The LT1 motor is a great motor. Anyone who says otherwise has not spent enough time around them. That engine can go for a LONG, LONG time. The issue with the LT1 Camaros is the stupid OptiSpark ignition system, which GM stupidly decided to put UNDER the water pump. So the OptiSpark gets wet and you have to replace it. Super common issue unfortunately. 

The interior and everything else is mid-90's GM. Not very good. Overall they are decent cars.

I had a '96 Trans-Am bought new, and a '97 Z28 bought used, both were 6spd manual transmissions both had the LT-1. Never had an issue with either the engine, transmission or anything else for that matter. Yours is an automatic; you said it's fine, so you must take good care of it. Who gives a sh!t what other people say about them. 

While the catfish is not to my taste, it is in general I guess a decently ight car lol. Got a buddy that has one. He loves it too. From his experience it's the trans that always goes out first as both manual and autos seem to have the same shifting problems as time progresses. I can then only assume that the motor failer that you are hearing about is coming from people who are really abusive to their car (eg turning their car on and immediately ripping a burnout/pullway) or not enough proper maintenance.

90's Camaros - not great reliability, not the worst. Anything that age, especially anything "sporty", the condition and how it has been maintained (or not), modified, etc. is more important than what make/model. Look at Mustangs from that era as well - there are lots, and many people consider them more robust.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Camaro/

https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/96-chevy-camaro/

i didnt want to start a new thread about the optispark ignition system

is it a deal killer?

(looking at a '94 corvette)