Okay. First off, I am new here, and I signed up because I am going to look at my first car on thursday, which is a 96' z28....which is the main idea of this thread.

Anyways, I would like some tips if this is a good buy or not.

-1996 camaro Z28
-85,000 miles
-$4500

I am going to have my mechanic look it over before we finish the deal.

However, my main questions are:

-Is this a good buy?
-Is this a good first car/everyday driver?
-What specific items should I have my mechanic look over?
-etc....



Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated!!
Thanks in advance!

 

It is also a v8, and has all of the power options, including leather, etc.....fully loaded

 

If it's mechanically sound and in decent condition, I'd go for it. Sure.

I do believe the best first car is one you wouldn't miss, but if you want to go for it, far be it from me to stop you. I'd just advise trying to argue him down to $4000 and spending the spare $500 on the cheapest piece of junk you can find that'll pass inspections, and keep the Camaro for weekends and special occasions and such.

As far as the rest; 4th-gens aren't my specialty, so I'll let someone else take over~

 

in my opinion, if its in good shape, its a good deal. I would love to find one under 100,000 miles and in good shape for that price. But, like the saint said, it would be cool to get a junker to get to work and back. Believe me, i work in construction and i only had my camaro for a while and it sucks when you mess your car up from being dirty or bad roads. Sounds like a good price to me. Only thing i really know about going bad to look for is the opti. You cant tell be looking at it though. It'll run rough, have a miss or something like that. good luck.

 

Make sure the heater works well,these cars are known for plugged up heater cores.
Like said the Opti is a weak point too but worst case sceniero if it fails get a new GM performance unit and new wires/plugs installed and you'd be good to go a long time and many miles.
I bought my '93 with 196,000 miles on it for $2000,it needed a little TLC as most cars with high miles do.
I had a new heater core and radiator installed,replaced the battery,an electric window switch and the fog lights myself,had new tires put on and recently after putting on a few thousand miles had new plugs and plug wires done.
I'm in it about $4200 now and she drives like a dream,love the car and it's my daily driver.
Everything works including cold AC,she gets nearly 30mph on the highway at 70mph and looks good doing it.
I think your deal sounds pretty good if the car is straight and clean and runs well,the beater car for work isn't a bad idea but I like mine as a daily driver.
I also have a big 4X4,a motorcycle,the wife's Mustang and a couple boats so I can't afford another rig to insure and maintain.
I bought mine with a daily driver in mind,I've got country roads to work 15 miles one way,getting there and back is fun in this car.

 

The blue book on this car is around 3800.00, I would shoot at most for that, you, me and everyone else in here all know it is worth that, and apparently the guy doesn't......... he wouldn't be selling it, I am not going to say what I gave for all mine....haha peace....

 

First off, thank you all for the help thus far.

However, what is the "opti"?

 

The funky distributor mounted on the front of the motor.

This one is MSD brand,no wires attached.








Nice location for plug wires etc heh?

 

Okay. Thanks!