Help us make an informed decision...

[BigIrishHooligan]

Hi all,

New here, and hoping some of you would be so kind as to help us make an informed decision...

My fiancee recently inherited this 2001 Camaro SS Convertible SLP. 6 spd, LS1. It's quite a car.

Here's the rub... it was sitting in her father's garage for about 8 years without really being driven. It has developed several very leaky problems, like the rear main seal, master cylinder, power steering pump, rack and some other things. Plus, the clutch is shot and needs to be replaced as well.

Our local Chevy guys just called us with an estimate to repair it all for about $7K.

So here's our dilemma:

At this point, it makes no sense for us to keep the car. Without the repairs, it's not really drivable. But the repairs are too expensive for us to pay for if we're not going to sell the car to recoup those costs. So keeping and driving it are unfortunately not an option for us.

We can't really figure out what the car is worth in its present condition, but we figure it would be worth somewhere around 10k if we get the work done.

Is it worth it to get the repairs done before we sell it? Or should we just sell it "as is" to someone that wants to fix it up?

Any advice or direction you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Y2KArcticSS]

If you fix it for 7k, then sell for 10k, you are looking at making 3k. I think you could sell it outright for more than 3k, and make more money without the headache of fixing. On top of that, an estimate of 7k could turn into an actual of well over that, you never know what else the mechanic will run into with a car that has sat for that long. I'd say put it up for sale first, if you have no luck, then think about repairs. Maybe DIY some of it to save cost

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[konigandy6]

If you fix it for 7k, then sell for 10k, you are looking at making 3k. I think you could sell it outright for more than 3k, and make more money without the headache of fixing. On top of that, an estimate of 7k could turn into an actual of well over that, you never know what else the mechanic will run into with a car that has sat for that long. I'd say put it up for sale first, if you have no luck, then think about repairs. Maybe DIY some of it to save cost

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+1

Try fixing as much as you can by yourself, without getting in over your head. And sell it as is. With that low price, you'll find a gear head looking for a project.

[Too Fast]

My advice is to go get another estimate. I find it very hard to believe that all adds up to 7K.

Rack and pinion, w/PS pump and alignment, 1K to 1300.
Master Cylinder, 400 max.
Clutch, if that's more than 750 I'm shocked.
And, what really is the oil leak? Is it really a rear main? Or something else looking like the rear main.

Exactly how bad is the oil leak, streaming out when the engine is running? Or just that the engine is oil covered (rare by the way, for LS1 engines).

I guess I'd be real skeptical that the car needs that much work. Do you mean the car won't move bc the clutch is so worn out? And every time the engine starts it spouts oil and PS fluid? and the brake pedal goes to the floor?

[az gt eater]

Always get another estimate, and if it way off the first, get a third.

[Knight]

My advice is to go get another estimate. I find it very hard to believe that all adds up to 7K.

Rack and pinion, w/PS pump and alignment, 1K to 1300.
Master Cylinder, 400 max.
Clutch, if that's more than 750 I'm shocked.
And, what really is the oil leak? Is it really a rear main? Or something else looking like the rear main.

Exactly how bad is the oil leak, streaming out when the engine is running? Or just that the engine is oil covered (rare by the way, for LS1 engines).

I guess I'd be real skeptical that the car needs that much work. Do you mean the car won't move bc the clutch is so worn out? And every time the engine starts it spouts oil and PS fluid? and the brake pedal goes to the floor?

^This. It could just be a matter of the OPSU leaking - which our cars are notoriously known to do, and a cheaper fix. The clutch may simply need bled, or the master and slave cylinder replaced, while the clutch plate is fine. Ect.

Get another opinion, at least. $7k sounds more like they are trying to rip you off. You could replace the engine, and have enough money left over for fixing the rest, plus some mods.

[az gt eater]

^This. It could just be a matter of the OPSU leaking - which our cars are notoriously known to do, and a cheaper fix. The clutch may simply need bled, or the master and slave cylinder replaced, while the clutch plate is fine. Ect.

Get another opinion, at least. $7k sounds more like they are trying to rip you off. You could replace the engine, and have enough money left over for fixing the rest, plus some mods.

It's true.

[Firebirdjones]

Sell as is and save yourself the headaches. If your asking price is reasonable enough it will sell and you'll be rid of it. If you end up sitting on it a while then maybe persue other options.

I actually like the idea mentioned above about fixing some of the easier things that are less expensive and you feel you can tackle before selling. Just getting it to the point it's safe to test drive is all you need to do really. Brakes sounds like one of them
Or make it easier and just sell the car to me and I'll rid you of the problems

[Smittro]

Did'nt see any mention of mileage..

If it's high mileage (over 100k) you can forget it ever being worth 10k even if you fix it.

[Firebirdjones]

Did'nt see any mention of mileage..

.

I'd guess alot of miles if the clutch is already shot and hasn't been driven for 8 years. I've had 40+ year old cars sit much longer than that and didn't have a list of issues that big.

But then again, sitting for 8 years and the car is only what,,,,11 years old?? Strange to see so many things wrong with it, or it was driven hard for 3 years and parked....hard to say.

[GoldenFlame]

Rack and pinion, w/PS pump and alignment, 1K to 1300.
Master Cylinder, 400 max.
Clutch, if that's more than 750 I'm shocked.

Hell not even that if he can do it himself. You can get a Master for $120 and an LS6 clutch kit for $395. I'd fix it up and enjoy it. You can fix it for a hell of a lot less than 7k, enjoy the car and then sell it for 7k down the road if need be.

[00LS12LS6Z28]

I was quoted for a rack and pinion for $1200 at the local GM dealership and the rack and pinion wasn't even going to be a new one.....We also need to know the miles of the vehicle to determine the value of the car. It is a convertible so that is a plus for value as well as being a 6 speed. I could have sold you my clutch and flywheel, but I sold my car so they went with the car.

[Firebirdjones]

Yikes, that's pricey for something that isn't new. You can send your original out for a rebuild, (I'll have to check the name of the place as it escapes me now) and it's much cheaper, and modified to work better than original. They are easy to take in and out yourself.

[2002ssslp]

My advice is to go get another estimate. I find it very hard to believe that all adds up to 7K.

Rack and pinion, w/PS pump and alignment, 1K to 1300.
Master Cylinder, 400 max.
Clutch, if that's more than 750 I'm shocked.
And, what really is the oil leak? Is it really a rear main? Or something else looking like the rear main.

Exactly how bad is the oil leak, streaming out when the engine is running? Or just that the engine is oil covered (rare by the way, for LS1 engines).

I guess I'd be real skeptical that the car needs that much work. Do you mean the car won't move bc the clutch is so worn out? And every time the engine starts it spouts oil and PS fluid? and the brake pedal goes to the floor?

I agree with Too Fast. I feel 3 grand should fix everything. Depending on the condition and the mileage you should make out very well after the repairs.

[BigIrishHooligan]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to swing by and give anybody who's interested an update.

We ended up taking the car to a second (very highly rated) mechanic who gave us a MUCH better estimate. We've had the work done and my fiancee has been driving it since we got it back a couple of days ago. It's freaking awesome!

The guys that did the work for us charged us about $2800 to fix all the leakiness and replace the clutch as well as pop some new plugs/wires in there and give it a general tune up and lube. We feel like they did quite a bit of work for not a lot of money, and we are thrilled with the job they did.

For those who were wondering, the car is sitting right at 100k miles. At this point, we're not really sure if we're going to sell it or not. Kind of nice having a such a vicious monster in the garage.

Cheers, all! Thanks for the advice!

[silverWS6]

Way better then $7k!! Glad your leaning towards keeping it, now that its all better with proper maintenance it should give you a heck of a lot more miles of enjoyment!

[Too Fast]

Nice to get another opinion, eh? Now, put the top down and enjoy!

[Smittro]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to swing by and give anybody who's interested an update.

We ended up taking the car to a second (very highly rated) mechanic who gave us a MUCH better estimate. We've had the work done and my fiancee has been driving it since we got it back a couple of days ago. It's freaking awesome!

The guys that did the work for us charged us about $2800 to fix all the leakiness and replace the clutch as well as pop some new plugs/wires in there and give it a general tune up and lube. We feel like they did quite a bit of work for not a lot of money, and we are thrilled with the job they did.

For those who were wondering, the car is sitting right at 100k miles. At this point, we're not really sure if we're going to sell it or not. Kind of nice having a such a vicious monster in the garage.

Cheers, all! Thanks for the advice!

There are folks here with over 200k on their clock and still going strong.

150k is no sweat on these so enjoy!

[Y2KArcticSS]

227k, still DD her 100+ miles a day

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