I think I might be selling the car again. I'm looking at a mint 1996 Camaro Z28- Black, 6spd, Fully loaded. Has like 37k miles on it, for around 8-9k. I'm just kinda getting tired of the LS, I mean it's been a fun run and all, but I need a change of scenery every now and then. What do you guys think?

why not, go for it.

I know what you mean. My mom wanted to trade her 91 Trans Am with 48,000 for my LS. Tough decision!

good luck selling the ls. tough market right now. i can't seem to get rid of mine! let us know if you do get the camaro.

I say if you feel that way do it, I went back and forth on getting rid of my LS(couple bad deals too) but now that its gone I only miss the CD Changer for the most part, very happy w/ my choice of letting it go.

Yea I know I'd miss it, but I have like car ADD, I just need to switch it up every once in a while. It just kinda lost it's luster.

camerro? yuck.

LT1? yuck.

My first car was a Z-28. Being sixteen and having a camaro doesnt mix too well! As far as an LS, though, I dont think I could ever take the camaro over the LS.

LT1? yuck.

Eh I'd get an LS1 but they're pricey. LT1's aren't bad motors at all.

why not a mustang gt or cobra?

Of course I'm biased.

I've blown up two camaros and a firebird while club racing, but never a mustang.

I know personally i would never drop my LS for a camaro but to each his own. I mean theyre just completely different cars so i can't really see one as a replacement, however, i do like the late model camaros so i say get the camaro in addition to the LS :)

You do not need to justify anything to us man, if you want it than do it. You should know what everyone or the majority of people on here are going to say. Check out some 'Maro boards and see what there is going on, do not ask them either, cause you well get nothing but people saying get the 'Maro. If you really feel like you want something different and can do it, than do it and not worry what others say. I could of come on here and asked wether or not I should of gotten my Cobalt SS S/C or keep the LS and if I did ask I would of gotten nothing but negative comments but instead since its my money, my choice and my life I went ahead and made the decision on my own and know what? Everytime I pass or walk by an LS I think "huh" and just keep going because I do not care, I love my new car and do not miss the LS at all.

I am totally for the change, as long as it fits your needs. I am a family guy who needs 4 door vehicles. But as someone who also owned a '96 Trans Am i know how much fun they can be. Sounds like a good enough deal. I was pondering a 3rd car which one of my options was a convertible Z28. And screw the mustang thing, you guys know you cant handle the f-body's.

Go ahead and pony up for an LS1 over an LT1. You will not regret it.

You will have to get headers, exhaust, CAI, and tune (maybe more) just to get it to run as fast as an LS1. LT1 cars can be a headache with the crappy optispark.

Beamer, that's good advice thanks man. Todd, also good advice, and it does fit my needs I guess, I'm 19. Matt, I was thinking about it but LS1's just cost too damn much. I looked into an STS turbo setup for the LT1, is there anything that can be done to the optispark?

First off Beamer is right, its your thoughts/opinions/needs that matter most, the rest of us are just tainted data points.

Now as a family guy, with a massive need for a solid Euro-Sport sedan, I know that my first choice is not a good one. I also know that not all the other members feel as I do.

KD00LS, you asked what we think and some of us are honest enough to tell you. It is you who has to make up your mind, not us. We all have very strong feeling about our cars or we would not be here, (well FLA00LS might), but the point is we should only share our true experiences and idea with you. That is all I tried to do.

Beamer - I all I offered when you said you were getting the cobat was my own experiences and opinion. I thought that was the point of your own thread.

FLA02LS - Why don't you just roll back from the keyboard and chill out. I never said anything about or against Camaros or Firebirds here that is not true. All I did was ask him if he had considered a Mustang GT or cobra as an alternative. I freely admit that I'm not a fan of that vintage Camaros or Firebirds, even though I like the looks of them, there are just to many quality and durability issues for me. I like mustangs and see a great potential in them that I do not in the Fbodies. If the truth that I wrote hurts you in any way, Tuff Sh!te.

dude, by what you like and try to enjoy it.

I understand needing a change of scenery. In two more years I am sure my LS will be gone........maybe. I'll prolly see what is out there price wise for an 06 but knowing me I'll be checking out the Dodge Challengers or Mustangs. I also like the Volvo S60Rs, and mazda RX8s. I think both would be fun to drive but at 6'4 I don't know if I'd fit in an RX8. However, I disagree with the comment about mustangs not staying with the f-bodies both cars have their strength and weaknesses. Have you checked out an RX7? They can be mean little ricers if your into that but I doubt you are since your looking at a Camaro. Just my $.02 now lets watch the people hate me for liking Mazdas. Who knows maybe Lincoln will have a new WOW car in the future that will catch my eyes or dear I say it a Cadillac? Probably not, I like FORDS to much to go that route.

Go ahead and pony up for an LS1 over an LT1. You will not regret it.

You will have to get headers, exhaust, CAI, and tune (maybe more) just to get it to run as fast as an LS1. LT1 cars can be a headache with the crappy optispark.
My T/A had the optispark issue. Very expensive, dumb engineering. My comment about mustangs i thought would for sure stir some people up, but it wasnt directed at anyone in particular. Its just stock for stock the f-body is much stronger than the mustang, LT1 or LS1.

what is optispark?

Beamer - I all I offered when you said you were getting the cobat was my own experiences and opinion. I thought that was the point of your own thread.



And I respect that man, no love lost. Point of the thread was to say that after a long battle to get out of the LS and all the BS I went through I finally got rid of it for something I really like and was announcing my w/draw from the LS scene. I knew the good and bad comments would come but as I stated, its my life. Oh BTW, she just turned over 300 today(miles that is).

what is optispark?
It's the type of ignition system, beyond that I have no idea.

yeah i guessed that much by the "spark" part :-)

The optispark is just a high tech electronic distributor for the ignition system. The problem with them is that they are extremely moisture sensitive and they are located under the water pump, which how many GM's dont eventually have a bad water pump. So alittle leakage from the water pump trickles down and ruins the optispark. Costs me like $700 to replace, have to remove the waterpump and the LT1 doesnt exactly have alot of room to work with inside the engine bay. I would put the optispark on the LT1 on the same level as the coils on the LS. Something that with time WILL eventually go bad. It sure was fun driving my Trans Am with only 5 cylinders firing. Talk about looking stupid.

Gee I never had that sort of issue on my Mustangs. In 13 mustangs, I have only changed one water pump (and it was a bad impeller not a leak), one ignition module and one coil all on different 'stangs.
And as for stock vs stock, we are talking about a cars in the 1996 range, who in their right mind thinks they are going to find a ten year old pony car that is 100% stock. It doesn't take much to make a mustang cobra wake up and strike.

Gee I never had that sort of issue on my Mustangs. In 13 mustangs, I have only changed one water pump (and it was a bad impeller not a leak), one ignition module and one coil all on different 'stangs.
And as for stock vs stock, we are talking about a cars in the 1996 range, who in their right mind thinks they are going to find a ten year old pony car that is 100% stock. It doesn't take much to make a mustang cobra wake up and strike.
After over 100k on my T/A my repairs were the optispark and headlight motors. Not too bad. I dont know what year they changed the 5.0 to the 4.6, but most every V8 f-body has out powered the mustang (stock) since atleast 1991. I think the older 5.0 stang and the LB9 5.7 f-body were pretty close stock. And yes, hardly any f-body, foxbody or newer pony is going to be stock nowadays. They both have a ton of aftermarket availability and can be made insane. But 100% stock is the only way i'd buy one. I saw a '96 Z28 convertible with 46k on it completely stock, thats rare and interested me alot. I however prefer the Trans Am to the Z28 as far as looks and interior.

I went for an F-body ('89 mint Z28 with a 355ci w/ Vortec heads out of a 96' truck - 700r4 - supposed 15k miles on both - had the block verified but I think the tranny was just rebuilt)

I opted to keep the LS for now! Now i feel broke! I want to sell mine and get a cheaper winter vehicle - maybe a '00 jeep or durango or something. The LS has 94,xxx miles and I'm hoping to get $11500. :shifty: KBB is $11585. :D

Here is a pic of the Z28 I got - I only paid $5500 for it - I really like this particular setup - it came like as-is so I can't take the credit for much of anything as of yet but I especially like the 17" rims!

http://imageserver.carsoup.com/1G1FP/1G1FP21F4KL182526-1.jpg

Other than the engine (bored .030 over, forged pistons, vortec heads), full exhaust and a mild cam it is mostly stock. I'm planning to upgrade to a Strange 12bolt rear-end w/ lower gears (3.42s), a Comp Cam nitrous cam with a .520 lift 238 dur, some Hooker 1 3/4 headers, SLP ram-air cold air intake, a Holley stealth ram upper intake manifold, 26# SVO fuel injectors, March 3-pc underdrive pulleys, Holley 58mm throttle body, suspension and rear end stuff, eventually a new tranny, but I want it to be streatable still so nothing too short, Hotchkis control arms, panhard bar, springs, shocks, etc., an MSD ignition box, a 200 shot of n2o along with a few more bells, whistles and gauges - slicks of course - and I should be in the low 11s high 10s with about 650hp (w/ n2o). :D :D :D :D :D :D

Forgot to mention the body has 160k on it but the paint job is pretty fresh...

I would recommend the Z28 over a 5.0 just because of the stock engine capabilities (although the 5.0HO is impressive) but if we're talking LS1-LT1...well...yea...

I am thinking about it too. My boss has a 2003 BMW M5 with 28K miles on it. Always garaged and never driven in snow etc. He has been hinting he might sell., He actually bought it here in Atlanta and drove it to Colorado so if I got it I would have to drive it back... It is Pewter with caramel leather interior. Very nice car (he does not even let his kids in it). I have less than 2 years to go on my '03 and would probably clear 2 to 3K after sale so at least I am not upside down. The other good news is that when I bought it I got a 5 year 0% note from FOMOCO so it has ended up costing less than a lease would have at the time also considering the free service so far.

What to do... :confused:

I went for an F-body ('89 mint Z28 with a 355ci w/ Vortec heads out of a 96' truck - 700r4 - supposed 15k miles on both - had the block verified but I think the tranny was just rebuilt)

I opted to keep the LS for now! Now i feel broke! I want to sell mine and get a cheaper winter vehicle - maybe a '00 jeep or durango or something. The LS has 94,xxx miles and I'm hoping to get $11500. :shifty: KBB is $11585. :D

Here is a pic of the Z28 I got - I only paid $5500 for it - I really like this particular setup - it came like as-is so I can't take the credit for much of anything as of yet but I especially like the 17" rims!

http://imageserver.carsoup.com/1G1FP/1G1FP21F4KL182526-1.jpg

Other than the engine (bored .030 over, forged pistons, vortec heads), full exhaust and a mild cam it is mostly stock. I'm planning to upgrade to a Strange 12bolt rear-end w/ lower gears (3.42s), a Comp Cam nitrous cam with a .520 lift 238 dur, some Hooker 1 3/4 headers, SLP ram-air cold air intake, a Holley stealth ram upper intake manifold, 26# SVO fuel injectors, March 3-pc underdrive pulleys, Holley 58mm throttle body, suspension and rear end stuff, eventually a new tranny, but I want it to be streatable still so nothing too short, Hotchkis control arms, panhard bar, springs, shocks, etc., an MSD ignition box, a 200 shot of n2o along with a few more bells, whistles and gauges - slicks of course - and I should be in the low 11s high 10s with about 650hp (w/ n2o). :D :D :D :D :D :D

THANKS STINKIN!!! YOU JUST MADE ME WANT A Z28 REALLY BAD! Nice Camaro bro.

hey optispark peeps, have you guys seen this site
http://www.delteq.com/

I now that this is not LS content, and I'm not a GM lover, but hey its an ignition solution for ya (which seems to be something I keep getting to work on lately).

http://imageserver.carsoup.com/1G1FP/1G1FP21F4KL182526-1.jpg

:D :D :D :D :D :D
I actually like that model 89-02 compared to the newer ones. Is it a legit Z28 or a V8 RS model ? It looks like it doesnt have t-tops which i am surprised it wasnt a 5 spd. Definately need to do some upgrades to the tranny. A simple moderate shift kit would improve it a ton. I guess your lucky it already had the motor tweaked because those LB9 350's even with upgrades are hard to match a stock LT1. Visit the sts turbo site for a kit for that, cheap, easy install and would provide a nice safe durable kick in the ass.

What to do... :confused:

what to do?? r u serious? :eek: Your in a lot better shape then I am when it comes to being upside down. not only that, but i would jump all over that M5. from what ur saying, he took very good care of it, no snow/kids etc. i say go for it

sorry for the off topic

what to do?? r u serious? :eek: Your in a lot better shape then I am when it comes to being upside down. not only that, but i would jump all over that M5. from what ur saying, he took very good care of it, no snow/kids etc. i say go for it

sorry for the off topic
Ok so I found out more. It is a 2002 M5 with 27K miles. It has the parking sensors, and premium sound system, new tires and everything other option that was available, heated seats, etc. It also has a built in phone – working, and a top-of-the-line radar detector that was installed by a professional BMW aftermarket shop.

He is asking 46K.

Thoughts?

Thinking a lease (if you can lease these) or purchase on a new M5 would be better. When I was looking here a few months ago they were going around 90K give or take. Don't know if that's changed. I figured buy one and in 4 years sell for 50-60. That's not much more that my LS will depreciate in 4 years. If you can't pay cash on the new one you could do a line of credit of some sort (instead of normal car note) and then pay just what you feel the car will depreciate. If we figure 45K (just a guess for this post and I suspect it would be less) then you are under $1000/mo.....pay the balance off w/the proceeds of the sale and you've created your own tax deductible lease. Just a thought:-)

Ok so I found out more. It is a 2002 M5 with 27K miles. It has the parking sensors, and premium sound system, new tires and everything other option that was available, heated seats, etc. It also has a built in phone – working, and a top-of-the-line radar detector that was installed by a professional BMW aftermarket shop.

He is asking 46K.

Thoughts?

If it's not going to hurt you financially I say do it. I'm assuming you are getting rid of the LS, too? I would love to own a black/black M5 but either way if that M5 does it for you then I don't kno wuts stopping you. and you can't beat the condition its in. try to get some pics if you can. only thing i can think of that might hold you back is maintenance. prices might be a little steep compared to the LS. let us know what you do, i can't get enough of M5's

also whats the kbb on the M?

If it's not going to hurt you financially I say do it. I'm assuming you are getting rid of the LS, too? I would love to own a black/black M5 but either way if that M5 does it for you then I don't kno wuts stopping you. and you can't beat the condition its in. try to get some pics if you can. only thing i can think of that might hold you back is maintenance. prices might be a little steep compared to the LS. let us know what you do, i can't get enough of M5's

also whats the kbb on the M?
Actually th M5 is Pewtar with Caramel Leather interior. I have had Black/Black twice in a row and would like a change.

Unfortuanatly to get this I would have to sell my LS :(

He wants to sell so he can get one of the new V10 M6's.. 90K + :cool:

I personally would get a mustang...I guess I am just a ford guy....

I think the used M5 is the best car you can get for the money. It looks slick, it's comfortable, it's fast, it handles, and it's a BMW. The all best characteristics in one beautiful package. I would give 3 LSs for that kind of a car. I might be going that direction also.