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Jul 19, 2009 | 02:24 AM

fishinfool

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found a 98 trans am its a ls1, auto with 120k on it is there anything to watch out for when buying these cars? problems to look for ? its lowered a little and has a borla cat back on it with zr1's

Jul 19, 2009 | 11:06 AM

02v8ta

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From: south jersey

haven't seen it in person yet? obviously give it a good look around. If it's lowered you're going to have clearance issues, so hope you drive on smooth even roads constantly. Make sure nothing is wrong with the under carriage do to it being lowered. The Borla exhaust is one of the best exhaust you can buy for these cars so that's a plus. If you do get it be prepared to learn how to replace window motors and the day time running light bulbs/ cases a lot.

Jul 19, 2009 | 02:29 PM

fishinfool

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yea i hear the window regulators and headlight motors go bad in these cars but i looked at it yesterday and it looks great just needs a good waxing but i am supposed to be test drive it today

Jul 19, 2009 | 04:08 PM

wooddaniel

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How much is the selling price? Make sure the transmission shifts good and does not hesitate on the 2-3 shift, also listen to the rear end for a kind of whining noise. LS1 motors are strong but I would have the car checked out by someone you trust if this is your first Trans Am. I have had three so I am very familiar with the common issues. Out of the three though I only blew up one motor and that was @ 160K miles with a 100 dry shot of no2

Jul 19, 2009 | 08:59 PM

fishinfool

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he's asking $5700

Jul 20, 2009 | 12:04 AM

02v8ta

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Quote:

Originally Posted by wooddaniel

also listen to the rear end for a kind of whining noise. \

what would this mean? mine use to do this kind of and it went away, that or i just don't hear it anymore.

Jul 20, 2009 | 01:11 AM

wooddaniel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 02v8ta

find out what the owner has done to prevent the DRL lights to keep from going out, if nothing then they will sure enough, same thing if the window motor hasn't been replaced. price sounds good if the car is sound.

what would this mean? mine use to do this kind of and it went away, that or i just don't hear it anymore.

Eh, some of them are a little loud anyways... but it could mean that the rear end is going out. The stock rear end is basically made of glass in F bodies. If the car is pretty much stock you should be ok though. My solution for the DRL's (I live in FL where it rains everyday during the summer and is humid as ****) was to drill small holes underneath the DRLs (to let the water drain out) and I put silicone around the top area to try and keep water from getting into them. I had to replace quite a few sockets until I did it, now they havent gone out in almost a year. Another thing to check is the headlight motors. 5700$ is a pretty fair price though... Expect a few little things to need repairs though and det aside some money to fix stuff when you buy the car. They are great cars, but they have some issues. You wont regret getting one though.