buying a high mileage z28

[camarocrzy]

Do you think that buying a high mileage [80,000 +]Z28 is a bad idea? i really would love to get one but the only ones i can afford have high miles. One was selling for 6,000 and said it had 100,000 highway miles on it. What are my chances of getting one that would run for a long while?

[MTMike]

All depends on how it was treated by the previous owner. If it was driven hard, you probably won't have many (if any) more trouble free miles. On the other hand, if it was treated well, maintained regularly, you could get another 50k-100k miles out of it before big-ticket items (trans/clutch, engine, rear end, suspension, etc) start to go.

[camarocrzy]

So basically i have to take the previous owners words for it that it wasnt beat on? i know if the car looks beat on chances are the engine aint gonna last long.

[Ian]

They day 80,000 is high mileage is the day i trade in my car. A car should last you at least 150,000 miles, so high mileage would be 125K or above.

Id buy an 80K Z28 in a second...

[MTMike]

Originally posted by camarocrzy:
So basically i have to take the previous owners words for it that it wasnt beat on? i know if the car looks beat on chances are the engine aint gonna last long.

You could also take it to a mechanic and have it inspected prior to purchase.

[95fbirdkid]

Originally posted by MTMike:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by camarocrzy:
So basically i have to take the previous owners words for it that it wasnt beat on? i know if the car looks beat on chances are the engine aint gonna last long.

You could also take it to a mechanic and have it inspected prior to purchase. </font>[/QUOTE]yeah, if the seller doesnt want you to get it inspected, dont buy it.

[2002V6Firebird]

I paid $65 to get an inspection on my 2002 FB.
It had 35K and I wanted to make sure it was in top shape.

Was worth ever penny.

Although there were no major problems, there were a handful of smaller ones that would have added up to some money and I made the dealer take care of all of them prior to buying the car.

[greatsave9]

LT1 or LS1? LT1s I do believe have more problems then an LS1. Watch out for piston slap on LS1s and I think if its a 6-speed, if you over rev alot or miss a gear, you will bend a pushrod very easily. But again Im not 100% sure on that info. Try Camaroz28.com or LS1.com

[ARTFART]

Originally posted by Ian:
They day 80,000 is high mileage is the day i trade in my car. A car should last you at least 150,000 miles, so high mileage would be 125K or above.

Id buy an 80K Z28 in a second...

I agree with IAN totally . Most cars are built to last much longer than they use to .

[97chevycamaro]

I wouldnt be comfortable,yes most cars should till around 125-150k but i wouldnt want something thats been beat to hell for 85k miles. My 97 camaro ran like a demented circus monkey till 100k then it exploded. it took 50k hard miles from me to do it though.

[MustangEater8251]

More info what car is it...


If its a lt1 car, honestly I think you can get a better deal, I see 80-120k lt1s going for $3500-5000 for the most part, unless its something really amazing $6,000 seems a bit high.

As for wanting a high mileage car, depends on teh history.

Ask about the opti when it was changed, last tune up, etc...

If its an auto, I woudl be weary, and expect the tranny to go out around 90-110k miles. Rear might make give some problems ~130k

If its a 6-speed ask when the clutch was replaced if it is the stocker expect it to go out 80-100k.


Other then that i agree on cars lasting 150k, but you guys have to remember, f-bodies are a little different depends on the life it had. I broke a driveshaft, rear axle, torque arm, tranny mounts, multilpy clutches, and 3 trannies in a mater of 35,000 miles from 95k-130k.

Now imagine in a lt1 with more torque and ability to break drivetrain components and not a 3.4L.

[CamaroRob97]

Check out the oil fill and look down in for sludge or anything that would represent not changing the oil. Ask about a good tuneup and find out if the optispark and waterpump have ever been replaced.

And of course check everything else you would on any other car.