engine/tranny included and dealer says he might be able to get me a 12 month warranty for free.

here's the link to the website selling the car (it'll help you practice your french):
http://hebdo.net/v5/result/affich.as...4&cregion=1011

What do you think? If the inspection goes well, could this be my first car? Is there any reason why I shouldn't go ahead with this?
One reason I can think of is that originally I had my heart set on a manual transmission (I even learned to drive manual), but I quickly realized, after test driving, that the auto tranny is just fine. I'm just going to have to deal with other people telling me I wasted my money on an automatic car that probably couldn't even hang with their 5-speed civic.

I'd appreciate any input.
Thanks.

 

The price and mileage sound pretty good. I don't know any french so I just know what you wrote here. It looks dirty in the pics, but I'm sure it has nce paint. How do all the gaps around the hood, doors, hatch, bumpers, etc... line up? These are tell tell signs of damage. I have fixed 2 wrecked z's, finishing up a 93 formula now. I had 3 6 speeds before, this is my first auto. I'd rather have a 6 speed, but if you plan to race, an auto is much easier to be consistent, and if the trans ever goes, finding a good used 4l60e is much cheaper than another 6 speed.

 

I'd say go for it.

The price seems good and it has low miles.

 

That sounds like a reasonable deal to me, I can't think of anything to look for other than the obvious. Basically identify how well the care has been taken care of, and anticipate how much money the car will cost you in repairs and wear parts (brakes, tires, shocks,etc.). I wouldn't be bummed about the automatic, they are generally prefered for drag racing and can be every bit as fun as a stick to drive with some steaper rearend gears, stall converter and shift kit. The other thing I would recommend (if you have good mechanical skills) is to offer them less money and let them keep their "free" waranty (nothing is really free). If $7000. is the initial asking price and you have no trade-in and can for-go the waranty there should be negotiating room left (I'm assuming we're talking about a dealer since you mentioned waranty). I would offer them $6000. to start out , If you can take it for say $6200. then fine, otherwise let THEM think about it for a day or two. Good luck, and welcome to the wonderful world of Camaro.

 

I'd also runa carfax on it, to be sure it was wrecked, and to make sure the miles are legit.

 

gd1996ss:Thanks. Yes it's dirty, the dealer hadn't prepped it yet ie wash, wax, etc... (I caught the advertisement the first day he posted it) As for the panel alignment, it seemed good (you should have seen the red '93 I saw a few months ago... horrendous), but I'm going to wait for him to show me the insurance papers so that I can know almost for sure the car has a clear title.

cargasm: nice user name, and thanks.

blackbowtie: Thanks, you're right I forgot to mention the brakes were squealing during the test drive and need to be replaced, but how much could that possibly cost? I hear what you're saying about auto, maybe you guys can help me turn this car into a drag racing monster one day (when I'm not broke), but I know I'm going to hear it from my buddies, not that it bothers me.

Why would I let them keep the warranty? it's included in the price of the car? Also I don't know how much room I'm going to have for negotiation, the dealer claims he's had a couple of other people call for the car, and it seems everytime I consider seriously buying a car, I hesitate just a little bit or try to negotiate, and then... BOOM, sold to someone else...

 

black bowtie, how did you get your salad shooters chromed? I saw some on a white vert and they looked awesome

 

you seem to be a bit too worried about milage. if mine had 100K i'd be thrilled as long as all the maintenence/normal repairs (opti) have been done, its like a new car... but just because you think someone is going to buy it doesn't mean you should jump on it. find the car that YOU really want, and buy it

 

Why would I let them keep the warranty? it's included in the price of the car? Also I don't know how much room I'm going to have for negotiation, the dealer claims he's had a couple of other people call for the car, and it seems everytime I consider seriously buying a car, I hesitate just a little bit or try to negotiate, and then... BOOM, sold to someone else...




That's what they want to you think, remember they are in this to make money and make it as fast as possible...it's a pressure technique. It's not the only one out there

 

looks decent, sounds decent. don't rush it! i am sure if it is meant to be then you will buy it. there are plenty of cars out there.

g'luck on whatever you do.

 

Yes but this car seems like a good deal, and I'm not the only buyer out there. Here's something you can compare it to that I was looking at last summer (to give you an idea):

- 96 silver M6 Z28 ttop/cloth int.
115,000km (about 70,000 miles)
$13000 (or about 9k$usd)
this car was in very good shape, unfortunately, I didn't have the cash at the time, this guy was firm in his price and sold the car in several days.

You see, if this deal is as good as it seems, I'd be kicking myself in the *** if he sold it to someone else. I know not to seem too eager when buying a car, but so far I have maybe been a little too uneager and indfferent, that's why the good deals always seem to slip through my fingers, it's frustrating.

Also I have another question. Tomorrow I will go see how the inspection goes and also see the compression test. What exactly am I looking for at the compression test, how do I know what's normal and what isn't? I've never witnessed a compression test before, I'm assuming it's to verify the compression of the car to make sure there are no residues or other anormalities in the combustion chambers, am I right?

 

In basic lingo it's to see if there are any leaks in your combustion chamber. Put you finger in the spark plug hole with the plug out and rotate the engine. It should 'suck' your finger indicating compression.

 

Yeah but pulling the plugs isn't much fun at all! thats if you can even put your finger over them all! If your having somewhere check it out, I'm sure they'd catch any problems.

 

That's the problem. The inspection (engine, tranny, emissions, other components...) is being performed by the SAAQ (quebec automobile insurance association) and they also check the vehicle history, so that's good. However the used car place wants to conduct the compression test themselves (they have the machine), that's why I want to know everything I need to know beforehand so I can be sure they aren't going to pull a fast one om me. I don't know if I can trust these guys.

 

The Salad shooters were available in chrome from the factory as an option in 1996 only. Somebody told me they only made 500 sets that were chrome, I don't know about that, but you don't see them everyday either. I'm not a big fan of chrome, but they've grown on me.
There are places that chrome factory wheels on exchange, check the vendor index for AAR wheels.