I am thinking of buying an LS1. My plan is save up all the money I can for about a year, which would bring me to about $8,000. There are a couple LS1's on autotrader.com for that price, ranging from 90,000 miles to 130,000. Are LS1's reliable as the miles climb? What problems should I look for? I am thinking that in a years time there will be quite a few cars for around 8 grand, another year of depreciation will do that. Let me lnow what you guys think.



PS: I am aiming for a 6 speed, but not totally against an auto.

 

Nah, I wouldn't do it. There will probably be several things wrong with that car (and the seller WON"T say so either) and it'll start depreciating pretty quickly.

If you're going to save up $8,000, you might as well use $5,000 of that as a down payment on a nice car. Let me tell you that just about every used Camaro will have something go wrong with it, I know mine did and it was a "cherry" car when I bought it. When you buy the car, make sure you have $1,000 saved up for new tires (if needed) and unexpected repairs, because you'll need it. These cars can get somewhat expensive to own and maintain. Be sure you do all your homework before you take the plunge.

If you do get an LS1 car, I will guarantee you it'll be a BIG step up from what you're driving now.

 

Hey man , if you can find one for around 85-10 with around 105-120 , as long as its in good shape , buy it , you wont regret it . It will cost around 3-5 thousand less then one with 40thousand less miles but as long as it was maintained . You couold buy a new engine for the price difference, it will run just as good as a 60k car. Look for prob's ask for records As long as it was taking care of it should last a long time . Trust me , My LT1 has 177 on it now , original motor . The thing has never broke down on me .

Make sure you have everything checked out on it to make sure they are not selling one with a major prob. But if you dont have to have a LS1 , you can always buy a good LT1 car for around 5k .
Rither way , good luck . BTW check out ebay , I got a sharp loaded 99 pewter TA in perfect shape , looks new inside and out
and hauls major arsh.......one owner.....for 8900 dollarsw . I have already been offered 11k for it on the spot
Be careful and good luck ...

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6420

Here you go , 70k , low reserve . all you can do is bid !

 

98 z28 CONVERTIBLE , 6 speed , 78k , No reserve , looks like its going to sell for around 7grand , there is 8 hours left . Clean title
Exelnt condition , SS wheels , awsome car man if I didnt just buy my TA I would be alover this thing

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6161

 

Buying a high mileage LS1 is really nothing different than buying some other car with high miles on it.

Just remember to check it out carefully. Sounds, smells, leaks, visual stuff etc. If you are not too well mechanically inclined, bring along somebody who is, or take it to a shop to be checked out.

Just take your time and don't fall for the first one you see.

And definetely don't buy a car sight unseen, i.e. Ebay etc.

Happy hunting!

TS

 

For 8 grand you should be able to score something with 85-100k. Look around hard, when you find something clean most likely it will be mechanically sound. I would take it to a mechanic to make sure there would be any big repairs in the near future. But you will be able to do better than 120-130k cars with 8 thousand. Your in the perfact spot to shop for the best possible thing, if you are not in any hurry to buy one it will be easier to walk away. A car with that many miles will look like it. The ones that have been taken care of won't. My car is a 95z with 70k and it has sat in the garage evey winter. When you look at it the paint,interior,body all look good. There are some guys who take care of their cars like their kids. That is who you want to buy one from. Especially when it is going to have 100k. Good luck

 

I wouldnt just take it to a mechanic either, have somebody who works at a performance f-body or speed shop look at it. You want somebody who has taken one of these cars apart and put it back together over and over again to be looking for you. Those are the people that will know what to look for and if they see something out of place they will spot it easier than a regulat Joe Shmoe mechanic.

 

I'm thinking in a years time when i will have the cash saved up that i will be able to get even LESS miles for 8 g's. I will be keeping my current car as a daily driver, the LS1 will be a weekend/cruising car.

I had a '94 Formula, it was ok untill it started to have tons of problems all at once. I am not big on the opti-spark ethier. Take a look in the LT1 Tech forum, theres tons of threads about Optis, misfires, stumbles, ugh I just don't wanan dealw ith it again. Thankd for your input guys.

 

Maybe Im misunderstanding but you know that there is no Opti for the LS1 motor right? one coil pack per cylinder.....

 

Yes you are misunderstanding. I realize the LS1 has no Opti, That is part of the appeal. Someone suggested I get an LT1. Been there done that. I meant in the LT1 tech section there are dozens of threads relating to problems the Opti causes. Problems I do not want to deal with again, so no more LT1 for me.

 

Ahhh yes. I see now. Thats what happens when you're lazy like me, and dont actually read all the posts, but skim them to pick up what you can as fast as you can.

 

Hey
I just today bought a 98 z28 6spd with 108k on it. paid 8600 from a used car dealer. They did a carfax for me, which is something you should definitely do. Those things are almost spooky in how much they can tell you about a car. also, just drive it and make sure that it sounds good, feels good, and there are no weird vibrations. And dont let the person warm up the car before you get there. A lot of times that means that it has starting problems/rough idle. Just a few thoughts

 

Insurance is something you should think about too. I would consider a LT1 if I was in your position.

 

LT1 insurance is almost the same , for like a 95 or so ,at least it was for Me