I have owned my 97 V6 convertible since 1999. Just crossed the 300,000 mile line!!! I have decided to repaint and replace convertible top, maybe new wheels if I find a set I really like. My question is this: Is there anything to concern myself with I am missing. Brake lines? Frame work? Ball joints? etc.? I was going to just pull the engine and tranny for a rebuild or GM replacement BUT everything is still working so well, I'm thinking the hell with it. I'll wait until something craps out and decide then; oh yeah, like the AC which crapped out about 8 years ago.

This car is special....we have "a thing". I joke with my kids that they can just bury me in the car when I die.

Any thoughts or comments will be seriously considered and appreciated.

Thanks Mike

 

without full service/repair/replacement details, I'll assume you changed oil/fluids routinely and did normal preventive maintenance, if so, I would just keep doing what you're doing, replace items before the excessive wear causes other problems. another idea would be to follow normal maintenance intervals, except now that you hit 300k consider it zero and start over etc. I am so in awe of your car that is the coolest thing I've heard in a while a 300k f body, you can check all those things u mentioned and like brake lines etc. here's to another 300 k....

 

You car is 20 years old and has a ton of miles on it. Congratulations. You must have taken good care of it.
I think the best course of action is to get the car off the ground and crawl under it with a flashlight/trouble light and do an up-close inspection. Things that probably should be replaced regardless of what you find include any rubber brake lines.

 

off the top of my head, wheel bearings/hubs, suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks.

 

Original engine and transmission? I am an ex-mechanic and I got rid of my 96 at a quater of a million miles. I knew I was going to get in replacing the rear and rebuilding the front suspension soon. Without a complete restoration it was going to be constant problems.

You really want to look at the total possible cost over the next few years. You do not want to tie up 10-15K in a car and then you get hit and the insurance company gives you $2200 because of the book value.

For what it will cost you to restore your car to nice dependable condition you could buy a low miles Ls1 rag top 6 speed Z28. One thing I noticed when I bought my low miles Z was how tight everything felt. I did not realize how sloppy my 96 had gotten until I drove a car with 42k on it.

At minimum you should hit up some dealers and take some test drives. Yes I felt a little tang when I watch my 96 leave but then I hit the gas on the LS1 and everything feels better

 

yes at the cost too fix i would just drive it into the ground ,an there are if you prefur .the v6 you can buy another one for alot less i seen a 02 v6 sell for $3200.00 with 35k miles .i Also seen a 97 v6. sell early this spring for $1500.00 with 77k on it .All it needed was..a clutch,rag tops lose there value on these cars,4th gens are nice cars but there value is low as the 5th an 6th gens seem to appeal more to people now,,.i think we have all been there,like said a low miles car will feel like new ,even one with say 100,000 that was well taken care could be the way to go ,will cost way to much to fix your baby.i have both a v6 an v8 ,the v8 ,you got to try one like said ,my 95 is a transplant i had to keep at a cost that makes me think ,could have nice ls1 siting outside too.for now i have a look alike with a bit more ponys but at a price,i bought my 99 with 87k.for 2k,you can pay that much for a rag top alone ,price to intsall a remanned engine like 5k ,the old saying is if it aint brock dont fix it,if you never did head an manifold gaskets on that car you did well an if you find. another 96 or 97 v6,you could use your babey as a parts car ,get one the same color with a rag top in no. time you feel like your in the same car,on another point if you deside to buy another shop hard couse there are to many people think there 4th gen camaro is worth 2 3 times book value becouse its a camaro. but there not yet .an wont be anytime soon

 

Congratulations,
As suggested, visual inspection is your best buddy for looking underneath conditions.
If the item is questionable, replace it.

JMT's, as far as eng/trans, as long the combo is working, keep it and continue with them - 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'
The brakes, replace the hoses, hard lines and pads, and change fluid.
But, if deeper repairs are needed, i.e., eng/trans overhaul, yes, you may be better off selling and buying a later year of your choice.

If you still like the Camaro, and it is apparent you do, keep on Camaro-ing with her.
Good women are hard to fine.

 

 

Bondo,please keep an eye on dates of posts you are replying to. No need to wake up old dead threads with no real technical purpose.