i'm 16 and was looking for my 1st car, but i was trying to find the car for me. now i kind of want something nice and fast. i was wondering if a third gen would be ideal. are they easy to fix. minimum problems. i'm asking you guys because you are the ones that own these things. so give me some input because i really like the cars. i was personally looking at this 89 TA for 1700.but i want you advice. thanx it helps alot

 

I would avoid anything with over 100K.. I have seen many tranny's go at 120K. Now the engine will live well beyond 180K if you take care of it. Look for rust int the wheel wels and around the nose and door jambs. Examine the oild pan gasket and look at the color of the fluids. Tranny is RED, Radiator is GREEN.. Pull the PVC valve and examine it.

 

If you buy an old car be willing to put a lot of work into it or what ever else it needs. I know too many people eho buy used cars and they brake down and they wonder why.

 

I concur with the idea of staying away from a high mileage car. From what it sounds like you don't want to dump a lot of money into the thing and if you buy and older car with high miles you may end up with just that. Of course some folks do take excellent care of their vehicles. A well taken care of engine at 100,000 is likely in better shape than one at 50,000 that was driven by a 17 year old girl who thinks that a lube and oil job is what she does to her boy friend every other Saturday. Have the car inspected by a professional if you don't have the means yourself. Ask around and take it to someone who really knows their ****, not just Billy Dicklick at the Local Pep Boys. If in doubt, do what others do and come back here when you find a car and relay the information on the boards. A lot of the guys around here really know their **** and I'm sure would be happy to clue you in. Good Luck.
bsa

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"If they do not run, Then they will die." - Stonewall Jackson
#3
'87 IROC, 355 TPI, Converted to SD, 700R4, B&M Megashifter, 3.42, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads, Edelbrock Intake, Accel Runners, Comp Cam, Crane Gold rockers, Lucas 23# injectors, Edelbrock headers, Flowmaster 3'' exhaust, Mallory Ignition, Transgo Performance Shift Kit, Corvette Servo, 2,000 Stall Torque Converter

 

If you want something fast look for an 89+up Z28 with a 350, they all came with auto transmissions. Have your dad help you find a nice one.

Look for obvious signs for wear like worn out interior or dents and rust. Examine the wheel wells for rust especially and if you can, peek underneath and see if there is any under there. Listen to the engine and hear if it makes any loud noises that shouldn't be there like ticking or knocking. Tell the guy you want to start the engine when it's cold, so you can see if it burns oil, it will be a puff of blue smoke. The trans fluid should be red. Records are always a good indication of a well kept car. Try to buy something with under 70,000 miles. Take it for a ride and see how well it holds the road, it should be tight. Sorry for all the disorganization but I hope this helps.

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1986 CAMARO Z28 ->
151,000 original miles, 43,000 on 89' vette 350 block, Holley 650 DP, Weiand intake, 1.6 rockers, 1 5/8" headers, no cat, 2 1/2" Flowmaster catback, Mallory coil, March pulleys, B&M Ripper shifter, T5 with 3.35 1st gear and 0 miles, 90% Centerforce clutch, 3.73 posi, Eibach 1" drop springs, Spohn LCA's, Spohn adjustable panhard rod, Subframe connectors, all bushings are urethane, 2 12" Sound Streams, 2 Infinity 6X9's, 2 Pioneer 6X9's, 800 watt Lanzar Vibe amp. ET 13.32@ 106.4MPH 3300lbs less driver and speakers Next mods-> Extreme Energy 268 cam, Holley street dom intake, ported heads.

1987 TRANS AM ->
73,000 miles, 305TPI, auto, gutted air box, gutted cat.