Most likely the end of the road...

[EddieHaskell]

I noticed yesterday that my '97 Camaro has suddenly started leaking coolant, oil, and possibly brake fluid. It's got 104K miles, and it's sitting in the shop now, but I've dumped over $3200 into it this year alone. If the bill is more than a few hundred (which it probably will be) I'm getting rid of it.

It's been a wonderful car, but it's nine years old and is just getting to the point where a car payment would cost less than keeping it going, based off this year's track record.

However, I noticed a local dealer is selling a 2000 Firebird with 40K miles for a little less than $10K. The options are comparable, and I typically only put 12K/year on in mileage, so it would last at least until the 2010 Camaro comes out, as I'm not buying a first year model...

I'm not crazy about pewter, I prefer black, but what do you think? Should I go from:

TO:


I really love my car, but what would be your cutoff in terms of repair bills? Thanks for your thoughts, I really do appreciate them...

[rt1]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

Looks like you've thought this out pretty good. Do it. I think it's a good idea. Plus if your 97 is paid off, just keep it to play with.

Rob

[av6xperience]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

our cars aren't know to screw up too bad and/or often. if you've already poured in that much how much more could there be? im at a lil over 130,000 and engine is smooth and strong, only thing wrong w/ my car is it randomly wont start but cranks over, and a small power steering leak somewhere. i'd keep it if your only at 105,000. consider it the midlife crisis. just my .02

[SilverRS96]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

id do it...keep the 97 get and the bird...then fix it and sell it...u could get atleast 3k from it and use it to help pay off the bird or just give me the camaro to me!! haha

[HokieBird]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

If you are looking for something a little newer and lot prettier (stop rolling your eyes comero owners) go for it. What other options does it have besides W68 and chrome wheels?

On another note... why would a Lexus dealer bring a firebird into their showroom?

[hockeyman]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

On another note... why would a Lexus dealer bring a firebird into their showroom?

Trade in...probably because it was leaking coolant, oil, and possible brake fluid

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

Your car with 104k is just bearly broken in. take care of the problems and get back on the road. That bird im sure has problems of its own you dont know about untill you get it home, whats the real reason the last owner said good bye. To be honist, if my car some how cought on fire and was totally gone, and i had to start over, i would buy just a regular new honda car. That way i get great gas milage, and great relibility.

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

i dunno how much could possibly go wrong with a v6 fbody in 40k miles. really, the only thing they coulda done is not change the oil, which i think would be pretty apparent if you took it for a test drive. go for it and keep the camaro to screw around with. why not?

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

i dunno how much could possibly go wrong with a v6 fbody in 40k miles. really, the only thing they coulda done is not change the oil, which i think would be pretty apparent if you took it for a test drive. go for it and keep the camaro to screw around with. why not?

HAHA,,,,Well, the car could have been flooded. Engine could have been replaced. A young kid could have owned it and been driving it hard the whole time. Be sure to pull the cover off the rear end before buying, make shur there is no water, and the gears look good. I had a 99 with about 50k, they day after i bought it i found that the transmission was bad and needed the valve upgraded, the throttle body would not open at times meaning the car would not start. Then the alternator went out, vacuum hose broke, coil pack went bad, icm went bad, after a month of ownership i sold that lemon.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

I would ask if you can put a SMALL amout down, and just kinda rent the car for a week. If it seems ok after driving it for that week, buy it. You can learn alot about a car after having it for a day.

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

^^ thats the best idea right there. A carfax report would tell you about flooding wouldnt it? i meant more along the lines that the f-bodies are pretty sturdy cars, so as long as it was mildly maintained at 40k it shouldnt have anythign go really wrong with it unless, like you said, it got flooded or sumthing like that.

[av6xperience]

Re: Most likely the end of the road...

ya, my assistant manager did that with a gt convertable, ended up having a trans. problem and its an 02