im thinkin about buying a mid/late 90's z28 but i was wondering if they have any common mechanical or electrical problems

 

In 1995-96 have a vented optispark (distributor) that is right below the water pump so when the pump starts leaking through the weep valve there is a chance that the optispark will crap out but because its vented the chance is reduced.
The coolant level sensor (40 bucks) goes out after 55k miles
The Water pumps last 55-70k miles on average
93-97 drive shafts are not usually balanced so check for car vibrations at speeds of 70+ mph


98+ LS1's have had cases of piston slap

No real problems with these cars. Just general wear.
97 and below are cheaper to mod
98 and up your modding is more expensive but gains are better

 

So would these problems be easy and cheap to fix or what, you kinda lost me with the whole water pump optispark thing, but thanks tho

 

Well the the optispark is i think 160 bucks from jason cromer or vandevere. Water pump is like 110 bucks. They are easy to fix especially after doing them a handful of times

Its not a problem for a weekend mechanic.

 

cool, thanks a lot, are those pretty much all of the major problems?

 

oh yeah, and what about the drive shaft deal?

 

gonna have to drive the car to find out..
Getting it balanced isnt that expensive either. Or just get an 1le drive shaft new for 220 bucks or 160 bucks used.

 

From personal experience shopping around for my Z.

Electrical:
-power window motors tend to go out
-rear taillight sockets tend to corrode on the '93-'97 models (I replaced mine with a '98-up harness)

Cosmetically:
-fog lights get cracked from road debris
-pwr. window switch plate clip loosens then the whole assembly pops out of its hole in the door handle
-center console lid loosens or breaks
-cheap Chevy leather cracks
-seatbelt guide on seats break
-rubber molding on rear hatch glass tends to shrink and come apart from age

Mechanically, in addition to what ZDriver stated:
-rear main seal will leak
-intake manifold gasket will leak oil at rear
-differential will make whining noises if it's had a rough life
-check for leaks around the differential housing
-throwout bearing tends to be noisier on older cars
-I believe the early LS1 cars ('98-up) had a recall for their oil pumps failing

 

Arent those all just normal wear
Yeah those are known problems too...
Ive had the rear main seal, and intake manifold leak
Center console breaks easy, power window motors are complete crap at least once you pay for one it'll have a life time warranty and you'll never have to pay for another.
These are the problems ive had with my car.

 

I have had the window motor go , relay fan , and head gasket . The head gasket was from an overheat experience. hence the relay fan. And of course breaks but that is every car!