Factors when looking at high mileage ss?
 

Hi All,

I have limited supply of 5th gens in my area.

I recently tested a 2011 with 91,000. It is priced around 16k which is cheap as is.

The mileage bugs me though and it was a reported animal strike small accident. The body is clean candy red and nicely optioned, but test drive revealed some pull to the left and a clunk or two, but decently firm considering. Dealer says yeah, yeah we fix it up nice prior etc.

Should I buy based on price? I don't want a tired ls3 a year later or sooner.

Worst case what is the cost to rebuild or replace the engine?

I would get them to fix it up first, then drive it again and make sure they did. I wouldn't get a car that pulled one direction or another. It's not that old of a car, and there sure would be plenty of others.

I also wouldn't worry too much about an LS engine and mileage. They have been pretty good tanks in the past. That's pretty appropriate mileage for a daily driven 7 year old car too.

But if you are questioning whether you should really pull the trigger, I would trust your gut.

I'm damn impatient. I've wanted one each year and now I'm ready to buy and supply and options are sparse.

As much as I want a 1LE, mid twenties is all I want to spend for a second vehicle. Its pretty much the 11's and tens which I am going to need:
ZL1 shifter.
Sways, drop.
1LE reps or similar.
Quad tip exhaust

I have a 2011 with 98,000 miles. Installed a cam when I was at 92,000 miles and the car still runs great with no problem, never had a problem with the engine. As long as it’s taken care of the car could still go for another 100k miles so I wouldn’t be too worried about the miles

is it an automatic or manual? i'm asking since the automatics tend to have more issues with rockers failing. So if i were you and it was an automatic, i'd want to address the valvetrain sooner than later

Manual.

What about other stuff. Suspension, bushings, rear end etc?

There are a few others, but they don't seem well cared for by the interiors and the brembos are usually cooked off. They have around 45 50k miles. Again I want a real cherry, but I want one asap!

What a conflict.

SS
 

That's good advice. I have experienced dealerships not wanting to "fix" problems with a car until after the paperwork is finished. Then they say it will be perfect when you come and get it.

Typical stuff and goes along with the whole internet price. They do an oil change and car wash and mark the car up a few grand becuase of the super duper "reconditioning".

Its the unknown stuff I don't want a potential headache of chasing maintenace issues.

Then I would walk away, as good of a deal as it is.

I spent 6 months searching for mine. Picked up my 1 owner, clean Carfax, 10 2SS/RS with 45k miles for $19k. Keep looking and don’t settle. Being impatient is tough, I’m the same way, but it’s worth not settling when it comes to a big buy.

Ha! I just made an offer for a grey 1ss with roof @ 19,700. Im sure they will counter. I have to have it shipped to me as well. It has 31k. What should my bottom line be?

Ok, so at the moment looking at 2 cars.

One local mentioned here. Dealer called and gave it an alignment and replaced two catalytic converters(common?). Said it now drives straight which was an issue on test drive.
91k and prices @ 16.9. Low ball at 14 given mileage and prior accident?

Two also mentioned few posts above. 2010 1ss 3 owner. 31k with roof. Offered 19,700 waiting counter offer. What is the highest on this to go?

Sorry for the choppiness I'm via phone trying to work deals.

Bump for insight on the above, please