New member - almost a new owner... - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

StevieT65 · 06-06-2011, 05:13 PM

He everyone, very nice group here. I am thinking about joing the Camaro ranks and have a general opinion question...

I have the opportunity to purchase a 93 z28. It is pristine and well maintained. It does however need a new fuel pump (based on 3 mechanics views). I've spoken with SSP (from here) and know the costs associated with that. So my opinion question is this.... Is $3,500 fair to offer (he's asking $4,500). Other things are that it has the police package, the trans was rebuilt and still under warranty, new brakes, new ignition system, new distributor and 143k miles.

I understand that I am asking for opinions and would hold no one any ill will for their views. Just entering the realm, I want to be fair, but do not want to be ripped off either. Thanks in advance for the advice!

-Steven

edpontiac91 · 06-06-2011, 05:28 PM

The mileage is the real killer @ that price. As you may be starting to notice, just about everything could be ready to go south with 143K.

The fact that it has the police package also should be a red flag because whoever owed the car most likely drove it like they stole it.

You best bet would be to take it to a mechanic you know and let him go thru the entire car. If the seller balks at this idea, RUN, don't walk away from this car unless he really comes down quite a bit on the price.

sweetbmxrider · 06-06-2011, 05:37 PM

Yeah I'd take it to a trusted mechanic to look it over. 93's are pretty unique when it comes to the lt1 platform. If the car is immaculate inside and out, the price you want it for seems fair. If its pretty worn out, I'd look for something else.

BullittSVT · 06-06-2011, 08:04 PM

Hold off and get something that isn't ready to die the week after you get it. 3500 is a fair price for the car but there's just too much ready to go on an 18 year old car thats use was beating the piss out of it. But atleast you got the right idea of buying an F-Body

StevieT65 · 06-06-2011, 08:21 PM

Thanks! I'm looking for a Bergen County mechanic that I can trust and who knows these cars. The owner did say that I can have it checked out - so I think it would be a good idea!

06-06-2011, 11:42 PM

i paid 3750 for my old 96 with 86k miles

maroman88 · 06-07-2011, 12:52 AM

I highly doubt there was a Special Service (police) package in 93... but i could be wrong. check the RPO tag for code B4C. they made them in 91-92 but i dont think they came back until the LS1 4th gens.

as for the price, that is a lot of miles for a car that needs atleast another grand in work, however if u do the fuel pump yourself itll be about 100 bucks, and im sure itll need other stuff too. if i were u, id save a few more paychecks and get an ls1 car

edit!!!!! i stand corrected! it was the rarest year with only 135 made... buy it and keep her stock

http://www.camarosource.ca/rare_specialty/b4c/

StevieT65 · 06-07-2011, 05:56 AM

Okay - so now I'm more intrigued with so little police packages produced that year. Does anyone know how I can confirm that it truly has the package?

sweetbmxrider · 06-07-2011, 08:17 AM

B4C = cop car

madness410 · 06-07-2011, 12:20 PM

welcome...whatever the guy tells you always take it with a grain of salt...the last person you should believe is the seller

maroman88 · 06-07-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieT65

Okay - so now I'm more intrigued with so little police packages produced that year. Does anyone know how I can confirm that it truly has the package?

check the glove box for the RPO sticker... there are all the cars options codes on it and look for B4C

WildBillyT · 06-07-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

B4C = cop car

Not exactly. B4C means special services, which includes other fleet stuff.

Kind of like how the old school "COPO" is usually associated with performance but was also used for taxis and ambulances.

I would pass on a '93. Too much one year only stuff that may need to be replaced in a high milage car.

greenformula92 · 06-08-2011, 09:05 AM

yeah 93's can be problematic, but they can run great forever, just make sure you have yourself aware of the LT1 problems, most importantly the failure of the opti-spark. if it hasn't happened yet, it will, at the worst possible time

Cycule · 06-08-2011, 09:43 AM

Yea dude. You should try aand wait for a healthier Camaro. The 93's had alot of problems.

StevieT65 · 06-09-2011, 02:15 PM

Appreciate all the feedback. I may still get it if the mechanic says it is okay. Timing wise it works right now so my daughter can have my Aveo (meant for her along) otherwise I may end up settling for a whatever car when the time comes and I can't do that anymore. I need something fun to drive - the Aveo may be a Chevy, but it was not designed for guys like me. It is a great student first car.

WildBillyT · 06-09-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieT65

Appreciate all the feedback. I may still get it if the mechanic says it is okay. Timing wise it works right now so my daughter can have my Aveo (meant for her along) otherwise I may end up settling for a whatever car when the time comes and I can't do that anymore. I need something fun to drive - the Aveo may be a Chevy, but it was not designed for guys like me. It is a great student first car.

Sounds good, but I have to say you should really take a look at parts availability for a '93 car and see if it's still worth it. The trans is a one year only, the PCM and wiring is one year only, the optispark is a non-vented two-year only part that's $500, etc.

I am not hating on '93s in the least. I am speaking from a similar experience: Only 14,000 or so of these cars were made, so finding some of the one year only stuff will suck and won't be available at the parts house. I feel this pain with my '68 Nova. A lot of the stuff is one year only, and even with a production run of 180,000+ and an already existing aftermarket industry guys are still paying $500 for ash trays and $200 for dash emblems. The costs outweigh the profits for reproducing one year stuff so they won't get made.

LTb1ow · 06-09-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Sounds good, but I have to say you should really take a look at parts availability for a '93 car and see if it's still worth it. The trans is a one year only, the PCM and wiring is one year only, the optispark is a non-vented two-year only part that's $500, etc.

I am not hating on '93s in the least. I am speaking from a similar experience: Only 14,000 or so of these cars were made, so finding some of the one year only stuff will suck and won't be available at the parts house. I feel this pain with my '68 Nova. A lot of the stuff is one year only, and even with a production run of 180,000+ and an already existing aftermarket industry guys are still paying $500 for ash trays and $200 for dash emblems. The costs outweigh the profits for reproducing one year stuff so they won't get made.

Meh, on the counter argument, if you are decent with tools, it is not to hard to swap most things to newer LT1 stuff. So, if it runs great as is, I wouldn't let the year alone scare you out of it.

sweetbmxrider · 06-09-2011, 03:47 PM

Batch fire and tv cable scare most

Anti_Rice_Guy · 06-09-2011, 04:36 PM

Firebird67dude had no real problems with his at over 200k miles, besides his habit of breaking rears and a transmission. He has no complaints, I asked him after reading this to double check.

StevieT65 · 06-27-2011, 09:09 AM

Well sad to say mechanic ended up nixing the deal. Sparatic oil leaks that were easy to spot from the lift. Plus oil all over the rear dif. Too much guess work for a "maybe" to begin with. So the hunt is still on...