Hello everyone! This is my first post on this forum and I was hoping someone can help me out here. I''''''''ve been looking to buy a 3G camaro for about 2-3 months now...have about 5 thousand to spend.

Well I came across a 1986 305(possibly a 350) camaro with 144K...for $2000 OBO. Now, I've been checking weekly online for camaros and this one seems to take the cake! Here's what the add said.

Restored
Good Condition
T-roof
Drives great.
Grey exterior
Nothing to Certify
No E-test needed

I''m not too sure whats restored on this car. I''m calling again tonight to set up a time where I can check this car out. The car was lady driven most of its life and she didn''t know if it was a 305 or 350. She's getting back to me tonight after she calls her dad Here's some pictures..








I wanted an engine picture but she didn''t have any tonight. Not to mention this car is about 45 minutes from where I live. Any comments or useful info? What are some things I should look out for when I go take a look this week? I know this is the base model camaro but it can't be too bad right? Still fast ? For a 17 year old at least? I want some power when I put my foot down!

Thanks alot!

 

It's probably worth 2k if it's in good shape. Make sure to check all the fluids before you do anything. Antifreeze included. Check under the carpet in the rear hatch area for rust. Look under the doors and roll the windows down and shine a light into the inner door and look for rust. If it has a 305 (stock) I wouldn't say it will be fast,more like fun. I would still shop around before I settled for one of the base model cars. I gave $900 for my 89 T/A but I admit I've spent around $600 more on it doing stuff I want.

 

2000 seems a little pricy for a base camaro... (Then again, I live in AZ where these cars can be had for around 400-600, with no rust) It dosent look like a bad car from the pics, but look out for rust. "Lady driven" often means the oil was changed about every 25,000 miles or whenever she remembered. (No offense to women intended) Women typically do not take care of their cars.

I'm not saying, dont buy it, jut look it over REALLY WELL!

BTW, WELCOME TO TGO!

 

Also, odds are it's not a 350, I don't believe anyone woulda done that swap to this car. It sure wasn't offered with one.
At best, it's the 155 hp 305, which will still lose the stoplight grand prix to all those late model V6 jap sedans. Like the Nissan Maxima has 280 horses.
You're not gonna get fast for $2000. You might get into a '95 Z28 for $5000.
That's your cheap speed.
This car, if it's solid, with no rust or hidden damage, you'll want to spend your remaining $3k on a 350 shortblock, a full exhaust upgrade with headers, y-pipe, and cat-back, a better intake manifold, and a 3.73:1 posi rear.
That'll fit your budget if you do the work yourself and can borrow the tools, and should get you well into the 13s, Which is about what a '95 Z28 should run.
Good luck!

 

Most 4th gen LT1 cars run mid/low 14's. Every so often you'll find a factory freak car that will run better than most.

A guy I work with had an 87 Camaro,looked just like that one. He build a 350 and put slicks on it with open headers and ran a 13.7. We both thought it would be at least a low 13 sec car.

 

It doesn't look bad for 2k a very clean looking sport coup if I were you I'd wanna know exactly what supposed to be restored on it

 

Thanks alot people!

Alright I did alot more searching and came up with these 2 ads.

1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO 240000KM automatic with a 350 turbo transmission, shift kitt and stall converter installed. T top's, power window's and door's, has a 305 H.O engine installed in the summer with 130000 km, head man header's with flow master dual pipe's, car is red and black, lot's of power, also new rad and starter installed recently, brake's good all around . $1,900.00. obo


THEN

1985 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28 needs paint and TLC. Comes with spare 350 motor was in thunder car for a season. headers, rebuilt carb, centerline rims, american racing rims, msd disturputer, edlebrock aluminum intake with spacer plate, chrome breather still in package, chrome valve covers still in package. comes with pretty much 1500 with of goodies including motor. trade for? $2,500.00. obo

Sorry for all the questions! I'm new to the camaro scene.