i was wondering how reliable you guys think an 87 iroc with an l98 engine and an auto trans. is. The guy that owns it now, only drives it on nice days and had the heads rebuilt and he "Just replaced the head gaskets, water pump, brakes(hoses, rotors, calipers, and pads) and got rid of all the emissions junk." it has 130k on it, and he has only put 1000 in the last three years.

I just want to know your perpective on this engine and car and how reliable they are. My dad was going to let me buy it, but then is now worried again about reliablity. I know it wouldn't be as reliable as a new car, but i want to do some work on it and learn what needs to be fixed if need be. So what do you guys think? can it be a reliable car, if it hasn't been driven hard and babied the last few years, at least. also, what should i look for if i do go and look at it to check if anything needs to be done to it.

 

That's the part that would worry me the most. The average Joe has no clue what's he's talking about in that regard. If he just took the A.I.R. system off the exhaust, then that's not too bad. Or the cat. If he touched anything else, not good.

Check for error codes stored in the computer. Check compression and the "usual" stuff (fluids, operation, etc.). If you aren't confident in yourself, pay a shop to check it over.

 

It should be pretty reliable as long as it was taken care of. Many things tend to go wrong with a 20 year old car though. Sensor's, steering components, filter's, hose's, brakes, fluid's, etc. etc. Old parts will eventually need to be replaced. Have it looked at by an experienced mechanic so you can find out what else is on it's way out. I've had alot of parts break on my 89 Formula with 120k miles. But I got the car for cheap so I'd rather spend a little money here and there instead of making payments on a newer car.

 

yah, i was going to take it to a shop before i bought it, but he knows what he's doing when he did that stuff, but i'm not sure exactly what he took out.

 

i love these cars.....but i would not recomend one for a daily driver.

unless your buying a super low mile car...that has been truly kept up...


but thats not your case....lord only knows what the car has been through with previous owners.

some people will agree with me on this,but most wont because they are in denial about these vehicles,yes you could get lucky,and never have to put money into it,or spend time fixing stupid little things...or check engine lights....but the odds of that happening are very rare.


my advice....if the cars really nice....look inside and out...frame rails,body lines,core supports,bumper impact bars....if all of that looks straight with no obvious damage or anything....and it drives alright....you might get lucky...take it on a LONG test drive,shut it off a few times,open it up and give her hell a time or two and see if anything happens.

when i bought my iroc it ran good this and that,but i never kept it floored while on the test drive{in respect for someone elses vehicle},the instant i bought it...and got on the freeway,30 miles later a mustang started screwing with me...and i kept it floored to 100....damn SES came on...previous owner failed to mention the knock sensor circuit was screwed up. anywho...in closing...just look the car over VERY carefully,and goodluck!

 

I'm really trying to see what you guys say and hopefully this will help convince my dad to let me get it. he just changed his mind today when i was going to go see it.

 

where would be a good place to have the car checked at? jiffy lube, ntb, ???

 

Independant shops are usually the best bet. Some even advertise used car check-out.

 

another question, can you buy a chip, or have one made, to lessen the hp? my dad says it's too much hp, but i want a v8 so i can do some performance mods once i'm out of the house.

 

Uhh, probably, but boy, that's not exactly a common question around here ?!?
230HP in that car isn't a whole lot, a lot of new sedans have that much. It's the torque that it has that makes it the most fun