need advice/help

[scoutsniper]

hi. i have come across a deal on a 96 trans am i was wondering if its worth the price

its has

146,000 highway miles says the owner
t-tops
no rust
good shape

the bad.
it had a small accident and it needs a new front clip. i havent gone and looked at it but they say its only the front clip and nothing else got broke or bent.
and it needs a head gasket

they are asking 1,300 obo

im worried about the miles mostly. and if its worth it. im hoping i can get them down to 1k even if i like it.

ill get pics soon as they emails me them

so what do you guys think. buy or dont buy????

thank,s

[Will]

I've seen front clips on ebay . . . expensive.

Changing head gaskets on an lt1 is a huge pain, but I guess it would be easy if you did it before you put the new front clip on.

edit: That's a lot of miles too. You'll be getting in to headlight motors, window motors, seats, etc etc etc. You might be better off taking the 5-6k you'll have in to it and get a nice one.

[white96TA]

i would say no, just spend a little extra to get one without front end damage, for about 2 grand more you can find alot of lt1s without front end damage with just over 100,000 miles.

[scoutsniper]

were??? lol

i cant find any. i really want a 6 speed but ill deal with auto

my limit is 2k

[mikek18]

for 2k your not gonna get much. my 95 formula has a 6 speed. body was in good shape but a ton of under body rust. i paid 3800 and it had 11k on it. I would say if you can get it for 1k do it. check a junk yard for a new front clip.

[scoutsniper]

thats what im worried about. the miles. but there suppose to be all highway miles. and treated like a baby. is that a good thing?

thanks

they also know a person with a front clip thats black for sale for 100$

so i was thinking if i can get it for 1k spend 200 for a clip and head gasket kit. i got 800$ for after market stuff.

what you all think?

[white96TA]

thats what im worried about. the miles. but there suppose to be all highway miles. and treated like a baby. is that a good thing?

thanks

I would never take anyones word on that unless I knew them but for 1000 or below it would be worth it, other than that i would just keep saving and keep your eyes open

[mikek18]

if you can do the labor yourself i say go for it, if not then id pass and keep looking. now is the time to buy tho. theres a 4th gen for sale on 28th here in grand rapids. Just saw it today, I think it says $1650 im sure its prob a v6 but ill try and stop tom to check it out

[scoutsniper]

dont worry about it. i live in redford and i dont wanna go 3hrs to grand rapids.

if it was a v6 i would want a 3.8l

but yea i can do the labor myself.

so if i can get it for 1k and do the other stuff. what kind of bolt ons do you recommend. its all stock. 800$ for bolt ons.

thanks.

[white96TA]

dont worry about it. i live in redford and i dont wanna go 3hrs to grand rapids.

if it was a v6 i would want a 3.8l

but yea i can do the labor myself.

so if i can get it for 1k and do the other stuff. what kind of bolt ons do you recommend. its all stock. 800$ for bolt ons.

thanks.

maybe you could use the left over $800 to do a more thorough engine rebuild, or get a used engine/trans with less miles

[mikek18]

Id spend some of the money changing all the fluids and doing new plugs and wires. you can do all the basics like cold air intake, throttle boddy airfoli and tb bypass but they wont get you much. maybe an extra 10 hp. Cost for all 3 is about 100 if you go the cheap way on cai like i did. You will want to do a skip shift eliminator whch s like 20 bucks(it will drive you nuts if you dont). After that you can start on exhaust or a newer rear end with a diff gear ratio. there really is a ton you could do.

[white96TA]

Id spend some of the money changing all the fluids and doing new plugs and wires. you can do all the basics like cold air intake, throttle boddy airfoli and tb bypass but they wont get you much. maybe an extra 10 hp. Cost for all 3 is about 100 if you go the cheap way on cai like i did. You will want to do a skip shift eliminator whch s like 20 bucks(it will drive you nuts if you dont). After that you can start on exhaust or a newer rear end with a diff gear ratio. there really is a ton you could do.

I agree, just dont put it all into bolt ons take car of the basics first

[Derek]

get the basics covered and if you still have extra cash save it.. because with that many miles its a time bomb and the last thing you want is something broke that you cant pay for.. Headlight motors, window motors, coils, clogged cats, etc.. can nickle and dime you like crazy. Not to mention how are the tires on the car? might need those shortly and those arent cheap these days. Id make sure its in perfect running order and up to snuff maintenence wise before throwing a dime at modifications.

Just my 2 cents.

[s.reef]

save that $800...youll need it, its an LT1 so you have to remember Opti

[white96TA]

Just my 2 cents.

great now you have 800.02 to spend