After 3 months with a 4 banger mr2 spyder i'm sick of the lack of power. My friend recommended a car with the LS1 in it because they scream. Then my other friend said go Mustang, but im sick of seeing mustangs and I hear they handle like ****. I'm going to take a test drive very soon so I will know first hand how z28s handle. Also I would like to know the visibility from the cockpit, and if there are huge blind spots. I just wanted to know what your guy's feelings are on the z28 and how they handle, and how they hold up and not break down. Also I would like to know if theres a checklist I should make while test driving one to see if its good or not. Thanks for any input

Mike

 

Well, they do handle great and with suspension mods, they handle even better...


as far as power.. hehe non lacking at all...

 

Are you kidding??? The only way to comprehend what the LS1 can do is to drive one. I garantee you will like it. Make still the tires aren't smoking after the test drive. The dealer guys don't like that. It handles good and you get used to the blind spots. Remember, it's a Camaro. It built for one thing.

 

ditto!!

you have to drive it to love it. i went from a lt1 camaro to a ls1 and i fell in love instantly!

eric

 

i went from a lt1 camaro to a ls1 and i fell in love instantly! -

me too!

 

Handling is not a Z28's prowess. Mine for instance, handles like bootayy. It has the RSA tires on it. Can't get any worse. If it had the GSC tires I'd say it handles decent. Mustangs with their upgraded tire package handle very well. As previously said, suspension upgrades (and especially tires) can make a HUGE difference in handling.

Power of an LS1 is incredible. They feel fast from a stop but get one going 50 - 70 mph and grab a lower gear and it's AMAZING!

I don't think there's anymore of a blind spot then any other car that's not a convertable.

Checklists...the basics like any car...tire wear, look at the break pedal and see how much wear is there, check the fluids, smell them, make sure nothing smells burnt, alignment in order, engine bay for stock stickers, gosh, there's lots of "basics" there.

Have fun, take your time.

 

yeah, if you are going used, also look along the firewall for holes... my lt1 had one.. used for a nos switch..

I would check the center console and make sure it feels good.. i would look at everything possible to see how new or close to new it is if it were a used car..

then I would write them all down.. all of the bad stuff such as torn leather on seats, crack on front dash cover (big piece of plastic in front of dash), headlamps (cracks?) foglights (working?) all these types of things.. then go price them as if you had to repair or replace these things.. if they are asking a low price and with these added it still a good deal, then get it.. if not.. walk..


but do not consider a modded engine... thats my one main word of advice.. stay away from the modded engines...
hehhe

better to do yourself than to take on someone elses mistakes.

 

Couldn't agree with you more. I've been looking for and older (90-92, 94-96) Camaro. All I've found was garbage that poeple are not willing to budge on. I just kept walking. I stayed away from modified cars, and even furthur away from the ones that had the mods removed.

 

Are GM certified used vehicles worth looking at? Do they make sure they are untouched as far as mods go? I found a 99 z28 m6 with under 30,000 miles on it for 16,590. Does this sound too good to be true or is it about right from a dealership? Its not even coming from a chevy dealership so i'm kind of skeptical.


Mike

 

yoink

 

yes there are two huge blindspots just behind the side windows.
but you get used to them, I use my side mirrors

piston slap! make sure the car is cold then start it and listen for a ticking sound. if it doesn't go away when car's fully warmed, i'd look elsewhere. also-- are the brake rotors warped?

i don't see why some people feel the z's handling leaves something to be desired, it handles great to me. i can take curves at 45 - 50 mph and no tire squeal whatsoever...you point it,and the car is there!

 

With just a few inexpensive suspension mods, and a wheel/tire upgrade, it will handle very well.. You will not regret your decision!! Good luck!

 

I have a feeling that I'm gonna get ripped a new one for saying this, but IMHO if you haven't driven a smaller "sport compact" car you can't really feel how big and heavy the f-bodies really are.

Don't get me wrong... they handle great for their size. But the bottom line is that they are giant brutes -- large in both size and weight -- and that makes them harder to "toss around". I am moving from a '00 Integra GS-R to a '02 Trans Am WS.6 (I currently own both but am getting rid of the Acura in a month) so I know how the two compare.

Given all that... would I trade my LS1 F-body for another supposedly "sporty" import? HA HA HA -- errr... I don't think so.

 

I just test drove a z yesterday and they don't handle quite as nicely as my small 2100 lb spyder with tein 16 way adjustables. The power though makes up for it by far, and coming out of a turn once the road is straight it would beat down any of these small compacts under 2500 lbs. I love it... Can't wait to buy my own.

Mike

 

I can admit that Z28's don't handle quite like the imports, but they still handle very well for their size and weight. I've driven a couple Hondas (an Accord, a stock Integra, and an Integra with a lot of suspension work) and they do handle very well. Truthfully though?? My first car, which was an '85 VW Cabriolet (convertible Rabbit basically), was probably the best "handling" car I've ever driven. Even though the tires on it weren't the greatest, that car would take tight corners at speeds almost twice what I would ever take them at with my Z28! That car truly handled like it was on rails --- but?! Would I rather a VW or Honda?? Hell no!!! I'd still take my ~300rwhp "respectible" handling Z28 any day, handsdown!!! The torque just can't be replaced by any 4-banger.