Buying/Bought a 1997 Camaro....

I'm having the loan go thru for 5100$ (probably gonna negotiate a bit lower) for a 1997 Camaro V-6 STD trim with 78k miles. Has some good parts and bad parts.

Good:
1: Custom paint, bright orange (what I was looking for ^_^, Don't flame please, its my preference. Boxers vs breifs etc. )
2: Has a nice dual-muffler flowmaster. >> Gasm.
3: Low miles.
4: Camaro ^_^

and for the Bad:
1: Air conditioner blows warm air, going to get it re-filled before i buy it probably.
2: The air conditioning vent-fan makes a really irritating noise. Doesn't blow all that hard. (I may be used to Dodge air conditioning...)


Thats it really. Opinions, input, output really suggested!

Is your preference a sixer over a z or ss too...?

If this is the one you have your heart set on, then go ahead, but you can find Z28 or maybe even an SS for that price. Have you been looking for a Camaro for long?

If you're looking for a V6, and you really love this car, go ahead. It seems suspicious that it's been painted for it being so young. They could have just done it because they wanted it that way, but I'd check the body for shabby work or whatever. You might want to get a check on Carfax to see if it was in a wreck before, because that's usually a good time to just go ahead and get it painted whatever color you want.

Yes you better go get it checked out just to be on the safe side. It would suck to find out that your new ride was in a head on collision and thats why the air is messed up and it has a nice pretty paint job...

A: I want a sixer cause of insurance reasons (not rich)
B: I dont want a real Z28 or SS (YET!!!! :D) because i commute to GF which is +250miles round trip.
C: Sixer is sporty enough for now. :)
D: Carfax turned out clean.
E: Paint job cause someone broke into it in 2002 and some other damage. Gonna take it to a mechanic before I give him the final check.

What else do you guys think?

Well, I bought my 97 RS for 3,000 with about 145k miles but running strong. All stock/original. Does this car have... t-tops? power locks/windows/mirrors? upgraded audio? leather? etc. Post up more info but I'd say talk em down a bit more, as said before you can get a z28 for that price.

If you are looking for a gas saver, find some little four banger that will get better gas milage and be cheaper on insurance. Just the name Camaro shoots it up. It doesn't really matter what's under the hood. Personally, I wouldn't buy a Camaro that doesn't have 8 cylinders. You can also get a nice z28 for that price.

Well I dont want a four banger, I think they suck.. Tired of 'em... Getting a six for change and I know that the insurance Will change and make the price go up a bit but I dont want it to go up a whole bunch cause of the V8.

Its bone stock only 1 power seat he has a new cd player in it but really thats all. No power nothing.

If you are looking for a gas saver, find some little four banger that will get better gas milage and be cheaper on insurance. Just the name Camaro shoots it up. It doesn't really matter what's under the hood. Personally, I wouldn't buy a Camaro that doesn't have 8 cylinders. You can also get a nice z28 for that price.

Actually, 1995 and up 3.8 V6 Camaro and Firebirds get about 30 mpg on the highway.

:smile: and the Z's get 25 (if that... Lead foot... 2.5 mpg :D)

Its bone stock only 1 power seat he has a new cd player in it but really thats all. No power nothing.

Talk them down to at least 4k. Assuming mine was a good deal i wouldnt go any higher than 4k for yours. Mine had a lot of miles, stock exhaust but alpine head unit and all speakers replaced with components.

Talk them down to at least 4k. Assuming mine was a good deal i wouldnt go any higher than 4k for yours. Mine had a lot of miles, stock exhaust but alpine head unit and all speakers replaced with components.


I'm only 20 this is the first car i've bought (or trying to buy ) What can I say and how do i present it so i'm not being a dick? :)

Get a V8.. End of story.

Gas..yeah, but F**k it man. Everytime you see another camaro, and hear the V8..you'll be like "i should have got the V8"..

Trust me on that. It's like when i got my 95 ford thunderbird..i seen so many others with the 3.8 V6...but once i drove the 4.6 V8 i was hooked. Another thing, if you got a passenger-say around 170+lbs, say goodbye to your torque. If it's loaded...your driving a 4 banger.

Yeah V6 camaros have some power, but they bog down way to much like all 6's.

As far as talking them down.... Tell them things like... it doesn't have this..that etc.

Look under the hood, find something and be like WTF.. Even if it's a rusted screw lol. Tell them the exhaust doesn't sound like it's putting out enough pressure... I hear the throttle sticking.. This sounds like a hose leak... Those plugs are worn... Rotors are thin... A/c don't blow strong... Idle rough.. Injectors sound off.. Take off the radiator cap..tell them it doesn't hold pressure..

Throw all that crazy sh*t at them :-)

In the end, YOU have to be happy. I was just speaking of experiance from what engine to pick.

BTW, unless i missed it..this is at a dealer right..? If so, you can haggle those mofos cause most of the time they know JACK SH*T..

A: Need v6 cause my family wouldn't want a 20 yr old with a V8... I dont want a V8 :P I commute alot.
b: the next car will be a V8 :P
C: Already got a ticket in the i-4... speeding (cough110cough)
d: It may be a bog down with someone who is heavy but I can tell you from experience my buddy is 250 lbs in the i-4 and that shit died... >> its ok man i appreciate your input. I'm getting the v6 for now.

e: It is not a dealer is a private party.
f: All the shit looks clean and it runs really nice.

Well it sounds like you have already made up your mind on buying the car, so if that the case just try to get it cheaper. Go over to his house and offer him 4500 and see if he takes. if he does you now have an extra 600 for a few goodies.............

Well it sounds like you have already made up your mind on buying the car, so if that the case just try to get it cheaper. Go over to his house and offer him 4500 and see if he takes. if he does you now have an extra 600 for a few goodies.............

I dont wanna go too low where he doesn't want me to buy it... ya know? I'll probably offer 4600 him counter for 5000 meet somewheere close to 4800 imo.

Hmmm ok now I have a new question for ya'll...

What sites do you suggest to print out an estimated appraisal? I've done Edmunds.com and kbb.com, can you list others please?

Hmm the 97 Maro's retail 4600-7100 (private party - dealership) crazy... I hope to score mine for 4700 ^_^;;;; I got the loan approval (after 8 deniles .... >> ) Wish me luck guys, I hope to have it by monday night.

Hi have you gone on to Kelly blue book's website and see what the Suggested price is on the car, also how many miles are on the car if it up there one thing you can do to haggle the price down is if the miles are up there is (Iam concerned about the engine going out on me and then having a dead car and also like a few others said the a/c needs work and it nows about the time for every thing else to start to need replacing) just a line you can through I know i used that line and it worked at the dealership. good luck and happy Car buying.

it has 78k miles on a 97 v-6 5speed