gofish

iTrader: (2)

I have been looking for several months for a nice 3rd gen IROC or Z28 convertible. anything from 1988 - 1992. But recently I have been looking at a few 1993 to 1996's and I am starting to like them. Although my heart is more with a 3rd gen the 4th gen are better priced and have lower mileage.
My biggest concern is with the engine and the 4th gen being a lot more high tech and harder to get to for repairs.

What do you guys think I should do?

TheBlueKnight

iTrader: (4)

If your "heart is more with a 3rd gen" then I say get a 3rd gen. I don't see very many nice 3rd gens rolling around anymore.

RacerXLs1

iTrader: (14)

That's a choice only you can make. I would go with the 4th gen. But thats just me.

Arctic2002ss

Sounds to me like you want a 3rd gen. If I could have several cars, there would be a blue IROC in the collection. 3rd gen LSx conversion are very cool too and I know of 3 here in Dallas. There is one in Texas and on this site that is kick-***. Go for it.

Texfinn

iTrader: (39)

If the 3rd Gen has LSx in it, then go for it. Any discussion about that might even somewhat belong in this section, you know.

Otherwise:



Anyway... Some day I would like to have a nice 3rd Gen, too. Nice ones are quite few and far between nowadays...

Sharpe

iTrader: (7)

Third, if that's what you want.

If you're looking for cheap, I would find the cheapest 99+ LS1 F-body instead of the 93-97.

demarco313

yea man.. it seems like u like 3rd gen. 1991 z28 5.7 Its pretty much stock with 72,000 on it in great shape. But i ran across a 2000 ss that i couldnt pass up on so now i have to camaro's. I still love cruising in it thats why i havent sold it yet but i plan on doin that soon. I love the 3rd gens also!

JScamaro

iTrader: (6)

Depending on how much of a budget you have, I would get a third gen and drop a LS1 in it.

cbonjour

i used to own a 91 rs with a 305 and i loved that car to death. but as many compliments as i got on it, i get more with my 4th gen. people seem to be extremely ditsy and dont appreciate the 3rd gen. they just see an old car, i know its sad. i'm gonna have to say go with a 4th gen. plus you'd get alot more power, and repairs aren't as expensive as you would think.

RaggedRides

iTrader: (8)

The Third-gen Camaro is one I think looks killer in convertible form. I've always wanted a black IROC 'vert. I was tempted to buy a low mile L98 GTA before getting my Camaro.


If something happened to this one and I salvaged the drivetrain, it'd go into either a 3rd gen or an old school.

BlueMagicSS

iTrader: (4)

Like RacerX said... that's a choice only YOU can make... IMO I'd go with a 3rd gen over an LT1 and do an LSx swap... there aren't many nice 3rd gens around.... I'd go for the 3rd gen

gofish

iTrader: (2)

You all make valid points. It's hard to find a nice original 3rd gen. My perfect 3rd gen would be a blue vert with about 50,000miles and original paint,but good luck to me. I would never do and engine swap because I'm not very handy that way. Plus I like keeping them stock other than a nice exhaust and maybe headers. Besides I'm only going to use it to curise around with the wife and kids. My thing is there are alot more availabl in a 4th gen. And I like the way they look just that small engine compartment scares me.
What do you guys think of a 93-96 SS model? Any major issues with the cars?

Texfinn

iTrader: (39)

Out of that year range, 96 was the only year SS's were made.

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

wrong...96 and 97

the 4th gens arent that hard to work on really...

3rdgentug

iTrader: (23)

have you ever worked on an lt1 in a 4th gen???

do a plug change, if your not on the ground youll be cussin!
change an optispank numerous times b/c it gets blamed for everything wrong with those cars when 4/5 times thats not whats wrong

me personally do 98 up or 92 n below!
heres a lil something too:
3rds gen irocs will ride like they are on rails factory
4th gens take some work to handle that well

4th gen ls1 cars are pretty fast esp up top factory
3rd gens l98 cars are all down low torque

you can find both really for about the same price range too!
dont belive me do some reseach nice 3rd gens go for what alot of higher milage ls1 in good shape go for!

so do some research, in the end only you can decide though

oberth1

iTrader: (6)

maint wise the older car will be more of a headache due to age. I had a 85, a 88, and a 90. All suffered from rust. All had electrical problems. MEchanicly, the parts are the same price range, but the technology has evolved such that the newer ones, and all the old problems seemed to get fix that they seem to need much less. my 98 had 150k no problems, and my 99 is running strong. Neither had any rust. The top seals wrecked havoc on floorpans and sometimes frames. The newer ones get better gas mileage and are faster. Dont get me wrong, its easier to shove a small block or big block in an older one in a day ready to run, the more modern ones are a tighter fit, and require computer tuning. Besides, they dont rattle nearly as much. my 2c.

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

i have a 93...its not that big of a deal, and i agree with you saying that the opti gets blamed for any little problem the car has when thats probably not the problem.

Personally i think the lt1 cars are the sleeker looking of the 4th gens and the 98+ can look a little overdone. I still love them all tho

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

thats what im doing.
im a 3rd gen nut,

if u go 4th gen, bypass all the lt1 cars and go strait for the ls cars.
best decision u will ever make

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

4TH GEN for sure. LS1 over a LT1 anyday.

bonanni06

4th gen forsure