REBEL76

I am looking to buy a camero/firebird and two I am looking at have some issues. The 86 Camaro rs has a hard time switching from first to second gear but has not been put on the road in a year and i have been told it just needs fluids....Any idea's on that? If the trans is in fact done how much am I looking at for repairs?

The 1988 camaro 6cyl needs a valve job and I was told the seller was quoted 800 to fix it...Thoughts on that?

Which of these too would be the less of the evils in terms of value and repairs? Both have good bodies and overall good cosmetics.

THANKS A

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Welcome aboard TGO. You've come to the right place before you buy.

First, some technicalities: It's spelled "Camaro" (just for the record) - I feel this little, sharp pain every time I see it spelled with an "e". 2nd, in 1986, the Camaro was offered in Sport Coupe (SC - the "plain jane" version), Berlinetta, Z28, and IROC-Z models. The SC was replaced with the RS (Rally Sport) in 1988 (although RS was offered in California in 1987).

Now, to the specifics of your questions. If the '86 just needs fluids, have the seller change the transmission fluid and filter (assuming we're talking about an automatic transmission), including flushing all of the old fluid out, then drive it. If they aren't willing to do that, then the price comes way down - like $1200 less. If changing the fluid & filter doesn't change the behavior, the price comes down by the same amount. It may also just need a simple throttle cable adjustment, in which case the transmission still could have been damaged by being driven with the improper cable adjustment.

For the '88: $800 for a valve job is probably about right for a shop to do it. However, it's a horrible way to spend money. First, you can save a good bit of that by doing the head removal and installation labor yourself. 2nd, I'd want to know exactly why they think it needs a valve job, and why a valve job would fix whatever's wrong with it. There are a bunch of V6 3rd gens for sale out there because the engine has just plain given up. The typical approach is to put a different engine in it (very often a V8).

Assuming all other things about the cars are equal - body condition, interior condition, operating accessories, creature comfort equipment, etc., I'd say by far the most desireable of the two is the '86 - because it already has a V8 in it.

REBEL76

Thanks a lot for the reply brother! Any other imput from anyone?