Your opinions please, i really need help here
03-23-2007, 07:04 PM
#1
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Your opinions please, i really need help here found a 1998 trans am, t-tops, leather, automatic, with 42K miles, for 11K. my dad refuses to even consider the car because he says that it is too old and that he would never trust a car so old. please, you guys are some of the most knowledgeable car forums members, please, give me some way to show to my dad that a 98' trans am is NOT a bad car based on it's age. Thanks guys
03-23-2007, 07:43 PM
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damn its 9 years old... i never really thought about that. tell him too look at all the old muscle cars people keep around and how they are holding up 
but take him for a ride like SIC said, he should change his mind then. seems like a good price too and low miles for a 98
but take him for a ride like SIC said, he should change his mind then. seems like a good price too and low miles for a 98
03-23-2007, 07:45 PM
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lol...yea, that motor will outlive the both of you if u take care of it!!! my 99 had 42k when i got it a year and a half ago..strong as ****...but just make sure its what YOU want
03-23-2007, 07:57 PM
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98 really isn't that old. Try looking up maybe general FAQ's about the f-bodies or questions people on forums ask before buying (Is this a reliable car? etc). That should help convince him possibly.
03-23-2007, 08:07 PM
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'98 with 42k miles is hardly old, IMO.
An '89 with 142k miles would be old...LOL.
LS1s hold up great if maintained properly; just look at many of the members on this site with high mileage cars. 42k miles is nothing, and being 9 years old really doesn't mean much to me. I'd reserve judgement until after I had seen and driven the car.
And as far as "never trusting a car so old", I daily drive my '96 Bonneville 75 miles per day without a second thought. The L36 motor in that car is very much like the LS1 in terms of longevity....take care of it, and it'll run for as long as you want it to.
An '89 with 142k miles would be old...LOL.
LS1s hold up great if maintained properly; just look at many of the members on this site with high mileage cars. 42k miles is nothing, and being 9 years old really doesn't mean much to me. I'd reserve judgement until after I had seen and driven the car.
And as far as "never trusting a car so old", I daily drive my '96 Bonneville 75 miles per day without a second thought. The L36 motor in that car is very much like the LS1 in terms of longevity....take care of it, and it'll run for as long as you want it to.
03-23-2007, 08:41 PM
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Do not dount the LS1, The LS1 will last forever, your dad should be more worried a teenager (i assume, sorry if I am wrong) with a 300 RWHP car. If you do get it, remember its not a toy and its still 3400 pounds of metal moving very fast, so be responsible.
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03-23-2007, 09:11 PM
#8
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My car is a 98' with 105,000 on it. Maintenance so far has included:
Transmission swap under warrantee due to defective syncro
Bad A.I.R. (pumps?)
Slave cylinder died resulting in $800+ repair
Driver's side window motor replaced this week
Water pump replaced
Misc plastic interior pieces went kablooie such as the piece that hold the shift boot in place.
Other than that I've done regular maintenance and fluid changes as recommended. I'm still on the original brakes and just about done with my third change of tires to give you an idea of my driving habits- not overly aggressive plus a lot of highway miles. The car still runs and drives like the day I bought it new.
If taken care of you've found a nice car, but that's the kicker: was the car taken care of well? There's always the chance the car you're looking at still has the original oil in it and has been neglected maintenance wise. Run a carfax on it and have a mechanic you trust look it over to verify it's been well maintained and seems consistant with the mileage advertised.
Neither I nor my dad would hesitate to by a 98' with such low mileage if it was in excellent condition. Good luck!
Transmission swap under warrantee due to defective syncro
Bad A.I.R. (pumps?)
Slave cylinder died resulting in $800+ repair
Driver's side window motor replaced this week
Water pump replaced
Misc plastic interior pieces went kablooie such as the piece that hold the shift boot in place.
Other than that I've done regular maintenance and fluid changes as recommended. I'm still on the original brakes and just about done with my third change of tires to give you an idea of my driving habits- not overly aggressive plus a lot of highway miles. The car still runs and drives like the day I bought it new.
If taken care of you've found a nice car, but that's the kicker: was the car taken care of well? There's always the chance the car you're looking at still has the original oil in it and has been neglected maintenance wise. Run a carfax on it and have a mechanic you trust look it over to verify it's been well maintained and seems consistant with the mileage advertised.
Neither I nor my dad would hesitate to by a 98' with such low mileage if it was in excellent condition. Good luck!
03-23-2007, 10:20 PM
#9
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I'm almost 18 and am about to graduate highschool, this will be my graduation/birthday present and believe me, from experience i know what it means to be stupid and reckless in a car. i am fully aware of consequences caused by ones actions and because of this, i am a very responsible/safe driver. My current car is a caddie eldorado with about 345hp at the wheels so the amount of horsepower isn't an issue. he just wants to find a good "newer" car with decent miles for a good price. thanks guys for your help. anymore suggestions would be very appreciated.
03-23-2007, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Apoxi
My current car is a caddie eldorado with about 345hp at the wheels so the amount of horsepower isn't an issue.
03-23-2007, 10:30 PM
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ported/polished heads, full exhaust, custom CAI. neved dyno'ed but i am coming up with the numbers from someone i know that has a very similar setup and had their car dyno'ed
Last edited by Apoxi; 03-23-2007 at 10:52 PM.
03-23-2007, 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Apoxi
ported/polished heads, full exhaust, custom CAI. neved dyno'ed but i am coming up with the numbers from someone i know that has a very similar setup and had their car dyno'ed oh, and it's purple not like gay stupid purple, it's a dark,almost black, purple
not like gay stupid purple, it's a dark,almost black, purple
I really like the Northstar-era of Eldos, and it sounds like yours is set up well. Hopefully you can keep that car as a daily driver once you get an LS1. 
03-24-2007, 09:25 AM
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That '98 is a great deal with just 42K on it. I would get that thing for sure. Old?? Whatever! Age doesn't make a car old, IMO, miles make a car old. I would rather have a 98 with 40K than an 02 with 100K.
