cunawarit

I’ll be going to see a 1990 IROC-Z automatic with a 305 next Saturday and wanted to know what to look out for. It is relatively low mileage at only 56k miles. I have seen pics of it and it looks very nice, I’ve spoken to the owner and he says the gearbox was rebuilt a year ago and the shocks are brand new... It has t-tops, I asked if they leaked and he said they didn’t... The only modification are some APEX N1 style mufflers and he is giving me the original mufflers, a cover and two new front tires (Copper Cobra G/Ts I think) and he still has the covers for the t-tops.

What should I look out for? I can tell when a car drives straight, engine is strong and gearbox shifts smoothly... Apart from rust and signs of bad repairs what should I look out for? What are common problems with those particular Camaros?

Thanks in advance

daxfas26

iTrader: (1)

YOU PRETTY MUCH GOT THE IDEA OF WHAT TO LOOK FOR. JUST MAKE SURE IT RUNS SMOOTHLY. THIS MAY SOUND WEIRD BUT THIS IS PROVEN FOR ME AFTER U TEST DRIVE IT A WHILE THEN PUT SOME EAR PLUGS ON AND TRY NOT TO HEAR ANTHING AND JUST FEEL THE CAR MAKE SURE THAT IT ISNT MISSING OR HAS SOME KINKS IN THE DRIVING. I HAVE FOUND A FEW PROBLEMS WITH JUST BY FEELING IT EVEN THOUGH U CANT HEAR WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE. I HAD A BAD REAR END AND FOUND THAT OUT BY FEELING IT ONLY. MIGHT WANT TO TRY THAT ..IT WOULDN'T HURT.

RSCamaroGuy92

Door Sag!!!! Its a big problem with all these cars. When you open the doors, see if they drop. ALSO check the idle with everything running. LIke the A/C, highbeams, turn signal, and radio. Then hold the brake and put the car in drive. See how it still idles.

I did a KBB and found that a "perfect" condition 90 is worth about just a hair under $4K with that kind of mileage. So don't get screwed.

BEST OF LUCK TO YA!

P.S. Check inside the door panels to see if its been repainted.

cunawarit

Thanks guys...

Well, I am in England so I'll be paying a hair over £4000... Nothing I can do, they fetch more money here ..... if it really is as nice as he says it is worth it, I saw an 88 for £3850 and it wasn't exactly perfect.

Quote:

BEST OF LUCK TO YA!

P.S. Check inside the door panels to see if its been repainted.

Thanks, I will do that as I already noticed that the IROC-Z decals are on the wrong place for the year... I'll look out for door sag too, is it hard to fix? I had that same problem with my old VW Golf and it was only a matter of re-adjusting them.

FruityOne

Door sag? So far I hear its not hard to fix. Never had to fix it myself though. You may want to keep this site in mind if it does have door sag though.

http://andyz28.com/

Spdfrk1990

The rear hatch leaks alot check for a run down the plastic.Look for rust where the inner wheels wells meet the body in the back.Just look underneath real good make sure nothin looks like it has been bent b4 then been pulled out. My friends step dad had a formula 350 he was selling and he told me it had been wrecked and had a new hatch and all. So i looked underneath and saw a big crease in the trunk compartment.

cunawarit

Right, will check the hatch too... right so far:

* Check engine runs smooth and idles well.

* Check gearbox is shifting smoothly.

* Check it drives straight and handles the way it should.

* Check all panels are straight and line up properly.

* Check under car to see and possible crash damage and rust.

* Check for rust on the t-top bar and under wheel arches.

* Check out the seal for the hatch.

* Check for door sag.

* Check out that all the electrics and luxury bits like AC and cruise control work.

How about any common fluid leaks with these cars?

PS: This is to be my daily driver, well more of a weekend driver coz I don't drive to work.

Spdfrk1990

yeh check the engine oil make sure its not like a quart low. Then u might need valve seals or worse or maybe just a valve cover gasket but check it out.

92 zzz28

Check the engine oil to make sure its engine oil!!! I have gone to buy many a car when I was younger only to find, luckly my dad was around, gear oil in the engine or something else. Also look carefully at the dipstick. If it has traces of burned oil on the stick then you can guess the engines was not very well maintained. If you can and are willing, pull out the fill plug on the rearend and stick your pinky finger in there to make sure its full. CHeck the trans fluid to very carefully. It should not stink and should be reddish. Even though they said it was rebuilt, I would not leave that stone unturned. If it has AC turn it on and make sure it works and the fans come on with it...

Take a flashlight and follow the wiring harness to see if anything looks fishy. It should look neat and uncluttered. If you start seeing an area of wires all knotted up and cut, be skeptical.

I have seen some shaddy cars get sold to unsuspecting buyers over the years, hell, I almost bought one or two myself...Don't want any 3rd Geners gettin the shaft...

Good luck

cunawarit

thanks for the tips 92 zzz28, I will do just that...

heh, I don't REALLY wanna get the shaft either, I've been wanting one of these cars since I was a little kid, it's sort of a dream come true and I want to make sure the whole thing is exactly as the owner says.

Spdfrk1990

ok well first mods get a 6 speed and a 350 lol

cunawarit

heh... it is staying as it is for the next 2 to 3 years. Its going to be my daily driver

Then, it'll become my second car and who knows...

Spdfrk1990

i think ull get the bug b4 2 yrs ull start moddin it just watch

cunawarit

I'm sure I'll get the bug... Getting the money is another matter

92 zzz28

I sang that same tune after I bought my Z. Now two engines later I am saving for a 6spd and supercharger!!!