Looking to buy a 4th gen - Some advice?

[Mike Deezy]

I'm looking to buy my first Camaro. My dad had one when I was younger and I loved the thing so now I'm looking for a 4th gen camaro (preferably red/maybe black). I found a 97 camaro 3.8 liter v6 on craigslist with only 39,000 miles. The asking price on the ad is $5,800.

I asked if it had any problems and he said the AC doesn't work but it may have just leaked out as it's been sitting in a garage for 2 year. He gave me the VIN number and the carfax came up clean.

I'm thinking about paying a mechanic or someone to go check the car out with me. Was wondering what you guys think this car is worth/what you would offer/what you think I could talk him down to. Any help would be great. Here are some pics:

[Inferno LSX]

Get one with a LS1 motor in it. The LT4s with Optispark are not desired.

[Mike Deezy]

Originally Posted by Inferno LS3

Get one with a LS1 motor in it. The LT4s with Optispark are not desired.

Alright I'll see if I can find any around me. Are they just better in general?

I found one with 155k miles... always worried about getting a car with high miles though. My dad's camaro's trans went out around 120k I believe which is when he sold it.

[lt4camaro]

LS1 camaros are 1998 and up, and 97 and down were LT1 motors which are great, there are no more issues with optispark. V6 cars are cheap, spend the extra coin on a Z28 or a SS. A good SS is double the price of a Z28. IMO, you will be better off with a solid roof car versus t-tops. there is a low mile (24000) bright solid red car monochromatic (red roof and mirrors) 6 speed SS with every SS SLP option, most are base equipped SS cars near me in connecticut for sale. Nada value on the 97 SS cars are the highest because of the 30th anniv year and the last of the LT1 cars

[ChibiBlackSheep]

The v6 cars aren't terrible if you get a 5 speed and can find one with the y87 package.

[speedmon]

...I agree 98+.....LS1s are easy to work on and get pretty good MPG.

Even the 2000+ V6's are good....those things get like 30mpg and handle like a porsche.

Be wary of A/Cs not working....unless you are a DIY guy thats a $1000. Parts alone are $500.

[speedmon]

And from the picture.....is the car local?

Does is snow in georgia in the middle of June?

[RatedZ]

If you find one that has a non working ac unit, as speedmon mentioned you are looking at least $1000 to repair so take that in consideration. Mine just went bad and it is the clutch in the compressor and a new GM unit alone is $700. It is getting replaced Monday for here in Florida a working ac is just as important as gas in the tank

[joelster]

That car has Z28 badges yet it's a V-6? I would never buy a V-6 4th gen, keep looking until you find a Z28. The price difference is negligible, but the performance difference is huge.

[fbodyrs96]

It rarely ever snows in ga, you can buy the complete ac kit on ebay for less than $300(compressor, accumulator and orifice tube) install have a shop pull a vacuum/check for leaks, then refill. Even that can be done for less than a $100 around here at a shop.

An there's nothing wrong with v6, just that one is way over priced

[demonspeed]

Definitely odd that it has Z28 emblems. It's also unique as it's an early '97 MY build due to it still having the analog odometer. Looks clean, though. However, I'm always partial to just buying the V8 in the first place. All in what you can afford.

[King Nothing]

Op look for a Z28 or SS with an LS1, you'll get better gas logs if you can keep your foot out of it lol I had a 97 RS and went to a 2000 SS. I got better gas mileage in my SS compared to my RS because with that heavy body you need a v8 to get it moving and the v6 doesn't have enough power to be economical.

Demonspeed I noticed that also, my 97 had a digital dash from what I remember . . . I could be forgetting lol

[fbodyrs96]

only the very early 97's still had the analog odometer

[25thanniversary]

A buddy of mine is selling his 4th gen think he wants 10,000. He has a few mods in it he said it dyno at 500hp