Hey fellas, I turned 16 a while back and I am thinking of getting the v6 camaro I want a Z28, but the money isnt permitting it. So, what year would be the best to get and or what years respond best to mods?

 

The early 4th gens had the weak 3.4L, and after 95 they came with the 3.8l which is much better.

 

In 95 they started putting in the 3.8. Not all 95s have the 3.8.

 

get the newest one you can with the least miles. other than that, the 3.8L got trottle-by-wire in '99 and header-like exhaust manifold in 2000. 2000+ usually tend to run the strongest but they also have the ugliest rims of all I think.

 

If you get an auto.. look for one with 3.42s gears...


check the glovebox codes it will say GU6 for 3.42s, Gu5 for 3.23s, Gu4 for 3.08s.

 

95 Cali cars had the 3.8 in them. I'd definitely go for the 3.8 if I were you.

 

i hate to chime in with the usual V8 chatter but a 98-99 V6 car is gonna cost more than a 94-95 Z28. I think you'd have more fun with an LT1 if power is your thing but at the same time my first car when i was 16 was a 98 3.8 liter mustang....and it WAS probably a good idea that i wasn't pedaling a V8 then....just something to think about.....still if V6 is the way your gonna go, as stated look for a 3.8 liter preferably with GU6 gears...best setup for a V6 really.

 

Thats what I was just thinking about. I mean if I got a 98 or 99 V6 I might as well go ahead and get an earlier LT1. I know the LT1s arent as great as the the LS1 for response to mods, but they come what 275 hp stock? I mean thats as much as the new mustangs, and as much as I like Ford I cant argue with the fact that Camaros...well pretty much sweep Mustangs except if I had the cash for a Cobra but I was wondering how well do the Camaros handle as far as turning through cornering I mean. I have ridden in the new mustangs and they stick right to the corner while I'm going in it may it be 45 or 95, but am I looking at good reliability and performance without having to pay a fortune. My other idea was for a DSM, but they have so many reliability issues that its just not economical for me to buy. Whadda ya guys think?

 

They handle ok. The V6 handling is nothing to brag about though. I hope the 3.42s have LSD (posi) because the peg leg 98 I had wasn't very fun.

 

I heard that the auto z28s run just about as good times as the manuals. is this right? I know fords got some ****ty autos and I am kinda not used to the idea that the auto would be almost as good as the manual

 

Ford autos give autos a bad name. Ford does have sucky autos, that's probably why they don't offer an auto on the Cobra.

Autos and manuals run close times, you have to be good with a stick to beat a auto. Most people think as soon as you buy a stick your automatically faster then autos.

 

Autos are no dogss in F-bodies...


As for buying an older lt1 over a new car....


do you NEED to have a 100% reliable car, or is it cool and you have backups if your car is down for a couple days here and there?


I looked at lt1s, but the ones I was willing ot pay for were high mileage... and lt1s are not know for there reliability, thats why I opted for anohter v6 f-body(my 3rd now) Sure its slower... but its not a total slouch and still lots of fun. and my 2000 when I go downstairs and turn the key, not one thought goes through my mind that it will not start.

Something that has happened on older cars I have owned. Nothing like the feel of I am late for work or class, go downstairs, turn the key and nothing...

Also are you taking out any loans? or full cash out right.... I didn't like the idea of owing money on a car that I will have to put a decent amount of moeny into repairing...

 

If you buy an Lt1 be prepared to dish out about 1200 in repairs over the next few years, not because they're bad cars but just because the newest Lt1's are 6 years old and they need maintainence, ofcourse their are a few around that are in really good shape but your going to get crappy mileage and higher insurance. I think you should get like a 98 v6 firebird or a small sporty car that is reliable like a celica or something similar.

 

Well, I am planning on paying cash. I will accept that its gonna need some tuneups Thats cool though. Well what kinda milege should I be aiming to get pre 100k?

 

not as bad as most people think, probably 15 city, 23 highway. You can get a good 95-96 Trans am with around 70k miles for $7-8k, they aren't good values for transportation and i think you insurance on a Lt1 is going to be outragous, probably $3000+ a year. If I were you, I would get a 98-99 Celica or v6 firebird, whatever you like better, on which the insurance will still be pretty high but you'll save $1000 a year probably.