Chapel

Hi, this is my first post.
I've found a 1998 Z28 6spd for $8000. It's a nice car, but has 100k miles.
I'm really only familiar with old BMWs (which, for the record, are very very reliable)
I figure the Small Block Chevy V8 has to be mechanically reliable, but what other things could go wrong with a 100k mile car like this?

What things should I be looking at before I purchase one?
if there's a FAQ on purchasing these, could someone point me in the right direction? I didn't see anything when I searched.
Thanks in advance

GrandmasterCow

iTrader: (5)

check oil changes, check oil pump, tires, electrical system, look in rear drivers quarter for a dent, if theres one, good chance the car was beaten. happened to mine after going to the track a few times.

Chapel

a dent from what exactly?

waveoff

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, enlighten us. Mine has a dent in that very spot! The paint is cracked there as well...as if something was flexing the metal there. I know the previous owner(s) had to beat on my car. Like I mentioned before, the tranny was pretty much shot right off the bat when I got it. Not to mention when I went over a bump a ticket fell out from under the center console...it said "Orlando World Speedway" on it. So, to whoever used to own this car...**** YOU for not taking better care of it. I'm going to the dragstrip...

ftwZ28guy

what he's saying is to look for what looks like a crease on the rear quarter panels, usually right above the middle of the wheel well. It's caused by the chassis flexing when someone launches hard with it alot, especially if they don't have sub-frame connectors installed.

Chapel

Does the car flex there?
Is it something from drag racing?

ACW

Yep
"It's caused by the chassis flexing when someone launches hard with it alot"

Chapel

aha. yeesh.
And there's a fix for this? (not that I plan on twisting the car on a launch...)

ACW

Well, it's a lot easier to prevent it beforehand (by installing subframe connectors) than to try to fix it after the damage has already been done. (Personally, I'd say make that one of the first things you buy after getting the car if it doesn't already have them.) And as the other people said, if a car shows those signs of being driven hard, it's possible that there's also other less-obvious damage / excessive wear.

HotWhipT/A

iTrader: (31)

Danm....mine has that crease in the qrt. panel. Anyways....mines got 117000 now and it's just fine.

Ghostintheshell

yeah, mine has the little dents as well...

Mine isn't showing any other signs of wear though.. tranny is good, and there aren't any weird noises yet...

*crosses fingers*

radio626active

100,000 miles is fine. Your window motors, and little annoying things will break long before the engine, if it was well maintained. Its no rule but most cars with 100,000 miles on them cant be lemons, they made it to 100,000 miles! Make sure the trans and rear are seem 100% normal! Maybe even get a mechanic to check it out.
8K is alright for a M6 but shop around. You maybe able to find another with lower miles for the same price or less. However if you like something and think its worth it, then it prob is! If your concerned about breakdowns get a mechanic to check it out, its worth every penny........or bring soemone who owns a fbody with you!

CommanderCamaro

I have a 98 6spd with 132,000 and the car is sound. Just noticed the first signs of clutch slippage so, that's going to have to be changed. And it is the original clutch. The engine has a pinging/tinging noice around 3k rpm, but I've noticed in the posts that LS1's with much less mileage have the same problem. So, that's not an issue. All else is great on the car.