Hopeful LS1 Owner

**LS1Psycho** · 02-10-2010, 01:00 PM

Well I don't have my car yet but I thought I would post now and update later once I got my car. Right now I'm trying to decide between either the Formula I found or the Z28 for a bit more cash. I'm leaning towards the Formula as Firebirds have a special place in my heart. My friend keeps telling me that the Firebird has quirks, but I think he is just making stuff up. Well enough rambling. I will be around, I promise.

**Z28_Driver** · 02-10-2010, 01:31 PM

Welcome to the site. I'm not aware of any quirks with the firebird. For the most part they are the same car. It really comes down to a matter of which car looks better to you.

**LS1Psycho** · 02-10-2010, 02:48 PM

The T/A I'm looking at is a '98 with an A4. He is telling me that the '98's have issues with a body control module and that the car had lots of first year querks. I have no idea about it and I can't find any info online about it either.

If everything works out, I'm getting the T/A. My dad had a 1970 T/A and when I was little, that was the coolest thing in the world. That and the T/A is about 1k less than the Camaro which means more money for mods.

**KahanaReef** · 02-10-2010, 03:08 PM

Welcome to the site!

The only 'quirks' that I am aware of are cracking door panels and some headlight motor issues. But, there are plenty of threads here for you too read up on both the Camaro's and T/A's to help you make up your mind.

**0rion** · 02-10-2010, 03:24 PM

what year is the z28? There are a few things about the 98's that are different. The pcm's are harder to find handheld tuners for if you ever go that route but the editors work on them. The oil passages and rod bolts got better as the years progressed. The TA's headlight motors end up with issues no matter what year. If I were looking at a 98 formula and a 98 z28 I'd take the formula because IMO they're styled better and have better seats. If the z is a 99+ though that would make me strongly consider it but I'd still take the formula because the styling is better and they're more rare.
My 98 formula hasn't had any issues that were year related that you wouldn't run into with any f-body. I'm still on the stock bottom end, stock tranny, and ran in the 11's with it last year.

**LS1Psycho** · 02-10-2010, 05:23 PM

The Z28 is a 2002 but it's $1000 more. I was mainly concerned with there being issues with the T/A. It is my first choice and the car I am going to try and get first. If that falls through then I will attempt to get the Z28. I physicaly can't go car shopping till Saturday so that is why I'm saying I don't know if the T/A is still going to be there.

**0rion** · 02-10-2010, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by LS1Psycho

The Z28 is a 2002 but it's $1000 more. I was mainly concerned with there being issues with the T/A. It is my first choice and the car I am going to try and get first. If that falls through then I will attempt to get the Z28. I physicaly can't go car shopping till Saturday so that is why I'm saying I don't know if the T/A is still going to be there.

for a grand get the z.......way to many positives in having an 02 vs a 98 when you're talking $1000 difference. You'll get an LS6 intake stock....that's a $350 intake if you buy used. Has better rod bolts, block has better oiling passages and windows in the mains, and the pcm is much easier to find tuners for. Get the Z.

**Z28_Driver** · 02-11-2010, 08:30 AM

Not sure about all 02s, but mine has responded very well to mods. The only repairs that have been made were an HVAC head unit in the first month. Then at about 40K the trans broke the sunshell. I can't remember when it was but I had to replace the water pump. And of course a window motor on the driver's side.
If you look through the site you will find that all of these are common issues or maintenance if you will on a high performance car.
The benefits to these cars far outweigh the negatives. You get great performance in every category in stock form. With the right mods you have supercar performance for a reasonable price.
Buy the Z!

**SuperSport346** · 02-11-2010, 02:41 PM

What are the miles on the cars??

I'd go for the Z...

**LS1Psycho** · 02-11-2010, 06:15 PM

I want to thank everyone with advice on the cars. Like I stated before, I was pretty much set on a Firebird and the Camaro was always an option. I found another Firebird in my price range and it's the color I wanted, blue. It's a '99 but it's got 144k on the clock. The '98 Firebird has 118k on the clock and the '02 Camaro has 122k or so. I don't plan on doing anything drastic as far as mods. Maybe lid, intake, header, catback, and not much more. Still have some thinking to do, but I am looking more towards both of the Firebirds.

**c5z28** · 02-11-2010, 06:20 PM

post some links to the cars in question.

**SuperSport346** · 02-11-2010, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by LS1Psycho

I want to thank everyone with advice on the cars. Like I stated before, I was pretty much set on a Firebird and the Camaro was always an option. I found another Firebird in my price range and it's the color I wanted, blue. It's a '99 but it's got 144k on the clock. The '98 Firebird has 118k on the clock and the '02 Camaro has 122k or so. I don't plan on doing anything drastic as far as mods. Maybe lid, intake, header, catback, and not much more. Still have some thinking to do, but I am looking more towards both of the Firebirds.

If the 99 is less, and is more of what you wanted, go for that. You'll be happier going with what you really want rather than settling for something else.