Price Check - Purchasing 98-02 Z28
 

Background: I sold my 2002 Z28 back in 2010 as it was my daily driver and I was looking to get into something more comfortable year round and more practical as I was about to get married. Fast forward and I am now ready to get back into a 4th Gen.

I'm not looking to lowball any sellers, but want to make sure I protect myself and pay a fair price. I found a 99' Z28 with 113k/auto/with a few issues that may or may not be that bad. The car is super clean from pictures and 2 owner, however one of the issues is rust related. I have had more than 1 friend tell me to run, however, I think the car would be worth it and fingers crossed that I could get the rust sorted without losing and arm and a leg. Seller is pretty firm around $6k... However when I run it through KBB (which in my experience has been pretty generous with valuation) based on condition the value is listed as between $4,317 and $4,767, even if the car was in the cleanest 1% valuation is at $5,156...

I think if the car didn't have any issues, was T-56, and maybe slightly lower mileage $6k would be realistic... My thoughts were that $4,500 was right in the middle and a fair cash price?

RUST? What? Depends on where it is and what it is. If it's surface rust, that's one thing, but if it's on the subframe or where there will be significant welding...um, I'd reconsider.

I can't help you with that as I've never seen a 4th gen around here with rust issues. In fact, there's TONS of them out there without rust issues.

Only one way to find out for sure if either of you are serious about this car...plop down your offer in cash on the hood. Whoever picks it back up first, the other one gets the car.

Yeah this rust is a half dollar size hole at the base of the shock tower, on the flat part by the front... and some light surface rust. I'm very confused as to how it even happened as I have never seen rust issues like this on another F-Body.

The owner advised anything under $5,900 would be a lowball offer, I just wanted to get some advice to see what the concensus is. I didn't just come up with $4,500 cash from thin air, KBB supports it and the car has some issues... the others being a leak somewhere in the AC system which could take some time and money to repair, and the passenger window regulator is going out, which will need to drilled out and a new regulator installed.

A 1999 with that many miles in fair condition is worth about 4k.

Ok, so I'm not crazy...

The car is hugger orange which does make it slightly more desireable. I don't think this adds much to the value unless the vehicle is low mileage and also has the option for white leather.

Buy this one:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367538

I'm looking to buy local, would prefer leather, and would prefer Red, Orange, White, Silver...

Someone recently offered to sell me a 99 Z28 convertable, auto 106k miles in decent shape for $4500...

I think I'm going to contact the guy tomorrow, $4,500 cash and then leave it in his court...

There are plenty out there for sale that would match your preferences listed above. I wouldn't just put an offer on one with a rust issue just so you can get back into one right away. Just keep looking and find the one you really want. Rust on a shock tower....that would make me nervous. That's a pretty important part of the car structurally since that's what supports the corner weight of the car. I'd just pass on this one and keep looking for a better one. They are definitely out there and you will find one.

http://i60.tinypic.com/xwsch.jpg

It seems the bad rust is lower on the shock tower and closer to the front. I'm hoping that section can be cut out, fresh metal welded in, then wire wheel everything, prime and paint.

I would trust the opinions of the other posters. You can find one with no rust etc for the same $.

run away from that car, plenty more out there. look for a WS6 Trans Am, much hotter then the 4th gen Camaro IMO.