Hi every1,
I have an opportunity to buy a 1995 Camaro LT1 [auto trans] with 178 000 km's (i guess about 110 000 miles) for $7500CDN ($6000ish USD).

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I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada so the climate is pretty much identical to NY state, meaning it's gettin chilly outside and snow is only weeks away. Also, I don't get my driver's liscense until march of '07, but I am quite experienced with the 2005 Porsche Carrera horsepower & 6spd trans (shhhh, don't tell anyone).
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Would this engine require a rebuild now?...or even soon?

I'm thinking of performing the rebuild sooner (i.e. this winter) rather than later so that I can do a tranny swap while I'm all in there (not to mention it gives me a totally fresh car for next year's warm seasons).

I don't mind going through next year with the old engine/auto trans as long as it will run solidly and the reliability is there. If it would be smarter to wait 'till 2008 to have fun, i guess that's just the way it is.

Basically, I'm in need of a reliable car that will give me the options of additional performance when I'm ready.

Thanks for Your Time.

Sincerely,
Thomas Brown

[10th Grade Student with a 97% is Automotive class ]

 

You mention you are in need of a reliable car that gives the option of additional performance when ready. The Camaro will give you a nice amount of performance right out of the box and the potential and aftermarket for these cars is unlimited. However, an 11 year old car with 110,000 miles will most likely not be very reliable. As for an engine rebuild, it may need one soon or it may live for another 100K before showing signs of age.

 

Nice job on the 97%!

You shouldn't need a rebuild for quite a while. Does your family has an extra car around? If you can borrow one for a few weeks or ride the bus while rebuilding yours, why not wait a while and see what happens? The engine might go for another 75,000+ ok, and in that time you will find other things to repair or improve. That way, you will be improving the vehicle as you go, and when the rebuild time comes, maybe you will be ready to do a little extra. Besides, as a first car, the tired engine and trans provides a strong incentive to take care of it, and not beat it like crazy. No matter how well you can drive or how mature you are, your judgement is just beginning to grow. A little reminder to go easy is a valuable thing to any new driver. (I was a 'mature' honor roll student with early crashes and tickets until I got that judgement thing down a little better).

At least make sure the tranny fluid and filter are fresh, though. If you change the trans filter look for pieces in it, and the pan. Maybe learn to do a cylinder leakdown test, cut open the used oil filters, measure crankshaft endplay, etc, and start monitoring the results over time. That way you can have an idea when it is getting close to doomsday. Guys here will be happy to help you interpret the results. 12th grade science project anybody?

 

Thanks for the replies guys. The only reason I'm thinking of gettin a camaro is that I like the power (b/c of my use of the porsche). I'm also looking for a project for my personal entertainment.

Since the verdict seems to be that a rebuild wouldn't be necessary yet, what would be necessary repairs and reccomended upgrades?
thanks.

 

I'd say that's a really high price for a car with that many miles, especially with a auto. My car had 132K miles on it when I bought it and the engine is still in really good condition, even though it had bad plugs and wires when I bought it.

 

my car has 145k on it, and still runs fine
my friends car however, had like 110k and he had to rebuild, it just depends on how well it was maintained and such.

 

Yeah it all depends, Mine did great until about 150k..it's at 170 right now and is in desperate need of a rebuild