98 camaro z28, 17000 miles... LS1, T56, only options being t-tops, pwr accessories...

or

96 T/A ram air, 36,000 miles... LT1, T56, Leather, TTops, all power...


Same price... Which one? I'm leaning towards the camaro.. I really am liking my options though...

btw- my firebird has finally gotten way too many miles on it.. I'm going to be driving over 45 miles a day for the next 5 years so I figure now is a pretty good time to get something new...

 

DEFINETLY the 98 camaro. The LS1 is FAR superior to the LT1, no matter how fancy the body. The LT1 will need mods to keep up with the stock LS1. Do yourself a favor and go with the 98
peace

 

Yep. Here's a vote for the LS1. It should be worth more than the LT1, too.

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No guts, no glory.

 

17,000k miles, go for the Z, I have heard that the LT1 takes mods better, but you'll be starting off with an LS1 and only 17,000k miles.

------------------
"Rice burners are like tampons...Every pu$$y has to have one"
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

I'd go with the LS1

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1989 Mustang LX 5.0 Coupe
13.34@106.7 - needs more gear and converter

1992 Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible
14.23 @ 95.something - 100% bone stock motor - it's been a while since I've ran this one

1993 LX 2.3L Hatchback - "The Ride to VCU"

Moderator Stangtec.com, SN95.com
Amelia and Nic's Twin Terrors

 

Take the LS1 camaro(yuck they are so ugly)...even though they look like the Sebring...then sell it and get yourself an Ls1 TA. Everyone knows that the 4th gen TA's look so much better than the 4th gen camaros'. I do like the '96 TA's....but an LS1 is superior. Hard decision...but go with the camaro and either sell or trade it for a TA. That is what I would personally do.

James

 

ok here is a question for you, do u plan on doing any major mods once u get the car? If the answer is NO i'd go with the LS1, if the answer is yes i'd go with the LT1

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Check out MyGTA Nicknamed:The Big Red Machine
***AOL IM ClarkeMustGoNow***
Moderator at www.transamgta.com
"What does not kill us only makes us stronger"

Tony

 

Man... talk about the decision from hell!

I guess it comes down to this

Spiffy body and more options, or a bit faster out of the box.

It sounds like you will be spending quite a bit of time in it, so you may want to think about the little things.... but its still up to you.


------------------
88 Camaro (The mighty LO3 SC!)
305TBI/700R4/2.73/123,XXX miles
14" Open Element and Flowmaster 80 seires

Next up: headers and gears

 

Definately the trans am,add a ram air hood and you have a gorgeous car,way better looking then the camaro.

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86 IROCZ 5.0 TPI/"new" 700R4 auto with transgo shift kit and vette servo,canary yellow,t-tops,radar detector,tan interior,hidden antenna,tinted windows,taillight blackouts,front end bra,k&n air filters,no cat,full 3" racing exhaust with 40 series flowmaster and chrome tips,2:73 posi rear(soon to be 3:42 or 3:73 posi),1989 IROCZ 16*8 polished aluminum rims

 

Hehe I had this SAME choice when I bought my Z back in March. I paid $14,500 for a LOADED 30th anniversary model (yeah, white with orange), OR I coulda had a more basic '99 Z28 for 500 more. My car had 40, this one had 32.

A '96 with 32k is great mileage, and I love the '96-'97 RA look. Plus, I just like the LT1 better...there's a certain cache to having one of the last SB Chevy's put in a car. Plus, the LT1 has a throatier sound to it...the LS1 resonates different.

I sell Olds and Pontiacs new, and I can tell you from experience the LS and LT1s feel about identical on the road...the LT1 has more low end grunt, the LS1 has more past 3500 or so. I drive new ones every day...they are NOT notably quicker than an LT1.

My best friend has an '00 T/A, and he even can even back me up on this. When he first drove mine, he said "this doesn't feel hardly any different."

Go to www.camaroz28.com and post on there, see what they think. More often than not LT1 owners go to buy a new one and expect more of a difference than there actually is.

I woukld take the TA and run...it'll be worth much more down the road...just my opinion though

------------------
Jason E

'89 Camaro RS
-Medium Grey Metallic
-2.8, A4, T-tops, 94k miles
-Hypertech chip, Accel wires/coil/K&Ns
-Alpine 60x4 and Bostons

'97 Z28
-30th Anniversary package (white with orange stripes)
-LT1, M6, t-tops, 45k miles
-Eclipse CD and 10" Aluminum sub in JL Audio Stealth box, Boston RM speakers, Xtant 403a amp

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

 

I have seen a '00 camaro 6 speed with only cat back exhaust run a 12.9 at the track. When was the last time you've seen an LT1 do that? But I do agree that on the street you probably wont tell much of a difference between the cars.

 

hmm thats a tough one...but I like the look of the firebird and that its loaded..but on the other hand the camaro has an Ls1... I'd go with the camaro ONLY becuase it has an Ls1

------------------
1988 Sport Coupe 305 TBI
K&N
Flowmaster 80


Daily driver:
1988 K1500 5.7 4x4 shortbed flowmaster cat-back gutted cat.
AIM: RyanNH84

 

LS1.....better overall than the LT1, newer,less miles....plain and simple.

 

transamtpi,

I am in agreeance to the fact that the LS1 is indeed faster. I have seen an LT1 with a cat-back pull a 13.6 with no other mods. Obviously the LS1 is faster...but to anyone who really wants a SOTP experience, drive them back to back...you may be surprised

I also agree that an 18k Z is very appealing...like I said, I am biased

 

Well, at least its not like you loose either way, ya know? I mean, not like either one is anything short of sweet.

 

With the 0% apr financing available now, i *might* end up with a 02 z28.. Granted it won't be an SS, but all I REALLY want is a hurst shifter, 6 speed, lt1 or ls1 with low miles and a warranty.. I think i'm gonna go for the LS1 just because it still has a warranty and i'm going to be putting a lot of miles on it..

As for mods, i probly won't be doing anything that involved with it.. Probly just upgrading the MAF, SLP loudmouth exhuast, and a chip programmer..

These engines don't appear to have as many exhaust manifold restrictions as our 3rdgens do.. So i don't think i'd do headers..

The reason i'm getting a newer one is because this car is costing me about a car payments worth of things every month and I figure why keep this one and pay all this money when I can just get a new one with all the stuff on it that i really want.. For instance, it won't pass inspection because of the tint on the back, but when I got the tint done it was legal. They just passed a law moving the legal tinting from 0% to 35% on the back.. My 305 has 140000 miles on it also.. It runs good now, but I'd rather just sell it than have the chance of the engine going out and only getting $500 for the whole car....

I'm really glad none of you guys are calling my a traitor for going to a 4th gen, i think most people realize that even if they are ugly, they are awesome cars... I would get a T/A with ram air and all that stuff but they are selling for about $28K used around here, i don't think i want to pay THAT much for a used car.. If they were the same price I would though... It's also really hard for me to find a T/A with a 6 speed for some reason.. It seems like every one with the WS6 package is a 4speed automatic...

Thanks for the replys guys, it looks like it doesn't matter much either way I go...

 

4th gens are only ugly until you drive them I felt the same way until I brought my Z home for the first time and parked it next to the RS. It was then I discovered the Z really does have a modern, clean, streamlined shape to it. The 3rd gen, while it will always be a classic automotive design, just plain looks dated next to it.

Good luck with whatever you decide, and get ready to enjoy the MPG...I get 20 city and 27 highway with my LT1 Its better than my 2.8!

 

The LS1, hands down here. Cam and head swap and you are in the 11's, according to the mags.

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89 IROC-SuperRammed 355 w/ AFR 190's and LPE 219/219 cam-http://www.geocities.com/buckeyeroc

 

Why don't you look into a '02 T/A?

 

Even though I'm a TA man, I'd go with the camaro. One year newer, 1/2 the milage, and oh yeah...a LS1 If your looking for speed out of the box, the LS1. I've had A LT1 TA and I now have a LS1 and while I liked the LT1 I Love the LS1 Good Luck on your decision. I think you'll be happy with either one.

------------------
2000 NHRA Edition T/A
Pewter Metallic
A4 3.23 Gear w/GSC's
Whisper lid, MAF Ends, Ram Air Kit, Exhaust C/O
Nitrous Express 150hp kit
Best NA Times
60ft:1.94
1/8th:8.381@86.03
1/4:12.963@108.44

1989 IROC-Z 5.7 Dual Cat
Auto w/3.27 gears
Jet Stage 2 chip
Modified Air Box&MAF
AFPR&Air Foil

 

How could we call you a traitor, it's still a Camaro, it's not like you're getting a Civic for *** sakes.



------------------
"Rice burners are like tampons...Every pu$$y has to have one"
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

If you're all about going quick with minimal mods, I'd go with the LS1. Yeah, the TA might look better, but looks don't make you go any quicker.

 

LS1 vs Lt1
Camaro vs TA
1/2m vs m
$$$ vs $$$
DUH!!! CAMARO!
Even though I don't like the looks of the new camaro, I wouldn't turn down the LS1.
Heck, I'd even take the camaro with no acc and hardtop w/cloth over the Lt1.
There is a saying: Go faster for less.....
Besides, the LS1 is going to be one killer engine after a better intake and N2o is EASY to get into the low 12's! This is a no brainer.

------------------
, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

speed isn't EVERYTHING...

 

The base invoice price for a new T/A STARTS at $28,000...

A ram air T/A costs around $35k new..


I'm looking for maybe $18k used or $25k new...

 

thats a good reason

 

Let the sleazy salesman dispell some myths

1) A "base" '02 T/A is $28,390 without traction or chrome wheels (I have one on the lot with these for 29,435)...dealer invoice is easily $1,500 less though. Try hard enough and you should be able to get one for upper 26s.

2) A "base" '02 Formula lists for 26,500 with a hurst shifter...I know because I just ordered one a few hours ago!!! You should be able to get one for like 25 + TTP

3) Ram Air T/As list for about 32,300 with traction and hurst...again, I think you can walk out with one for about 30,500...

Go with an '02 Formula and you're getting a sweet car for the $$, even if it is on the high side of what you wanna spend. Remember, you'll get the LAST Firebird!!