1997 camaro

[elliottw]

Im looking at a 1997 camaro z28 with an lt1 in it and the guy says it has 135,000miles and it needs a tune up because it hasn't been driven in quite awhile but it still runs. He wants 4k for it does this sound like a good deal? I could probably try to talk him down too. <a href="http://s703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/elliottw/?action=view&current=97camaro.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/elliottw/97camaro.jpg" border="0" alt="97 camaro"></a>

 

[jrm81bu]

I'm a cheap *ss :lol: so 4k sounds a little high for something that needs some kind of work. That and if I were to invest in a 4th gen, I'd be going for an LS1 instead. A tune-up on an LT1 ain't cheap. There's also the possibility that it need a new opti-spark and not just a tune-up.

 

[elliottw]

yeah i was thinkin a little more like 3500 or less, and wth is a optispark and how much would the tune up be??

 

[jrm81bu]

They don't use a normal distributor in the intake. It's down by the crank at the front of the motor. Gm calls it opti-spark. They can be troublesome. Here's a link to the price of the cap and rotor for it and a pic.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... TUNEAMS___

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Hasn't been driven in a while is a code phrase for trouble. Perfectly good, operable vehicles are not usually put out to pasture. There has to be a reason. However, that reason is likely now compounded by it sitting. The tires, brakes, etc. are now all suspect. Plus, the 1990's were the years when GM quality hit it's all time low. Be careful. Be VERY careful.

:edit: the only way this is worth anything near that price is if it is a 6 speed.

 

[DRIVEN]

A proper LT1 tune up can run close to $800-$1000 at dealerships. Optispark is the trade name for the front mount distributor ignition system. They require water pump removal (which will likely need replacement also) to service. Some of the spark plugs can only be reached from under the car in the F bodys. Personally, I love Lt1s but I hate working on them in F bodys. I have also encountered cars that "need a tune-up" that were actually broken valve springs. I don't know if it's common but I've seen it more than once. Also expect to replace intake gaskets due to oil leaks at the rear. All in all they run and handle pretty well but are still built like '90's GM cars. If it is a true Z-28 it will always have a bit more value.

 

[elliottw]

the only reason they need to sell it is because their moving. he said he paid 8500. So should I steer clear of this or could i go check it out and see if i can test drive it?

 

[jrm81bu]

If you really want one it's definetly worth going for a test drive. Just be very critical of the way it runs. And is this a 6-speed car? That would be a big plus to me.

 

[elliottw]

No 6spd. I was pissed about that but a guy i know has a 97 ta with an lt1 and thats a pretty fun car and i bust his nuts about the auto but it is something i could deal with.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I paid $11,500 for my Frontier...10 years and 326,000 miles ago. I'll be damned though if someone will pay me that now. What he paid for it is irrelevant to what it is worth today. As for me, I would hold out for an LS1 6 speed model instead. They aren't that expensive any more and have a far better engine.