thinking about a 99 ss
12-07-2007, 03:29 AM
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thinking about a 99 ss ok i am in the market for another fbody. however with all i know now i wanted to get a 01 or 02. I have always been a fan of the ss. Now i have come up on a sale of a 99 ss with only 21k miles 6sp for 15k. I know the differences but should i go look at it or wait for something else? i prefered a 6sp to.fine with color too.
12-07-2007, 04:02 AM
#2
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I would pass, if the 01'-02' SS is what you intentionally wanted, get the 01'-02' SS. It'll haunt you for the rest of your life if you buy that 99' SS. Because, whenever you see a 01'-02 SS for sale, you're going to be thinking in the back of your mind, coulda', woulda' shoulda'. Know what I mean? Plus, anyways, it ain't much difference in price between a 99' and 01'-02 SS. Also, if I was you, I wait just a little bit longer, because prices should be dropping pretty soon, now that the new Camaro is coming.
12-07-2007, 06:33 AM
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I would buy it.
There is nothing special about an '01/'02 car at all. Once you put an LS6 intake on a '99 car, you've bascially got the same car. All the other differences are very minor, and really won't matter whether you keep the car mostly stock or go for heavy mods.
An LS1 SS is an LS1 SS, period. The more important part is getting the trans type, color, mileage, and condition that you really want.
There is nothing special about an '01/'02 car at all. Once you put an LS6 intake on a '99 car, you've bascially got the same car. All the other differences are very minor, and really won't matter whether you keep the car mostly stock or go for heavy mods.
An LS1 SS is an LS1 SS, period. The more important part is getting the trans type, color, mileage, and condition that you really want.
12-07-2007, 07:14 AM
#4
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I absolutely would not pass that up. I have been shopping for a WS6 for my wife and it's brutal here in the north east. Every car I find is either over 18K in price or over 60K in miles.
You found a good car for a good price. And just like RPM WS6 said, the only major difference between 99 and 01 is the LS6 intake that's worth maybe 7-10 rwhp. You can buy a SLP LS6 intake brand new for $450. Now compare that to the 18-22K you might have to pay for a 01 or 02 SS with low miles and you're saving thousands by buying this 99 SS and adding the aftermarket intake.
Good luck.
You found a good car for a good price. And just like RPM WS6 said, the only major difference between 99 and 01 is the LS6 intake that's worth maybe 7-10 rwhp. You can buy a SLP LS6 intake brand new for $450. Now compare that to the 18-22K you might have to pay for a 01 or 02 SS with low miles and you're saving thousands by buying this 99 SS and adding the aftermarket intake.
Good luck.
12-07-2007, 07:38 AM
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I would buy it.
There is nothing special about an '01/'02 car at all. Once you put an LS6 intake on a '99 car, you've bascially got the same car. All the other differences are very minor, and really won't matter whether you keep the car mostly stock or go for heavy mods.
An LS1 SS is an LS1 SS, period. The more important part is getting the trans type, color, mileage, and condition that you really want.
There is nothing special about an '01/'02 car at all. Once you put an LS6 intake on a '99 car, you've bascially got the same car. All the other differences are very minor, and really won't matter whether you keep the car mostly stock or go for heavy mods.
An LS1 SS is an LS1 SS, period. The more important part is getting the trans type, color, mileage, and condition that you really want.
I agree 100%.
There is nothing special about the 01/02 SS compaired to the 99 your looking at. Change the intake and paint the side mirors and thats it.
At that milage, price, and condition it sounds like a great buy. I would not pass that up.
12-07-2007, 09:24 AM
#6
Sound like a great buy! Why do you prefer and 01/02 is the question? Its the same car dont let the year scare you. a 01 or 02 with 21k or less will sell for more than 15k. You should also offer the person 13000-13500 to start the bartering. Maybe you snag it for that right away. Its a reasonable offer which is always better than trying to low ball someone if your trying to barter. Call your insurance agent and find out what value they attach to it if you get totalled. Check NADA as well, good place for real prices.
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12-07-2007, 09:54 AM
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1) Who cares about the mirrors? That's an opinion thing anyway, personally I like the black mirrors better as do some others. Not to mention, if the car happens to be black than this is a non issue anyway.
2) 241 vs 853 heads means nothing on a stock motor. Maybe 3-5hp. Once you port the heads, it's all the same.
3) '98-'00 cam is the bigger cam, the '01/'02 have a smaller cam spec'ed a little more towards low end torque.
4) '00+ exhaust manifolds are no big deal. If you plan to keep the car stock, you won't feel the difference from this, and if you plan to mod you'll be getting headers anyway so this is another non-issue.
5) I've owned a '98, '99, '00, and '02 LS1. Let me tell you, the '02 is nothing drastically special over the other years, just feels a little more peppy down low. Otherwise, the '02 is actually my least favorite year. It's got WAY more piston slap than my earlier year cars, the rear-view mirror sucks, the interior pattern on the cloth seats isn't as nice as the '98/'99s, the window trim is cheaper and sun damages easier than the pre-'00 ones, and the '01/'02 cars have a weaker flexplate stock.
So there you have it. From the *current* owner of a '98 AND '02 LS1, and even I think the '02 car is not any better overall than the older model.
12-07-2007, 10:02 AM
#10
Agreed with everything RPM said. King Nothing is either being sarcastic or he's a moron. 2000's do not dyno higher (even, like, 1-2 hp) than 99 or 98s.
The only thing good about 2000+ is the ebony leather instead of charcol.
IIRC, the fastest bone stock F-Body is a '98 Z28.
I would only pass on '98s because there is a stigma against them. It's not well founded, just Internet bias. Just like the bull **** about the 01, 02's.
If that's the car for you, get it. If you're really that in love with the idea of a 01-02, then wait. Simple as that.
The only thing good about 2000+ is the ebony leather instead of charcol.
IIRC, the fastest bone stock F-Body is a '98 Z28.
I would only pass on '98s because there is a stigma against them. It's not well founded, just Internet bias. Just like the bull **** about the 01, 02's.
If that's the car for you, get it. If you're really that in love with the idea of a 01-02, then wait. Simple as that.
12-07-2007, 10:07 AM
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thanks RPM, you make me feel better about my recent transition from an '02 Z to a '00 Formula, i do agree about the piston slap, my '02 had tons and my '00 is quiet as can be, to me the only 'better' thing is the ls6 clutch, i say that from driving both, this stock ls1 clutch in the formula is soft as hell, and by the way i have a book from SA design showing dyno's between the ls1 intake and the ls6, the ls6 makes more hp up top while the ls1 makes more torque down low, just some food for thought
12-07-2007, 10:56 AM
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wut i like over the 01^s are the steering wheel,ls6 intake,slightly bigger injectors,clutch, and whatever was revised with the clutch over previous years. Which all these things are little things. I just want to get a clean, unmolested car which is kind of hard these days.Ok new question would you guys get a 01^ z28 (auto) with low miles over the ss because im finding a couple of them for the same price.Im going to call this guy up later today.I really need a car so i might just end up getting it if i can get the price down a little.
12-07-2007, 11:05 AM
#13
Either you want a 6 speed or not. I have nothing good to say about an auto in a sports car, it defeats the purpose but they make great drag queens.
Your concerns on the intake and injectors are extremly minor. The injectors dont make any difference at all. The ls6 intake is better but they can be had for cheap money these days.
The steering wheel? not sure what the difference there is and the clutch is fine. That 99 is as good as any 01 or 02 you'll find. Swap the intake and its the same car. Low mileage 6 speed is a much better way to go than an auto. IMO
Your concerns on the intake and injectors are extremly minor. The injectors dont make any difference at all. The ls6 intake is better but they can be had for cheap money these days.
The steering wheel? not sure what the difference there is and the clutch is fine. That 99 is as good as any 01 or 02 you'll find. Swap the intake and its the same car. Low mileage 6 speed is a much better way to go than an auto. IMO
12-07-2007, 01:31 PM
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Well, as far as trans type goes, you absolutely MUST get what you really want, otherwise you will regret that. Buying a '99 over an '02 is no big deal at all, and really the year shouldn't even matter (even if it was a '98, because the truth is there isn't a damn thing wrong with a '98 either). But trans type is a different story, this makes a world of difference in a car.
Personally, I wouldn't touch ANY car with a manual. I can't stand them, and I don't find anything about them "fun" (and yes I have driven a 6-speed LS1, and I still don't like it). Just a major hassle living in an over populated/heavy traffic city (Chicago) with zero hills or curves. The auto is much more to my liking. So in my case, I would not even consider a car unless it was an auto, though the year doesn't make a damn bit of difference to me, nor should it.
Personally, I wouldn't touch ANY car with a manual. I can't stand them, and I don't find anything about them "fun" (and yes I have driven a 6-speed LS1, and I still don't like it). Just a major hassle living in an over populated/heavy traffic city (Chicago) with zero hills or curves. The auto is much more to my liking. So in my case, I would not even consider a car unless it was an auto, though the year doesn't make a damn bit of difference to me, nor should it.
12-07-2007, 01:53 PM
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If you listen to some of the ill-informed opinions around the internet, you'd beleive that a '98 is barely better than getting a V6 car, and that an '01-'02 is like buying a car touched by the hand of God.
I'm here to set the record straight, as the owner of a '98 and an '02, neither rumor is true.
12-07-2007, 01:56 PM
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To me, a 6-speed is only fun if you live in an open and/or hilly area where you're able to do more than just quick WOT shots on a small open strech of straight road....which is about all I can ever do around here.
A4s are great for quick straight WOT blasts, track or street.