Hey Scotty what’s your take on a 1998-2002 camaro with the Ls1 engine are they good cars? or stay away?
I have a 1998 Z28. Pics and description are in the member rides thread. Fun cars and parts are fairly cheap.
Of course, I went full restoration and build with mine so it cost me quite a bit. But you can find a decent one in good shape for around $10k to $12k here in Texas. Mine is not a daily driver and only comes out for my top-down therapy on sunny weekend days. Hard to beat the performance for the money you spend, but be aware they are older cars. I don't think I would have bought mine if I didn't have my own shop to work on it.
Also keep in mind that it can swallow your wallet fast if you are the kind of guy who likes to beef them up. Even at my cost I know I've got over $10k in the motor alone and well over $20k overall in it. I would recommend a simple intake/exhaust/small cam and call it good. They make for fun toys and I always have people ask me about it or wave and thumbs up. 🙂
would a '95 for $6500 be a fair deal?
5.7L, 6 speed manual, Hard top, 90k miles
I would try to find a '98 or newer. The LT1 V8 was a good motor, but those have the dreaded OptiSpark ignition. The LS1 came out in '98 and offered a lot more power and got rid of the OptiSpark system.
The car you described would be a good deal at about $5000 assuming it passed a mechanical inspection, doesn't currently have an Optispark issue, and you like the styling. It changed just a little from those to the '98s.
thank you !
You're welcome! Happy to help. 🙂
What will this car be used as (I.e. Daily driver, 2nd or 3rd vehicle, weekend toy?), and how many years/miles do you hope to get out of the vehicle?
For a toy or 2nd car it could be ok if it is in good shape and you take care of it but who needs a two decade old Camaro for a daily driver?
I have a 02 Camaro. I do not drive much so I do not maintain a "nice " car . I do not like paying taxes that amount to tributes just to drive a ritzy car. I find it to be a huge waste of cash just to get some status. I took a trip to Denver from St. Louis over the summer in it, ran great. Mine is the basic model 5 speed 6cyl. I paid 2k for it in 2017. I pay 36 a month insurance. If the car is in good shape, go for it. It does not cost much to own and, if you are somewhat mechanical you'll be glad you did it. Fun cars.
I see, so you like to enjoy your car and use it once in a while and don't really want to spend uneeded amounts of money on it. Seems like you have not had many problems with your 19 year old Camaro either so I guess just keep on driving it;)
Camaros are classic cars, Kerem. It's not like a Corolla or Camry. People keep classic cars because they have a distinct style, and they're built for high performance.
@Mountainmanjoe
I was replying to cantstandapinko and he said he did not drive it much and he did not put much money in to it and I was just saying to keep on enjoying driving it. Is it uncommon for people to enjoy driving their nice classic cars?
I know what you said. You replied Fatnapp: "who needs a two decade old Camaro for a daily driver?
So I just told you why. Also he never said anything about about daily driving.
@mountainmanjoe
My bad I forgot about the answer I wrote I was just saying that as a fun car to drive around why not if you take care of it but not as a daily driver, which was my point. I would not want to drive a 2 decade old classic car as a daily driver either {black}:hi: