ARGH! I love this car!

[Ben_Who]

I'm afraid I have to replace my beloved Geo Metro, which is disintegrating into a small, red pile of rust. I searched Cars.com for a cheap replacement while I saved up enough to get a hybrid or an Aveo or something.

For the first time in my life, I find myself seriously considering a 1995 Camaro.

That's a bit out of character for me, of course. The selling points are strong: it would be a car that would last a little while that's all paid for, and if I make it through the winter without killing myself in it and have decided I don't like it, it probably has a pretty high trade-in value, depending on its condition. And, hey, 37 years old, time for a midlife crisis.

There's a lot more on the down-side, but none of it is a deal-breaker compared to the price tag and the reputation for reliability. Would my insurance premiums go up, trading a Geo for a Camaro? It's a bit of a gas guzzler at 28 MPG highway. I'm not a big fan of the manual transmission. God only knows how much they cost to repair. I understand they're crap in winter weather. It would be parked on the street, which is some kind of crime against Detroit. And, of course, I could have a look at the car and find that it's sitting on four bald, flat tires and the entire undercarriage has rusted into red lace.

Anyone got any suggestions, questions I could ask, issues that might come up? Part of me is begging for this car and part of me is worried that I might actually buy it.

Love, Who?

[protege]

That's a bit out of character for me, of course. The selling points are strong: it would be a car that would last a little while that's all paid for, and if I make it through the winter without killing myself in it and have decided I don't like it, it probably has a pretty high trade-in value, depending on its condition. And, hey, 37 years old, time for a midlife crisis.

Even depending on condition, those cars aren't worth very much. Just for fun, I threw a 1995 Z28 hardtop into the Kelly's Blue Book calculator, and saw that even in "excellent condition," it was only worth about $4700. Keep in mind that this car is 15 years old, there are still loads about, and many Camaros (and Mustangs) may have been abused by this point. But, if you choose carefully, it could be a good buy.

There's a lot more on the down-side, but none of it is a deal-breaker compared to the price tag and the reputation for reliability. Would my insurance premiums go up, trading a Geo for a Camaro?

Probably, depending on your past driving record, the area you live in, and simply because that sort of car has been in plenty of accidents. Not because of the *car* but because of the idiots who own them, attempt to "drag race," and then wrap the things around trees. Check with your insurance carrier before doing anything.

It's a bit of a gas guzzler at 28 MPG highway.

28MPG highway isn't all that bad, especially if it's a V8.

I'm not a big fan of the manual transmission. God only knows how much they cost to repair.

Actually, it's been my experience that manual transmissions rarely give problems. Provided, that you're not grinding gears or attempting to lay rubber at every traffic light. Still, the clutch is what usually wears...and unless you're careless with it, it'll last for quite awhile.

I understand they're crap in winter weather.

Rear-wheel drive takes some getting used to

Anyone got any suggestions, questions I could ask, issues that might come up? Part of me is begging for this car and part of me is worried that I might actually buy it.

First thing I'd do, is to go over the car carefully. That is, is there any visible accident damage--paint that doesn't match, panels that don't quite fit, any ripples in the body panels? Then I'd check the tires--are there any odd wear patterns (which could point to damaged or worn suspension components). Inside the car, is the interior clean, and in good shape, or is it falling apart? When driving it, are there any strange noises, does the transmission shift smoothly, do the brakes pull up firmly and squarely, is there any visible smoke? Black smoke would suggest that it's either high-mileage, has been abused, or possibly that it needs a tune-up; blue exhaust means that it's burning oil.

When in doubt with any of those things...take it to a trusted mechanic. Good luck!

[Jester]

95 Camaro?

Just a thought...why not go for a NEW Camaro? Depending on the price of the 95, a current one may be a better deal, and depending on how bad your Geo is (and how desperate your local dealer is), you might be able to get a good trade-in value and a good deal on the new one.

And let's face it...the new Camaros are HOT.

Speaking of which, you forgot one major plus to the Camaro (95 or new)--it rocks, it's a chick magnet, and it is definitely a step up on your Man Card from a Geo Metro.

[protege]

Speaking of which, you forgot one major plus to the Camaro (95 or new)--it rocks, it's a chick magnet, and it is definitely a step up on your Man Card from a Geo Metro.

I can think of a few other vehicles that would be a step up over a Geo Metro. Things like wheelbarrows, roller skates, that sort of thing Just giving you a hard time, Ben. Seriously, good luck with the Camaro!

[tropicsgoddess]

95 Camaro?

Just a thought...why not go for a NEW Camaro? Depending on the price of the 95, a current one may be a better deal, and depending on how bad your Geo is (and how desperate your local dealer is), you might be able to get a good trade-in value and a good deal on the new one.

And let's face it...the new Camaros are HOT.

Speaking of which, you forgot one major plus to the Camaro (95 or new)--it rocks, it's a chick magnet, and it is definitely a step up on your Man Card from a Geo Metro.

That new Camaro is smokin' HAWT! As for the man card, I do agree it's a step up from the Geo Metro.

[Ben_Who]

95 Camaro?

Just a thought...why not go for a NEW Camaro? Depending on the price of the 95, a current one may be a better deal, and depending on how bad your Geo is (and how desperate your local dealer is), you might be able to get a good trade-in value and a good deal on the new one.

And let's face it...the new Camaros are HOT.

The Metro could be repaired for a little under a thousand bux, which is the cheapest option no matter what I decide to replace it with, yet then I'd be going through this hell all over again in a year. Do not want.

I certainly can't afford a 2010 model, not on my salary.

Speaking of which, you forgot one major plus to the Camaro (95 or new)--it rocks,

Then they'd better fix the suspension.

Hey, my Geo rocks, too, when I crank 107.5 The Bone on its little four-speaker stereo.

it's a chick magnet,

Wrong gender, dude. Is there a particular make and model that attracts hot guys?

and it is definitely a step up on your Man Card from a Geo Metro.

The day I need to buy a Chevy Compensation to make up for any shortcomings on my Man Card is the day I tear up the Man Card because I no longer deserve it. No one with this much body hair should require a car to prove his testosterone output.

Okay, all kidding aside, it turns out that I did find an Aveo that was somewhere within my price range and I'm putting in the research and legwork on it now. I'm hoping to knock the price down a bit, but I'm pretty sure it'll be in better shape than a 15 year old Camaro. Sanity reigns again. The prognosis looks good.

Love, Who?
Yay! Another noisy, underpowered four-cylinder subcompact made in Korea and badged by Chevy! And I bet it handles like an unruly roller-skate, too...Yes! Sign me up!

[NightWatch]

Aveo is a good move for winter. Seriously, Camaros (and Crown Vic's and some others) are rear wheel and can be HELL on a slick road if you're not used to it. If you're facing uphill and it's icy and you try to accelerate in anything rear wheel drive, your back end will go, and your front will not, if you're not careful you'll find yourself doing a 180. Not so bueno in a storm on a packed road.

While you're looking at the Aveo, may I suggest a Honda CR-V, early 2000 model? Likely in your price range and it has "real-time all wheel drive", which means when you hit a patch of ice, your allwheel drive kicks on and you can regain traction without that annoying traction control other cars have.

I HATE traction control! I learned to drive on a Ford POS that didn't have such an amenity so I know how to handle a slide. But put me in something with traction control and I'm trying to correct the car while my car is trying to correct itself and it ends in FAIL. And that's how I totalled my Toyota Camry.

[wolfie]

What sort of price range are you looking at? Other cars you might want to consider are the Daewoo Lanos (as an "orphan", it should be fairly cheap - but it's the model that was re-badged as the Aveo, so parts should still be available), Daewoo Nubria (Chevy Optra/Suzuki Forenza, depending on which side of the border you're on), Hyunda Elantra or Accent, Saturn "S" series (SL sedan, SC coupe, SW wagon), Ford Focus.

[mattm04]

While we are on Camaro, this one makes me drool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3QNXkxUZ9o

Must stop hitting reply, but can't.

[Sliceanddice]

Aveos are suppose to be good and you can usually get one pretty cheap as in like 4k

[Spiffy McMoron]

What sort of price range are you looking at? Other cars you might want to consider are the Daewoo Lanos (as an "orphan", it should be fairly cheap - but it's the model that was re-badged as the Aveo, so parts should still be available), Daewoo Nubria (Chevy Optra/Suzuki Forenza, depending on which side of the border you're on), Hyunda Elantra or Accent, Saturn "S" series (SL sedan, SC coupe, SW wagon), Ford Focus.

In the same vein, would a gently used Honda Civic, Acura RSX, Mazda3, or Toyota Corolla be in your price range? Those three are all dead reliable, good in winter, and there's tons of them around, so you should be able to find a deal.