What problems to look for when buying an older used American muscle/sports car?

T

tommaso

New member
Hello, I currently drive a 1999 Camaro, but want something older.

I always see ads in craigslist and such. What things should I look for when deciding to buy an older used sports car. I am interested ib buying something like an IROC Z or an older Firebird from the 70's.

When inspecting the car what should I look for. Also what about prices, is the more expensive mean that the cra will last longer/better maintained and that cheaper means the cra is junk and he just wants to get rid of it.

Also I have no mechanical skills, so I am not looking for a cra that needs some fix up/minor work. I want something that I can just put the keys in and expect it to work all the time.
 
First of all, your talking about a car that is 30 to 40 years old. I personally own a 1970 corvette coupe and do all work on it myself. Because things break or wear out or whatever. It's time consuming,at times frustrating,and expensive .I would consider my vette a definite money pit. But I knew what I was getting in to when I bought an "older" car. If you want to turn the key and expect it to work all the time,the only thing I can say is you better have the car completely gone through (bumper to bumper as they say). Your talking a lot of money, I mean A LOT of money. and expect months and months of down time.My suggestion is to not buy a "older car" if you want consistant dependability, especially if you are not mechanically inclined. hope this helps
 
Please stay away from vintage cars. Owners need either mechanical skills or the funds to maintain and conserve them properly. They should not be used as daily drivers both because of their historic value, the fact that they have minimal or no emissions devices, are not fuel efficient and have few, if any, safety devices. Leave these cars to us "motorheads" or the well endowed like Jay Leno.
 
Your going to want pictures to see how rusted the vehicles are. Some sellers won't include that kind of detail, they might just say solid body. But those camero's were bad for rusting out the floorboards.
 
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