Buying Guide
 

Hello all, Im new to the camaro scene. Im looking into buying a camaro soon and Im wondering, what are tale-tale signs of a bad camaro. I dont have alot of funds and therefore, im resorting to cheap car dealerships hoping to find a car for about 4-5 grand. I had my eye on the 1999 model but I wanted you guy's advice.

4-5 will get you a decient 98-02 Z28 or a really nice 98-02 V6.

Things to look out for are noisy differentials, a sloppy feeling ride and steering (these cars are pretty tight in the handling) if you get a manual the shifter is NOT supposed to lift up as you accelerate (broken trans mount if it does). The car should also ride smooth and not bounce you around when you hit bumps and stuff. If you hear a little bit of a lifter sound when you start a LS1 engine that is normal so long as it goes away after a minute or 2 of running. Make sure all the fluids look good and get a CARFAX on it. If they will not give you one walk away, there are lots of these cars out there that you can find.

Massey

sloppy ride, rough and bouncy, poor quality handling. You can feel a not so well taken car of car pretty easy.

Massey

Thx for the info. I didn't even consider the Z28. Think the extra power is worth it? I'm trying to avoid speeding tickets so I'm also saving for a decent radar detector :p

Do you have a trusted mechainc? maybe your dads or a friends? It is always a good idea to get a car checked out by a real mechanic. We normally see it here after the sale. Someone buys a car that needs thousands in repairs. Most of the time the issues would have been obvious to a mechanic.

Your buying a used sports car. Your going to see a lot of variation on how it was treated. I am a huge Camaro fan but if you are not doing your own work buying a used sports car on a budget is not a good idea. If well maintained and not abused GMs 3800 is one of the best production motor ever made in terms of reliablity. So it will all come down to how it was treated.

Yea, Gorn, thx. Unfortunately, I dont have a mechanic to come with me to check out these cars, but I do intend on doing all the mech work myself like I have done on my other car. But a few minutes ago, I was just questioned about the insurance prices. I have no idea what its gonna be but i was told to expect it to be pretty expensive. I dont want to resort to some honda but that may be my only option...............

Getting a mechanic is a good idea! My uncles mechanic checked out my 97 v6 before i bought it and i haven't had serious problems with it

Hondas will be expensive too, possibly even more so.

In all seriousness, I asked a couple years ago- being a 22-year old male at the time, it would have cost me less to insure a 2008 Corvette Z06 than to insure my Cobalt, and that was in turn less than a Honda Civic.

Best thing you can do is go and get a quote and know for sure.

Insurance cost are all about where you live. Talk to your insurance adjuster or look at online quotes. My 96 V6 cost less to insure then the 94 olds rag top I was driving. WHen I called about my Z28 I was quoted a little over twice the price of the V6 because I have a 20 year old on my policy.