What are LT1's going for?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2013
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What are LT1's going for? Im thinking about looking at two LT1 Camaros by me and was wondering what you all think about their asking price.
The first one is a 96 Camaro Z28 T top car with the top end rebuilt with the Trick Flow kit. Has about 116k miles on it. Here is the link.
https://reading.craigslist.org/cto/d...185822978.html
The second is a 97 SS with low miles, but all stock.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...174992392.html
Id love the SS but i think he is asking a bit much for it. My father just got one last summer with less miles, more original documentation, and dang near flawless for 9k.
I get a little frustrated because if you look up LT1's on KBB, they are valued at much less. I know you cant go entirely on that, but i wonder, do we as car people do this to ourselves and then complain when cars get out of our reach.
Thanks!
The first one is a 96 Camaro Z28 T top car with the top end rebuilt with the Trick Flow kit. Has about 116k miles on it. Here is the link.
https://reading.craigslist.org/cto/d...185822978.html
The second is a 97 SS with low miles, but all stock.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...174992392.html
Id love the SS but i think he is asking a bit much for it. My father just got one last summer with less miles, more original documentation, and dang near flawless for 9k.
I get a little frustrated because if you look up LT1's on KBB, they are valued at much less. I know you cant go entirely on that, but i wonder, do we as car people do this to ourselves and then complain when cars get out of our reach.
Thanks!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
Even at 61K miles $9500 is not a ton of money for a well kept and maintained M6....if that's what this is. You can always offer $1K+ less. A similar '98 SS LS1 with 60K miles would be in the same general $10K price range...or even less. This to me seems the more desirable car of the two LT1's you are considering. At least you know you're only 2K miles removed from the car having been with the original owner. Looking at the IP photo the battery is under the 13v line which seems abnormal to me. And the "service engine" light at least means the oil change monitor flipped over.....or worse.
The '96 sure has shiny paint. But at 116K miles I'd be leery of any 20 year old parts that might be coming after me. Trans rebuilt? Rear end fully gone through when those 4.11's were added? Suspension?
Pennsylvania/Ohio has a good following for LT1 and LS1 cars. I'd not settle as something will eventually pop for the price you're comfortable paying.
The '96 sure has shiny paint. But at 116K miles I'd be leery of any 20 year old parts that might be coming after me. Trans rebuilt? Rear end fully gone through when those 4.11's were added? Suspension?
Pennsylvania/Ohio has a good following for LT1 and LS1 cars. I'd not settle as something will eventually pop for the price you're comfortable paying.
Would def pass on the SS. The Z looked to be nicer, probably owned by a real car guy, hopefully one who cared about doing S right from the looks of it. Has heads on it already so right off the bat it's the faster car, meaning the only thing the SS has is the hood. I'd rather have the nicer car And then find a hood if it's important to you.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2013
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Thanks for the replies
I get what you are all saying about the two of them, and Im pretty torn.
the plus about the Z is that for the most part, it is done. Sure, id have to see how it runs and try to get a feel from the guy selling to see if he did things right, or on the cheap. Some work is no big deal, dont mind doing some stuff, i just worry about getting into big problems. I do prefer some of the cosmetic things like the dash much more on the pre 97 LT1's.
The plus about the SS, is that it might be a fresher engine and less beat. As far as the hood, thats no huge deal to me. I was thinking about going in a 7k, but i get the feeling from the ad (which has been on CL for a while) he might not wiggle much. I mean, yes, the SS is more desireable, and if it was a 96 SS i would be on that like no ones business.
I have to contact both sellers and talk with them before as they are both a little drive for me.
I get what you are all saying about the two of them, and Im pretty torn.
the plus about the Z is that for the most part, it is done. Sure, id have to see how it runs and try to get a feel from the guy selling to see if he did things right, or on the cheap. Some work is no big deal, dont mind doing some stuff, i just worry about getting into big problems. I do prefer some of the cosmetic things like the dash much more on the pre 97 LT1's.
The plus about the SS, is that it might be a fresher engine and less beat. As far as the hood, thats no huge deal to me. I was thinking about going in a 7k, but i get the feeling from the ad (which has been on CL for a while) he might not wiggle much. I mean, yes, the SS is more desireable, and if it was a 96 SS i would be on that like no ones business.
I have to contact both sellers and talk with them before as they are both a little drive for me.
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 5
There are quite a few low mileage 96 SS cars for around that 10k mark right now if you would prefer that over a 97....honestly the 97 looks like a nice car but there are a few of them to be had in around the same condition for less.
I personally would never buy a LT1 Z car the market on the SS is bad enough.
Send me a pm and I'll send you ads for some of the LT1 AS cars I have been watching but there is even a really nice 30th an AS on here for like 9500
I personally would never buy a LT1 Z car the market on the SS is bad enough.
Send me a pm and I'll send you ads for some of the LT1 AS cars I have been watching but there is even a really nice 30th an AS on here for like 9500
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2013
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Im still on the hunt and maybe im out of touch, but are LT1's going up in value yet? Or is it just sellers thinking they have something worth big bucks? I found a 96 SS with 77k on the clock with a dent in the passenger rear quarter. Looks like some paint damage on the dent too. Asking price is 8600.
Ive been trying to sell my 96 Z28 convertible for 3 months now with no bites. I lowered it again, but at 4800 im starting to feel like im giving it away.
I just wish i knew what the "real" demand is for lt1 cars so I can have some ammo when talking to these guys who claim they are "getting rare" and "collectible"
Ive been trying to sell my 96 Z28 convertible for 3 months now with no bites. I lowered it again, but at 4800 im starting to feel like im giving it away.
I just wish i knew what the "real" demand is for lt1 cars so I can have some ammo when talking to these guys who claim they are "getting rare" and "collectible"
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
Any of the LT1's are collectible with low miles and superb condition. That could apply to anything with 40K miles and less. Lower miles, better options, low production factory paint schemes, ultra low production cars like Firehawks, WS6/SS's, etc. A 77K mile car with dents isn't high up on the list. And collectible doesn't necessarily mean rising in value. Eventually that will occur for the best cars out there, if not already in progress. I can't say for sure if say a 4K mile 1993 black Trans Am M6 has stopped going down in value and is now appreciating at some modest pace....as little as $100-$200/yr. I would think so after 25 yrs.
The 1998-2000 Firebirds/Camaro are still generally depreciating at several hundred dollars per year just due to aging model years.
The 1998-2000 Firebirds/Camaro are still generally depreciating at several hundred dollars per year just due to aging model years.
Last edited by Firebrian; Sep 20, 2017 at 10:12 AM.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
Likes: 2,549
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
There has been some inflation on used performance cars in general lately IMO, probably boosted by the rapidly increasing cost of new performance cars, but I think most of these higher priced LT1 cars are just lingering; sellers that are out of touch/dreamers.
Here's one in my area that's been for sale on and off for a year, maybe two now:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/c...249039856.html
It's super low mileage and a rare color indeed, but it's just not worth $10k with those options, presentation and details. It also mentions that the price has been "reduced" from $14k - except it was never listed at $14k in the first place (it was listed at $9999, so the actual reduction was $49.00.) I could see it being worth maybe $8-8.5k (cost of living being what it is in this region) if it checks out really nice in person, but if it has any warts upon inspection he might have to settle for a ~$7500 offer to get it sold. There just isn't much demand for an auto LT1 Z28 regardless of mileage or rarity, and the '93s have some oddities that make them even less desirable in general.
I agree with Firebrian that high trim level/desirable content examples with very low mileage and superb condition will certainly have some value as collector pieces to the right individuals. But, average condition and/or garden variety LT1 cars will continue to struggle at prices below comparable LS1 examples - a simple reflection of market reality, and a trend that I don't see changing by way of any overriding market desire for the earlier 4th gens going forward.
Here's one in my area that's been for sale on and off for a year, maybe two now:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/c...249039856.html
It's super low mileage and a rare color indeed, but it's just not worth $10k with those options, presentation and details. It also mentions that the price has been "reduced" from $14k - except it was never listed at $14k in the first place (it was listed at $9999, so the actual reduction was $49.00.) I could see it being worth maybe $8-8.5k (cost of living being what it is in this region) if it checks out really nice in person, but if it has any warts upon inspection he might have to settle for a ~$7500 offer to get it sold. There just isn't much demand for an auto LT1 Z28 regardless of mileage or rarity, and the '93s have some oddities that make them even less desirable in general.
I agree with Firebrian that high trim level/desirable content examples with very low mileage and superb condition will certainly have some value as collector pieces to the right individuals. But, average condition and/or garden variety LT1 cars will continue to struggle at prices below comparable LS1 examples - a simple reflection of market reality, and a trend that I don't see changing by way of any overriding market desire for the earlier 4th gens going forward.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 589
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX
I love LT1 cars, but IMO, the only cars worth >$6K are SLP cars...those have some real collector value in my opinion.
There is not much value to me in Z28's and Trans Am's (outside of nostalgia) because an LS1 car is a lot more user friendly...and I am really only referring to Optispark nightmares...
There is not much value to me in Z28's and Trans Am's (outside of nostalgia) because an LS1 car is a lot more user friendly...and I am really only referring to Optispark nightmares...
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota FL
I sold my very clean, 2 owner, 84k mile 30th Anniversary 97 Z28 M6 last fall for $8,000 to the first person that looked at it. I felt I did great because of the 84k miles...but the condition was awesome on the car. It looked as good, if not better than, the day I bought it with 40k back in 2001....
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 24
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From: Lansing, MI
