Hey,
This is my first post here. I am looking to buy a Camaro in the very near future. I want an 8 cylinder, so I guess I am going to get a Z28. What should I be looking for? I don't know very much about these cars, all I know about are Hondas, lol. Anyway, I am looking for reliability mainly, with speed and looks AFTER that. I have wanted a Camaro since I was little, and now I can get one. I am 17, so everyone knows. I drive responsibly, and don't partake of dangerous illegal street racing.

I know insurance is going to kill me, I'm also wondering how much you guys are paying and how much you would guess I will be paying.

 

You're looking at $4,500-6,500 for a 1993-1995, the first years of the 4th gen LT1 body style...... But in the $4,500-5,000 range you're looking at high mileage, probably needing a few minor repairs here and there, and hate to tell ya but it won't be as reliable as a stock Civic.

On the flipside, you can get quite a sweet, clean and probably well-modifed (fast) later-year 3rd gen for $5,000... say a 1991-1992 Z28 350TPI.... A friend of mine has a 1992 and it runs 13.9's bone stock.

Good luck,

Michael

 

OK, that's cool. In that case, I will probably go with a late-year 3rd Gen. I understand it's not as reliable as a Honda/Acura, but the parts are cheap and it should be easy to work on, right? I have no experience fixing cars, so I guess I will learn when something goes wrong with mine. My old 1988 Cadillac was full of problems, but I always took them in to be fixed, which cost a fortune. So I should look for a 1991-1992 Z28 350TPI? The main thing I would want is for it to be clean and well-maintained, I would like to add the mods myself and learn how to do it. What mileage would I be looking at with my price? THANKS!

 

mine was 4500 w/ 160K miles. but in pretty much perfect condition, everything working and most/all of the major repairs done. Hasn't given me any trouble in the 6 months i've had it

 

the motors are soooooo strong its insane, but its the little things.
water pumps and our electronic distrbuotrs, squeeks and stuff like that..

our 6speed transmissions are rock solid.
The rears may go with some racing/track use and some more power, especailly with a six speed. You said your not racing, so nothing to worry about really.


words of advice-
get a 95+
if you get an auto- FIRST THING- GET A TRANNY COOLER.
get rear TA cap to reload the rear, strengthens it a bit.
when test driving, watch VERY carefully for a misfire.


with front brakes, $250 buys you an LS1 upgrade. very nice and can be used as a good barganing point "yea well i need new brakes"

have fun!
you'll love it!

 

wow must have been the only one in the world to do it ...

I see a good bunch of V8 4th Gens for the $5k range now.. not all of them look that great, but sometimes you can find a jewel

Most of the 3rd gens I see around anymore are unfortunately rag muffins.. I've never seen a nice one for sale that I can recall ANYWHERE around in my travels... and when you find a nice one they command a pretty penny.

Just the other day I saw a quasar blue 94 TA for sale for only $4500.. pretty decent shape

 

I am about to drive to Georgia from Texas to buy a 1994 LT1 Trans Am. The car only has 87000 miles and has a brand new opti, brand new rotors/pads, and a new water pump. The car is COMPLETLY clean, and it is well equipped with leather, ttops and an auto tranny. It is just a very well taken care of early LT1. I am paying the gentleman 5000 to take is off his hands. So, yes really good deals can be found on 4th gen Fbodies, you just have to be a little patient.

 

I picked up my 93 Z28 last year at a dealership for $4000 out the door. I just ran the info on the Kelly Blue Book Web site to see what they probably paid for it ($3500 Dealer Trade-in value) and offered him $500 over that, they said OK! It's been a great car and I've had a few normal high milage maintanance repairs I've had to do (window motor, flush heater, faulty ignition switch, Alternator and AC).
As far as doing your own maintanance is concerned, always make searching this site for tips your first action (knowing the right search words helps, try different variations of a topic), it can save you ALOT! time, greif and money. I could have saved $400 for the ignition switch by bypassing the VATS system with a 10 cent resistor... I was searching under "Theft Deterent System" (what my manual called it) and not under VATS (vehicle Anti Theft System) which was were all of the best tips were.

 

I'm also 17
Got my 93' Z28 for $5200 last August, I waited all summer to find myself a car and I rode my bike to work every day to save money! 100k miles, moroso CAI, and everything new as far as ignition goes. So far, I'm happy with my buy!

Matt

 

Not really. A lot of the 1992's in particular are fast for some reason... either way, the 350 Tuned-Port is the most underrated engine out there in terms of potential.... Swapping out intake manifolds, with no other mods, adds about 60hp (intake like a Mini-ram or super ram)....

My friend's '92 now has a TPIS Mini-ram, 140,000 original miles, stock everything else, and is on-par with my 13.5's running 1995 which has headers, exhaust, K&N FIPK, etc.....

Basically the 350TPI is a strong motor in a LIGHTER car.... Don't forget about that when underestimating 3rd gens, heh... they have a few hundred pounds of advantage, all power aside...

I do love my 4th gen, but sometimes I envy those 3rd gen guys for their cheaper parts, easier to work on cars, & less weight to combat.

-Michael

 

yes they can be found for under 5k. they are just as reliable as any other car out there as long as they have been well maintained. i have 114,000 miles on the clock and have yet to have any mechanical problems other than doing plugs and wires. i would say go 4th gen, u WILL NOT regret it.

 

Go with liability..I'm 22 and I pay $199 every 6 mo. Saved tons of money that is used towards mods through all these years. I just don't think full coverage is worth it for a $5000 car because you will eclipse your cars price in no time with the ins. cost. Anyway, you said you drive responsibly and don't street race so this will be a good test. Good luck.

 

yeah, i would look on autotrader.com for one..............i have searched for them there before and have found a lot in your price range.......................example..........here is one

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...&start_year=19


hope that helps.............there are tons more on there too!!!! this is the only one that i chose to send..lol

Scott

 

LoL, thats funny. I have a 2.8L engine, originating from a 1960s design, that people have taken to past 500 HP on stock internals from junkyard blocks.

LT1s can be taken to around 550 HP on stock internals before they get iffy, double the HP is nice but going 3-5x more than stock numbers is more along the lines of "insane."

Most of anyones problems with these cars are going to be sensory related, or leaks caused due to poor reassembly, and things that just wear (like water pumps). As far as the internals they should go well past 200k miles with no problems, if they are taken care of. I haven't heard of anyone past 240k yet though.

 

Comparing a turbo motor to a naturally aspirated motor is like comparing apples to bags of crack rock. Heh.

-Michael