Hey every one I'm new to this forum and I have come here for some help. I have to decide between keeping my car which is a mildly modified 04 Ford Crown Vic Sport w/ 22k miles on it or do an even trade for an automatic 02 Camaro Z28 w/ 68k miles on it. I am 20 years old and would really like a car that makes me feel like I'm 20 instead of 50. My car gets many compliments because its very unique compared to the average grandpa leadsled but at the same time I keep getting smoked by my buddies 92 gt rustang and another buddies s-10 w/ a heavily modified 350. I am going to look at this Camaro tomorrow and I had a few questions for you guys. I'm not just looking for something super fast but really for a fun car that is also very reliable (part of the reason I chose to buy a CV) and the only complaints I've heard about these cars are the rear end, electrical demons, and catalytic converters/O2 sensors. One of my buddies had an 1986 Z28 which used to beat my *** even with the LT1 and a jacked up thermostat.

1. How reliable are these cars ? I know CV's can easily handle 200k from personal experience with out many serious engine/electrical problems.
2. What should I look for when I go look at this car tomrrow ? It is at a local Chevy stealership in NoVa.
3. Am I making a mistake trading in a $16k CV for a $14k Z28 ? More than any thing I need an extremely reliable car to get me around and to have fun in. I don't drive like a maniac but average alot of miles per year thanks to my current job and school.

I would greatly appreciate any input you all have because of your experience with these cars. Thank you all very much.

 

personally i would get the 02 z28 but all up to you, how much do you like your car ? the 02 camaro can handle as many miles as you want it to, as long as you maintain it properly, the new muscle cars arent much in value anymore so it all depends how much you would want it, i would try to get one with less miles

 

Get the Camaro, no questions in my mind ,TRADE TRADE TRADE.

 

Well guys Ive been looking every where and the only other decent thing close to the Z28 I want is a similar one with 27k miles on it. The only catch is the car is going for 17k and is from carmax which is somewhere I sincerely despise.

 

i would get the one you were looking at, i know several people ith over 200K on the motor with no re-build, you would love the camaro, and would smoke all your buddy's car's, if you are still leary about the price tell the dealer that you will only trade with some kind of warranty that would cover all repairs for 50,000 miles or so, but i have seen the 01-02 z28 model go for much more than 17k with around the same amount of miles and very clean.

 

After doing alot of research I have found that the most common serious problems with these cars is the plastic intake manifold which I would want to replace off the bat with something street legal and an exact fit and also the rear knock sensor has a tendancy to go out. Besides those two things I would also want to do a complete oil, transmission, brake, power steering, and coolant flush with all applicable filters. In the end I would be looking at about an additional $1k but I like to play it safe. The only thing I would ever change on this car is the loudest SLP system I can get on here and still be emissions legal in Va.

 

Couple of things to consider dude....1. insurance, probally gonna kill ya if youre 20 yrs old. and winter driving ....well it's a little bit of a challenge in a camaro But I would get the camaro

 

Put the Chevy motor in the CV. It will keep the insurance low and you can go around surprising some of the B body Impalas.

 

LOL...haha. Nice idea Pete...but seriously, it's got a Chevy small block in it...it will last as long as you want it to as long as you don't abuse it and take good care of it. And its one hell of a drive compared to your CV.

 

In 3 Years, the Z28 will be worth 3 times what the CV is worth. Make the trade, You'll ahve a blast.