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What is $7,000 worth?
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
How about a quick thread revival?
I found an '01 SS Camaro in my area that's somewhat in my price range. Color is SOM and it's a hardtop. 44k miles w/ the 6 speed. I understand that the paint color & the hardtop are rare options, but what's a fair price in your mind? Regardless of the "rarity" factor, what's a good deal for an SS with 44k?
I'm hoping to get more info on the car soon. If everything checks out and the car looks good, I'm hoping to make an offer.
I found an '01 SS Camaro in my area that's somewhat in my price range. Color is SOM and it's a hardtop. 44k miles w/ the 6 speed. I understand that the paint color & the hardtop are rare options, but what's a fair price in your mind? Regardless of the "rarity" factor, what's a good deal for an SS with 44k?
I'm hoping to get more info on the car soon. If everything checks out and the car looks good, I'm hoping to make an offer.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
The SOM premium seems to be a lot higher with the WS6 than the SS. I wouldn't go so far as to say SOM in a 2001/2002 SS is "rare." A better word is desirable. And at 44K miles I'd guess that half of the SOM premium would be gone vs. a 22K mile car. And once over 50,000 miles it drops further. A 6 spd SOM hardtop is interesting though. I'd estimate around 25 or so built in that combination.
Last edited by Firebrian; Jul 15, 2014 at 03:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Yeah I'm hoping to get as much detail as I can within the next few days. I know the LT1's inside and out but the LS1's are uncharted territory for me. Anything specific to look for with a 6 speed car?
Also the guy selling it is doing it for a friend so I'm not sure how much info I can expect before I get a chance to go check it out. It doesn't appear to be a one owner car & from the pictures it looks to be in great shape.
Also the guy selling it is doing it for a friend so I'm not sure how much info I can expect before I get a chance to go check it out. It doesn't appear to be a one owner car & from the pictures it looks to be in great shape.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
I'd be keeping an eye our for noises come from the trans. T56's often come with rattles right from the factory but it would be nice to get one that is rattle/noise free. If there is the often-seen neutral gear rollover rattle, ideally it goes away as soon as the trans is loaded from 1800-2500 rpm. It will make a slight whirring noise at idle with clutch engaged. But, it goes away with the clutch pedal depressed (input shaft disconnected from trans). A 2001 should be compatible with either Mobil 1 synthetic ATF or the regular OEM recommended ATF Dex 3. At 44K miles it should have been changed at least a couple times.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Here are a few pics of the car:
He said the hood is the only part that needs paint. The dash is cracked, and the body has minor dings. It was originally a texas car, clean title but the history beyond that is unknown as far as owners. I have the vin but don't have an account to do a check.
The guy selling it is doing so for a friend and he claims the car is all stock. All the info I have at the moment. I'm just looking for a good ballpark estimate assuming the mechanical side of the car checks out.
Also, how much could a repainted hood cost to do in SOM? I cant imagine its cheap...
He said the hood is the only part that needs paint. The dash is cracked, and the body has minor dings. It was originally a texas car, clean title but the history beyond that is unknown as far as owners. I have the vin but don't have an account to do a check.
The guy selling it is doing so for a friend and he claims the car is all stock. All the info I have at the moment. I'm just looking for a good ballpark estimate assuming the mechanical side of the car checks out.
Also, how much could a repainted hood cost to do in SOM? I cant imagine its cheap...
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
That car looks to have been baked in the sun (hood and dash are toasted). I seriously doubt that the roof and hatch back were unaffected by that exposure. If they aren't blistering or checking yet, they probably aren't far from it...and it wouldn't be hard to tell once you get close up. The odds of that hood frying like that and the more susceptible roof sail panel not blistering seems a stretch. SOM cars with nice original paint are what should bring the premium, regardless of mileage....not repainted cars. Though in 10-15 years that might change. I'd expect better paint on an 80K mile car. The undercarriage looks a bit weathered. Doesn't "look" like a 44K mile car to me. Decent paint at 44K miles is not asking a lot. For all we know those other parts of the car were already repainted (?). But, if you can score the car cheap (your $7K to $8.5K target range) you might do ok. I don't consider any dings on these cars to be minors unless you're getting ready to repaint the entire car. The "friend" of the seller is working for him, not for you. What they consider normal wear and tear might not sit well with you.
$300-$600 seems to be a range tossed about to repaint a hood. This assumes your current hood is fully serviceable and not tweaked. With the metallic SOM you might end up with a mismatch to the fenders and front of the car. Comes down to how fussy you are (paint the underside? blend? close color match?). A 1-sided Maaco would probably be <$200. Top quality jobs could be over $1,000. Be careful the hood doesn't look so good that the rest of the car doesn't look right next to it.
$300-$600 seems to be a range tossed about to repaint a hood. This assumes your current hood is fully serviceable and not tweaked. With the metallic SOM you might end up with a mismatch to the fenders and front of the car. Comes down to how fussy you are (paint the underside? blend? close color match?). A 1-sided Maaco would probably be <$200. Top quality jobs could be over $1,000. Be careful the hood doesn't look so good that the rest of the car doesn't look right next to it.
Last edited by Firebrian; Jul 15, 2014 at 04:22 PM.
I'll try and keep this short...
So I'm looking to get myself into a LS1 car. I currently drive an LT1 Z28 and I was planning on selling it somewhere in $5-6k range (already had an offer of $6k) After selling, I was planning on spending somewhere in the $6,000-8,500 range to purchase a used LS1.
I want something either stock or close to it so I can DD it and eventually take it south with me when I move out of upstate NY.
Basically what I want to know is how realistic are my options? Ideally I would want a Trans Am, but if the right camaro came along I wouldn't hesitate.
Is less than 100k miles realistic?
ws6 packaged TA?
What mileage range should be fair for that price range?
What to look for when purchasing? (besides rust obviously)
I've seen a few on craigslist in my area with less than 10,000 miles in the $20k range. I'm wondering what's fair for how much I want to spend. I also get that the prices vary by region, but any help is greatly appreciated!
So I'm looking to get myself into a LS1 car. I currently drive an LT1 Z28 and I was planning on selling it somewhere in $5-6k range (already had an offer of $6k) After selling, I was planning on spending somewhere in the $6,000-8,500 range to purchase a used LS1.
I want something either stock or close to it so I can DD it and eventually take it south with me when I move out of upstate NY.
Basically what I want to know is how realistic are my options? Ideally I would want a Trans Am, but if the right camaro came along I wouldn't hesitate.
Is less than 100k miles realistic?
ws6 packaged TA?
What mileage range should be fair for that price range?
What to look for when purchasing? (besides rust obviously)
I've seen a few on craigslist in my area with less than 10,000 miles in the $20k range. I'm wondering what's fair for how much I want to spend. I also get that the prices vary by region, but any help is greatly appreciated!
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
I also have questions/concerns about the miles. A Carfax is mandatory before you go any further. It may be the best $50 you ever spend. Get the multi-pack offer so you can run other cars during your search. It's all part of buying a decent car. I know it stinks to lay out the $$ but do it!
That paint is awful and the seat is really bad for such low miles (again I have my concerns). If you decide to go see it, after your concerns have been alleviated by the Carfax, and the car drives well with no issues, then make an offer for a 'fair condition' car as shown in the price guides. The offer may seem low but I would not pay more than that for this car. Sorry to be negative but this car appears rough. Be careful! Do NOT overpay.
That paint is awful and the seat is really bad for such low miles (again I have my concerns). If you decide to go see it, after your concerns have been alleviated by the Carfax, and the car drives well with no issues, then make an offer for a 'fair condition' car as shown in the price guides. The offer may seem low but I would not pay more than that for this car. Sorry to be negative but this car appears rough. Be careful! Do NOT overpay.
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A 44k car should look nothing like that. My wife's SOM has 48k on it now, and we would not have traveled to look at or buy a car like that. Like the others have said, if you can't pick this up for the $7k price range that you started with, walk away, and don't feel bad about it. There are lot of red flags just looking at the pictures you've shown us. Imagine what they're not telling you at this point.
Patience is your best friend when looking at a new car for yourself. If you're not patient, if you're not thorough with your search, if you skimp on the $50 for a Carfax, it's not a question of if you get burned, but when.
That said, if you see it, I hope the car meets your expectations. Good luck.
Patience is your best friend when looking at a new car for yourself. If you're not patient, if you're not thorough with your search, if you skimp on the $50 for a Carfax, it's not a question of if you get burned, but when.
That said, if you see it, I hope the car meets your expectations. Good luck.
Car fax is only as good as what the shops report to the insurance company with. Hell i know several people who pay cash for their repairs... sorry suckers who rely on car fax is why they do that bc then they will get more for it when they sell it.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
MAC, you are doing a disservice to people needing help here. Carfax, like anything else, has faults (and I've documented serious ones over the years here), but it is still a very useful tool when purchasing a car. Just like price guides, nothing can be counted on as a bible of facts. You use every tool available in your toolbox, from price guides to Carfax to what people are asking for similar cars. Everything, then you can make a half intelligent decision. Don't call people 'suckers' here. This is a serious section, not the Racer's Lounge. There's hard earned $$ on the line here. None of us want to see anyone make mistakes that can really hurt.
MAC, you are doing a disservice to people needing help here. Carfax, like anything else, has faults (and I've documented serious ones over the years here), but it is still a very useful tool when purchasing a car. Just like price guides, nothing can be counted on as a bible of facts. You use every tool available in your toolbox, from price guides to Carfax to what people are asking for similar cars. Everything, then you can make a half intelligent decision. Don't call people 'suckers' here. This is a serious section, not the Racer's Lounge. There's hard earned $$ on the line here. None of us want to see anyone make mistakes that can really hurt.
A disservice hardly. If anything i made him more aware of what people do. 7k for a low mileage ls1 aint gonna happen. Hell it kills me that they are going for the same Price as a base c5. Which a base c5 is gonna be my next car.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I appreciate all the insight on this topic everyone. I agree that it really doesn't look like a 44k car with the hood & interior in the shape it's in. Most likely sat outside most of its life if it is in fact a true 44k mile car. If I do go forward with an offer I'll be sure to get a VIN report. The guy who's selling it isn't really good at getting back with e-mails either so who knows if I'll get a chance to check it out.
And I was also thinking somewhere in the 7k range. If I can pick it up for that, with a little paint and tlc it looks like it could be a solid car
And I was also thinking somewhere in the 7k range. If I can pick it up for that, with a little paint and tlc it looks like it could be a solid car