before i got the lightning i was gonna get a 1999 firehawk, which is like an SS camero, but yea, it was fast, i think it pulled faster than the lightning cause like in second gear it was at 90 and i had to cut out before i knew i was doing 90, they are fast. um look for the water pump to go out on them, i hear they go out a lot, but i think thats about it as for things that go wrong a lot, oh the inside looks very dull so u know. thats gm for u.

 

As far as 1/8th mile times go I saw a stock WS6 with a good driver running 8.65's and at the same track my 02' L ran 8.71 on a different night; that night I was running 8.50's(fast as I could go for the class I was running) The truck can run 8.2's and better in the 1/8th with less than $1000 invested.

 

$22k? eek

thats a high price..

I ALMOST bought a mint black 98 WS6 with like 20k miles on it, from a guy in dallas for $12k...

but I went for the $19k Lightning instead.

I've had a firebird before the L, and it was always in the shop, rattles and ***** from the dash, it fell apart basically

I made the right choice with the L !

 

Now if you really want to get into a good LS1, actually the best one GM ever made, and super rare, buy the Firehawk as someone mentioned above.

BTW, that is too much money for a 3+ year old car with too many miles.

Keep looking I bet you can find one for the same money with less than 20K miles.

Moreover, don't buy used cars from dealers unless you have to (finance reasons). Dealers often buy from auction (for instance a 5 year old car on a used car lot has oftened changed hands 5-10 times).

Also, study up on the LS1's these are enthusiast cars and more often then not they are modfied, meaning some hack may have put junk parts on this car. If it had mods and was on a used car lot I would run the other way. But that is just me.

 

btw, that limited production firehawk had 60000 miles on it and the guy wanted 16000 for it.

 

ANY LS1 can run solid 11s with about 1,500 in mods. All you need is a lid, good cam, and maybe a convertor.

 

The dealer had ten of them and he was only coming down a 1000 dollars? The resale value of the above listed is 16000. What a dealer would ask is 20000-22000. The used car market recently has taken a hit so this mope probably would sell this car for 17000. Tell him to blow himself and go to a more resonable person and bid 17000 and go no higher than 18000 because the of all the zero percent financing of new cars! I bet if you were trading this thing in he would offer you 12,500---These guys are CRIMINAL!

 

Well it’s a no go, I told the dealer today that I wanted it for $20k and he said no so that’s it. It was a sweet car but not meant to be. Maybe I’ll try to find a Lightning for $20k or less, are there nice ones out there for that much? I don’t want a high mileage one. I think I’ll post a thread asking if anyone knows of any in my area. I’d want it to be stock too.

Thanks for the help though I really do appreciate it,


Pete

 

I have owned a 97 ws6 Formula which was one of only 475 or so made. Kinda wish I did not sell it. Anyway, had the LT-1 and auto. Fast and great handling car. I have also owned a 98 LS-1 Trans Am with 6 speed. A little faster, but took a bit more skill to drive with the stick. Both very nice cars though! I sold the Trans Am to buy the lightning. I got a very fast "car" that I could haul stuff in. I am happy with my choice, but still like Pontiacs. I own a 65 GTO with Tri-powered 389 by the way. Best of luck!

 

I guess that is why prices are so high for used twin turbo supras?

I think the prices are low because these LS1's are everywhere.

 

I had a 98 Ls-1 Camaro. Nice cars, but like anything out there...they have their inherent problems. One of the main ones is the pushrod issue and how easy they bend.

Paul G.

 

Ls1's are monsters. We feared then in our cobras until you got a blower. Even with all of the n/a bolt ons in the world, the little 4.6 couldnt take out a modded LS1.

Now, if i had a choice of the skin the LS1 resided in? It would be the SS.. I think the Firechickens are a tad bit too gawdy looking.

 

Sunset Orange SS *drool*

 

If you go with an LS1, if the front rotors haven't been replaced, you're going to feel pulsing. Crap design, GM knows it. Does nothing about it. Watch out for oil consumption as well. I don't mean it's gonna leak like a '73 with a leaky rear main seal, but I was pretty miffed when I found that mine was 'consuming oil' as they say. 1-1/2 qts every 3k or so. Also, like someone else said, if it's a M6, watch that dreaded 1-2 shift cause you WILL bend some pushrods.

Other than that, take a look at what mods, if any it has. Do a carfax if buying from a dealer and try to get as much history about the car as possible. Do your research. kbb.com edumds.com. nada.com. Get some averages and know what you're talking about before you go to talk to anyone about buying. Good luck!!

Here's my '99 SS.

 

Thanks for the info. I am actively seeking a used L now.