It's hard to say without seeing the 2nd gen but my gut instinct goes with what Z28Dunc says. It will depend on your situation of course and what you want out of it.
Here's my line of thinking... It sounds like you have a nice original 3rd gen. I have a nice original 3rd gen (albeit a Firebird
) and it's used as my daily driver. I have a 2nd gen 1979 Camaro which has been in restoration mode for 5.5 years even though it was fully MOT'd and driving when i got it. Once the Camaro is driveable, the 3rd gen will still remain my daily driver. I hope that makes sense
But of course, it depends on your situation. What are you using it for? Is it just for fun / a weekend type, go to a local meet type car? Are you looking for a project car / something you can do bits of work on here and there?
Hard to advise without knowing / seeing both cars. Then again... we're already not being 'sensible' by owning these cars, so it's hard to know whether to listen to your heart or head. Then to that i would add, if you're after an early 2nd gen, would it be a bugger if you get tied up in a car that you kind of wanted, then see the one you did want, and then couldn't go for it? Don't know what the answer is to that.
For some more factual stuff... things to look out for:
The usual:
1) check the oil dipstick to see how it's looking
2) open the radiator cap when it's cool to check the level and see what state of the water
3) take a good torch (LED gives a nice brightness in the daytime) and have a look underneath. Check the floors for holes / rust / repairs. Check around the suspension areas for excessive / structural rust. See if the bushings are still intact.
4) Check for steering play
5) Listen for rear diff & bearing noise
6) Listen out for any other unusual noises i.e. the sound of someone ducktaped up in the boot, that's something you ideally want to avoid.
Some more specific 2nd gen bits:
1) Check around the rear window. These are a very common rust spot. Run your fingers around the edge where the chrome / trim runs along the body. Usually it's crusty / bumpy from repairs or current rust. To repair, it's a rear glass out, new metal in, new moudling studs in, paint and reinstall job.
2) Boot (trunk
) Few things... Open up and pull up the carpet. Check the drivers side where it dips down as this is a common rust spot too. The fuel tank it wedged up on the other side so moisture collects and can rust from bottom up or top down (in case of a leaky weatherstrip).
If it has spoilers, check the area around the bolts on the inside as they can be a rust spot, especially if added aftermarket and drilled and left as bare metal.
Whilst there, see if you can stretch your hands into the wheel well, where the quarter panel joins the wheel well. This is another common rust area and requires removal of quarter panels to fix.
3) A very common spot is the bottom of the b pillar. Where the door handle is, follow it down to the rocker panel and then move towards the rear well, where the bottom of the quarter panel meets the rocker panel. The bottom of the quarter panel at this spot is usually rusted out or in the process of rusting. If you can, ask the owner to unscrew the little vent above the door striker ( one screw) and then you can put your hand down into the join and see if the metal is still good.
4) Cowl area - with the bonnet up, check the area where the fender is attached to the cowel. That area usually rusts.
5) Fenders. Lying on the floor, have a look at the bottom of the fender (closest to the doors) and check out the state of the bottom. These usually rust out, starting around the 2 bolts.
Also check the front part of the fender, look for the bolt that holds a bar that connects to the wheel arch. The bolt on the fender side can cause it to rust.
6) if you can get the rear seats pulled up, check the condition of the floor plan near the rear seatbelt strap (closest to the inner wheel arch).
7) Check the top of the quarter panel where it would join the roof. There's a joint there and it can crack and rust (unibody = this area is under stress).
8) Check for rust around the front windscreen moulding.
9) In the engine bay, check brake master cylinder area for leaks
10) check the upper control arms for rust / bushing condition.
11) open the doors and lay on the floor and see if the bottom edge is intact or rusted out. Then move so that you can see the bottom of the door from the inside of the car (as i you were the rocker panel looking at the door) to see if the overlap seem has rusted out. I have this issue on my 3rd gen. Not looking forward to that repair.
12) Check general condition of rubber weatherseals around door - are the flaking / falling apart etc.
Hope that helps a bit!
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