'95 Z28 purchase

Thinking about buying my friend's for $2500. I test drove it once with practically no gas so I was acclerating real slow and when it went into 2nd it really kinda jerked forward so you definitely knew it shifted, it's an auto. Is this bad? Also what else should I ask or check for that may be a future problem, such as stuff like when timing belt was last replaced? I think me and my dad are going to look at it and test drive it to a mechanic tomorrow or Thursday.

How many miles?
And put some gas in it and test it at all RPM's, and at WOT. He may have it set to firmer shifts or something. Or the tranny may be going out. A 95 Z for $2500 is kinda cheap (depending on miles). Check the water pump for wear or leaks, tire wear, and all the basics.

How many miles?
And put some gas in it and test it at all RPM's, and at WOT. He may have it set to firmer shifts or something. Or the tranny may be going out. A 95 Z for $2500 is kinda cheap (depending on miles). Check the water pump for wear or leaks, tire wear, and all the basics.

117,xxx miles. Yea, he said he'd get some gas in it for the next test drive so, hopefully he did. Do you think if a transmission shop took a look they may be able to tell if it's bad or something. Also, what does WOT mean?

A tranny shop may be able to tell, I don't know exactly what they could do apart from tearing into it.

And WOT means Wide Open Throttle, meaning, make sure you really get on it to see if there are any problems.

Take to a credible mechanic and let them check it out. You don't want to spend 2500 bucks on something that you will have to sink even more money into just to enjoy it. might cost you 50 bucks to get it checked but that will be 50 bucks well spent. Check the oil smell it make sure it does not smell burnt, check the auto tranny fluid. But I would defiantly take it to a mechanic.

Get a carfax while you're at it. Never hurts to know the history of a used/abused vehicle. And remember, when buying a used vehicle, you're buying its problems as well.

Get a carfax while you're at it. Never hurts to know the history of a used/abused vehicle. And remember, when buying a used vehicle, you're buying its problems as well.

Thats what I'm worried about, buying it's problems. Do Camaros even tend to last long after 100,000miles? Thinking about just waiting and get a LS1 after I graduate and probably after the summer, which sucks cause now I'm just driving my 91 Escort..GT. No problems at all with that though, 160,000m, would've kept it as a beater anyways. Now I have to wait until this weekend anyways to test drive it WOT.

They can last well over 200k miles if they are well taken care of. If they are abused and not maintained well it might only live to see 80k miles before it breaks the drivetrain.

I'm just driving my 91 Escort..GT. No problems at all with that though, 160,000m, would've kept it as a beater anyways. .

Keep that Escort handy, especially if buying this car!!! As a parent now and having owned an Escort which went up to some 288K miles on it when I was in your shoes.

If your dad is willing to help you out with it than he should be saying the same thing.

$2500 is cheap, but then it's a "friend price". Me personlly, I don't even care to sell the best of any of my cars to anyone I know because when the inevitable does happen and something breaks, who's the first person they come crying to? So, it's either a really good friend giving yo a good price, or a 'friend' who's selling it for low to a friend knowing theres a issue or 2, and when you approach them after the problem becomes known, they can just say "hey, what do you want for 2500?" :dunno:

Used cars are a precurser to buying a used home. You really have to look hard at what you are getting for low money up front. :thumbsup:

Oh, and this applies to almost all fuel injected cars, never-ever drive around with a low tank (say less than a 1/4). Which I think that "jerking" you felt is the friend you are buying from constantly let it get that low. The jerking is probably a dying fuel pump clogging up the filter, and pumps on these cars are not fun. :2cents:

Oh, and this applies to almost all fuel injected cars, never-ever drive around with a low tank (say less than a 1/4). Which I think that "jerking" you felt is the friend you are buying from constantly let it get that low. The jerking is probably a dying fuel pump clogging up the filter, and pumps on these cars are not fun. :2cents:

The jerking was only when it shifted, and a couple people told me it was normal. The jerk wasn't that bad, just not what I'm used to in a low powered car. Is there a way to check the fuel pump/filter though? I'm pretty positive on Sunday we are going to look at it.

$2500 is cheap, but then it's a "friend price". Me personlly, I don't even care to sell the best of any of my cars to anyone I know because when the inevitable does happen and something breaks, who's the first person they come crying to? So, it's either a really good friend giving yo a good price, or a 'friend' who's selling it for low to a friend knowing theres a issue or 2, and when you approach them after the problem becomes known, they can just say "hey, what do you want for 2500?" :dunno:

Forgot to mention^^^, when he first told me it was for sale he said $2500. So that was for anyone, if anything we are going to try to talk him down $500 although it's already a low price, since my mom agreed to give me 2000 even and then pay her back.

Well, for the price, use your best judgement. It is after all a deal. You can check the fuel pressure to attempt to detect any problems. Any jerking, especially at shift points or low rpms is not normal by any means. With a combination of the 2 I will be willing to bet it's low pressure.

If you're not all too sure what to be on the look for, do as already suggested and get it inspected. Your 2500 investment may turn out to be another 2000 in repairs to have worthy and thus meeting the price of car in much better shape.

Like I said as a precurser to buying a used home: I bought our current house for half of what it is worth on the market. But when you factor in what I would have shelled out to have the entire house re-wired, 1/2 re plumbed, and 1/2 the rooms gutted and restored, instead of doing myself with friends and family pitching in, I would be extremely in debt and well over the market value.

just not what I'm used to in a low powered car.

Low powered car? Are you sure you're looking at the Z28? Unless you're used to driving vettes and lambos, the stock Z28 is no slouch.

Low powered car? Are you sure you're looking at the Z28? Unless you're used to driving vettes and lambos, the stock Z28 is no slouch.


I think he was talking about the Escort being low powered, not the camaro.

I think he was talking about the Escort being low powered, not the camaro.

Oh, I thought he was saying he noticed the shifting problems when he was test-driving the Z28...my bad. :banghead:

Well, for the price, use your best judgement. It is after all a deal. You can check the fuel pressure to attempt to detect any problems. Any jerking, especially at shift points or low rpms is not normal by any means. With a combination of the 2 I will be willing to bet it's low pressure.

I'm guessing I have to have a mechanic check for low pressure?

Nope, you can get a guage at the parts store, just make sure the shrader vavle fittings are for a GM.

A very wise tool to have in your arsenal if you plan to service your own car(s).

Crap for $2K that car is a steal. I can't see not wanting to buy it for that cheap. Even if you had to get the tranny replaced it would still be cheaper then what they are selling for in my area. I've seen some of them sell for $5K. Ehh, I dunno. Maybe I should buy an LT1 for a DD. Then again the gas mileage is probably even worse then my LS1's :p

Crap for $2K that car is a steal. I can't see not wanting to buy it for that cheap. Even if you had to get the tranny replaced it would still be cheaper then what they are selling for in my area. I've seen some of them sell for $5K. Ehh, I dunno. Maybe I should buy an LT1 for a DD. Then again the gas mileage is probably even worse then my LS1's :p
I got 30mpg in my LT1 M6 before I did my cam swap... that was with headers and intake stuff....