hey guys great forum.....i need to just ask a couple of quick questions if you don't mind.

I am looking at buying a 93-95 or so, Z28......my question is with the older age and higher miles, what common problems/annoyances should i be looking for with a car that has 80-100K miles on it.....

what mileage range should i try to find (obviously the lowest) under 100K or is that high of mileage ok with the LT1

how much life do these LT1 have at high mileage, before rebuild/overhaul?

BTW this will be a secondary driver......kinda a hobby.....i would like to make a nice little hot rod

 

If a car is taken care of the mileage is not as big of an issue as most. But I would try to get a lower mileage one just to be safe.

The optisparks and other ign related problems are common so I wouldnt consider them a deal breaker as long as you can confirm that it is the prob. Of course drive the car and drive it through its redline verify it can rev freely and without any rear whine forward and back. Slipping tranny.

Look for dragging and hanging doors, misaligned panels etc to determine if its been wrecked, open the gas door to see the color (same). Push every switch and move every lever, make sure there are no electrical gremlins around.

 

I know of a beautiful '93 Trans Am for sale. It's got 48k on it, and the guy is asking $8,500. It's been for sale for quite a while so I bet he's quite negotiable.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/autoxracr

 

WS covered it basically. Just look at it like any other car like the windows, locks, windshield wipers/spray, a/c, headlights, turnsignals, brakelights just the usuals.

 

I don't see how in the heck you consider 100k miles high mileage on a 95 car or older, considering the average person drives 10-15k a year. A 95 model with a person driving 10k miles a year is 100k right now. My 94 formula has 137k miles and pulls hard through all 4 gears (mines an auto), and has no problems lighting the tires up. Things to look for would be t-top leakage (if equipped) definately check underneath if the car has been lowered to see if there's any scraping on the under-carriage, or even if it hasnt been lowered. I can't really think of anything else you could look for expect for the obvious that has already been stated such as mis-matched paint and/or body panels mis-aligned. DEFINATELY make sure the trans does not slip if its an A4, and if it has been modded, listen closely for rear end noise. I'm already looking at replacing a water pump very soon, and I might give my opti a good look when I go to take that off. They're known to be a PITA on these cars as well. If you're looking for a 95-93, go for the 95, them having the vented opti-spark. Good luck, and happy f-body hunting my friend

~Jon

 

ok..thanks alot for your help guys....i appreciate it.

 

i would check water pump and opti..those are the 2 biggest things that cause problems on an LT1..water pump goes bad and ruins the opti so its kind of hand in hand..there may be others but those are the 2 biggies i can think of.