Introduction and a major car dilemma! - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ragnar · 04-26-2016, 04:25 PM

Welcome to the forum and what a way to start. Go to nada.com, kbb.com, etc. so you can get an idea of what the retail is etc. for this car. You may have done that, but a modded car should sell for less, pretty sure they offered less on the trade. So you have an idea of what the car was worth and what you paid. Lets assume that you got a great deal. Have the dealership provide you with a carfax and the service history. Maybe you can get a better idea of the cars past. Go to mychevrolet.com and set you up an account. You may be able to see service work done, by other dealerships as well. In my case, that is where I log my own oil changes etc. It also shows the times that the dealership performed service as well.

When they do the repair, you will know pretty quick if it was repaired correctly. On the warranty part, you need something signed by the owner. You would not want them to say that manager X no longer works there, he wasn't authorized, bla, bla, bla, and look for a way not to honor the warranty.

Best of luck and I hope everything works out for you!

Mr. Stacy · 04-26-2016, 04:26 PM

I would get a refund.

Clean CarFax:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0424/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8577/overview/

One owner in Sherman Oaks. You could swap out the wheels and tires with the money you save.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2529/overview/

CERTIFIED ONE OWNER IN SACRAMENTO: (I would vouch for the KUNI dealership up here. Not the cheapest, but they are TOP NOTCH. )

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3908/overview/

Another one-owner in San Jose:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0179/overview/

68rssscamaro · 04-26-2016, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Stacy

I would get a refund.

Clean CarFax:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0424/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8577/overview/

One owner in Sherman Oaks. You could swap out the wheels and tires with the money you save.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2529/overview/

CERTIFIED ONE OWNER IN SACRAMENTO: (I would vouch for the KUNI dealership up here. Not the cheapest, but they are TOP NOTCH. )

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3908/overview/

Another one-owner in San Jose:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0179/overview/

^^^^THIS. I agree on taking the refund and look for something else.

LS3Jeff · 04-26-2016, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Stacy

I would get a refund.

Clean CarFax:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0424/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8577/overview/

One owner in Sherman Oaks. You could swap out the wheels and tires with the money you save.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2529/overview/

CERTIFIED ONE OWNER IN SACRAMENTO: (I would vouch for the KUNI dealership up here. Not the cheapest, but they are TOP NOTCH. )

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3908/overview/

Another one-owner in San Jose:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0179/overview/

Thanks! I need to branch out. I have only been using auto trader.

IOMCamaroSS · 04-26-2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcman

If it were me and they offered a refund I would take it and run like a bat out of hell.... but thats me. The problem I would have is knowing the sketchy history of the car and its possible problems I would be driving around waiting for it to go boom instead of actually enjoying it.

This. Get the money and run! There are enough of these cars out there that finding a good used one shouldn't be an issue.

nosmr2 · 04-26-2016, 05:41 PM

Yep, take the money and run. Run far away.

Cyber10 · 04-26-2016, 06:14 PM

Get your refund, I can relate.

I had my transmission go a month into owning mine. The difference between you and I is I knew the car had aftermarket work done to it, but the car drove fine and showed no signs of gear slippage(even up to the point where it went it didn't, it just downshifted one day and that was the end of that transmission).

It took a lot of phone calls and a lot of time for me to find the original owner, figure out what all had been done to it, where all of the parts came from, THAT THE TUNE WAS LOCKED, all just to figure out what I needed to do to get it running again. It has been a huge headache for me and I've been without my car for almost 2 months dealing with all of this crap.

My advice to you is if you want to buy a modded Camaro, buy it directly from the owner that had the work done, that way you can get all of the details on what has been done and by who. If you absolutely want to buy from a dealer then buy a stock one and get the work done yourself so you know what's being done and by who.

prod · 04-26-2016, 06:17 PM

Yup. Sounds like you wanted to buy a nice low mileage car, not a mystery-mod special.
Many dealers advertise a no questions asked exchange program for the first month or two, they still get a sale. If they are offering a full refund, even better.
There are enough around here in that price range, you should be able to find a nice one.

Mr. Stacy · 04-26-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS3Jeff

Thanks! I need to branch out. I have only been using auto trader.

I use cars.com a lot. Most dealers are on it and a few private party. Since you will probably not be using the purchasing dealership for service anyway, might as well drive a few hours for a nice car you will hopefully have for many years.

Some of those are 2SS as well which is a fairly good step-up from the 1SS. That certified in Suckatomato looks like a 2SS as well.

Good luck!

bobby35ny · 04-26-2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IOMCamaroSS

This. Get the money and run! There are enough of these cars out there that finding a good used one shouldn't be an issue.

+1

TangoMike · 04-26-2016, 06:48 PM

If it was was me I would take them up on on the offer to fix it. And make sure there was warranty. After all you should actually be getting the vehicle you thought you bought. And that includes it being turbocharged at no additional cost to you (after all you did pay for a vehicle in good mechanical condition with a turbo)

Olddudesrule · 04-26-2016, 07:59 PM

If you evidence to have it repaired, make sure you see the results of the compression test, as well as a detailed list of all the replacement parts installed. You can even ask for all repaired parts to be retained so you can inspect them. If it's repaired and warantied for another year, I think you're good. I would also ask that the trans and clutch be inspected, and their findings documented.

As others have wrote, you can find plenty in your price range. If you're not comfortable with repairing it, get your money back and find another.

Fireman124 · 04-26-2016, 08:30 PM

If this is the car of your dreams fix it. I would attempt to contact the previous owner to find out what was done. That way you can make a much more educated decision on whether to keep it or get your money back. If you want peace of mind and not have to always wonder each time you start the car get your money back. Only you can answer yourself. The one thing which has not been discussed is you mentioned the dealer was willing to put it back to stock and give you a year warranty. If you start out all stock you can mod it the way you want it and you will know what has been done. Good luck.

christianchevell · 04-26-2016, 08:34 PM

The fact is the car has been cammed and you do not know how many miles are on the cam and springs that have to be added in increments along the way of about 25k to keep good coil bind clearance...... Also with headers and a tune, for certainty you would basically have to inspect and maybe replace more than springs and then there is the smog certification you cant get so run from this car...... This Camaro should be sold to someone with all the info on it and in a area where the car is legal to be modified.

The noticeable lope of longer duration cam is one thing you may notice and the blue smoke yes a catch can may help that, but the fact is its a unknown cam so the engine is at what ever lift and duration and LSA and yes runs richer and smells more prevalent of gas on start up that's part of hot rodding. Unless they like tear the top end off put on some cnc GMPP ported heads and thoroughly inspect things like the lifters, pushrods, springs. things that I would want to change while noting the deposits in the various chambers of the heads by cylinder and the condition of the plugs etc...... I would say forget it...... New cam new everything or no Dice.... If you think its bad.... Its not the only Camaro in the sea. And you don't know if the thing has been spun to the moon.....

04-26-2016, 04:25 PM	#15
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,672	Welcome to the forum and what a way to start. Go to nada.com, kbb.com, etc. so you can get an idea of what the retail is etc. for this car. You may have done that, but a modded car should sell for less, pretty sure they offered less on the trade. So you have an idea of what the car was worth and what you paid. Lets assume that you got a great deal. Have the dealership provide you with a carfax and the service history. Maybe you can get a better idea of the cars past. Go to mychevrolet.com and set you up an account. You may be able to see service work done, by other dealerships as well. In my case, that is where I log my own oil changes etc. It also shows the times that the dealership performed service as well. When they do the repair, you will know pretty quick if it was repaired correctly. On the warranty part, you need something signed by the owner. You would not want them to say that manager X no longer works there, he wasn't authorized, bla, bla, bla, and look for a way not to honor the warranty. Best of luck and I hope everything works out for you! __________________

04-26-2016, 04:26 PM	#16
Mr. Stacy El Duderino Drives: 2011 2LTRS Convertible Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,194 View My Garage	I would get a refund. Clean CarFax: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0424/overview/ https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8577/overview/ One owner in Sherman Oaks. You could swap out the wheels and tires with the money you save. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2529/overview/ CERTIFIED ONE OWNER IN SACRAMENTO: (I would vouch for the KUNI dealership up here. Not the cheapest, but they are TOP NOTCH. ) https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3908/overview/ Another one-owner in San Jose: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0179/overview/ __________________ I bowl. Drive around. The occasional acid flashback.

04-26-2016, 05:41 PM	#20
nosmr2 Drives: 2011 L99 SS Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 500	Yep, take the money and run. Run far away. __________________ 2011 SS ADM LSA Conversion

04-26-2016, 07:59 PM	#26
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,765	If you evidence to have it repaired, make sure you see the results of the compression test, as well as a detailed list of all the replacement parts installed. You can even ask for all repaired parts to be retained so you can inspect them. If it's repaired and warantied for another year, I think you're good. I would also ask that the trans and clutch be inspected, and their findings documented. As others have wrote, you can find plenty in your price range. If you're not comfortable with repairing it, get your money back and find another. __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

04-26-2016, 08:34 PM	#28
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2021 zl1 a-10 WildCherry Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,622 View My Garage	The fact is the car has been cammed and you do not know how many miles are on the cam and springs that have to be added in increments along the way of about 25k to keep good coil bind clearance...... Also with headers and a tune, for certainty you would basically have to inspect and maybe replace more than springs and then there is the smog certification you cant get so run from this car...... This Camaro should be sold to someone with all the info on it and in a area where the car is legal to be modified. The noticeable lope of longer duration cam is one thing you may notice and the blue smoke yes a catch can may help that, but the fact is its a unknown cam so the engine is at what ever lift and duration and LSA and yes runs richer and smells more prevalent of gas on start up that's part of hot rodding. Unless they like tear the top end off put on some cnc GMPP ported heads and thoroughly inspect things like the lifters, pushrods, springs. things that I would want to change while noting the deposits in the various chambers of the heads by cylinder and the condition of the plugs etc...... I would say forget it...... New cam new everything or no Dice.... If you think its bad.... Its not the only Camaro in the sea. And you don't know if the thing has been spun to the moon..... __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data,Red Carbon Interior, Nav, RotoFab Big Gulp , Elite x2ultra, Borla ATAK, Driveshaft shop, BMR susp, Speed covers, intercoolers, ATI , 2650 MAG, DSX lid, 103 NW, TSP Longtubes & cats, LPE, 1le mods, ,LME cover, Katech pump and chain, Trunnions, BTR stage 2, LPE boostapump, Gforce, Speed eng , Granetteli, etc etc

04-26-2016, 06:14 PM	#21
Cyber10 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 288	Get your refund, I can relate. I had my transmission go a month into owning mine. The difference between you and I is I knew the car had aftermarket work done to it, but the car drove fine and showed no signs of gear slippage(even up to the point where it went it didn't, it just downshifted one day and that was the end of that transmission). It took a lot of phone calls and a lot of time for me to find the original owner, figure out what all had been done to it, where all of the parts came from, THAT THE TUNE WAS LOCKED, all just to figure out what I needed to do to get it running again. It has been a huge headache for me and I've been without my car for almost 2 months dealing with all of this crap. My advice to you is if you want to buy a modded Camaro, buy it directly from the owner that had the work done, that way you can get all of the details on what has been done and by who. If you absolutely want to buy from a dealer then buy a stock one and get the work done yourself so you know what's being done and by who.

04-26-2016, 06:17 PM	#22
prod Drives: HHR Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: GTA ON CA Posts: 452	Yup. Sounds like you wanted to buy a nice low mileage car, not a mystery-mod special. Many dealers advertise a no questions asked exchange program for the first month or two, they still get a sale. If they are offering a full refund, even better. There are enough around here in that price range, you should be able to find a nice one.

04-26-2016, 06:48 PM	#25
TangoMike Drives: 2012 2ls RS V6 Auto Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Southern Alberta Posts: 86	If it was was me I would take them up on on the offer to fix it. And make sure there was warranty. After all you should actually be getting the vehicle you thought you bought. And that includes it being turbocharged at no additional cost to you (after all you did pay for a vehicle in good mechanical condition with a turbo)

04-26-2016, 08:30 PM	#27
Fireman124 Drives: 45th convertible ss Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 108	If this is the car of your dreams fix it. I would attempt to contact the previous owner to find out what was done. That way you can make a much more educated decision on whether to keep it or get your money back. If you want peace of mind and not have to always wonder each time you start the car get your money back. Only you can answer yourself. The one thing which has not been discussed is you mentioned the dealer was willing to put it back to stock and give you a year warranty. If you start out all stock you can mod it the way you want it and you will know what has been done. Good luck.