New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech - Really wish I 7mo's have passed!!!

Ok so ive been wanting another camaro possibly LT1 or LS1(if price is low) and was wanting to purchase when I came back from my deployment in 7mo's. I search craigslist and I see this!!!!

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/ctd/3096134543.html

Im almost debating on trading in my 09 galant after i get it back from my ex nxt week and finance one instead of buying one cash from private!

That is a _cherry_ car. However, you can get a much better price on a newer model, with more miles. I would suggest finding a 01 or 02 with 120k or so. Should be able to get that for less than 9k in GOOD shape. and you wont have the weak 98 transmission, or the ls1 intake.

only reason I am looking at that is cuz it has low mileage and is worth financing. a 120k car to me is not but thats what im looking for when i get back.

That is a _cherry_ car. However, you can get a much better price on a newer model, with more miles. I would suggest finding a 01 or 02 with 120k or so.

I have to disagree.

I would MUCH rather have a 30k mile '98 in mint condition than your average 120k mile '01+. No question. And this is coming from a guy that currently owns a 103k mile '02, and a 16k mile '98.....so I speak from experience.

I have to disagree.

I would MUCH rather have a 30k mile '98 in mint condition than your average 120k mile '01+. No question. And this is coming from a guy that currently owns a 103k mile '02, and a 16k mile '98.....so I speak from experience.

No doubt :judge: properly maintained low mileage '98 over anything newer w/ 100k. Mine has been great. Bought it w/ 27k and after 6 years now has 41k. Only problems w/ mine was a screaming fuel pump and 1 headlight motor in all this time. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

That is a nice looking camaro for sure. 6 years ago I purchased mine for 12k from a private seller. May have been a little high, but it was a great descision. It was a dead mint car, low miles, never seen a winter, garage kept, Almost every option available minus the WS6 option. I am not up on prices right now since I am not looking for one and mine will be sold when I am dead, that doesn't seem like a bad price from a dealer for an SS.

I agree but with my funds and wanting to mod i might have to settle for a lower mileage lt1 or 100k ls1. Unlessssssssss I get something like i posted, which is exactly what I want cuz 4-5 yrs down the road im getting a 2012+ ss and ill be happy. Praying i made sgt, nxt week is my results!

Nice car for sure, but if your going to have to get financing I would imagine it would almost be just as easy getting financing for a new Camaro vs one that is almost 15 years old.

True but i have a trade in and would prob be in the negative about 2g's. I honestly just want to have one already paid for but if this is still around or anyone like it when i get back it def will be tempting.

Id definetly get that if it wasnt so steep in price.. I picked up my 01' SS with 38k mileage last year for only 11k. Since you won't be back for 7 months which is around feb. I'd suggest holding out.

Yeah i most likely will hold out build some cash and either pay one cash or trade/finance with a big downpayment.

What about a 6.0 gto? I have never seen the trunk in person but it sure looks tiny and i heard they were heavy.

dont spend that much money on a 98.. they have bad computers and cooling issues... one of the worst LS1 years... its the first run of them in the fbody so you know theres gonna be problems..

dont spend that much money on a 98.. they have bad computers and cooling issues... one of the worst LS1 years... its the first run of them in the fbody so you know theres gonna be problems..

:nono:

Internet rumors at their finest.

The cooling systems work fine, not sure what you're talking about. :confused:

The PCMs work fine, but are more difficult to tune for extreme setups. This is a non issue for a stock or bolt-on or even a basic heads/cam car if you have a decent tuner.

Not all the differences about a '98 are negatives. ;)

What about a 6.0 gto? I have never seen the trunk in person but it sure looks tiny and i heard they were heavy.

I think GTO's are awesome, its just all in what your looking for. Yes they are heavier than Fbodys but you can do everything with a GTO that you can with an Fbody.

If your drag racing it will take more power and work. If your looking for a corner carver they are a bit heavier but have IRS. If you want a comfortable street ride with a nicer interior GTO all the way. If you want a cool street ride thats quick either will server you well.

GTO's will cost you a bit more. Fbodys have more of the muscle car feel to them.

Take your pick, which ever one you pick you'll be happy.

A little high on the price. I wouldn't pay more than 10 out the door. I paid 9500 for my 98 with 45k miles 6 years ago.

Yeah camaros should be easily accessible now that the 5th gen came out, 4yrs ago it was impossible to find one at a dealer as they were out the door as soon as they got traded in. Ill look into a GTO when I get back if the moneys right if not ill keep my original plan and keep my DD and have a toy i can tear apart and not have to get fixed ASAP to have something to drive haha. Learned that the hard way changing a clutch in two days to have a car for work with jack stands and a 2ton jack haha

dont spend that much money on a 98.. they have bad computers and cooling issues... one of the worst LS1 years... its the first run of them in the fbody so you know theres gonna be problems..

Prime example of an un-educated tech member :funny:

right.. uneducated... so let me ask you. would you rather start a build with an 02 or a 98? THATS the point im making. if i could have gotten an 01/02 in my range i would have...

And i got the cooling and oiling issues mixed up.

Its not in the design ive always heard that the blocks arent up to par and for crazy builds id rather have the 99+ PCM

I do find it funny that the people defending the 98's both have a 98... im sure you both havnt had issues but 98's have a bad rep.. especially in texas were it gets S**t hot.

right.. uneducated... so let me ask you. would you rather start a build with an 02 or a 98? THATS the point im making. if i could have gotten an 01/02 in my range i would have...

if the 98 was clean and lower mileage, then a '98 for sure. The "problems" you speak of are nothing that would push me towards a newer year. If you research and are mechanically inclined, these cars are cake.


I do find it funny that the people defending the 98's both have a 98... im sure you both havnt had issues but 98's have a bad rep.. especially in texas were it gets S**t hot.

you are right, they do have a bad rep, mostly due to people who haven't dealt with them, and from people who hear something and just repeat it and spread bad info. Ignoring the '98 part for a moment, I see that more and more on these boards over the years of people who don't have a certain part, never worked on it, never seen it, but seem to be able to give reviews. And these reviews are based on only "hearing" something from someone else and just repeating it. (not talking about you, just in general)

yea for sure i get your frustration... I havnt owned a 98 personally... my 00 has basic issues (Dumb LS1 intake) and the notoriously crappy LS1 PCV.. i can however from first hand experience say that anything thats not an LT1 is great.. i had a 95 and a 97 and hated them both. Hell i sold my 97 z28 vert that had 50k on it just so i could buy my 98k mile 00. So as long as the OP stays away from the soul devouring LT1's he will be happy..

right.. uneducated... so let me ask you. would you rather start a build with an 02 or a 98?

Which ever one was in better cosmetic condition. ;) The '98s are older, so their price is lower, so you can sometimes get more for your money. The differences that you seem to be concerned about are not major concerns to me at all.

And i got the cooling and oiling issues mixed up.

Its not in the design ive always heard that the blocks arent up to par and for crazy builds id rather have the 99+ PCM.

The block and PCM is fine for the build level that most people intend. Only real concern would be the rod bolts if your going to spin past 64-6500.

I do find it funny that the people defending the 98's both have a 98...

Did you also notice that I currently have an '02 as well? And I've also had a '99 and '00. And I'm here to tell you that there is nothing magically better about my '02 at all, in my experience. People over-hype the differences, it's not that big of a deal really. The '02 came with a weaker flexplate, a dummy temp gauge, a noisier Torsen rear, and a bubbling roof panel...none of these issues with a '98 (unless your '98 was built in 05/98 or later, then it too will have the roof problem).

im sure you both havnt had issues but 98's have a bad rep.. especially in texas were it gets S**t hot.

Not sure what the heat has to do with it? Like I said, there is nothing wrong with the cooling system on a '98.

my 00 has basic issues (Dumb LS1 intake) and the notoriously crappy LS1 PCV.

The LS1 intake isn't an "issue", there is nothing problematic with it, it just won't flow as well as the LS6. It's not a mechanical weakness though.

And the LS1 PCV system isn't any better on an '01+ than it is on your '00.

if the 98 was clean and lower mileage, then a '98 for sure. The "problems" you speak of are nothing that would push me towards a newer year.....

....you are right, they do have a bad rep, mostly due to people who haven't dealt with them, and from people who hear something and just repeat it and spread bad info.

Agreed. :nod:

Just to be clear, as a person that has owned every model year of these cars (other than '01), I'm well aware of the fact that some improvements were made over the years, and that there are in fact some advantages to the newer models. No dispute there. But these things are not huge IMO, and I'm also well aware of some negative things with the newer models as well (some that I listed above).

There are also certain colors that were not available for all model years, so this may be another factor that matters to some.

I'd take the 98. Yes I have one, not defending it for that sole reason either. On my hunt, I found 01-02's that were just as clean as my 98, but my 98 was what I could afford.

The 98 computers can be problematic...to A tuner that doesn't know what to do with them. In the hands of a good tuner, the 98 computers can handle anything a newer one can.