i am realy stuck here, see i am 15 and wanted to get a ls1 trans am but many people have told not b/c it probly will to much power for a 16 year to handle and i have read so much stuff on it. So i thought about and knowing my self i decieded to get a decent hp car frist and than get the ls1 later. Now i was think about something like an rsx but the third gen lt1 look kinda good do and run hard. Now what i wanna know is how are these cars has daily divers, it will driven to school and back every had. About 4-5 miles. I also wanna if i can make em a low 12 second car and still drive it daily and how much will it cost me. now which lt1 should i get, the 93 and 95 trams looking real good right now, but people are saying to go with a ss. I wanna know what you guys think. B/c i just don't know what to do atm.

I have about 7-8k atm and was hopeing on buying the car for 5-6k (alot cheaper than a ls1 too and less insureance=+1)

 

Id sugest somthang like a 94 or newer lt1 6 speed TA But put a block under the gas peadle untill your experanced driving and have a feal for the car. They can get afuly squirly when you get on it

 

for 5-6k you can get a lower end 4th gen lt-1 car. z28 with good amount of miles. Could even find some nicer ones around that range if you look. I have seen some for as little as 4k but they were beat up....

 

Ok, first of all, the LT1 is a 4th gen, not a 3rd. Second off, all the different years of the LT1's in both Trans Ams and Z28's(1993-1997) are just about the same as far as looks go with the exception of the 96-97 SS and WS6 and the 97's having the uprgaded interior(I know thats true with the Z28's, not sure about the TA's). Performance wise, youre gonne get about the same out an LT1 no matter what the year. Most people like the 95's because of the OBD1 computer and the vented opti but thats nothing you cant change on your own if you see a need. The 93's are speed density cars while the 94+ cars are MAF cars. If you shop around, you should have no problem finding a decent LT1 4th gen with what youve got and with a little time and money, make it into a real head turner and barn burner. Read the "sticky" post at the top of the LT1 forum titled "The Ultimate Newbie FAQ" and that will answer a lot of questions and save you some time up front. Good luck.

 

Whats wrong with the 93's?

 

i read alot of that stuff, still never answered how are they has daily divers? also have you guys ever gotten a full paint job, how much did it cost you. Also i have my mind up on geting a trans am over a ss just gotta pick a year.

 

They make great DD's. Very comfortable interiors and they handle great.

I was pricing paint jobs a lil while back and it really depends on where you go. Itll cost ya anywhere from $500 at Maaco to $2-3k depending on the quality of the work. You get what you pay for though.

 

I'm thinking your pic in your sig is too much for a 15 year old to handle. But I'm sure there are some here who could take care of that for you!

 

I was driving my 94 z28 when i was 15 and its stupid of people to say that it is too much power. It takes about a month or two before you will even have the ***** to slam it, and by that time you will be used to it. Just dont drive it stupidly and you will be fine. I know i had an LT1, but LS1 isnt really that much more hp. With my mods i believe i have just a little bit more hp than a stock LS1. I dont think you should let other people tell you what kind of car you can handle, but rather decide that for yourself.

 

And if you do decide to get an fbody, be safe in it, dont think you know your car right off the bat. There is a kid at school who got a 95z and a couple weeks later tryin to be a bad *** jumped it over a curb in a spinout. There awsome cars and im sure every last person on this site can vouche for that. Good luck man.

 

well if i don't find a good fbody form 93-97 for 5-7k than i'll just get a ls1 for 9-11k, i mean no point of spending more 7k on a car over 8 years old.

 

I paid 4k for my '97 B4C 1 year ago. It runs great and has no rust. There are even better deals out there if you're patient.

 

I am 17(18 tommorow) and I now have a 94' LT1 Camaro. I came from a 83' Z28 and a 91' RS. My camaro isnt bad as a daily driver, but getting gas is annoying thanks to the prices. Insurance is high for my car. I also come from a family that races dragsters and such so I am used to power.

 

yea i am pertty much use to draging (mustangs of my friends), its just if i do wreack a 4-5k car and sell of it of 2-3k than it won't be that but wreacking a ls1 i would be bumed, not that i won't repect my lt1. What mileage are you guys getin in you lt1s hopefully no lower than 15 in city. Also all you guys that are runing full bolt ons, what times are yea geting and how much did it set you back? Oh also when i get it fully bolted on or mostly, will it still be driveable? I will probly do cams and head after about 5 months of driveing a full bolt on.

 

For MPG it all depends on how you drive, and for times your location and how the car was treated by previous owners.

 

I am in NY and hopefully i'll get a pertty good treated one.

 

Well since u dunno the elevation of NY if any, your times will be nice....I have almost full bolt ons but i still cant get 13s, and some ppl with my setup are mid to low 12s. As for MPG i think i get like 15-16. I really dont care as long as she runs clean and fast. If you keep your foot of the pedal you can get some good MPG.

 

I wanted a Trans am when I was your age, and everyone told me I couldn't handle the power. ended up with a hoopty car until I was 21...then I broke down and got my TA. I wish I had done it sooner. I got a 95 trans am 6 speed car for 7K 3years ago, it had 60K mles on it. They are great cars, I drive mine as a work car everyday, going over 50 miles a day. However winter time in Michigan can be a bit trying. But can be done.

 

You can drive crazy in any car. It isnt about the power in the car but about your self judgement and control. I got my z when i was 18 and it was too young for all of the tickets and crazy **** I did. I swear i had at least 20 tickets from 18-21. Thank god for lawyers!