Hello, my name is Chris and I was looking for some advice on purchasing a camaro. I'm new to the forums and I've read a few stickies, but sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I'm fairly new to Camaros period, but I've been doing some research over the months and I finally decided to check one out today in person. I went by the dealership to check it out and got some pics also. It's a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8. 118,329 miles. A car fax showed no prior accidents and 4 owners. Checked all the fluids and everything seemed fine. I took it for a spin and it seemed to accelerate/brake fine with no weird noises. AC was blowing cold air the whole time. There is some paint peeling on the rear below the lights on both sides but that's the only paint issues I saw. I talked the dealer down to 6 grand to drive it off the lot but I wanted to know if this is really a good deal. I would have a mechanic look at it before I actually drove it off but I want as much advice as possible before I make a big decision like this. Thanks.

 

to me,without looking really hard 6k is a good deal.

 

6k isn't a really good deal. 3k would be a good deal

 

Depends on what part of the country you live in. An Auto LS1 with 120K is worth closer to 5k IMO.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I live in TN. I've checked Craigslist, Auto Trader, and Craigslist and I'm not finding too many at this price. Do you guys recommended waiting for a better deal to come along ?

 

Do you know what bothers me about that car?? The filthy engine bay. What does that indicate? To me, an unloved and poorly maintained car by at least 2 of those 4 owners. Even the dealer didn't make the effort. All they did was change the oil probably. Are the fluids really OK? I bet the power steering fluid is dark and the coolant so-so, etc... The dealership probably paid wholesale for the car and is looking to double the price. I would pass on this car.
A good deal at $6,000 on the exact same car, with the same miles, would be a 1 or two owner that had a clean engine bay ( a cared for car) and a bit of a maintenance history, showing every fluid changed, from tranny, to coolant, to rear end.
This is a great time to be a buyer with the holidays approaching as car sales start to dwindle. If you have cash, you can do better but must be willing to travel a bit. If you live near Knoxville, that means expanding your search to Asheville or even Charlotte, and down to Atlanta.
Remember that the prices you see are asking prices. Look for $8,000 cars, even $9,000 cars. Cash speaks volumes.
Good luck!! Be patient. Check ebay too and work a deal off site.

 

Does 6K include tax and tags? If so I dont think its a bad deal. I think a car that looks that clean (assuming the interior is good) with those miles should be sitting on a dealer lot for $6500 asking price (before tags and tags). Atleast in my area.

Thats not to say you cant find a better deal, but I dont think thats terrible considering.

Are you paying cash/outside lender or are you financing through the lot?

 

Either you're full of ****, or I want to know where you're finding these LS1 based vehicles for $3k. They just don't exist.

You obviously live in the city. Out in the country, it's impossible to keep an engine bay clean.

As for the "wholesale and double the money", you don't have a clue. Dealer auctions don't have deals like that, at best we get the same prices as craigslist. Most cash dealers are happy to make $700 pure profit on the car.

 

Get it for 5k out the door

120k is maintenance time

 

I know they exist because I sold my white, 2 owner, '98 Z28 A4 hardtop to a dealer (via trade in back in Nov 2009) for $3,000. I had owned it from 22K miles to 115K miles. Bought it for $14,000+. It was exceptionally clean. Interior mint with no tears, rips or stains. No paint scratches, blisters, or faded paint. To me, it looked no different at 115K miles than it did at 55K miles. The only nit was a tiny dent in the lower left rocker in front of the wheel well, and non-working AC. I never cared much about AC so when that stopped working around 75-85K miles, I didn't even try to fix it.

I collected muscle cars for 15 years so I knew how to find a car's value. How I arrived at $3K wholesale for this is a mystery to me today. At that time I thought the car was worth $4K easy. Maybe it was because when I first tried to sell it around 2005 at 60K miles I was only offered $6500 for it. In any case I eventually let it go for $3K long before I found this site. The dealer wasn't any sharper than me and had it on their lot for $3850. I made no attempt to place a retail ad as I was tired of tire kickers from my 2005 "for sale advertisement in the Northeast bargain news.

If I was dumb enough 6 years ago to let my car go for $3K....and now they are technically worth less today, I can easily see finding one of these for $3Kish again.

 

IMO, you let that go way too cheap. I sold my 98 M6 formula last year, had 175K and a dent in the rocker panel for $4800. Cheapest LS1 based vehicle in my entire state is $5k. I check craigslist daily and the only ones I see for $3k are ones with bad engines.

 

Really? Hmmm. Did you see where I live? Never assume. It doesn't get much more rural than the Appalachians. I've owned my car since new. It is spotless and clean with 46,000 miles on it. If you care for a car, which was my point, the engine bay can be quite clean.
My advice to the OP, stands.

 

you obviously don't look around much. I picked up a 01 m6 Firehawk with 130k for 6.3k

Picked up a 2000 z this year with with 180k for 2.7k. Car ran great and was decent until I hydroplained into a bridge lol

Do some looking

 

I'd give no more than 4.5k for that car

 

There are way better cars to be had for around the same money, especially with driving season winding down and the holidays approaching.

 

It was cheap in retrospect. My point is that they exist. I was one of them one.

 

My fault for assuming. Probably going to do it again here, but at 46K miles, I'm guessing that it's not a daily driver? It's easier to keep a weekend cruiser clean.

I do look, daily, and in multiple states. Hell, I had to go to Louisiana to get mine for $4500. I check Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, none below $5k in running condition.