Car shopping help

[zuki19]

Ok, just blew headgasket again in the Grand am... im done with it... already started parting out the turbo... someone next week is giving me 2,500 for the kit.. gonna see what needs fixed if anything after i respec the motor make sure everythings good before i sell it stock..

Cars i've been looking at...
Don't really want to get anything over the 24,000 mark...

6.0 GTO
00-03 vettes
Evos

I have 7,000 to put down. If I get a GTO most likely the rear mount twin turbo will be ordered a week after. But if there is a warranty I won't.

Just wondering also what are some good sites to shop for cars locally and at least up to 100 miles.

[zuki19]

I've actually just found an 08' Pontiac G8 GT with only 1,000 miles on it... they want $22,000... seems like a steal or too good to be true... Going to rush to get my car apart and fixed this week so I can get that thing before anyone else.

[evomike]

Honestly kinda seems like typical gm price dropoff.

[jnr5005]

Sorry to hear about your Grand Am. I had a C5 vert and enjoyed it a lot, but I would go for that baragin G8 if it's going to be your daily. If you don't care about a warranty, and don't have to drive it in the rain, get the Vette. You said '01-'03 Vette (instead of like 97-04) - So I am assuming you're talking about a Z06?

[zuki19]

Pretty much. I want to try to find a beater for like 500 bucks for winter and rainy days.

[evomike]

I got a perfect one for ya

[MPowerKai]

autotrader.com
cars.com
craigslist.com

[zuki19]

I found a red supra with gold wheels, It's boosted, they want 16.000 for it.. although its automatic, how hard is it to do a manual swap on those cars?

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2008/5/26/244/975/7278582293.244975932.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jp g

[tcturbo91]

i would look into the car. 16k for a boosted supra is alittle low

[zuki19]

Can anyone lead me into good info about the LS2 motor? My friend is trying to tell me im buying nothing but a problematic car.

[jpalamar]

Can anyone lead me into good info about the LS2 motor? My friend is trying to tell me im buying nothing but a problematic car.

What kinda car are you looking at with an LS2?

[marshallpre1]

I found a red supra with gold wheels, It's boosted, they want 16.000 for it.. although its automatic, how hard is it to do a manual swap on those cars?

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2008/5/26/244/975/7278582293.244975932.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jp g

I know of that car. It was orginally an NA with a TT swap. A new 6spd Getrag will run you $4K plus. Used is slightly cheaper, but still expensive. I would consider getting a R154 5spd instead. Not as strong as a Getrag, but cheaper and will last to around 700whp.

Check out Supraforums. There's a guy selling an original TT 5A, with higher miles for $13.5K.

G/L

[zuki19]

6.0 GTO has an LS2? Correct me if I'm wrong... But what supra forum are we talking about??

[marshallpre1]

6.0 GTO has an LS2? Correct me if I'm wrong... But what supra forum are we talking about??

supraforums.com

you need to be a member to see the classifieds

[jpalamar]

6.0 GTO has an LS2? Correct me if I'm wrong... But what supra forum are we talking about??

04 GTO = LS1
05-06 = LS2

Both are solid motors. Motor and trans are fine. There are some other things to look for though. Bushings in the front cause strut rub; rear springs can sag, you will notice uneven wear on the tires; rear seat sticking on headrest seams to tear for no reason; listen good for rear diff noise.

I have the LS1 and like it. I would only send the extra money on the LS2 if you really wanted the different hood/rear bumper. If not, the extra money can go into the LS1. Stock for stock, the few extra HP don't make much of a difference.

[mgrinshpon]

Can anyone lead me into good info about the LS2 motor? My friend is trying to tell me im buying nothing but a problematic car.

The LS2 is an OHV engine with roots going all the way back to the first 1917 (1918?) Chevrolet pushrod V8 that was never put in production and Chevrolet's first production V8, the 1955 Chevrolet small block.

All OHV V8s made prodigious amounts of torque. The 2 valve-per-cylinder configuration produces a swirl best for lower ends. The LS engines are no different. Unlike, say, a heavily modified Honda B or K engine, even the most heavily modified LS engines will snap your head into the headrest at any speed in any gear. Also, LS engines have parts-a-plenty. The only engines that are cheaper to modify are the 1955-2003 Chevrolet gen I small blocks. Since LS-series blocks have been put into Camaros, Corvettes, and Trans-Ams, mullet-laden rednecks have been souping these cars up since the LS block's introduction in 96 or 97. LS motors have port injection, coils on plugs (which are a bitch when they stop working), are all-aluminum unlike most small blocks (except the rare aluminum 350 block but those are worth more than 2 or 3 GTOs) with aluminum heads. In terms of power-per-liter, they're lacking but the engines themselves are physically compact. Of course, that's a non-issue because power is so easy to come by for such little money. A 500hp daily driver capable of taking a corner is not an expensive proposition with an LS2.

So, in summation, LS motors rock except for the coil packs which have gone bad on my friend oh-so-many times.

And your friend is wrong- drivetrains on GM V8 cars don't break. Everything else might but I don't know specifics about GTOs.

[jpalamar]

So, in summation, LS motors rock except for the coil packs which have gone bad on my friend oh-so-many times.

And your friend is wrong- drivetrains on GM V8 cars don't break. Everything else might but I don't know specifics about GTOs.

I don't hear about coil packs failing very often. And if they did, they are right in front of you to replace. The engine bay is huge, nothing is really hidden. One of the easiest cars I've ever worked on.

As far as drivetrain, I think it will hold any streetable power you will put down.

[ViperDom]

your all over the place dude

GTO 2-door pig
Vette 2-door sportscar
Evo 4-Door Sedan
Automatic Supra
PontiacG8 4-door Pig

slow down

an impulsive buy is gonna leave you with nothing but short-term satisfaction for your power hungry appetite and a loss of interest in a couple years.

What kind of car do you really want?
2-door/4-door ?
convertible/hardtop ?
Lightwieght/Heavy ?
RWD/FWD/AWD ?
Automatic/Manual?
Styling?

Choose a car that you will love now, and the future.
Pick 1 specific car that you Love. Then find the best deal on That car:thumbup:

(this advice is coming from a kid who set his sights on a viper at 16yrs old and stuck to a long-term plan to make it a reality 10yrs later)

[jpalamar]

your all over the place dude

GTO 2-door pig
Vette 2-door sportscar
Evo 4-Door Sedan
Automatic Supra
PontiacG8 4-door Pig

slow down

an impulsive buy is gonna leave you with nothing but short-term satisfaction for your power hungry appetite and a loss of interest in a couple years.

What kind of car do you really want?
2-door/4-door ?
convertible/hardtop ?
Lightwieght/Heavy ?
RWD/FWD/AWD ?
Automatic/Manual?
Styling?

Choose a car that you will love now, and the future.
Pick 1 specific car that you Love. Then find the best deal on That car:thumbup:

(this advice is coming from a kid who set his sights on a viper at 16yrs old and stuck to a long-term plan to make it a reality 10yrs later)

This is good advise.

[ViperDom]

forgot to add the disclaimer: no offence to GTO&G8 owners. I just personally dislike any "sport" vehicle that is over 3500lbs...
i understand that there are modded GTO's running that would whoop my ass on the street/strip. but My game is on the backroads&track:)

[zuki19]

your all over the place dude

GTO 2-door pig
Vette 2-door sportscar
Evo 4-Door Sedan
Automatic Supra
PontiacG8 4-door Pig

slow down

an impulsive buy is gonna leave you with nothing but short-term satisfaction for your power hungry appetite and a loss of interest in a couple years.

What kind of car do you really want?
2-door/4-door ?
convertible/hardtop ?
Lightwieght/Heavy ?
RWD/FWD/AWD ?
Automatic/Manual?
Styling?

Choose a car that you will love now, and the future.
Pick 1 specific car that you Love. Then find the best deal on That car:thumbup:

(this advice is coming from a kid who set his sights on a viper at 16yrs old and stuck to a long-term plan to make it a reality 10yrs later)

Personally, I like a large variety of cars... I would rather stay american muscle... I know they are pigs... but I want power when its there, and something that looks nice to cruise with... if needbe I'll pick up a POS Daily for crappy days.

[FazdaGt]

i'll sell you a c5 vette.

[zuki19]

I heard your c5 likes to leak fluids :P

[FazdaGt]

haha... just some gasket in the rear, apparently its pretty common.

I was planning on fixing is this winter while she's a garage queen