Just turned over 75,000 mi. on my 2000 SS
#1
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
Just turned over 75,000 mi. on my 2000 SS
Bought it brand new April 2000. Just turned over 75,000 mi. Paint still looks fresh. No rattles or squeaks. car is very tight, with my mods it drives much better than stock. Wouldn't change a thing except a little more power. Will do a cam upgrade sometime. She's not my DD but a fun week-end ride. 5 spoke SLP chrome wheels still shine like new. Never had a problem besides a window motor that was replaced under warrenty. Can't understand why anyone would hate on these cars, she's light and nimble, no whine from the 9" gears and the 3.89's really mak a big difference.
Anyone else have a pristine 4th gen they bought new or close with milage around mine? what do you think of yours?
Anyone else have a pristine 4th gen they bought new or close with milage around mine? what do you think of yours?
#2
LS1Tech Administrator
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
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Of the two that I still have, I bought the '98 when it was almost still new (11k miles). It has been driven sparingly, only for show purposes and therefore is still in near-new condition even now.
The '02 was my daily driver for several years, I bought that one when it was just a few years old as well. It has over 100k on it now, but most people can't tell by looking at it.
I agree very much with this:
They've been great cars. Wish I could still buy more of them new; they're simple, powerful, not loaded with gadgets and junk that I couldn't care less about, and t-tops are great! I think a lot of the complaints that we see now are due to the fact that most of these cars have some pretty high mileage, have had several owners and possibily questionable maintanence, and are simply getting older and wearing out. The well kept examples seem to still have some very satisfied owners though.
#3
TECH Senior Member
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original owner here, sadly it took a beating from being outside but i finally have it looking AND running great again.
i added konis and it rides firm. very solid. no rattles or squeaks after i had my exhaust bushings replaced.
4.10s whine slightly but even my stock 3.23s werent dead silent.
while i dont prefer to DD 4th gens anymore ill never sell mine.
i added konis and it rides firm. very solid. no rattles or squeaks after i had my exhaust bushings replaced.
4.10s whine slightly but even my stock 3.23s werent dead silent.
while i dont prefer to DD 4th gens anymore ill never sell mine.
#4
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
Mine sat outside for the first 10 years but with a SLP car cover over it. The car covers lasted about 3 years, I'm on my 3rd one but it sets in a garage now. She still shines. The bubbles on the roof aren't any worse than they were after about 2 years... there is just a small line of 'um down the center of the roof...
#6
Pontiacerator
iTrader: (12)
People have bagged on these cars for poor quality etc., but they have stood the test of time. There are some well-known issues, but overall, they are dead reliable, resilient when beaten on, and capable of racking up very high miles. The paint is extremely durable, interiors hold up well if cared for, and squeaks and rattles can usually be searched out and easily fixed.
With the help of LS1Tech, even vexing problems like cracking Firebird door panels can be addressed before they occur. My cars are 11 and 13 years old, 89k and 122k, and get compliments all the time.
With the help of LS1Tech, even vexing problems like cracking Firebird door panels can be addressed before they occur. My cars are 11 and 13 years old, 89k and 122k, and get compliments all the time.
#7
TECH Fanatic
Mine has 86,000 miles on it. I keep everything well maintained. Other than some frosting of the paint on the lower fender panels, it is as good as new.
And it is my daily driver.
Getting another new set of tires next week. Put new Bilsteins on it this summer and replaced the sway bar links. Handles better than new.
Any time that there is an indication of part failure, I fix it. You can keep a vehicle going for a long time that way.
Hell, my wife's F150 has 135,000 miles on it and all I have ever done is change the oil, gas filter, and clean the air and MAF.
And it is my daily driver.
Getting another new set of tires next week. Put new Bilsteins on it this summer and replaced the sway bar links. Handles better than new.
Any time that there is an indication of part failure, I fix it. You can keep a vehicle going for a long time that way.
Hell, my wife's F150 has 135,000 miles on it and all I have ever done is change the oil, gas filter, and clean the air and MAF.
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#8
TECH Junkie
I also am the original owner but only half the miles. I never abuse my car and it has returned mostly just pure pleasure. No rattles or abuse issues. Sure I take it on spirited runs, like the LS1 is intended for, but certainly not anything extreme.
I also bought a new '96 Formula and it treated me just as well. Owned it for 9 years and the LT1 was flawless. I always laughed at Consumer Reports which gave my poor Formula all black marks (avoid at all costs). Yeah, right
I also bought a new '96 Formula and it treated me just as well. Owned it for 9 years and the LT1 was flawless. I always laughed at Consumer Reports which gave my poor Formula all black marks (avoid at all costs). Yeah, right
#9
My car is an 01 with 78K on it. Car has been extremely great and reliable even since added h/c/i/e. I did have a window motor, rear end issues that were all fixed years ago under warranty. I just had a guy in an F150 stop me at stop light and ask what years the car was, he couldn't believe how great it looked and sounded. Paint looks amazing still (although she sits in garage now). I do have a slight rattle but it started after adding my TD's and cam. Exhaust is very loud causing things like change to vibrate in my cup holder as well. My only complaint would have to be the bubbling sail panel. In certain light it looks terrible. I need to get replaced but I don't know of anyone selling them.
GREAT CAR OVERALL!!!
GREAT CAR OVERALL!!!
#10
TECH Fanatic
My NBM SS had 82k, was a well-maintained car but got driven a ton. Never had an issue except for the starter going out, didn't really squeak or rattle much either. My garage queen SOM SS has 17k as of today and actually rides/feels almost the same as my old car, just way cleaner. I think these cars are pretty solid, not sure why people hate on them so much.
#12
I don't have a LS1 car but a LT1 with 95 miles and still runs great with no squeaks, rattles , drives good. The car is garage stored and it is not my dd, either.. Plans of the winter is to do a head and cam swap.. I do have a 5.3 litre here on a engine stand with 145k on it the cylinder walls are in great shape, no signs of a ridge anywhere. That motor will be going turbo next year in a 2wd truck..