Hey guys, Im new to the forum.
I m finally going to get my first car and I have been looking at third gen Camaros. My parents are all for it and I found this one Camaro:
1991 Camaro RS
V6
Automatic
no T-tops
as of last year the guy put in new:
egr valve
radiator
water pump
battery
brakes pads and shoes
18" rims
halo headlights
cd player
and he did annual tune ups that included plugs, wires, air filter, oil change, and fuel additive.
There is no body damage and the interior is in amazing shape. And the guy daily drove it for the past 2-3 years. However the ac needs recharge, the ignition lock cylinder needs to be replaced, and the tranny mount needs changing too. I m not too worried cuz I can do atleast the first 2 myself. The only really big red flag to me and my parents is that it has 250 k all original miles on it. Original engine and tranny. He s asking $2500, but maybe negotiate to $1800 at lowest. Is this a good price or should I be concerned with all those miles on the original engine and tranny? I just don t wanna buy this car and have everything break down on me and be car poor. Thanks

 

250K is ALOT of miles for that little 3.1 L v6. As a 1st car I think I would have to pass. I see a long futrue of repairs ahead for that car.

I see you are in GA., so am I. Is the car you are looking at black, with black wheels, gray interior, red painted calipers and drums? I seen one listed on craigslist about a mo. ago like that.

I look for third gens daily and see some great deals out there in that same price range. Like this one $2200, 1988 Iroc , says 117K miles on the ad, 5.7L 350 TPI engine. http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/5163338063.html

Don't get caught up in just looks. A lower mileage car that runs great and has a dented fender, or ripped seat will be cheaper/easier to fix and last much longer than a great looking body/interior and a worn out powertrain.

 

If one major thing goes out, is it worth it?

AC repairs when taken to a shop can be several hundred, easily. The fact you might do all repairs for under $500 isn't relevant; you never want to convince yourself a car you're buying is worth more.

If the trans. goes out and you have to replace that, are you going to be in a good place, or scrambling to have the money, or to have transportation?

For what it's worth, I replaced engine and transmission in a car within 6 months of buying it and it had half of the mileage you're considering. At the time, I had a friend with a salvage yard, so it wasn't "a big deal" but it sure sucked at the time.

Would you spend $1800 + (cost of AC repairs) + ($1700 for trans.) and have a 250k mile V6 1991 Camaro, and be happy about it? I might because I'd replace the trans. myself and fix the AC myself, but the deal and the car would have to be the right ones or I'd feel pretty sour about it.

 

I paid 1200 for the same car but V8 five speed t top. And mine still had 177k on it, but I plan on ditching that motor in a year or so. It needed some bodywork, but still, even 1800 for a v6 that's good looking with 250k and a few small new parts is a lot of money. Don't do it

 

Thanks for the replies. Yes I am in Georgia and yea that's the one. I'm going to keep searching because after what you've said and all, it wouldn't be worth it. Thank you. does anyone know any sites or anything where I could find a decent third gen. I live in Georgia if it helps