Ready to join LS1 family

[BlackLT1Z28]

Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy an LS1 T/A here within the near future. The LT1 is relentless with its many problems and I'm tired of it, so I am going to cut my losses, fix what needs to be fixed, and sell it. Hopefully I can trade it in on a 98+ T/A. My question is, what are some common problems with these cars and what should I look for when I am considering one? I'm going to be very picky, because this last Z I got was an A4, but I should have held out for an M6. Thanks guys.

[The_Wretched]

do it!!!! i just picked an 02 ram air.... my first thought... "why didnt i do this like 5 years ago?????"

no major mechanical probs. these cars are great mechanically wise. no car is perfect tho...

[BlackLT1Z28]

do it!!!!

I will...just need to get the car ready to be traded in/sold and find a car within my price range with everything I want. I'm not going to rush this one like I did my last one, that was a big mistake. I'm going to Carfax it, the whole 9 yards. I love the look of the ram air, but the WS6 runs a few grand more than a regular T/A or the Formula, so I don't know what I'll go with. Definately the WS6 if I can find one, but chances are that I may settle for the latter.

[The_Wretched]

what is ur price range?

i picked up mine $16.7k

[Rikki_SeVeN]

with T/A's... usual problems are the headlights not wanting to pop up or moving slowly... and the window motors (happens to camaros too)... other then that, I'm sure that if you treat it nice...and don't put Slicks and blow up the 10-bolt... you should be finee!...

good luck on your search!

[matthewaqui]

Try to pick up with the lowest miles and the closest year to 2002. Anything on the vehicle can be repair, but of such will cost. Look for leaks... Rack and Pinion, Transmission, Engine Seal leak (costly!). Test drive with windows down and listen for bushing creak. It's a given that the poly bushings will creak. Check for Shock problems by pushing up and down on the vehicle.

If you come across any of the above problems with the vehicle excluding the creak, get the hell out of dodge! Those are very expensive future repair you want to avoid as a whole despite the external and internal look of the vehicle. I purchased the vehicle as a Daily Driver thinking those leaks are uncostly repairs and stuck with a problem vehicle!

Best thought is to save up for a 2010 Camaro to avoid all those problems!

[hutch1999]

just listen for rear end noise

[jkicak]

Best thought is to save up for a 2010 Camaro to avoid all those problems!

i second this.. IF you want to drive a car with the ugliest interior ever created....

[9T8W66]

Overall an LS1 is an LS1, each model year has it's good points and bad points. Head light and Window motors are the main problem spots. Clutch life is driver dependant (mine has lasted 119K miles as a DD weekend street racer) The rearends will last as long as you keep Street Radials on the car.
A WS6 is not worth the extra money outlay since it's performance is no different than a Formula or Trans Am. Obviously it looks cooler but chances are you will upgrade most of these parts anyway.
Formula's are lighter by roughly 100 or so lbs esp. a Hardtop like mine and are rarer than Trans Am's, roughly 10% of all `98-`02 Firebird production were Formula's
Best advice I can give you is Don't settle for anthing less than what you want Esp. if you want an M6.

[BlackLT1Z28]

Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately, with being in school, most 01-02 models are out of my price range without them having loads of miles. So, check for headlights working properly, the rear-end, and window motors. First thing is first though, getting the Z ready for trade-in. Then I'll start looking again. I just keep getting myself excited when I find a car, then not being able to do anything about it.
I know T-tops leak with wear and tear, has anyone used the weather stripping replacement from Year One? Does it make an improvement? Thanks.

[TopForm11]

Make sure you hold out for what you want...do not settle for less..