joelster

I would bet money that the LT1 car in question has worn bearings. A sure way to tell is to fire it up right after it has sat all night. For a SPLIT second right when it fires you will hear the unmistakable death rattle of metal on metal. It sounds like a metallic clatter. It only lasts for maybe a half second until the car builds oil pressure.

How much are they asking for the car?

DocT

$5K for the car. It's literally pristine though. All leather is original and only a bit of wear, body straight as an arrow with original paint. All stock with the exception of a K&N CAI. Clean carfax, rebuilt tranny and still has 12K on the warranty. All rubber is perfect. Obviously a pampered car. So for the price, which I know is a bit on the high side, I was OK with...but not with the possibility (or probability) of a blown engine.

DocT

Great point. I did crank it up after it'd been sitting for about 24hrs. I didn't know to listen for that...dammit But I did bury my foot into her for a few seconds...ran through second and well into third. No smoke, and sounded strong. Does that mean anything?

TeeTopZ

iTrader: (8)

$5000 for a car with 108k and oil pressure issues, definitely keep looking.

BTC

If you're really interested, get a mechanic you trust to check it out. There may be nothing of any significance wrong with the car. I would want to make sure it has good fuel pressure too. Changing the pump can be a pain if you do it yourself, and expensive if you let a shop change it.

cammednasty

im not in a tree yet

cammednasty

5k is a little high...

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

id do the unreliable lt1. But thats me. If you dont have a income that can be put towards the car, get a v6. Dont buy a lt1 and think its gonna be roses. down the road the lt1 can be alot of fun, but they can also be alot of work. low mile babied lt1's are still old, and they will break. just dont think your gonna drive this thing for a year and have nothing go wrong.

that being said the v6 could be the same way and have some things go wrong, but atleast its not a 600$ opti spark...ya know?

stuart4185

get an insurance quote before you buy it. that alone might make the decision for you.

cammednasty

im payin $140 a month

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

When I checked when I was 16 years old, a V6 mustang was more expensive to insure than a V8 firebird. Camaros were between the two.

Definitely dont buy a V6 car. No fun

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

$5k for an LT1... Crazy

I spent $2200 on mine.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Yep. Walk away. Something this controversial like whether or not oil pressure is legitimate should be a sign to keep looking. You never know if the sellers hit up Skeeter the Alleged Mechanic and either bribed him or know him well enough to fabricate documentation. If the replaced sender is giving the same readings as the original then most likely there are more serious problems.
If you are dead set on this car then request you have the car checked out by a shop of those you know and/or trust. With stock bearing tolerances the pressure should read between 15 and 20psi at idle with oil up to operating temp.

BTC

Is the car a manual or automatic? I would be more inclined to continue pursuing this car if it were a manual, but that's just me. If you like the car, get someone to check it out. In my opinion, the seller should have no problem allowing a potential buyer that luxury.

Is there a listing on the web for the car?

DocT

Thanks for all the input! To answer some questions: The money thing is going to be a issue for my son, as he's going to have to keep it up maintenance wise. Insurance was exactly the same when quoted, so that's not an issue (and it's liability only). It is a a4 auto, and the tranny has recently been rebuilt and has 12K warranty on it. Optispark and water pump replaced last year.

I'm planning to have a mechanic check it out. One who I'm familiar with. With all that being said, I'm leaning more towards the V6, but my son (who is OK with either...prefers the 94 LT1).

Here is the link: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2802531827.html

BTC

He should knock off 2K just for the exhaust.

TABR

iTrader: (1)

LOL my 97 looks almost exactly like that. Minus wheels, same options (except mine is M6) and I picked mine up for $2600. Granted it needed just a bit of work ( what lt1 doesn't )

If your willing to drive to Houston...

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2760499130.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2789341509.html

DocT

I think we're going with the newer V6. I need a little piece of mind, and the possibility of a bearing on the verge of biting the dust, on my son's first car...doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I know that a V8 is a little "cooler" but on his first car, I don't know if he could stay out of trouble with a V8 rumble, and a challenge by one of his buddies who's watched F&F too many times. With a V6, he'll be more inclined to laugh, and say, it's just a V6.

I really appreciate all the input. I think you may have saved my son (and I) a great deal of potential misery, and a lot of car-sitting-in-the-garage-broken-down syndrome.

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

could just be a bad oil sender. most of the aftermarket ones are notorious for reading low.

TABR

iTrader: (1)

My first Fbody was a 96 V6 M5 with the Y87 package. It was fun and fast enough to get in trouble.

If I remember right I did get it to run a 15.1 in the 1/4 mile