Looking into buying a 4th gen T/A , has oil leak at the valve covers. Opinions? (Page 2/6)
nitroheadz28 AUG 06, 12:59 AM
I know the feeling, I spent over 5 months searching for my Fiero..

But, I don't have that luxury this time.. I have someone coming from delaware to pick up my current DD on thurs, and I don't want to be left without wheels.

I don't mind about it being an LT1, this will be my DD and weekend cruiser. As long as it sounds and looks nice, I won't be winning any races.

I just spent another hour looking through craigslist in the tri-state area in every region/city. All the good condition clean LT1 cars are $4-6k, and the cheapest nice LS1 car I found was $6k with 133k on it.

I just assume all these cars have been beaten on, I mean thats sort of what they were built for
Tony Kania AUG 06, 01:11 AM
Feel like traveling? Only what I found. Most possible junk.

http://westernmass.craigsli.../bar/3185979892.html

http://longisland.craigslis.../cto/3183552091.html

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3130623253.html

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3164721748.html

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/3144602902.html

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3117594325.html

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3147201356.html

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3185416465.html


Tony

[This message has been edited by Tony Kania (edited 08-06-2012).]

nitroheadz28 AUG 06, 01:50 AM
Tony.. LOL at the Yugo

Yep I'm searching in a 3h/ 180 mile radius basically. Most of those I've seen, I'll comment under the links.


quote
Originally posted by Tony Kania:

Feel like traveling? Only what I found. Most possible junk.

http://westernmass.craigsli.../bar/3185979892.html
This one I haven't seen, I'll ask about mileage but its a candidate.

http://longisland.craigslis.../cto/3183552091.html
Seen this, auto.

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3130623253.html
Hmm now this sounds interesting! I'll also have to check with him, if it looks decent it could be a winner.

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3164721748.html
This is the one that I mentioned being the cheapest decent looking LS1 car.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/3144602902.html
Seems decent, but it depends on what it'll need for paint.

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3117594325.html
This one has been on CL for 2 weeks or so, $1500 less and I'd take it.

http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3147201356.html
About $800 too much and the color is


Tony




Thanks a lot Tony, I'll see what I can come up with for the 2 that seem like decent buys.
nitroheadz28 AUG 06, 12:43 PM
http://hudsonvalley.craigsl.../cto/3130623253.html

This one seems to be a great package! I just got pics from the seller and its a nice type of maroon (I never imagined myself saying that lol)- but its got 2 spots on the hood and fender that are in primer. The beige interiors seem to be harder to find, and its a hard top so no leaking or rattles (but I secretly wanted T tops haha). He says its mint apart from the paint issue. I think $4k would be a fair offer on something like that.







http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/3144602902.html

This one, he said that it was tapped by a snow plow a while back and the person who painted the bumper and fender did a crappy job on the clear, the rest of the paint is weathered.

All these cars have paint issues, something I'd rather avoid.. But I'm strapped for time . I dunno, which one would you guys take from all the ones in this thread?

[This message has been edited by nitroheadz28 (edited 08-06-2012).]

htexans1 AUG 06, 05:21 PM

quote
Originally posted by nitroheadz28:

. But I'm strapped for time . I dunno, which one would you guys take from all the ones in this thread?




First choice: The Yugo. (JOKE)

Seriously this one:
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3164721748.html

2K T/A T-TOPS Grey Interior LS-1 (not a LT-1 with its Optipuke issues) and it runs good according to the ad with 134k miles.

Your pics of the maroon one is OK, but NO t tops and some paint work required, along with that non grey interior (read work on the interior = $$$)

Hands down the black one costs more, but with LS-1 T tops and Ram air, I forgot to mention this thing is a manual!! it would be in my driveway yesterday if you were me.

GOOD LUCK!!

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 08-06-2012).]

nitroheadz28 AUG 06, 06:44 PM

quote
Originally posted by htexans1:

2K T/A T-TOPS Grey Interior LS-1 (not a LT-1 with its Optipuke issues) and it runs good according to the ad with 134k miles.

Your pics of the maroon one is OK, but NO t tops and some paint work required, along with that non grey interior (read work on the interior = $$$)

Hands down the black one costs more, but with LS-1 T tops and Ram air, I forgot to mention this thing is a manual!! it would be in my driveway yesterday if you were me.

GOOD LUCK!!




The beige interior isn't a dealbreaker at all, I think it looks pretty good. Ttops aren't either, I just want the car to be in mechanically sound condition.

My concern is that most of the other cars I've been looking at- they've been gone over to some extent with major components rebuilt/ replaced. Also while $6k is in my budget, its on the high end for a seemingly stock car with high-ish miles.

Thanks a lot for your opinion though, keep them coming!
nitroheadz28 AUG 06, 07:41 PM
http://reading.craigslist.org/cto/3162258867.html

I texted him today saying that I can't justify $4k and that if he changed his mind, we could make a deal on thurs. (Hes heading to cali on friday and I have someone picking my car up thursday night).

I just got a text back saying that he'll think it over.. If I can get this for $3500 I'll be a happy camper, its a beautiful looking ride and seems well taken care of. I think he just might accept my offer considering we've been in touch for 2 weeks now. Initially he wanted $6500 and I've brought him down to 4k so far. Ha!
Tony Kania AUG 07, 03:00 PM
Don't even consider the one with the sweet tach sticking out of the hood.

Some nice ones though. I like the maroon one from the pics and description. But so hard to tell from this distance.

Let us know.

Tony
nitroheadz28 AUG 07, 03:37 PM
Yeah Tony that one turned me off once I noticed the tach. I hate how that looks.

Ok well the seller of the white one countered with $3700. I think I'm going to take it

Now to take off work for thurs!

Thank you all for your opinions and help, its very much appreciated!
Joe 1320 AUG 08, 09:04 PM
I've got lots of experience with 4th gens. Personally, I would not get a V8 without traction control. The cars are tail happy when they break traction and can swap ends on the blink of an eye, especially in the wet. LT-1s are notorious for an intake gasket leak which some mistake for a valve cover leak, the optispark distributer is in a stupid place..... just below and behind the water pump so when that leaks, it shorts out the ignition. The distributer was engineered for 100K miles and replacements have spotty quality control The better LT-1s are 96-97. Stay away from the 98 LS1, the ring design was a bit off and had a tendency to consume oil. The 98 and later had larger front brakes, aluminum block LS1, and as the years progressed, had some other improvements here and there. The T/A is also notorious for stripping headlight gears. Anything else you want to know, just ask. Whatever model you decide on, I firmly believe 17"x9" wheels and sticky tires are a must have upgrade.





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84 2.5
87 328 GTB replica
87 Coutach replica

[This message has been edited by Joe 1320 (edited 08-08-2012).]