what is a deal on an LS1

[ellik]

Flipping through the Auto Trader while eating lunch today, I came accross a 2002 NBM T56 Z-28 loaded with 21k miles. asking price is $19,495.
kbb price is $20,770

I know several people here have upgraded recently, what would be a good deal on this car?

Secondly, my wife and I close on our first house Friday. No kids and our finances do not cross paths. I have been pretty good about unneccessary espenses and have been aggressively paying off debt (C.C.'s and private loans to get through college) over the last 2 years since graduating from college. Aside from a consolidated federally subsidized student loan of roughly 20k, I will be free and clear of any debt other than car and house by August of next year at my current rate.

Do I hop up to a Z and drop my debt-free goal, or wait it out? Convince me one way or another.

[ July 20, 2004, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: ellik ]

[94TeaL]

Sounds like a good deal as long as no major things wrong with it.

[ka50]

debt-free first, then toys.

Debt has a funny way of getting bigger without getting smaller. I have a t/a 5 miles from me the guy must sell and it's way below kbb... I want to get it, but I restrain myself, cuz I'm still in debt.

[ellik]

thats what I need to hear. Im thinking the same thing, its just a really big itch that takes a lot of restraint not to scratch.

[MustangEater8251]

HEre is a thought...

you are looking to buy a 3 year old sports car known to be unreliable for more then the price of a new sports car, that is a little slower.(Mustang GT)

[greatsave9]

Originally posted by MustangEater8251:
HEre is a thought...

you are looking to buy a 3 year old sports car known to be unreliable for more then the price of a new sports car, that is a little slower.(Mustang GT)

LS1 unreliable? Doubtful.
Well you do get t-tops and a nice fun 6speed. But also higher insurance and more money of course.

Could get like a '98-99, little cheaper but not known to have LS6 blocks like some 01s and 02s had.

But whats a "1997 30th Anniversary Edition 'Bird" That must be some kind of new car?
Maybe a 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am 30th Anniversary http://www.fast-autos.net/pontiac/transam30th.html

I picked up my '98z28 with 33k miles on it for $12k. Cheap for my area.

[MustangEater8251]

Originally posted by greatsave9:
[QB] LS1 unreliable? Doubtful.
Well you do get t-tops and a nice fun 6speed. But also higher insurance and more money of course.

http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...c;f=1;t=013273

http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...c;f=6;t=022480

LEt me guess you know someone that has owned an f-body that has lasted 379,000 miles and only had the oil changed once.

F-bodies are not reliable cars. They can be at times, they can also be money pits, and does someone that is slightly in debt need a money pit no?

Now do I think Mustangs are reliable? nope, probably less reliable then a Ls1 difference is it will be under warranty for 3 years while the ls1 is either out of or going to be out of warranty very soon.

[ka50]

f-bodies are car enthusiast cars. Not your general car.

They are pretty reliable, have reliable and durable engine blocks and strong drivetrain... wires and coils aren't rendering car unreliable... it's just that heat destroys them faster than in other cars... well, maybe a couple of leaking gaskets, which every car will have eventually.

what exactly is unreliable about f-bodies? warping front rotors?

and any car can be a money pit..

bottom line is: I'll never trade a trans am 6sp for honda/toyota of any shape or form.

[MustangEater8251]

EDIT: F-bodies are reliable, look at all car ratings in just about every magazine even consumer reports of "used cars to avoid"

[94TeaL]

Originally posted by MustangEater8251:
EDIT: F-bodies are reliable, look at all car ratings in just about every magazine even consumer reports of "used cars to avoid"

thats true..

[hawgs]

Hey ellik perhaps you could change the title of this thread to "what is a deal on a Mustang GT" because thats really what we want to talk about. Thanks!

[MustangEater8251]

Originally posted by MustangEater8251:
Now do I think Mustangs are reliable? nope, probably less reliable then a Ls1 difference is it will be under warranty for 3 years while the ls1 is either out of or going to be out of warranty very soon.

I already stated that Mustangs are less reliable...

I am jsut stating if you are going to spend $20k on a car, and you are are in debt and working on signing for a new house.

I woudl prefer a new car with a warranty over a 3 year old one that is out of warranty, and said car is not exactly known for being problem free.

[ka50]

Originally posted by MustangEater8251:
EDIT: F-bodies are reliable, look at all car ratings in just about every magazine even consumer reports of "used cars to avoid"

hey, if you believe everything you read in magazines, then go pick up a copy of cosmo magazine.. very much filled with facts

I know from experience, that american cars are reliable if properly maintained.

Most of the time it's some minor bull**** that goes wrong, such as window motors or some other wear and tear item. Well, the drivetrain owns, though... and that's the most important thing.

Why do you think all cab drivers use AMERICAN cars with big V8 engines in them? If they weren't reliable, they all would be driving in hondas, now wouldn't they?

[MustangEater8251]

[quote]Originally posted by ka50:

Originally posted by MustangEater8251:
[qb]Why do you think all cab drivers use AMERICAN cars with big V8 engines in them? If they weren't reliable, they all would be driving in hondas, now wouldn't they?

I never said anything about v8s not being reliable I said ls1 f-bodies are "not the most reliable" Personally I don't even think hondas are the reliable cars.

I am going by my experience of owning 3 sperate f-bodies over a period of 6 years, friends of mine in different cities with f-bodies and the 5-6 years I have been on at leas half a dozen f-body messageboards whos total number of members equals a good 60,000.


And wtf does a cab have in common with a ls1 f-body? Besides 4 wheels and 8 sparkplugs.


Get the car enjoy it have a great life.


My opinion is keep your car, or get an older ls1, for like $12-14 Friend of mine jsut got a 99 SS with 40,000 for about $13,000. I think its just stupid to buy a $20,000 car that doesn't have a warranty and is not known to be reliable. If your gonna get a car for $20k, buy something new or with a warranty.

I jsut don't think its a good idea to buy a 3 year old f-body for $20k.WHEN YOU ARE $20,000 IN DEBT AND LOOKING TO BUY A HOUSE!


Its jsut advice take it if you want...

[greatsave9]

LS1 is reliable, end of story. Its not like an Audi or VW, random breakdowns. I expect only 100k miles outta my cars, nothing more nothing less.

BUT MustangEater is right, your in debt and you want to go in larger!? Not a good idea, BUT there are people in life that live for the moment and have fun today, cause you could wake-up dead tomorrow. OR you can save for the future and make a plan for your future. Depends.

I kno I wouldnt buy an LS1 for $20k unless I had the cash in hand, and it would be a C5. Bad idea, but LS1 kicks ***.

My family has gone through 4 F-bodies in the last 5 years. 3.8V6, LT1 and 2 LS1s. 3.8 no problems... LS1s, no problems. LT1 96,000 mile engine swap into a '98 body, it leaked oil. LT1s are known for that. Sold it after a 2 years of fun.