How reliable is an LT1

[Mighty Thor]

Other than the dreaded Opti-spark. How good are they?

There's a 96 red covertible TA that has a 137k on the clock. The dealer wants 4500 for it.

The car is pure stock. The paint is faded. The rag top is in good condition but the leather seats are shot.

The engine looks good though. Seems to be running good. Though it doesn't feel any different than a stock V6. But then again, the air filter is filthy. Starts up right away.

[Tru2Chevy]

That sounds like a bit much for that condition, but besides the Opti, the LT1 is just as reliable as any other SBC [img]smile.gif[/img]

- Justin

[black98V6]

yeah I think that's a bit high for 137k miles. Honestly if you want to go with a v8 I'd look for some lower miles.

[Fbody3400]

GM High Tech just did an article about how to "Make your high milage LT1 reliable and gain 50 hp". That is a super high price, if a person was selling it, it would probably be 3500.

[99v6cam]

I know a few people who have over 200K on thier LT1s and they still run strong as ever.

[98Silver6]

$4500 i seen LS1 for that kind of money

[Die Ford V8]

dude, its a dealer, haggel you way and bring $3400 pic apart every little detail and tell him you see about $1100 in repairs for the car. that would make the car to you worth $3400. stay there, test drive, and dont offer 3400 to start. start off with "hmmm this only looks worth 3000 and there is a 97 such and such with this better mod for only this much." he will quickly counter your 3000 with a 3750 which is between your 3000 and his 4500. remember he marks up the car to make you feel better about getting the car for less(what he "really" wants)

test drive the car and look underneath just in case some kid put her in the ditch and the car is dented. then check breaks, tires, etc. smell the tranny fluid if its an auto. if there is another camaro tell him you want that camaros rims if they are better and stuff like that.

bring 3400 and put 100 in each other pocket. bring some 100s some 50s and some 20s so the wad of cash is what sells him. sellsman are good at selling things, but they are also easy targets to have things sold to them.

settle at $3400 or $3500 w/tax and licensing out the door papers signed, with no extra charges.

also make him sign a 6 month 6,000 mile warranty of some sort so that you dont buy a car that was set up to drive you home and go cablewy.

if you have any more questions on this shoot me an email or just post. i talked a ttop camaro from $6500 sticker to $3400 cash in a half an hour with a cup of coffee. his 3400 was only a few $ over invoice which i went and snuck over to see for myself.

i did this for fun btw. i sometimes like to dicker with salesman for practice and for fun. i havent bought a car yet, but i want to buy one now and im sure my practice will payoff soon.

[Die Ford V8]

maybe even give a first price of 2800. what i would do is have a friend go in and try to get the car rediculously cheap and if he gets the guy to settle on 3200 then you try for 3100, but if the lowest the guy would go was 3200 and you gave 3400 then you bought a car that you couldhave gotten cheaper.

[Yaba3800]

i think its spelled KABLOOIE

[12secondv6]

Die Ford V8 has a bad @ss approach!

I like it!

[camaro_speedemon]

My friend had a police package impala with an LT1. It had 200k without any major repairs when he sold it. Last he heard, the person who bought it had to rebuild the tranny at 250k and it had like 300k on it.

Also IIRC they're pretty cheap to mod.

[Tru2Chevy]

Yea, I would see how low you can get the price. IMO, if the car drives well, anything $3800 or less is a pretty good deal. Good Luck!

- Justin

[shenanigans]

Originally posted by 98Silver6:
$4500 i seen LS1 for that kind of money

you mean just the motor right? no car?


I think $4500 is a bit high but I think convertables fetch a higher price around the country if I am right.

[1998silverbird]

A buddy of mine sold his 93 T/A for 3000.. It had 72,000 miles on it.. He bought a 05 Tacoma and the dealer was only going to give him 1500 for trade in..

[kinetic]

Originally posted by Die Ford V8:
dude, its a dealer, haggel you way and bring $3400 pic apart every little detail and tell him you see about $1100 in repairs for the car. that would make the car to you worth $3400. stay there, test drive, and dont offer 3400 to start. start off with "hmmm this only looks worth 3000 and there is a 97 such and such with this better mod for only this much." he will quickly counter your 3000 with a 3750 which is between your 3000 and his 4500. remember he marks up the car to make you feel better about getting the car for less(what he "really" wants)

test drive the car and look underneath just in case some kid put her in the ditch and the car is dented. then check breaks, tires, etc. smell the tranny fluid if its an auto. if there is another camaro tell him you want that camaros rims if they are better and stuff like that.

bring 3400 and put 100 in each other pocket. bring some 100s some 50s and some 20s so the wad of cash is what sells him. sellsman are good at selling things, but they are also easy targets to have things sold to them.

settle at $3400 or $3500 w/tax and licensing out the door papers signed, with no extra charges.

also make him sign a 6 month 6,000 mile warranty of some sort so that you dont buy a car that was set up to drive you home and go cablewy.

if you have any more questions on this shoot me an email or just post. i talked a ttop camaro from $6500 sticker to $3400 cash in a half an hour with a cup of coffee. his 3400 was only a few $ over invoice which i went and snuck over to see for myself.

i did this for fun btw. i sometimes like to dicker with salesman for practice and for fun. i havent bought a car yet, but i want to buy one now and im sure my practice will payoff soon.

damn, bro...you have skills; I totally suck at teh art of negotiation.

I'm bookmarking this.