I posted this in another section but I'm not sure if I should have, I don't know exactly where a post like this would go but I just created an account and have been on and off this site for a while now since I've been looking into getting a new car. This would be the first car I've bought. I was just hoping to get some advice on whether or not I should go through with this purchase. thanks

I'm looking at this camaro and since it would be the first car I bought, I thought it'd be smart to ask the experts for advice aha. Here's a link to it:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...530283645.html

We're discussing possible prices right now, but It's gonna be somewhere between 2000-2500$. He said everything runs fine, no rust only fading in the paint. He rebuilt it and put a lot of work into it since it was sitting he said. The only thing I'm skeptical about is the mileage of the car. He says it only rolled over once which would give it 130k miles because it "sat for awhile." He showed me the carfax and the mileage was branded, "not actual mileage." But he said the top motor has 1000 miles on it since he rebuilt it and the bottom has 133xxx. Let me know what you guys think please and thanks.

 

that link does not work

 

Should be fixed.

 

Looks good to me for 2000-2500, it's manual which most people sought after but someone correct me if the RS had 305 with manual? I thought it was Z28 that did. But I would ask for the receipts to verify all the stuff he has done to it. And check really well for rust under the car.

 

5-Speed Manual Was Standard On All Camaro's In 1989,Except With the 5.7 Liter V8 Of Course.

 

The price sounds good, though I'm cautious about any motor work thats been done by anyone who isn't a professional.

 

I had a great comment written but I took 10 minutes writing it and the damn website logged me out and I lost it.

Anyways here's a recap. My advice is the price is too high, $3,000 for an 89 RS with a 305 and Manual that looks to need outside and interior work because I see some missing parts like the original steering wheel and those wheels don't look like they belong because those came for sure on the '91-92' RS V8 and Z28 and I think they started appearing on the 1990 but not the '89.

Me personally I wouldn't buy an '89 unless it was an IROC.
But it depends on personal taste because if that's what you want then by all means go for it.

I live in L.A. and that car is in Santa Clarita which is a drive from here, and almost every week I see a few Camaros pop up on craigslist for about the same price or less a lot closer to me, so I don't know where you are but if it's right around the corner from Santa Clarita then it sounds good but if you're over here in L.A. closer to me then yeah I would pass and look for something else. I usually see nice Z28s going around $5,000 and less. And the V8 RS usually goes for 3,000 depending on condition and miles.



Here's an example of an RS one that I found that I would buy ---> http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4509387109.html


Here are the pros listed for you...

1. It's a 1992 so you got the last year that 3rd gens were made
2. RS V8 305ci that looks to be All original unmolested.
3. 700R4 Automatic with Overdrive
4. Has the correct 15" center flat rally wheels on it that were standard for the RS V8s in '91 and '92 as opposed to the Iroc style
5. Car seems to have no damage on the outside aside from a little dirt which is nothing a wash and wax can't fix.
6. 25th Anniversary badge on the dash on all the 1992s.
7. T-tops - Perfect for Cali weather
8. It's for sale for $1,300 bucks So for the price savings alone hell yeah I'd make the drive over to Rialto which is in the opposite direction from L.A. up to Santa Clarita. (Northwest to Southeast)
9. The interior looks to be in good shape with some minor hairline tears in the seats which you can sew up yourself or can have sewn OR you can toss those and buy a brand new front and rear set of original seats from Classic Industries for about $400+


Cons...
1. Just as long as the weatherstripping isn't rotted and still good. Otherwise that's be like a $450+ fix for all new t-top weatherstripping from Classic Industries.

2. Cigarette lighter appears to be missing? But that's a 40 dollar part which you can get a new original reproduciton from Classic Industries too Located in Huntington Beach. Shipping available of course.

3. Has a non operating tags so it's been sitting so it Might need a new battery or a tune up or some new gas to be running nice and smooth. So add in another $300 bucks. Maybe.

4. Might have to tinker a bit with the A/C controls since the control plate seems to be off or something and the trim plate that goes on top of the Original radio? a highly desired item that to the originality freak wwanting one will pay $300+

Just my honest opinon and advice. I hope it helps

 

Thanks for the replies I appreciate it, but I was looking for a car that could be a daily driver asap. He said this Camaro could, and I've gotten him down to at least 2300. The thing is I'd really prefer a manual Camaro, and I'm staying in San Diego so the drive would be near 3 hours. I'm pretty young just going into college, so I can't really afford a 6 or 7 grand camaro. I want a camaro that runs well, but I can work on as I get older too. Not many pop up over here much either. And the drive would be close to 3 hours. Would it be worth it in your opinion, I would like to have a mechanic look at it beforehand as well, but I wouldn't even know how to go about that since the distance is so far.

 

If you prefer a manual more than Auto then that 2,300 sounds ok.

Otherwise I'd take the easier route with Auto for 1,300 because heavy traffic in L.A. really makes manual a pain in the butt after a while. But that's just me. Make sure to test drive the car, check under the body, bang on the floorboards with your knuckles make sure there's no rust, check under the gas tank, things like that. But in terms of distance, Rialto is closer, just take the 15 up to the 215. Around 100 miles distance and 2 hour drive.