2001 Camaro SS... Should I Buy?

[tatertot91]

Hey everyone,
I've been looking at this SS for sale and from what i can tell, it seems like a good deal.
The guy that owns it says that there is approximately 90,000 miles on it, he said the speedo broke about 40,000 and it reads about 50,000 now.
(I know this could mean anything)
The car also had what seems to be a rod knock, so I'm suspecting spun rod bearings. The car used to be black, but was apparently keyed a few months back and is now a pearl white color.

The Price is set at $5500 (might get it for lower)

He does have a lot of mods:
Stock Aluminum Driveshaft
LS6 intake (Comes on 2001 Camaro's)
K&N Air Filter
Whisper High Flow Induction lid
Granatelli Mass Air Flow Sensor
Superior 3.73 Rearend Gears
Auburn Carrier
Free Ram Air Cutout
Nitto 555R's Drag Radials
Corsa Catback Exhaust ($800 exhaust)
Hypertech 160 Degree Thermostat Throttle Body Bypass
SLP Strut tower brace
SLP Sub Frame Connectors
Powerslot Slotted Rotors
Durastop Performance Brake Pads
Lower Control Arms
FLP Long Tube Headers
Taylor Thundervolt 10.4mm wires
NGK TR-6 spark plugs
Upper and Lower Panhard bars
Hp Tuners Custom Programming--$500 program included
Spohn Adjustable Torque arm with Driveshaft loop
Autometer Triple Guage Pillar
Autometer Air/Fuel ratio gauge
Autometer Electric fuel pressure
Energy Suspensions Poly Transmission Mount
QTP Electronic Cutout
Smooth Bellows
Asp underdrive Pullies
Comp Cams 279/283 advance 230/234 Dur@.050 591/598lift on a 114lsa
Felber Racing Ported 67cc 2.02/1.57 heads
Rollermaster Double Roller Timing chain
Chromoly pushrods
ARP head Bolts
Pro 5.0 Shifter with Ws6store.com short stick
Converted my 4L60E to T56(Race prepped by T56rebuilds.com)
Zex Nitrous kit (Not yet installed)
Remote Start

Below are some pics




What do you think? (dont hold anything back)

[SouthernBornThriller]

I'm very paranoid when it comes to hearing, "I think it has X miles on it, but the odometer broke awhile back so I'm not sure the exact number.." Who knows how many real miles the car has.

And that is a lot of mods, if done right no biggie..saves you some time and money down the road, but they could cause headaches if the guy was a do-it-yourself novice or penny pincher. Not to mention that any car that has that number of go-fast goodies on it has gone fast...a lot. Probably had the hell beat out of it over the years. Also, does it have a 9" or 12-bolt rear? I saw that the gears were upgraged, but didn't say anything about the rear itself, and you can get stock 10-bolts with whatever gears you want. If that's the case, you might snap the rear on the way home..

I know it sounds like I bashed it quite a bit, but I'm just pointing out worst case scenarios. Before you drop any cash, ask him if you can have your mechanic look at it. If he says no, that's a red flag right there, and if he says yes, just take it to a reputable shop nearby, have them give it a good inspection, and they'll tell you if you should buy it or not.

It is a good price though if the mods are done right and mileage is legit.

[jonj601]

It looks really good. but yeah unknown mileage can be scary with that many mods. good luck with your decision

[GONZO SS]

I agree the only thing that would hold me back would be not knowing the true mileage. Personally i also dont like buying modded cars, i like to do it myself and know its done right. Good luck with your decision!

[sunsetorangess]

I would continue to search, the fact it "may" have 90 k on the odometer may mean 190k. Plus the motor being iffy. Unless you can get him down to around 2k i wouldnt waste my time.. Check out our Forsale section if your in the market....
J

[tatertot91]

Hey everyone, thanks for the advice
I think my first step is to go take a test drive in the car and see how it all looks, sounds, handles, etc. I think i can talk him down because he really needs money bad. you all gave some good advice so i might bring up a couple of those points to him when i go look at it.
Thanks again for the advice

I also messed up in my first post, i said it "had" a rod knock, i meant to say "has". But this isn't to big of a deal because then i can rebuild the whole thing and give me a nice project.

[adam0321]

well if your looking to rebuild anyway then hell yeah jump on it

[tbias]

no way brother keep looking and dont get in a hurry. it took me 2 yrs to find the 1 i wanted.

[thisisthewayilive]

i would think with all those mods he would have been able to put in a new inst. cluster that works. sounds shady. i'd pass

[Insert]

I agree the only thing that would hold me back would be not knowing the true mileage. Personally i also dont like buying modded cars, i like to do it myself and know its done right. Good luck with your decision!

i agree, buying a modded car, is like buying a car that you know has been beaten to hell. nobody spends that kind of money to get that power and never drop that pedal, this car has been driven hard, and if something snaps, it might be hard to find parts, or if he forgets to mention a mod, then there is the fact of finding hte right replacement part... could cause problems.

also, the mileage..... that would make me very hesitant.... i would keep looking around, better pay a bit more and know exactly what you're getting.

[ezwip]

I think you should pass on this car, because I want it.

[tatertot91]

I appreciate all of your replies,
I think I'm gonna try to talk him down since he still has it and has to file bankruptcy. I know for a fact that the car was beat on, but the motor is not as big a concern as the rear end that seems to go bad with six speeds. If i can get it cheap then I'll probably go for it. It's not everyday you can get an 01 SS for less than 5,000 but then again things always pop up.

I Just really really really want an M6 SS. You get that look, and feel of the car.

[tatertot91]

I think you should pass on this car, because I want it.

And no you can't have it...
JK

If I don't buy it...