Skeptic68W

Hello guys,

I used to own a 2002 Z28 automatic that I modified some and had a lot of fun with but I ended up getting bored of the auto and sold it a couple years ago. After spending a few years tinkering with motorcycles I think I might be ready to buy another f-body and would prefer a manual but I'm not sure what my budget of $5000 buys these days.

I know when I sold my Z a couple years ago you couldn't get a manual in good condition (mechanically and visually) for less than about 8-9k. Is that still the case?

I have of course checked the sales forum and the local craigslist but without visually going to check these cars out I don't really know what kind of condition they are in. Can anyone who's bought an ls1 for 5k lately chime in?

Thanks,
Skeptic

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

prices continue to depreciate , its been 2 years since my last purchase , no winters 130k 98 z a4 , perf axle , loaded car , needed a couple panels painted $2000 had 3k in it painted , bone stock we have been driving the wheels off it.

previous to that bought 3 over the last 4 years with most bolt ons all between 3200 & 3800 1 m6 (11.9@ 11 as bought $3800 prominent car in my sig) 2 a4's the stalled one I still have went 12.1 @112 as bought ($3200 w 172k) the other one was also 3200 168k never got it to the track ran it a year and a half sold it for 3k.

Theres a couple a4 cars in eastern section for 3 grand and change now.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

$5k won't get you much in my region, all examples will be about ~100k miles and up, likely need some work or at least maintenance to be caught up on, and also likely have some undercarriage and engine bay rust. Everything is expensive here though. All depends on your standards as well - one person's definition of "nice" may not be the same as someone else's.

NC01TA

IMO $5,000 will buy you T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
I believe you are right about your 'good' assessment (mechanically and visually) at that $8,000 starting point. Even that's iffy for a 6 speed like you want. As RPM WS6 mentioned, the definition of 'good' is subjective as well. Good to me is an F-body probably valued at over $12k while others feel their salvage title F-bodies with 100k miles are 'good'. Each individual has different thoughts on this.
Another factor is what work can you do yourself vs a shop??

Mappinsj

You're looking for a car with a very desirable transmission. You will pay a less desirable price for it

Skeptic68W

I'm not completely restricted to a 6 speed car, I'd just greatly prefer one. I will most certainly buy a nice condition automatic over a ragged 6 speed.

From what I can tell here in the midwest, 5000 indeed buys trouble, at least in 6 speed cars. There does seem to be plenty of autos that appear to be in nice condition for that money but I can't say for sure since I've not seen them in person.

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

I bought a slightly haggered 6-speed for just shy of 6 grand last year. But it's also a SoCal car and has zero rust.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

for 5k id be looking at an lt1 vehicle and get ready to spend a ton for repairs.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Not sure where you are in the midwest, but here in the great lakes region (specifically Chicago) you can't even get a "nice" A4 car for $5k. I've been in the market lately, and there isn't anything that fits my definition of good/nice for much under $8k....and that's just the A4 cars (I don't have any interest in the M6s so I haven't been looking at those), and they are only entry-level "nice". Frankly, here in Chicago I can't even find a nice LT1 A4 car for under $5k. There are a few that are "decent" for $4500-4900, but they need visual work and have enough miles to likely need some mechanical work/maintenance as well.

But again, my standards are high because I don't want to deal with any rust so the only local cars I'm willing to consider have been stored in the winter and are pretty low mileage. High miles might not be so bad if you're getting a car from the southwest.

In general, pictures lie. You really need to see a car in person to get a feel for its condition. Only top-tier cars will appear as good or better in person than their pictures; average cars will almost always look worse in person.

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

5k is a tight budget, I mean you can find LS Fbodies for that but you'll need to be patient.

Skeptic68W

There are tons of LT1 cars around but I'm not interested in one of those. I might end up with another fun car that's not an f-body if I can't get something that's even decent in this range. Like I said, I haven't been to see any of them but I've not seen anything that didn't need something.

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

I bought a 2002 WS6 6 speed for $3900 here, cosmetically it sucks, and it needs exhaust, has 131k miles. But, I wanted a six speed something fierce, and couldn't afford 10k+, so if you are ok with putting in the work and parts...get into trouble.

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

find somebodys baby that has been commuted a lot , I have had great luck in f bodies ,w bodies ,gm trucks all with high miles *only buy high miles if the condition looks more like 50k miles then you will find the best bang for the buck.

My $3800 6 speed car in my sig I have run for 5 seasons now , repairs to date: front rotors & pads , drivers window motor , racetronics fuel pump ( stock one croaked first day out after winter storage this spring) fluids , spark plugs that's it came with the mods listed and thousands in stereo equipment to boot. I added the staggered vette wheels with 295/45/18 nittos in the rear 245/17's front ( came off a v6 car I bought for a grand to get the wheels& tires) I constantly have people at gas stations , grocery stores etc say that thing cant have many miles on it then stun them when I say it has 245,000 on it.

Firebrian

In my area I've seen decent A4's Z28's and SS's with 55K to 75K miles in the $6K to $8K range...but not very often. Figure another $2K for a WS6. And then another $1K-$2K for a nicely functioning M6. I've not really seen a decent M6 with under 80K miles for less than $8K. As always, if you're the first one to see a car where the owner believes KBB or NADA are accurate, you can save a few grand. I think KBB lists a 15K mile '98/'99 SS A4 or M6 for approx $9K. Good luck with that.

In mind unless you're a very sharp buyer with a great eye and feel like Murphinator, then it's probably best to consider a well kept $10K car with much less miles, than a beat down $5K car. Too often you'll end up paying $5K in repairs for that difference. Fwiw, I sold my 2 owner '98 Z28 A4 with 115K miles for $3K back in 2009. That would have been a good car for someone to buy. It drove great and didn't need more than suspension work and AC repairs. Good values are out there from time to time if you wait and look.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Even once the $5k car is fixed up, the $10k car will usually still look nicer due to less cosmetic wear in the first place.

Furthermore, IMO there is nothing worse than fighting with rust when doing repairs, and high mile/cheap cars are going to need repairs. It's worth it to pay the premium to get a car without rust, unless of course you plan to drive it in the winter yourself.

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

Whether a high miler like I am suggesting for value for the dollar or a lower mile car the main key I have found is to be on all the forms of classifieds constantly while your looking , have cash in hand and a means to get it home all of my Camaro finds were letting seller know I had truck ,trailer , and cash and on my way 2 were from cl and 2 were from ls1 tech of the 4 4th gens I have had.

I was just poking around craigs list local to me and found an m6
with 55k for 7500 not a fan of the hood

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/5232732217.html

& 63k a4 car for 5800 not a fan of the factory body kit

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/5227486692.html

low miles cars like these in the northeast typically turn out to be no winters or limited winter use , found a couple nice 6 speed cars too but nothing decent in your general range.

On the other end of the spectrum 98 formula a4 188k on the road but needing some basic mechanicals , 02 sensor , brakes , 1 tire etc... for 2400

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5250823395.html

if I had cash freed up right now I would be all over this one trying to get it for 2k engine/trans/harness/pcm is worth more than asking and it looks decent enough in pics. Anytime you can buy a car worth more in parts than purchase price you cant really go wrong...

then there is this 6 speed 6 litre torboed ss for 7k , chrome z28 wheels make me wonder if its a clone...

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/5257397173.html

CO99Z28Vert

iTrader: (30)

There is no perfect science to finding good deals.
Hell I sold my 99 6 speed Z28 with a new 427 for 6k only because I found the Denali I wanted and needed the cash fast!

Anyways just keep looking and don't settle for the first thing that pops up.

sawblade99Z

iTrader: (1)

Last year I bought a 2000 Firehawk w/ a T56 for $5200. It was mechanically sound with 160k on it. But cosmetically, every panel needed attention somewhere. Whether it was a key mark or clear peeling, it would have needed a full repaint to be right in my eyes. But I didn't care about that...all I wanted was the MWC 9" that was in it. So I bought a 3.42 gear 10 bolt, swapped it in, and flipped the car for $6800. A little of my time, a little cash in my pocket, and a ~$5000+ rear end for free. It can be done. Especially if you're willing to travel. Join the F-body craigslist page on Facebook. I've seen better deals there than anywhere else.