Okay, y’all…Here we go again! I found my wife another SS. Before any of you roll your eyes, I can say that yes, this time it is truly an SS…I checked the vehicle buildup with the Chevy dealership here in town, and there is a “WU8” on there. It also has a “CAE” with “GM ST THERESE TO SLP LASALLE QU” next to it. I’m assuming that it is where it went from the GM plant to SLP for the upgrades?
I want y’alls opinion on the car. It’s a 2000 Pewter SS with 88,000 miles on it that has had some “toys” put on it. A new cam, different wheels (I think they’re ZR-1’s; 11” in the rear). It has had some things done to the transmission (cooler, different ratio 3.73), suspension work (lowered slightly, upgraded), all the disc brakes are cross-drilled (I‘m guessing new rotors), headers have been changed, the exhaust has been upgraded, a 12 disc CD changer, and other things, but I can’t remember EVERYTHING.
What do y’all think? I don’t care about the miles, I’m more concerned with it being EXACTLY what we want (which it is), but we’re still skeptical about it with our last experience turning out so badly (see the thread “Emblem Worries” started December 6). We want an SS for the value of it being a collector vehicle, but do these modifications de-value it? We can walk out the door with it for $13,995. Is that a good enough deal to take it? Let us know soon! We’re supposed to go look at it Saturday! We’re excited, but like I said, skeptical…
Posted by mattp (Member # 2140) on :
well im no expert on the prices, but that seems like a great price!! if it is really what you want, seems awesome! good luck
Posted by DanA_F99_1977 (Member # 118) on :
Sounds like a car that was setup for road racing or track days. That is a lot of miles.
With all the things added it sounds like a good road course setup which leads me to believe there are quite a few suspension changes as well. May be a rough ride!! I would be worried about those miles being hard driven. But if you want a track car sounds like a lot is already done for you.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Posted by Mike2001SS (Member # 2088) on :
Drive the car and see how tight it still is and how it runs over all and the interior of the car will tell you alot about how the owner took care of the rest of it. The miles is not that bad for a 2000 as my 2001 has 60,000 on it and is not 3 years old till next spring. The price sounds good as well if the car is nice. Hard to tell now days with all that done to a SS when alot of people do those things just to have them and drive the car like a grandpaw or ma Posted by vargod (Member # 1116) on :
Not trying to imply anything here, but I went out on www. autotrader.com and found allot os SSs within 200 miles of Rusk, Tx. Many of the are SSs. No need to settle, if you have not exhausted all of your opitions.
[ 08. January 2004, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: poSSum ]
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
I would not want a car that has been modded that way unless you knew the owner. With every modification there are compromises and shortcuts. Cumulatively, they can add up to a lot of changes that aren't necessarily good for the car or you.
Posted by 01ss87iroc (Member # 1763) on :
Sounds like a nice car...but not what you are looking for. The mods will take away from it being the collector vehicle you seek. Will the owner throw in the stock parts? I think if you look you'll find an SS that satisfies all your criteria. As vargod stated, don't settle. Happy hunting!
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
Have you priced other 2000 SS' with simular options but less miles? The mileage is over average for sure.That car if it had average mileage should be around 60,000 if you figure AAA calls average mileage 15,000/year. If the price reflects the miles,go for it! Posted by SS_CarGuy (Member # 2065) on :
I am with some of the others that think maybe you should keep on looking. There are plenty of SS's out there with much lower mileages and I, for one, would want to talk to the owner directly on any car that has as many mods as what you describe. On something like a cam swap, I would want to know exactly what was put in in case there are any tuning issues. Not to sound derogatory, but if you are not mechanically inclined yourself (and you may be), I would definitely stay away from a modded car like this. Then there is the matter of how the car was used. 88,000 miles on a car that was used for drag racing, road racing, or autocross could mean one pretty worn out car!
Posted by twobrats (Member # 2180) on :
Hey, y'all...Thanks a TON for the feedback. I'll be taking all that into consideration. I'm thinking about asking a friend of mine that has worked on GM products for years now with me to look at it and give me some advice on the work that's been done on it.
Again, thanks...y'all are a GREAT help!
Posted by Jim Mac (Member # 113) on :
Bryan, that's a lot of miles for a 2000. I'd be a little leery getting something that "used", especially if you're looking at it as a collectors car. I would try to find something with low mileage and with just bolt-on mods - that way when you do the mods yourself, you know exactly what is being done.
Posted by Thom Mackesy (Member # 264) on :
Ditto what the others have said. If your looking for a collector keep looking. However if it's a driver or track beater you want this might be a good candidate. Just remember with that many miles on it, you should be prepared to sink some $$$ into it.
Posted by twobrats (Member # 2180) on :
Well, we've decided to at least go look at it. It DOES have a lot of miles on it, but the main thing is that it's an SS and it is the exact year and color she wants (I have my own toy). I figure that if it's a little worn out, we can put some money here and there into it to get it back to where it needs to be. The Kelley Blue Book on it is $17,405 and the NADA is from $20,200 - $24,500. They're asking $13,000. If everything mechanical looks good, we'll take it home and baby it forever!
Posted by Mike Bonte (Member # 1892) on :
Unless you plan on beating the snot out of it I would walk away.
Find a car that is more stock or reasonably close to stock (especially no motor mods).
I would buy a car that had 150k on it if it was stock over a car that had 90k and was modded.
It probably has had a very hard life and you may be setting yourself up a mess. There are plenty around that are nice with decent mileage and no mods. just my $.02
Posted by 1-35 anniverasy LE (Member # 2040) on :
watch yourself getting to excited, with all the mods you described i would keep looking ,at 80.000 miles already, by the time you get done with it it will likely not be considered a collector car. those mods scream rough treatment, dont jump in, you can eat up 5000 dollars so fast. our 2000 ss has 10545 miles and another in trader washington area another one with 9300 miles . wait for the right car at the right price . low miles car would be muuuch better in long run. written from 47 year old that has made the [excitement mistake way to many times] there are less buyers than sellers !!!!! you got the edge!!
Posted by SS Derek (Member # 1720) on :
Just my .02. I hate a car someone else has modified because even if they knew what they were doing, you don't. Going to the parts store for the simple things becomes a hassle, IE: brake change, do you know what pads it needs?
Aside from that this is the softest used car market in a long time, you should be looking at the wholesale price in the KBB and NADA not retail. Never pay retail!
I'm sure either of these owners will take something close to 15,000, one has way less miles.
[ 10. January 2004, 03:50 AM: Message edited by: SS Derek ]
Posted by Ken Howe Sr (Member # 196) on :
You shouldn't jump at the first one you see.I'm sure there are many out there with less miles & in stock condition.You should take your time and continue looking until the right comes your way Posted by JeffY (Member # 120) on :
KEEP AWAY FROM IT! Enough said.
Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
I totally agree with the above statements. Keep looking around. Never jump at the first one you see. There are others around with less miles and better condition. Best of luck in your endeavors. Posted by Mike2001SS (Member # 2088) on :
You can find lots of low milage SS cars now at some good prices a boy down the street from me has got married and is selling his SS it is a 2001 triple black SS convertble with every one of SLP's 2nd build opts. on it is garage kept and has about 23,000 miles like new
Posted by twobrats (Member # 2180) on :
UPDATE! We drove through Dallas and looked at the 2000. It is a BEAUTIFUL car, but WOW, and the mods make it very, VERY powerful, but there are many things that bug me about it (I won't go into detail). BUT...
When I got there, the salesman/owner of the business told me that he had just bought a 2002 Pewter SS with less miles (but of course, more money). My wife and I have discussed this, and we're not going with the 2000, and today (Saturday) we're going to see if he'll let us look at the 2002 (if he has access to it yet, which he should).
Wish us luck! I'll keep y'all posted!
Posted by SS Derek (Member # 1720) on :
Sounds like a nicer car to me!
Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
Hey, Bryan....have you checked with all the Chevy dealerships here in the metroplex?? Some of them may still have a 2002 Pewter that they would be willing to make a deal on....here are just a few:
Frank Parra - 972-721-4300 - got mine here Reliable - 972-952-1582 Friendly - 214-920-1900 Huffhines - 972-867-4000 Showcase - 972-233-3500 Young - 214-328-9111 Classic - 817-421-1200 - ask for Ken Thompson (used to be at Parra) Lakeside - 972-977-0139 - Terry Cavett (nice guy - found me some 02 brochures)
Also....does this guy you're talking to own a dealership? JMHO, but I would do business with a dealer, so if anything is wrong with the car, they'll stand behind it (they BETTER!!)
SS's can be like greyhounds....some are babied and some are abused....and you best know who you're dealing with.... Posted by twobrats (Member # 2180) on :
Well, we'll get to see the '02 Pewter SS in the morning (Sunday). He said it had around 50,000 miles on it, and that it is in MUCH better condition than the '00 we looked at Friday evening. He even said it was in better condition than one he sold that had 40,000 miles on it several weeks ago. BUT, if it's still not in that good of condition (that's still a lot of miles for an '02), we'll walk away. Thanks to y'all, we know we'll find one eventually. Patience will pay off...Still keeping y'all posted!
Posted by twobrats (Member # 2180) on :
By the way, special thanks to cy. Those phone numbers will come in handy if we don't have one tomorrow. You've got a beautiful SS!
Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
Good luck with the 2002. Hope ya get it. If not then Milli has shown just how much of a sweetheart she is with the numbers. Hope ya find something there if not able to get the 2002. Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
quote:Originally posted by twobrats: By the way, special thanks to cy. Those phone numbers will come in handy if we don't have one tomorrow. You've got a beautiful SS!
No prob on the phone #'s! Glad to help out a fellow Texan and soon-to-be-SS-owner!!
Thank you!! I'm sooooo proud of him!! Posted by twobrats (Member # 2180) on :
Please read our new post "JUST PURCHASED..." YIPPEE!
Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
quote:Originally posted by ss_rs_z: Good luck with the 2002. Hope ya get it. If not then Milli has shown just how much of a sweetheart she is with the numbers. Hope ya find something there if not able to get the 2002.
Awwwwwwwww......iz nuthin'!! Would do the same fer you or any other fbod friends....
quote:Originally posted by twobrats: Please read our new post "JUST PURCHASED..." YIPPEE!
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good luck
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