We're looking at a black 99 Z28, it has auto and 2.73 gears. It has 60K miles! The motor looks completely stock, leather has some rips and stains, ash tray broken, power seat switch broken (still works) and it looks like they replaced the rear bumper cover with one from an earlier model (same color, paint good). They wanted $17,900 for it but got them down to $14,250 plus $2K more on our mazda trade-in. She prefers a 6 spd like all of us but she still likes the car anyway. My question is: how reliable are the 4th gens?? I've heard a bunch of stories about newer camaros most bad, but I love the f-bodys. It needs to be dependable enough for the wife and 2 small kids. If I did get it, it would stay mostly stock and never be raced. We used to own a 96 GT and we had no trouble or problems at all with it, can I expect similar results with an average 4th gen?? Tell me what you experienced/ heard, all input is greatly appreciated!!

 

If the inside of the car is neglected that badly, then you can only assume that entire vehicle has been also.

EVERY single person that I've known who's neglected the interior (sp., I know its late and i had a brain fart!!!!) of thier vehicle ALSO severely neglected the mechanics of a car. The car is 2 years old, so that's about 30k a year? Thats rough driving, and if they ****ed up the car that much in two years, I doubt they ever changed the oil or trans fluid. Just imagine how many times that car been pushed to the limit. I definatly would not buy this car unless you pick through it real well. I bet if you looked into it more, its been in a lot more **** than just having the rear bumper cover replaced.
Just my .02
Happy new year!

 

2.73? Wow I got bigger gears than a 99, yay (I've got 2.77). True 60k miles in two years is a lot. But that just helps with the price tag, I'm not sure of those year car prices, 15k and down. Check kelley blue book, kbb.com. Why do they do that now, put ****ty gears in autos and good gears in stick shift? I say keep looking, and looking, and if you wanna be hard core about it (thats what I did) looking for the perfect one, try searching autotrader, cars.com, local paper, northjerseycars.com (well that worked for my area), that auto classifieds book... um I forget the name, but I mean every where, it took me 6 months to find my car... patience is what ya need.

But on the mileage thing, my friend bought a 98 durango 5.2 ltr. Nice car, purple tho , but theres always a give and take to a good deal... compromise! This thing had 97k miles on it ! All highway miles (big difference). It was used for a company to ship **** or somthin. But the thing is he got it for 12,000 dollaz, when they really cost like 18,000 to 23,000 dollaz, good deal! And he hasn't had any problems with it, serious problems that is, but none at all. These days unless ur absolutely rich, theres no reason to buy a new car anymore, the used ones are excellent, and cheaper. Haven't yas noticed that more muscle cars seem to be popping up?! I have, my theory is that since gas prices are rather up, people think why buy a SUV and get 11mpg and hardly any performance, why not get an old muscle car (cheap) get like 15-20mpg, and get some rippin performance. Its elementary my dear Watsin.

As for compromise with my car, I wanted a red, grey interior, ttop, auto350 or man305 (couldn't really decide), IROC-Z for around $3k.... But what I got was a black, tan interior, auto350, ttop, IROC-Z for $4k, as you can see the only difference is the exterior and interior color and the price, but don't think this car came to me on a silver platter, it took 6 months of constant insane searching to find this car (amazing story...), I wanted it so badly, this is my first car, I love it. Even today I look at the classifieds (certainly not as much as I used to, I can't even tell you how many days and hours went into finding my car), and I see no more reasonable cars, or IROCs at that, I'm glad I have her.

As for a girl driving a highpowered car, I'm not a fan of it, my sisters have had firebirds and even camaros (the fast ones too, z28, formula). They've done well with them, but they don't know **** about them, but they kept the interior clean (so much for the engine and tranny). Its a gamble, have fun, and always look at it as your ball game.

.......damn I wrote a lot, I'm bored.

 

I'll sell you my 99 TA with 25k and MINT cond leather for 18K....

 

BTW, it is 3 years old...2002's have been in production for several(6-7) months....

 

Too much cash for the miles.. maybe if it was an SS with equal miles and in perfect condition. I'd say around 13-14k would be fair.

 

I've heard that 4th gens, particularly the firebirds, have a lot of stupid little problems with the electronics and build quaility, although as we all know the motors kick ***. I wouldn't buy that car. I wouldn't be so worried about the miles (my mom has a '98 volvo s90 with 116K highway miles and its a-ok), thats more like 20K/year which isn't too bad. But its obviously been neglected if it has all those probs and is only 2-3 years old, and IMO, those LS1 camaro's are on the ugly side. With 14K you can buy a mint pre-98 4th gen with low miles and all the bells and whistles you want.

 

Me and my wife both have 4th gens for everyday driving. Mine is a 94 Z-28 with a 6spd. Hers is a 95 with a 6 cyl. and a 5 spd. I have had the Z for almost 5 years and still love the car. I had to put a clutch in because I burned it up racing it. I used to race this car every weekend. It is by far the toughest car I have ever owned. I speed shift all the time just for the fun of it and have never broken anything. It has 98,000 miles on it and runs like the day I bought it. It's just hard for me to get away from camaros. They are so much fun to drive.

My wifes car has about 76,000 and runs great. She bought the car brand new in 95 and just this summer had to replace the battery. We have a little one on the way and are definitely keeping the f-bodies. I'm not gonna sell out and get a SUV. I know it would be easier with a baby seat and all but that only lasts a few years. The brakes still look great on the car and it is 6 years old. These cars have never left me stranded like the dodge I owned before the Z-28. Get one and you'll really enjoy the cars.

As for the one you are talking about....Sounds a little mistreated to me. I would look around for another one.

 

I just read a Car and Driver with a '00 camaro tested

Z28 convertable (heavier)
Auto w/2.73 gears
13.9 @ 104

You could change gears and probably have at least a half second improvement. The price does seem a little high. I was looking at a 98 w/ 35,000 miles for 16,500 so I would talk him down a little. You said the condition of the interior is poor...this does sometimes indicate a poorly maintained car. If you dont like that one you could always find another. I've seem MANY for sale this time of year, and you could probably find one with the 3.23 "performance ratio" or a 6 speed with 3.42's .

Good luck

 

A quality Third gen would be much more streetable. It gets better fuel milage with the 305 TPI, less blind spots (majorly), and it would handle better. The downside you wont have ABS or Airbags depending on what you find. But that is a great deal!!!

 

My brother has a 99SS and we've had no problems at all. About the same amount of miles, except he drives the **** out of his. He bent pushrods missing a gear, so that doesn't really count. He has replaced the clutch, your's is an auto.... I don't think he's ever had a single problem with it.

There is a squeak in the rear somewhere, but I've heard Sub-frame connectors will fix that.

Other than that, it runs 12.90s at 111mph with exhaust and a lid. Check out www.ls1.com for more information on these cars. I've never heard of any of the problems mentioned above. I usually hear about how the rear-end will break, the cluthes are too weak. Other than that, car is great.


Oh, also one other thing. I know the highway mileage on these cars (once again, M6) is around 25-28 mpg. And the 305, take it to a dyno and I'll put money on it, it'll dyno that to the rear or even a little more.

 

$14250 plus $2k on your trade-in is WAY too expensive given the condition of the vehicle. A '99 shouldn't show that kind of neglect and mileage. They've probably driven the **** out of the poor car. I have a friend here who's selling his mint condition 98 Z28 for $13500. It's white, t-tops, t-56, 3.42 rear gears, black leather interior, and power everything. Of course, it's an LS1 too (duh). Like Ions91Z28 brother's car, this thing also runs 12.90s without any problem in the 1/4 mile, with only a lid and shorty headers, plus the usual free mods. BTW, he also has serious traction problems. Bolt on some slicks and he'll prolly lose a tenth or two from that time. The car also has only $35k miles on it. It's also been raced only a few times. He took it to the track once when he bought it and ran 13.06 @ 106 mph. The second time he was there was after the free mods and the lid etc, and he ran a 12.95. I don't remember the mph though. He doesn't street race it although he does open it up every now and then for ***** and giggles. Honestly speaking, I'd buy the car in an instant if I had the money.

Keep looking man. The 99's not worth it.

 

I might consider it if they came down to about $10K with your trade-in and threw in a hummer or two (not the truck).

Way too much cash for the conditions you describe...