as a C6 owner would you buy a late model C4 Camaro SS/z28?

CamaroSSStlfan · 01-07-2021, 12:12 AM

Just an interesting question. When I was in high school in 98-2002 the Camaro and Trans AM was the car at the time everyone wanted because it was the fastest at the time, at least American minus the Vette.

I might want a second car as a beater someday so I don't keep putting wear on my C6 so if the price is right is the late model C4 still a good buy if you can get one cheap under 100k miles? I mean, granted it's going to feel pretty slow compared to my C6 I know that and only slightly faster than my 2006 Mustang GT.

Always loved the looks of the later model c4 Camaro and the Trans AM as well. Would been nice if the C6 Camaro was similar in design but with our powerful 6.2. I loved the hatch back design and excellent visibility.

Staves · 01-07-2021, 12:34 AM

No. Had a 2000 z28. It was a boat.

Richardman1992 · 01-07-2021, 03:53 AM

I’ve had a 98 Formula for 5 years now, and I keep going back and forth on whether I want to keep it or not... it needs a tranny rebuild and some other work, but is still in good shape overall and fairly low mileage for a 22 year old car. Formulas aren’t that common and Pontiac is long gone...

HCI2000SS · 01-07-2021, 04:11 AM

I have a 700 hp 2000 Camaro SS as my weekend/summer toy, and my 2018 Camaro V6 as my daily. In many ways I like the 4th gen better. If the car was more or less stock I think I would a better daily driver

jamala00 · 01-07-2021, 05:23 AM

No... I personally would not.

CHASLT1 · 01-07-2021, 05:47 AM

I would never go back from my C6 to a older car. Had a 97 Z28 with the oil leaking LT1 that leaked in 5 diff places. Also had a 04 Z51 C5 i was never thrilled with on power. Once we got into the LS2 cars like a 05 GTO i had and 06 C6 i was much more happy.

LT4Greg · 01-07-2021, 06:39 AM

Absolutely not. I bought a new 1998 SS and kept it for 12 years until I bought a new 2010 2SS with no regrets. If I remember I got about $5000 for it when I traded it in on the 2010.

Petrol Head · 01-07-2021, 06:48 AM

Things to watch out for and do (or have a mechanic do) a thorough inspection on:

1. If it's an automatic, watch how it shifts. The automatics on these got weak as they got older, especially if fluid/filter changes weren't kept up. My advice? Buy the 6 speed. Faster and much more reliable.

2. Check for oil leaks. Put it up on a lift. That generation 350 was prone to oil leaks as the miles crept up.

3. The Opti-spark optical distributor was a nightmare. It's located on the front of the engine block, directly underneath the water pump, and if your water pump leaks just a drip it falls right on the distributor and shorts out the ignition.

s346k · 01-07-2021, 07:00 AM

a 4th gen lsx car can be a lot of cheap fun. go for it.

also: this "c4 c6" talk has to go. corvette stuff.

Petrol Head · 01-07-2021, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s346k

also: this "c4 c6" talk has to go. corvette stuff.

Yeah op I was thinking the same thing.

Corvette speak - "C4, C6"

Camaro speak - "4th Gen, 6th Gen"

z28pat · 01-07-2021, 07:17 AM

I have a 2002 Z28 that I daily drove for a while. It a a fun car to drive, love the ttops since I’m Florida. But at 15+ years old you’ll have to be careful with what you get, high mileage, cars that were beat on, and just plain maintenance items due to their age.

c4racer · 01-07-2021, 09:13 AM

personally, I would get a 3rd gen as a beater vs. a 4th gen. I prefer the looks. The chassis is still pretty decent. I owned a 1989 IROC with the 5.0/5spd and did many a autox / HPDE outing in it during my 9 year run with the car. During that time I completely changed the engine / trans / rear end / suspension / brakes etc and then put it all back to stock when I sold it. In many states these can be registered as classic vehicles, yet they are still a relatively modern car for a classic. In some places if you can register as a classic vehicle with no smog then you can do whatever you like with the engine. Or just leave it stock. TPI motors are pretty robust and make plenty of TQ.

ex-SS-ve · 01-07-2021, 11:07 AM

I had one a few years ago as the daily. Those cars are awful. Better off with anything else.

FarmerFran · 01-07-2021, 11:10 AM

Personally I would by a 2004-2006 GTO over a F-Body.

And before anyone chimes in, I know all the reasons not to.

01-07-2021, 12:12 AM	#1
CamaroSSStlfan Account Suspended Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: FL Posts: 1,129	as a C6 owner would you buy a late model C4 Camaro SS/z28? Just an interesting question. When I was in high school in 98-2002 the Camaro and Trans AM was the car at the time everyone wanted because it was the fastest at the time, at least American minus the Vette. I might want a second car as a beater someday so I don't keep putting wear on my C6 so if the price is right is the late model C4 still a good buy if you can get one cheap under 100k miles? I mean, granted it's going to feel pretty slow compared to my C6 I know that and only slightly faster than my 2006 Mustang GT. Always loved the looks of the later model c4 Camaro and the Trans AM as well. Would been nice if the C6 Camaro was similar in design but with our powerful 6.2. I loved the hatch back design and excellent visibility.

01-07-2021, 12:34 AM	#2
Staves Drives: women crazy Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: CA Posts: 698	No. Had a 2000 z28. It was a boat. __________________ ‘19 1SS A10, Borla S-type Non-NPP-SOLD

01-07-2021, 06:39 AM	#7
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	Absolutely not. I bought a new 1998 SS and kept it for 12 years until I bought a new 2010 2SS with no regrets. If I remember I got about $5000 for it when I traded it in on the 2010. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

01-07-2021, 07:00 AM	#9
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,396	a 4th gen lsx car can be a lot of cheap fun. go for it. also: this "c4 c6" talk has to go. corvette stuff. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

01-07-2021, 03:53 AM	#3
Richardman1992 Drives: 01 Z71, 21 LT1 M6 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Davis county, UT Posts: 35	I’ve had a 98 Formula for 5 years now, and I keep going back and forth on whether I want to keep it or not... it needs a tranny rebuild and some other work, but is still in good shape overall and fairly low mileage for a 22 year old car. Formulas aren’t that common and Pontiac is long gone...

01-07-2021, 04:11 AM	#4
HCI2000SS Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: MI Posts: 1,596	I have a 700 hp 2000 Camaro SS as my weekend/summer toy, and my 2018 Camaro V6 as my daily. In many ways I like the 4th gen better. If the car was more or less stock I think I would a better daily driver

01-07-2021, 05:23 AM	#5
jamala00 Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Hyper Blue Metallic Join Date: May 2020 Location: WI Posts: 2,451	No... I personally would not.

01-07-2021, 05:47 AM	#6
CHASLT1 Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Tampa FL area Posts: 795	I would never go back from my C6 to a older car. Had a 97 Z28 with the oil leaking LT1 that leaked in 5 diff places. Also had a 04 Z51 C5 i was never thrilled with on power. Once we got into the LS2 cars like a 05 GTO i had and 06 C6 i was much more happy.

01-07-2021, 06:48 AM	#8
Petrol Head Account Suspended Drives: Fast if no one's looking Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,794	Things to watch out for and do (or have a mechanic do) a thorough inspection on: 1. If it's an automatic, watch how it shifts. The automatics on these got weak as they got older, especially if fluid/filter changes weren't kept up. My advice? Buy the 6 speed. Faster and much more reliable. 2. Check for oil leaks. Put it up on a lift. That generation 350 was prone to oil leaks as the miles crept up. 3. The Opti-spark optical distributor was a nightmare. It's located on the front of the engine block, directly underneath the water pump, and if your water pump leaks just a drip it falls right on the distributor and shorts out the ignition.

01-07-2021, 07:17 AM	#11
z28pat Drives: 2002 z28, 2018 2ss 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Parrish, Florida Posts: 836	I have a 2002 Z28 that I daily drove for a while. It a a fun car to drive, love the ttops since I’m Florida. But at 15+ years old you’ll have to be careful with what you get, high mileage, cars that were beat on, and just plain maintenance items due to their age.

01-07-2021, 09:13 AM	#12
c4racer Drives: 2016 SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: California Posts: 1,108	personally, I would get a 3rd gen as a beater vs. a 4th gen. I prefer the looks. The chassis is still pretty decent. I owned a 1989 IROC with the 5.0/5spd and did many a autox / HPDE outing in it during my 9 year run with the car. During that time I completely changed the engine / trans / rear end / suspension / brakes etc and then put it all back to stock when I sold it. In many states these can be registered as classic vehicles, yet they are still a relatively modern car for a classic. In some places if you can register as a classic vehicle with no smog then you can do whatever you like with the engine. Or just leave it stock. TPI motors are pretty robust and make plenty of TQ.

01-07-2021, 11:07 AM	#13
ex-SS-ve Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 763	I had one a few years ago as the daily. Those cars are awful. Better off with anything else.

01-07-2021, 11:10 AM	#14
FarmerFran Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 4,032	Personally I would by a 2004-2006 GTO over a F-Body. And before anyone chimes in, I know all the reasons not to.

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