91ChevyRS

I am buying (hopefully) a low mileage 1998 Trans Am within the next month or so. It's got 64k miles on the clock, runs basically like new, pristine condition inside and out. Asking price $9500

I am not worried about any, explosion in the face problems. I know a little bit about LS1s and such, kinds of engines they are, what they can take.

It's got the 4L60E tranny, and as long as it's more reliable then the 700R4 tranny I shouldn't have a problem with it. I plan on babying this car, but when the power is needed, it will be applied.

I heard the 98s were one of the best years for the LS1 engines. Again...64k miles, oil changes always on time.

axelgrease

JUNK DOnt get one

98LS1Formula

iTrader: (23)

pointless comments , must be a Ford fan........................

other than weak 10 bolts, piston slap, cheap interior pieces and the usual risk of being beaten on because its a sports car, they are great! Get one!

And 98s arent the best compared to the later years but its nothing that cant easily and cheaply remedy'd

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

I have a buddy with a '98 'bird, and he's not had any issues with it. He's 'bird is lower-mileaged too.

If it's as nice a car as you describe, then I'd buy it if that is the car you want.

NC01TA

The prior owners?? Oil changes on time are good but was the car raced a lot?? Find out. Do a little homework before laying out close to $10,000. You don't need aggravation after a hefty purchase. I think you can do a bit better than the asking price as well. $8500 or less would be closer to reality unless it is an absolutely babied, garaged kept gem. Good luck! They are great cars if not abused.

Silver02TA

iTrader: (6)

well if he's a Ford fan, he certainly knows about some junk.

that's why I got out of my 2001 Mustang GT that i bought brand new and had more problems with then I felt like dealing with. no problems at all with my T/A

bgbrd

I'd negotiate that price. I got a 98 t/a a4 with 26000 mi for $8700 garage kept

dj2005

iTrader: (3)

My '98 has 85k miles and have had no problems yet (then again, I've bought it when it had 80k).

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

get a 99-02 instead...the computers are different for the 98 year.....although if thats all u can afford..it will be fine.[i wouldn't purchase a 97 vette either because first years[LS1] generally don't work out as well until the bugs are out....History PROVES this to any Naysayers.]

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

No piston slap on 98's, seems to be a later model issue. Also, no oil usage, again, later issue apparently. The only issue I had that was 98 related was the AC compressor doesnt shut off fast enough at WOT, that can be fixed with tuning.

Do you have any experiance with a 98? They can be tuned just as well.

Silver02TA

iTrader: (6)

not everyone can steal one like a select few manage to do...

Raleigh TA

iTrader: (13)

Bought my '98 with 40,000 miles on it. I've done very minor repairs, moderate maintenance, and just flipped 192,000 miles. I put a serpentine belt at 160K, FTRA, Whisper lid/K&N, and TSP exhaust, new NGK plugs/Taylor wires at 180K, a couple of batteries, but original everything else including clutch, tranny, and rear end. If that is not reliable, nothing is! Change oil 4-8K miles. ALWAYS starts on first try! Never leaves me wanting for HP. I sometimes have some hesitation at very low speeds, but the back fell off my MAF and I will replace it sooner or later.

I am sure I still have around 300 horses, and that could increase with a tune.

With that said, $9,500 for a '98 should be negotiated, but it is not a bad deal. Don't let anyone tell you the '98 T/A is substandard. The LS1 is what you make of it, and I understand that the cam in the '98 was a bit larger than 99-02.

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

Precisely....prices for our cars seem to vary greatly depending on your location.

'98's seem to get a bad rap, but they're not THAT bad. There are plenty of them around, so I wouldn't let what others say discourage you from purchasing one.

mcG

iTrader: (1)

as with any car purchase, i always check the carfax report as well as the blue book value (kbb.com)

jman0322

iTrader: (6)

The only problem I had with mine was the T56 clutch system which was definitely inferior before 2001 and the one your looking at is an auto so you should be cool. $9500 isn't bad but I only paid $7500 for mine but it had more miles on it.

FLA02TA

iTrader: (5)

Window motors and headlight gears come to mind.

But mine, and most people I see around here, seem to have them break at around 40k. Maybe the prior owner went through the BS already.

91ChevyRS

Here to answer the questions,

first off the car is in pristine condition. Oil changes were always punctual and he has taken overall good care of it.

It's got a nice exhaust tone to it without it being too loud. Overall it's a healthy looking care that could easily be driven for another 100k before any problems should occur.

The owner is actually my brother so you can take a wild guess on how much I know about the car. Only issues he has had with it during the time he has owned it is just that the brakes clacked at one point, and I believe one of his power window motors is going out.

He bought the car with 42k miles on it, and he put over 20k on it within the year he has owned it.

I hope to score a test drive within the next month or so and see how I will like it. It's pretty much 60 percent official so far, I just have to do some sorting crap now.

I do have one question though, being the way I described the car, how much hp at the wheels would you think it would have? Absolute worst I would say is 275-280whp with the best being somewhere in the 300s. The car has been taken care of like I said previously, and with 65k miles I wouldn't expect a grand parasitic loss.

The only feedback I can give you guys, is that I sat in the car, and everything is just so easily accessible and so comfortable (I think) it's definitely a more sportier ride than my car is, the pedal isn't as heavy (I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but there's definitely more room to mash the thing)

The whole car is just good looking and nice, and I love riding in it (although I have yet to experience the true potential of the car) still though, first time I rode in it, I pooped my pants at what the car did at a measley half throttle. So in shorter words, it's fast from the passenger perspective.

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

NO..but all I have heard for 2 years here is that the 98's have a DIFFERENT COMPUTER....and they are more difficult to tune..

mulletwearingtadrive

iTrader: (10)

I have a 98 Transam and I love it

Rancor352

iTrader: (3)

I think that you should buy what you can afford and like, regardless of any issues the 98 may or may not have its still cool and it still has a good engine.