Hello Im new and finally(after 2 years) monetarily close to buying a dream. Im looking for a 93-97 Z28(the jump in price for an ls1 is too much to stomach plus i hate the newer front ends-Ive also already been researching and found out that a simple engine swap isnt possible ) I need info on what specifically to look for when buying these cars so i dont get jipped as well as opinion on cars Im already looking at. Im hell bent on the car :
1. being a 6 speed unless there is potential in making the stock automatic transmision(through shift kits or maybe on down the road a rebuild-poor bastard budget) faster than a manual with a short throw shifter
2.T-tops...I love the idea of these(maybe its my inner mullet ) but are they bad about leaking? Are they heavier due to structure ridgity issues like with converts?
3.Leather interior
4.being white,silver, or that gorgeous medium quasar blue

The last two are pretty damn important but arent set in stone.

I was looking at one on auotrader and this guy might even be a site member

perfect color but cloth interior
What are some opinions on this car and its mods? With some of them,its easy to see this car has seen the track-is that a worry since the car only has 67k ?

Here's another looker.
silver

This one has 3 out of 4*drool*
black

Horrible color but new top
green

Over 2 grand in mods sounds good
red convert

Cheap but high miles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=300

Another gorgeous blue
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=151

I know this is a long *** post and i jump around a lot but im giddy at the prospect of driving a car with DOUBLE the horsepower of my current POS Cavalier. Im a site veteran on another board with over 4,000 posts and I know how pist we get when the newbs post something in the wrong forum but i didnt know whether to go for the Lounge because im introducing myself or the buy/sell/trade forum since im looking for cars...so sorry to any mods if this is in the wrong forum and thanks for any help. Also, I live in SC which really sucks since all the good deals seem to be in either the New England area or CA so if anyone lives near any of these cars that would be great news as well.

Thanks for any help.

 

welcome, you will learn a lot here quick by reading .
The ttops on my z28 never leaked, I dont think it is a known problem from reading a lot either. Mine windows only leaked if I happened to shoot the water at the windows cracks and sometimes it would go through.
Things to look for on a car, good maintenance, trans and opti having been refreshed or new, overall clean look. Clutch and AC feels good even though the ac is kind of weak in these cars anyway, temps stay in safe range even in traffic, may have to keep ac on to keep engine fans on in traffic.

anyways, My Z28 is for sale here in houston, kind of far for you though
black, 6spd, ttops,leather,

 

Yeah Crakd Ive seen a lot of good damn deals but they are too damn far away...makesme want to stab someone with a pencil. And buying a car like this without seeing and driving it first hand is out of the question since the littlest crack in vinyl, cigarette burn,scratch, or fade bugs me a lot.

 

look for the apperance stuff you want...don't worry about prior track abuse...you'll look forever...besides you'll replace 75% of the stock crap anyway if it has it already...bonus...a good body and mechanically sound in the color you want is all I would wory about...

 

You need to find something that looks really clean, good paint, and nice interior. If someone has taken the time to keep this in good shape the chances are the car will not have as many problems. Take time thinking about it and looking at it because you might just get ripped off. trust me I know. If you hear any funny sounds or it drives weird I wouldn't even mess with it. I noticed a couple of little things when I bought my z28 and shortly after I was finding out that there was a lot more wrong with my car than I realized. Everything takes more time and money than you will expect. Good tires are a plus but not necessary. You have to take everything into consideration. I wish I would have waited to find a z28 a little longer so I didn't have to spend so much time and money messing with it. I do love my car though. It is fun to drive and it looks good. Camaros are good cars and there are alot of nice ones out there. Just make sure you get a nice one. The lt1s are really reliable, know for leaking a little bit of oil but overall great gas mileage, power, and reliability. The T-56 6 speeds will take alot of punishment. The 4l60e (4 speed auto) is not known for being extremely reliable but it is a good tranny if you don't plan on putting down 500 hp or something. If you get an auto and it doesn't have a 1st. gear selector it has 2:73 gears if it has a 1st gear selector it has 3:23 gears I think. Holy crap this is getting long . Do some hard braking and make sure your rotors don't need turned. Check the rear bushing on the front a-arms. look under the car and see if there are any leaks. Check rust. I don't have a problem with my t-tops leaking. My windows do leak if you directly spray it at the car wash. I hope this helps in some way. Happy hunting.

 

Thanks a bunch crazy.

 

Would this thread fit better in another forum? From the topics i would say so.

 

I see you have a few convertibles in your running. Although it can be done I would stay away from a convertible if you are looking to make a ton of power. Sub frame connecters are an absolute MUST if you do get one. A car with out t-tops would be idealbut would still be better off with sub frame connecters. My car has t-tops and even by itself it would creak and pop as I turned into my drive way. I put sub-frames on and the creaking and popping went away. There is a lot of flex in the unibody design, attaching the subframes from one end of the car to the next helps tremendously. It was the first thing I did basically with my car. I had an 87 Iroc before that and that was worse yet and it leaked BAD. My 94 doesn't leak one bit, cept where everyone else has noted.All around these cars are good performers, even in stock trim. Once you start modding them its hard to stop.

 

Yup, the differance in a vert vs t-top is huge. I've owned a 95 model in both trims. I don't yet have subframes on my vert, but I want them bad. Smooth roads are ok, but the slightest bump or cracked road surface and the thing is shimy-ing and rattling like mad. I never felt my t-top car needed subframes.

Also if this is an everyday driver get the t-tops. The convertible top up can make you claustrophobic. However, on sunny days the rag top is awesome.

Go for leather.

Auto is good if you want to drag but as far as fun to drive factor you can't beat the stick.

I prefer mostly stock cars to modded up ones. That's a personal preferance thing though.

Common problems are bad water pumps and leaking head gaskets. Get these checked out before you commit as its not cheap to get these done at the dealer.

Good luck.

 

Looking back, I wish I could have afforded a convertible Z28. The T-Tops are nice but I would like to know what it's like to go topless.

 

Thanks a BUNCH for the info...I know to definately stay away from convertables now. How is acessability on these cars when you have to work on one?

 

welcome aboard i have a nice 95 trans am is my sig... hardtop witch is kinda rare.. 88k.. trans just race built..heads just rebuilt..and machiend..recipts..im from philly area pa.. would like to sell around 6k.. www.cardomain.com/id/lt1inside there are some pics.. email me if interested.. myslowstang97@aol.com thanks matt

 

They can be a real PITA at times. You'll learn sometimes its easier to get at something from underneath. I did headers a few years ago and I was on top of the engine trying to reach down and get my plugs started cause my left hand sux!! You need to be creative, to say the least, at times and you'll for-sure nned patience. Other than that I wouldn't trade up for anything, well, except another f-body or vette, of course.

 

Cant be much worse than my current car considering its a 1990 Cavalier Z24...FWD side ways mounted v6.
To even get to the back bank of spark plus you have to be underneath and its a pain.



On a side note I just had my 74 year old grandmother call up the ins. company to see how much full coverage would be on a 93-97 Z28...about 65$ a month. This great news tempts me to look for a cheap 98 Z28 eventhough i dislike the newer fron fascia i like the lines in the hood...Ive seen a 6spd 98 for 8,000obo and I have seizures just thinking about owning the car. Ive also seen a police package z28 ls1 98 that has a 5 speed auto transmission...was this all ls1s or just police cars? What are ls1s problematic about?

 

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