LT1 cars value's
I would let go of $2500 for a 97 SS! They only made around 2000 of those cars so that's a hell of a deal. The big problem I have with LT1 cars, though they may be cheap, at least 90% been driven hard. AND LS1 CARS ARE NOT? I sold my 97 Z28 6 spd for $7500 with heads, cam, headers and tasteful appearance mods back in 2007 with 120k miles on it. I then just bought a 2002 WS6 6 spd for the same money in similar condition... I just couldn't go back to an LT1 when I can get an LS1 that cheap.YOU DID THAT TIME - NOT GETTING SIMILAR LS1 CAR FOR LT1 MONEY 99% OF THE TIME - I TRIED FOR 6 MONTHS, AND SETTLED ON LT1
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Canada NL
Boy's if ye all lived here on the east coast of Canada, all of ye would be shitting yourselves.. I bought a 94 Camaro Z28, back in july, the car came up from Georgia, i paid 6500, for the car fully inspected turn key and go.. LS1 cars up here are going for 18 to 20 grand depending on the condition and people are buying them for this prices.. I wanted an LS1 car but just wasn't paying that money for a car, don't care what it is.. I would love to be able to get a LT1 for 3500 or 4000 grand, i would jump at it..I guess it all depends where you live at..
Find yourself an auto trader, find car, buy plane ticket, fly down to US, pick up car, drive back. Far cheaper than the 18-20K you are claiming.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Sewell, NJ
people always say "shoulda went ls1" the fact that ls1 cars in my area are 6 grand at the lowest almost twice what my lt1 car is. If you want a 6sp, or a ws6/SS be prepared to pay 10-15 and for that money you can start getting LS1 GTO's.
Guess it all depends where you're from. In Iowa, LS Camaro demand quite a bit less money than LS Trans Ams/WS6s
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Canada NL
Here in Nefoundland Canada, the LS1 F-Body's hold their value pretty dam good.. They are selling them here with almost 200k for 10 to 12 grand, i know it's an LS1 but with that many kilometers it's worn out...
my car was 3500 bucks and ive loved almost every min of it.
sure the opti sucks...just gonna have to live with it.
In my opinion, the LT1 Camaro looks better than LS1. But if you want a TA then you gotta go LS1. I really enjoyed my LT1 Camaro that I paid $11,000 for in 2001 with 60k miles. If it wasn't for the 5th gens, I bet LT1's would have held their value better because I still got $7,500 for that car 6 years later and twice the miles... though it did have a lot of upgrades.
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I like the LT1 Formulas more than my LT1 SS. A black LT1 Formula with WS6 hood & the high rise TA spoiler is unbeatable to me. After years of wanting....I'm finally building one now.
I would tend to agree. Most of the ones I see anymore are clapped out piles of crap, and foxbodys were extremely popular back in the day. I've always been partial to the LX.
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Keller Tx
Last year I picked a 97 Lt1 Formula from the original owner with factory chrome wheels ram air hood with R/A box, 58mm TB corsa exhaust. A Texas car so no rust issues. It had 158K miles on it with a defective/worn 6 speed but the LT1 was rebuilt pretty good.
Paid 2,700 for the car and sorta lost my mind. I have dumped another 5K into it since then with a 1,000 rebuilt trans the biggest ticket (TDP). New paint, new 4.10s (The original owners he installed were howling bad) Opti, plugs, wires, radiator, water pump, headliner, visors on and on.
I guess my point is I knew I wasn't doing this to make money. I have been down this road a couple of times with a 71 RS Camaro and 79 T/A but I will tell you what, when I hammer on it it is worth every penny to me. At 46 it is certainly not a DD but a toy/hobby I love to do.
Paid 2,700 for the car and sorta lost my mind. I have dumped another 5K into it since then with a 1,000 rebuilt trans the biggest ticket (TDP). New paint, new 4.10s (The original owners he installed were howling bad) Opti, plugs, wires, radiator, water pump, headliner, visors on and on.
I guess my point is I knew I wasn't doing this to make money. I have been down this road a couple of times with a 71 RS Camaro and 79 T/A but I will tell you what, when I hammer on it it is worth every penny to me. At 46 it is certainly not a DD but a toy/hobby I love to do.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Canada NL
It's Canadian dollars they are getting.. I was talking to a buddy today he was looking at an 02 WS6 Trans-Am, for 20 grand today buddy won't let it go no less than 19, he offered him 18 grand he laughed at my buddy..
I guess my point is I knew I wasn't doing this to make money. I have been down this road a couple of times with a 71 RS Camaro and 79 T/A but I will tell you what, when I hammer on it it is worth every penny to me. At 46 it is certainly not a DD but a toy/hobby I love to do.
I'm a couple years ahead of you and have owned hundreds of old cars, restored a few dozen. Not many guys play with these with intent of gaining money after owning - it's about owning something you like within your budget.
Now, less available money and being older puts me happy in a fast LT1
Funny to see this thread back up top.
turns out my lt1 was worth a fuel injected R1 lol. I was asking 3250firm for it. Alot of people said it was probably worth more then that, but thats what I felt comfortable asking. I would assume the new owner is happy, havent heard anything from him, but I also disclosed every known problem with the car.
Only lt1 Ill ever own again is probably going to be a in a c4 vette. Ive had 2 fbodys, 1 m6 and 1 a4, I liked the 6 speed, but it also had its issues, not near as many as this last one though. a 6 speed c4 would probably hit the spot with a lt4 hotcam and 1.6 rockers. Learned my lesson on big cams too lol.
turns out my lt1 was worth a fuel injected R1 lol. I was asking 3250firm for it. Alot of people said it was probably worth more then that, but thats what I felt comfortable asking. I would assume the new owner is happy, havent heard anything from him, but I also disclosed every known problem with the car.
Only lt1 Ill ever own again is probably going to be a in a c4 vette. Ive had 2 fbodys, 1 m6 and 1 a4, I liked the 6 speed, but it also had its issues, not near as many as this last one though. a 6 speed c4 would probably hit the spot with a lt4 hotcam and 1.6 rockers. Learned my lesson on big cams too lol.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Damn.... From what you guys are saying, I got a good deal on my 98 SS in gold paint. I have somewhere around $5k in it, and it's at 127k on the clock. It's a M6 car, stock save for the zr1 knock offs and Bora cat back. Someone put the coin into brand new leather seats all around. Needs a trans rebuild, but I've already sourced the parts, and own the tools. Overall, as it sits, it's a 7/10 car overall, needs a few things... typical camaro stuff like the bezel that holds the window switches, ash tray door and the bezel around the shifter. Paint is still super shiny, interior is nice, engine is solid, suspension is quiet, no odd noises.
Damn.... From what you guys are saying, I got a good deal on my 98 SS in gold paint. I have somewhere around $5k in it, and it's at 127k on the clock. It's a M6 car, stock save for the zr1 knock offs and Bora cat back. Someone put the coin into brand new leather seats all around. Needs a trans rebuild, but I've already sourced the parts, and own the tools. Overall, as it sits, it's a 7/10 car overall, needs a few things... typical camaro stuff like the bezel that holds the window switches, ash tray door and the bezel around the shifter. Paint is still super shiny, interior is nice, engine is solid, suspension is quiet, no odd noises.
I remeber a guy on here not long ago asking about how much to sell his for, and the description was very similar..