I am going to work on my camaro and sell it to buy a 1997 SS SLP everything lines up with the the vin. I know the dealer a little bec I snow plow the place.

The problem is since I did autobody the passenger side was hit and repainted from what I could tell. This car is clean other then that !!!! He wants $7K but I think I make him agree on $5,500 but I have heard the car can be worth up to $14,000 +. Everything is original and has 86,000 miles. T-top, dark grey leather seats, and a stick!! I love my auto but it isn't fun. Should I take the plunge?

The engine light is on and it does need a crank sensor, is that hard??

The engine runs good and the stick with the huge black 8 ball sucks but will get use too it. The hood is metal so I know its not a fake hood. I don't think it has traction control.

 

Car is worth what you pay for it, not 14k. 7k is a little high, 6k is about right for that mileage. If you were patient you could probably find a better deal for a non SS LT1 car.

If you could pick it up for 5.5k I would jump on it.

 

the ss that go for 14k are in excellent condition nothing wrong and haven't been hit with miles like 25k and less, but overall an ss is a great car and a six speed is so much fun it is all driver preference

 

Don't take the plunge thinking it is worth way more than you are going to pay for it. It's not.

 

It has a new motor and is painted. Doesn't leak anywhere and everything is bone dry even the oil pan. The new motor has a little over 20,000 miles from what he said. Car fax show 3 owners and no accidents.

Under the motor and the body is just amazing. I thought I keeped my car cleaned LOL.

 

"New motor" means it doesn't have the numbers matching drivetrain. Why did it need to be "new"? New paint means the exterior wasn't maintained well. My 94 has the original paint and looks better than the day I took it off the dealer's lot, brand new. You indicate Carfax shows no accidents, but in the first post you say "the passenger side was hit and repainted from what I could tell". Seems like a lot of contradictions.

They built 3,137 SS's in 97 (they are all "SLP", since that's who did the SS conversions). A "rare" example would be one of the 6-speed, 30th Anniversary convertibles, or one of the 106 cars that SLP built with the LT4 engine.

Sounds like you've already decided to buy it, and are looking for someone to say "yes", you're doing the right thing.

 

Carfax isn't often correct. I've bought two cars which the previous owner disclosed that they'd been hit. One was a near total. I ran carfax on them and nothing ever showed up.

I wouldn't pay more then 6k for the work that needs to be done to the car. Plus it's been damaged.

 

The hood would not be metal. SMC I believe. Try finding that same car in a vert. That is impossible.

 

You need to do a little more research on what makes an "SS".
The VIN does not indicate if the car is an SS or not. The RPO Codes will, and there will be an SLP decal/s on the door/s.
As stated the SS does NOT have a metal hood.
The only 97's that are worth $14K are the white and orange "special addition" 30th anniverary, with low miles, and the LT4's, like Injuneer said.
As for the shifter ball that can be changed, cheaply.
I personally dont think $5,500 is to bad. But I would call SLP with the VIN and confirm that this IS an SS first.

 

About 6 months ago, Consumers Reports had an article on problems with services like Carfax. They has a picture of a totalled vehicle, that still had a clean Carfax..... looked like someone ran it through a car crusher in a junk yard. Apparently totalled cars end up at auctions, and somehow escape the "chain of evidence", allowing unscrupulous repair shops to sell them with clean reports.

 

2892 non anniversary/LT4 SS's to my knowledge. Rarity can be determined further based on options/colors/etc but who cares. It's a pretty rare, good looking car IMO.

Sadly they aren't worth more than LT1 cars but that doesn't bother me, I don't plan on selling mine.

 

I'm referencing the "Camaro White Book" (3,137). The "4th Gen FAQ" shows 3,035. Most accurate number would be from SLP.... maybe that's what you are quoting?

 

My 96 SS #58, I purchased in '06 with 28k mi. completely original for $14k. My 97 Anniversary Edition Z, for $9k with 42k miles.

 

I know someone is going to scream at hot stupid I am but I DID pay $20,000 for a 97 SS SLP with 2075 miles on it. I will never part with the car. Arctic with the orange and all documented from original owner. Sat in storage for 15 years and now has 2154 miles on it. Someone will say " You paid too much" . But, I ask you, Did I?????

 

If you are going to keep it for a very long time and never drive it, no. If you put miles on it, it loses whatever value you thought it had.