How long will the LS1 hold up?

**Chad97z** · 08-09-2006, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by walden31

Thanks for all the info guys. But what is the difference between driving a car hard and beating on it? haha that confused me a bit. I like to accelerate quickly alot, but i don't redline on purpose and all if that's what you mean I run it hard to get it's full patential but don't do anything that will purposly destroy the motor and tranny. If that is what beating a car is?....

The harder you accelerate - the harder you are on the car. My car has never been to a drag strip. I get on it sometimes, but just for fun. And I haven't done it much lately.

**SSwt00SS** · 08-10-2006, 05:27 AM

at 34,681 miles mine is holding up just fine! she will accumulate even less miles since I now have a DD...

**Red Chevy** · 08-17-2006, 04:23 AM

I found the hardest thing about buying my car was keeping my cool and being patient. One thing that greatly helped me in finding the right car was, first I was willing to walk away from any car I had the slightest doubt in and I was also willing to fly anywhere I could drive back from in about a day and a half. I live in MD and bought my car in KY. And yes, just because I flew to KY the same rules applied, if I had any doubt about the car, I buy a ticket and fly home. Don't look at it as wasting $400 to fly and look at the car, view it as saving yourself from paying 10K for a piece of sh*t. The main thing is be cool, they made more than one Camaro and the right one for you is out there.

**Chad97z** · 08-17-2006, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by Red Chevy

I found the hardest thing about buying my car was keeping my cool and being patient. One thing that greatly helped me in finding the right car was, first I was willing to walk away from any car I had the slightest doubt in and I was also willing to fly anywhere I could drive back from in about a day and a half. I live in MD and bought my car in KY. And yes, just because I flew to KY the same rules applied, if I had any doubt about the car, I buy a ticket and fly home. Don't look at it as wasting $400 to fly and look at the car, view it as saving yourself from paying 10K for a piece of sh*t. The main thing is be cool, they made more than one Camaro and the right one for you is out there.

I can see doing that for a collectors item.. but for just a 2002 Camaro?, I think that's over the top. Because all cars are going to break. And all used cars need one thing or another. So if there is just one little thing wrong with a car, does that mean you're not going to get it? That's what bargaining for the right price is all about. I bought an 89 Honda Accord for $1,200 to keep from giving $250 to a rental car company when my Camaro blew a head gasket. And it's been a great investment. But this Honda needed a TON of work. But it was better than wasting $250 on a rental car and now I drive it almost daily because I have fixed the axles, water leak, a/c, tires and other stuff. My point is that how can you rule out a good car just because it needs a small repair? My little Accord is a very nice little cheap car and it's preserving my 97 Camaro with 89k miles. I bet you with 160k miles on the accord it will still outlast a new Chevy Cavalier or Cobalt!

**sgt0704** · 08-18-2006, 09:08 AM

so did you buy one or what?

**walden31** · 08-18-2006, 01:47 PM

nope, not yet, i'm taking my time like said above, there aren't that many around here that are "good" deals, most are way over priced but i'm in no big rush now, last car i bought wasn't my favorite, most wanted car and now i want my first choice. I was stupid for not waiting and finding a camaro, but hey, now i'm getting the perfect one that i want.

**ErikElvis** · 08-19-2006, 10:35 AM

Met a guy at the track last night with a 98 Z28 with 150,000 miles. An auto pullin 2.0 60's and 13.2 quarters with headers exhaust and intake.

**WhiteLs1** · 08-19-2006, 12:23 PM

You could check out carmax, maybe have one shipped to you. If there is a carmax in your area. If you like the car, it is in good shape and has been well maintained what the hell. Maybe talk him down 500-1000 bucks!!

figgadyfizzle · 08-21-2006, 02:29 AM

Miles don't hurt a car, it's all in how it's driven. People say not to buy a car that's been in storage for a long time but mine was for about 6 months before I found it. It's an '01 SS damn near showroom condition with every available (I shit you not the guy must have checked every single box on the order sheet) option for the car. It had 82,000 miles on it and I paid $10,000 for it. Found it on autotrader and only had to drive about an hour to get it. I have the most kickass car in town and I paid 10 grand for it, I mean it has the chrome 17" SS wheels and ram air and handling package, t-tops, leather, you name it it's got it. Anyway it didn't have any gas in it at all, I put 93 in it, changed the oil and put a new air filter in it. I took it to the track and managed a 13.34@105, 2.0 60ft, with a reaction time of .488 so I know it's a 12 second car with a good start(good driver). There were two brand new GTO 6.0litre there, a MACH1, and a WRX STi. The Mach being the fastest but I slaughtered them all, by a half second atleast cuz his best was like a 13.8 and I think the STi was about the same and the goats were 14.0-14.5 all night. All of those cars cost twice as much or more than mine plus Mine looks better (red SS with t-tops nothing sexier exists) So I'm telling you a SS is definitely a great investment. And for the record:83,100 miles still a 12 second car runnin like a raped ape, cranks every time no problem.

figgadyfizzle · 08-21-2006, 02:40 AM

Dude keep looking. I had been looking for my dream car (Camaro Z28) for the past two years while driving my POS Talon and finally I found one that wasn't ragged and had all the bells and whistles. Hell I wasn't even looking for an SS but it was in my price range so I looked at it and damn near creamed my pants when the dude said $10,000. It was his son's car, he had co-signed for him but his son stopped paying the note, he was left with the note so he put the car for sale on the internet. I would have paid 13 grand or maybe more given the car's condition but he said all he wanted was a little over payoff which was 9 grand. Keep looking something will come up just like it did for me. I couldn't be happier:best 10 grand I will ever spend no question.

**purdueranger** · 08-22-2006, 06:54 AM

I paid a little more than what you were looking at for a 00 with about 10k less miles on the clock for my modded 00 Z28 but it was built buy a friend of mine who works for a speed shop down in Texas and when looking at the cost of the same car stock and having to buy all the aftermarket parts I came out ahead, even with the cost of interest. It is all about picking and searching for the car that you like the most and feel that you are getting the best deal on. I was first looking at 02 Z28s and found a nice one with 23k on the clock but the dealer wanted over 20k for it and 17k for another 02 but was an auto and 59k on it for 17k. I walked away and my friend told me that he was selling his car and I know the history of the car and I am very happy with my car.

**SoundTA** · 08-22-2006, 08:46 AM

Walden31..where in Illinois are you? Im up by Grayslake and can keep an eye out for you if you like.

**Roastem** · 08-22-2006, 09:05 AM

Mine had a HARD 88K on it when I bought it, and I have put an even harder 10K on it since then. I found and removed nitrous wiring when I was replacing the CD head unit. It had a shift light, and all bolt-ons when I bought it. It was Fully loaded too. It even had 4.10 gears already and a welded subframe with the torque arm option that connects to the subframe instead of the tranny.

I have done a cam/intake swap, and am in the middle of slapping on some serious power heads. I took note of everything while I have been working on the car.

I inspected the cylinder walls for wear, and there was NONE. Unbelievable that there was no ridge whatsoever. All the lifters looked fine, the only thing wrong with that motor was the timing chain looked a little slack, and the front main seal was worn, but not worn out. And that was IT.

Maybe I lucked out, but I wouldn't be wary of any LS1 with less than 100K. Now if you said 200K, then I would sing a different tune.

Moral of the story: Paid 8K for it, had 10K worth of fun, would do it again!

**JD_Z28** · 08-23-2006, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by walden31

Hi, I'm looking at buying a 00 z28 with 92,000 miles for like $9500, How long do these motors last? I drive rather hard usually but I don't wanna blow a motor or buy one that won't hold up for me. Would this be a bad car to get, i don't plan on modding it that much I plan on only doing a full exhaust and that's about all maybe intake, plenum, throttle body but most likely just exhaust. Any info would be great thanks guys. (I change oil every 3k miles and keep everything maintained as well...) So, will it last me to 175,000 miles? And do the transmitions in these cars hold up well? Sorry, I don't know much about the Camaro's and Trans am's.....Please help!

Thanks!

Drop an LS2 in it, then you have no miles.

**rdelgado** · 09-16-2006, 12:28 PM

wel here is a tip if u do get a camaro never drive it through in water it will suck up the water and it will have to be a new engine that cost nearly $5000

**Vanquistador** · 09-16-2006, 12:53 PM

[small thread hijack]

Assuming the LS1 does fail on a high mileage car, and the owner is forced to buy a new engine. What else may fall apart on the car with that much mileage? (Assuming around 150k) If the owner swapped out engines after the LS1 with a brand new crate engine/LS1 would the transmition and other parts of the vehicle still hold up fine for many more miles to come?

[/end hijack]

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**sgt0704** · 09-16-2006, 01:07 PM

THE REAr end is the only thing that comes to mind.

**2000b4c** · 09-17-2006, 11:23 PM

i got a 00 cam b4c that has just 172k and still runs like its on jet fuel. if you maitian your car you should be fine up to at least 200k or so. i have had a few with that mileage and more so they are tough. but i say at least a grand or so off of the price.