96 Camaro z28, good buy???

[MIKE M]

My neighbor is selling his 1996 camaro z28 for $2400. The only problem it has is a blown head gasket so that is why he is selling it before he goes to college. The car was bought last year for $8000. I do not know how many miles are on the car but I'm sure it has less than 100,000. He has a sound system, 19 inch chrome rims and a SS hood all on the car that are included in the price. Is this a good deal? How much does a blown gasket cost to fix? and I'm sorry this topic probably doesnt go here but I couldnt think of anywhere else to put it.

[Brandon83]

The best thing I could tell you is to take it to trustworthy mechanic and have him look at the car from top to bottom and see what he has to say about its condition. But if checked out good go for it. I think a head gasket w/ labor is $500 but dont quote me on that.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

my mechanic charged me 650 to change out my blown head gasket as well as flush out my radiator. So im guessing $600 for just the gasket.

[Red94Camaro]

The car has most likely been dogged. If it has a lot of miles and been beaten, then you wont have that much power. I would have someone look over the engine.

[Linxs]

Sounds like a decent buy, provided the gasket is the only thing wrong with it. If a kid has been driving it then yea it's prob. dogged out. It would make a nice project car to work up.

[wantmorepower]

2 grand is a steal.... pull the whole engine do a rebuild yourself ...up the cam ... freshin the top end... bam. For about 4000 dollars total you have a sweet car.

[Ian]

yea, but i would seriously rebuild the engine. many many people told me that LT1's dont really blow gaskets unless they are romped on a whole lot.

[MustangEater8251]

IS the car in really nice shape other then the motor?

If so I think it might be a deal, if the head gasket is gone, expect alot more. If its an auto and nearing 100k, I would assume the tranny might be on its way out. Assume Opti/waterpump are going to be out if its a higermileage car, and maybe be prepared for a warped head if he blew the headgasket.

If your willing to put time into the car and the rest of the car is looking pretty good, I would go for it.

Jsut to warn you it will probably go fast.

[Red94Camaro]

Only get it if you have the money to rebuild the motor, put some aftermarket parts on it and put in a new tranny. If you dont have money to do anytihng with it, I wouldn't get it. Because other parts will go out on that car.

[Big Bad James]

At two grand, regardless of what may be wrong with the engine, it's still a steal. Okay, so the engine is toast, or the tranny. Replace 'em and you've still got a Z28 for under $6k.

[L32Projekt]

I'd buy it, rework the engine, replace the clutch if it's an M6, check the rear end for metal shavings (replace the fluid while I'm at it.) Oh,check the rear wheel wells for rubber that's been *ahem* "forcefully" removed by torque. Heeheheh. Oh yeah, the 96 is when they've switched over to a twin cat exhaust and it picked up about 10-15 more hp, giving the engine a rated output of 275. Wheeee!

[Kaoz]

Big Bad James makes a great point

[Kaoz]

Big Bad James makes a great point

[MIKE M]

see the problem is I really dont have the money to buy the car and fix it up so if anyone wants this car located in Florida I can contact you with my neighbor, you dont know how bad I want this car, but I just dont have the money :(

[93camaro_zzz]

Its up to you man. But if you REALLY wnat it like you said. Then you could sell that 99 camaro for more alot more than 4000 and get the Z and get a hell of a deal like "wantmorepower" said. Its up to you though.