Okay so first off I am almost 17 and have saved up enough money for a 92 camaro. There is a z28 in a bordering state that i am looking at. Is it a reliable car? I have read some reviews where it says that the ride is awful, saying it is not smooth at all. Is this true? Is there anything I should look for? I will have my coworker who is now a mechanic come out with me when I look at it. Is there anyway to get a better mpg on the car?

Thanks in advance

 

Also sorry if this is in the wrong area, I figured it could be put into general. If not, could someone please tell me where to post it for the best help?

 

Honestly I wouldn't recommend a '92 Z28 to you for two reasons

1) These things are sports cars. They are low, wide, squeaky, and old. They aren't smooth, at this age the seats are probably worn out so its not really comfortable unless your price range is for one well cared for and expensive. You'll be disappointed unless your looking for a project.

Which brings me to #2

2) a '92 Z28 is kind of a desirable car, if you don't know what it is and aren't looking for that type of car... leave it for someone who will appreciate and preserve/restore it to its glory.

But if your willing to accept a project and appreciate it. Get it, '92 is the end of the generation and the 25th anniversary. Great find but make sure you take care of it.

They already get decent mileage. Better than you would think. No where near 30mpg, but depending on how/where you drive 18-22 is attainable. They aren't guzzlers unless you drive them as so.

 

Oh i know it'd be a project. my neighbors and i have built many motors and cars back to near mint condition. And my grandfather has a 69 and a 74 z28. I know how to appreciate the car. I only want to know if I could make the ride more smooth. Like what could it compare to. I am fine with that gas milage, someone had told me it was more like 15. Are there any chips that'd help?

 

If you are concerned about ride then might I recommend a g-body. They are sporty and ride very well.

 

It is going to be as reliable as a 21 year old car can be. A lot of the potential reliability will also depend on how well it was maintained by its previous owners.

 

well it has pretty low milage and the owner says it's been garaged mostly. I love the looks of the third gen f -bodys and would really like one.

 

my 92 rides really well, aslong as it doesnt go over train tracks or pot holes

 

If your main priority in a car is "ride quality" you need a new commuter car.

 

Lol that's now my priority, i was just reading reviews and they made it sound like it was god awful.

 

These cars ride harder than a lot of other vehicles out there. I like it, though.. not because it "feels better" but because it makes the car very predictable in controlling under adverse conditions. I would argue that it's a trade-off. Like mentioned before, though - parts will be worn out, and you'll feel it. Doesn't mean it's a POS, but it does mean that they're.. well.. worn out.

If you want a car that drives like a cadillac, this one is NOT for you.

 

Thanks that helps. I do not want a car that is smooth as ice, but at the same time, i do not want a car that's unbearable.

 

I have a 1992 Z28 and I'm sixteen. It rides fine. Going over rough spots it'll jostle you but what else can you expect from suspension designed to be stiff and sporty? Replace all of the old bushings with new rubber ones if you want a smoother ride. That'd be the easiest way. I think you can get a complete bushing kit for $60.

 

If it's a daily driver, that's a flat out no from me. You mentioned it being your first car. I would recommend a cheap beater car just to get you around for a while. Definitely wouldn't want a car payment. My first car was/is a 91 Lumina z34. I paid $1400 for it, and although I've put work into it, it's been great to me. Never gotten stuck in the snow, and never had any major problems out of it. 4 and a half years later, I'm glad I have it. It doesn't look bad, it's fairly reliable, I consider it somewhat "rare," and it allows me to keep my Firebird as a secondary car that I can work on all winter. IMO, find a mid 90s Chevy/Pontiac/Buick with around 100,000 miles for cheap, and you're set for a few years.

 

well i have a 97 grand am that i drive. and i have 3-4k for a new car

 

if it makes you feel any better, my first real DD was my Camaro. No problems here. I still ended up buying a beater to drive around in simply because a project car and DD is a hard combination.

 

well it runs well how it is now, and i may swap the engine. But the only real problems that it has as it sits is exterior. The clear coat is pealing pretty bad. theres no rust. and the interior is great

 

Well they are some pretty stiff riding cars but remember they were meant to go fast before fancy damping and progressive rates so they rise accordingly. My trans am was my first car and while I dont regret but remember they are 20 plus years old so curb your expectations accordingly. If you are worried about ride and gas mileage then you probably aren't ready to live with a 92 z28.

 

Then yes, I say go for it

 

thanks!!!! I am actually really excited and am in the process of going out to look at it

 

Agree completely. Only way you use one of these as a first car daily driver is if its a 305 TBI car or an v6 car. THose things are slow and reliable and no big loss if one gets wrapped around a tree. You see it happen over and over with these cars in the hands of teenagers.

 

I bought my 84 Z28 as my first car my senior year. That Z28 probably has the L98 right? Just be responsible with it is all I can say. I just saw a third gen smashed into a light pole last weekend with a young guy sitting on the curb next to it. Keep us updated!

 

Pony cars were designed and marketed for young people, especially to teenagers whose parents could afford them new off the showroom floor, and now you say they shouldn't have them....

 

Will keep everyone posted. I have the money for the car and am just getting a rundown of everything for the car. i will post pix probably when he sends them to me

 

you should give us more details when you get them. I'm curious.

 

Well it has the 350 v8 engine. Hardtop, 56k miles. Been garaged most of the time. Needs a new paint job

 

The L98 is good, and 56k is very low for a 20 year old car. What is his asking price?

 

Check the vin code to verify its a 350 car.

 

well he hasn't given me a price because i just got hesitant, i asked him how it ran and his response was he doesn't know. He doesn't know if it runs but it will turn over. and i do not get how he owns the car but hasn't driven it once...

 

Buy it. If it all checks out. My 1st "fast" car was my 89 formula 350 I used it as a DD for several years..
Yes, even in the light winter days..

 

My first car was a third gen Camaro with a stick that I owned back in 1995. It was great until I let a friend drive it in the winter. He wrapped it around a Thunderbird and totaled it. I would say owning one for a first car would depend heavily on your driving ability and maturity level. They are far from sure footed in the rain or snow but doable if you respect them.

 

Alright so he has let it sit for 4 years and has never run it once in that time being. Nor has he ever seen and/or heard it run. It will turn over though

 

Be prepared for the possibility of replacing seals and gaskets. Possibly a new water pump also. Your going to have some leaks to deal with. Cars don't like to sit.

 

That's what i was afraid of, but i knew that would be an issue as soon as he said 4 years i heard it and was like 4... hoping for him to say weeks and he said years.

 

Hey thanks for everyone's help. I am actually by a different z28 next weekend. black with the red stripes(not stock paint so not heritage model) but it does have the red cloth interior. 94 thousand miles. 350 v8 engine. In need of a little work but it's all good. Gonna need a tuneup, missing the stereo unit, cracked dash, and the power locks need some work and a new tranny cooler line soon. Is there any good aftermarket stereo that anyone could recommend? i couldn't find many that were 1.5 din because i would rather not use a single or double din.

 

could you spill some info on that other z28 you first described? like pics, location, price, ect? since your getting a differant one now

 

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