my search for a 4th gen camaro was been narrowed down to two cars:

a 96 z28 v8 spd with 57,000 miles. has a very nice red paint, 5 spoke rims, black leather. wonderful condition. drove very well. guy is asking 6500

and a 2002 z28 v8 6 spd. 21,000 miles. black, 10 spoke rims. tan leather, very good condition (this one i havnt seen in person yet, but ive asked for several pictures). guy is asking 10,000

im leaning more towards the 2002. it has the ls1 so ill have a better engine with more power, black is less noticeable to cops, and there is no risk of having the distributor bust on me...


what do you guys think?

 

wow thats a tough one. i guess it would depend on u. what body style u like and such. the 96 would leave u with cash or less debt. so u could put some personal improvements on it and in it if $ are available. i thought the 02 had a ls6. cant say for sure. anyways its a 02 what more can i say. wish i had such a hard choise. lol welcome to the forum.

 

personal and financial decision

The 96 has low miles and the price almost sounds like it's at a dealer, not a private sale. Depending on condition after a good going over, I'd offer no more than $5000 for the 96 if that's where you are leaning and it best be pristine.

I walked away from getting another but it was a 95 with a new stage 2 clutch, new driveshaft, recently rebuilt/stroked 383 with mild cam, LT's, exterior was perfect, brakes and tires good. Interior looked like brand new leather.

he wanted $6k. It's a buyers market, don't rush into it.

 

both are private sellers. the guy with the 96 was originally asking 8k which is way too high, but kelly blue book on it is about 6100. it really is nice and well kept, interior looks and feels brand new, and under hood is just dirty, but well kept.

idk about the ls6? i know the 2002 has a bit more hp, but i assumed it was still an ls1? basically, is it worth an extra 3500 to get a 6 yr newer model, with half the mileage, and now risk of braking the distributor? (and of course having the ls)

 

Tough call,is it to be a daily driver?
Do you drive a lot of miles?
Will it be your only car?
If the answer to all these is yes I'd spend the extra money on the LS1 car if you can afford it.
If it's a weekend cruiser and spending $10K is really more than you want to spend maybe the LT1 might be a better choice.
I have a '93 LT1 car with almost 200K on the clock for a DD,it's in great shape for the mileage but if it was my only car I'd be more concerned about it than I am.
I have a motorcycle,also a truck and the wife has a car so I don't stress over it maybe breaking down and leaving me without wheels.

 

That's 4 bullet points on the plus side right there. And if you break it down, that's only $875 for each point!
It kinda sounds like you're already leaning towards the 02. Something else to consider, there's nothing special about the 96. No offense 96 owners, I've had one too and liked it. But, the 02 was the last year of that breed.

 

If I could afford either one, I'd definately go for the 02, hands down.

 

straight up? 2002

 

ok thanks on the imput. i got a quote from my insurance today...

the 96 would be 440 every 6 months
and the 02 is 670 every 6 months...

(im 18 in socal btw. thats why so expensive).

still worth it?

 

i would say 02 definately. Newer car, more reliable, LS1.. Lots and lots of room to mod it if you wanted but mainly because that is a pretty damn good price if i say so.. 10g's for a 21k mile ls1 camaro, 6 speed.. i would jump on that.

I traded my old V6 (some of you may remember it) plus 10k for my SS... never regretted it honestly..