Camero advice and insight

Hi everyone,

I have been considering getting a camero but don't know much about them or at the moment know alot about the mechanics. I know alot of the basics but as far as overall tinkering I am a novice.

Any tips or hints on what to look for and avoid and well anything you can offer to someone looking for a camero thats looking to for now spend up to $4000.00?

I don't mind learning about the cars and how to work on them but I need it to be a reliable daily driver at the same time.

Thanks everyone,

Joe

tip: learn to spell it right before they all get bitchy....umm, what are you wanting? a cheap v8, practical v6? the 3.4's are prone to overheating i have read and the one i owned did, 3.8's will practically last forever and are pretty nice for a v6, you might luck into a 93 or 94 z28 with some miles for 4k, look for the optispark and normal things that start to break on a 10-15 year old car

camAro... :D

666 got it

Camaro! Sorry for the typo.

So the 3.4s are prone to overheating good to know.
I am probably going to be going with a 6 with gas prices and all.

Now forgive me but what is a and or the "optispark"?

Also what are the big differences in the regular Camaro, the Z28 ect.?

Thanks again,

Joe

Im my opinion, someone who spells camAro like 'camero' shouldn't drive one.

What you're looking for sounds like a small eco car, but for the love of god, don't buy a foreign car.

Z28 is a sports package...one up from RS. They are all V8s...very fun...
the regular camaros are available with a V8 but mines a V6:crying:

Stephanie83,

I know how to spell camaro I am just very tired and did a typo. No one is perfect.

I do not want an econo car I don't see any problem with a car like a Camaro, Firebird, or Mustang with an engine thats not an 8.

I was even considering 4 cyl. Mustangs, but like the looks of the Camaros and Firebirds better.

I would like a fun car that is not going to bleed me dry as thats what the Jeep does. It may be sturdy but sucks on gas!

Being a full time college student and part time Mobile DJ I need the jeep to haul my gear.

Is it a crime to want a fun car for the warmer months?

Sorry for the rant but man when I am asking for advice I don't like to be insulted. I'm not an iddiot.

Thanks,

Joe

Im my opinion, someone who spells camAro like 'camero' shouldn't drive one.

What you're looking for sounds like a small eco car, but for the love of god, don't buy a foreign car.
You need to check your self before making a comment like that. For a person with 8 post your treding on thin water already. If the guy says its a typo then leave it at that.

having a fun car is good all the time:smooch:

spielightdude
My 98 z28 with a m6 gets on the freeway about 26 mpg. So do the math. The sporty cars are pretty good on gas mileage

Be happy Joe...
Dont let em get you down...some of us are full time college students too, I am and like all other students, I cant get stuck with a problem car...thats why this forum is here, so we can help each other...so please ignore stephanie83's rudeness_which was NOT cool!!!!_
and BTW, since no one else said it...Welcome to the forum Joe!!!:iceslolan :grinyes: :iceslolan

Be happy Joe...
please ignore stephanie83's rudeness_which was NOT cool!!!!_
and BTW, since no one else said it...Welcome to the forum Joe!!!:iceslolan :grinyes: :iceslolan

Ditto, and I agree, welcome to AF...

Yeah check out the newb picking on people already.

Buy a 305! You can still be a bad ass with a V8, and it wont be a gas whore like the 5.7.

Buy a 305! You can still be a bad ass with a V8, and it wont be a gas whore like the 5.7.


Or you can NOT buy a 305.. those are horrible with gas mileage and even 3rd gen v6s are bad with gas mileage.. my 3.1 gets as much as a Z28 Ls1.

Or you can NOT buy a 305.. those are horrible with gas mileage and even 3rd gen v6s are bad with gas mileage.. my 3.1 gets as much as a Z28 Ls1.


:screwy:

Sorry Steph, I agree with the guys on this one, play nice, and hey I'm a newbie to, and quit making fun of my 5.7 guys, she's a good "Monster Bitch", even though she's being bad right now, I WILL GET HER RIGHT AGAIN, LOL ELIZABETH ps. I didn't get no stinkin welcome to AF, waaaaaaaa

Sorry Steph, I agree with the guys on this one, play nice, and hey I'm a newbie to, and quit making fun of my 5.7 guys, she's a good "Monster Bitch", even though she's being bad right now, I WILL GET HER RIGHT AGAIN, LOL ELIZABETH ps. I didn't get no stinkin welcome to AF, waaaaaaaa
(chinese accent) So sorry...

lol. Well then we should welcome you as well. Welcome to our humble commode...lol

Welcome to our humble commode...lol

pssst, got any papaer over there?

Welcome :sorry: :sadwavey:

You never saud what happened with the timeing in your thread Elizabeth?

*passes wright a roll*

Yeah welcome everyone. If im not mistaken the ls1 and the 3.8 get about the same gasmileage dont they? All depends on how you drive the car. More pedal means more gas no matter what the motor. But if you do get a 6 then get the 3.8. Nice cars and there isnt anything wrong with them. V-8's have come a long way since the days of being carburated gas hogs. Efficiency is key.

Commode? ROFLMLAO, haven't had a chance to work on it, damn migraine:banghead: , also bought a 600 Edelbrock carb to replace the quad, will let you know as soon as I do, I so want my monster bitch back:evillol:

pssst, got any papaer over there?

Welcome :sorry: :sadwavey:

You never saud what happened with the timeing in your thread Elizabeth?

ls1's and 3.8's are pretty close on gas mileage stock...i doubt finding an ls1 in the 4k price range, with my 3.8l when i had 3.08's on the highway i could get 27+ mpg in an automatic. after some modding and 3.42's i still get 23-24 mpg which is pretty good i think

u could definitely get a pretty good 3rd gen v8 for under 4k. and feel the pull, i would hav, but i can fit in those small ass driver seats. Im stuck 6 bangin. also on the 3.4s, the fuel pump goes at around 130k. both of my 3.4s did that.

I would go for the 3.8 if i were in your position. Some 96 and 97's had then and all 6 cyclinder camaros after 98 had them. Like everybody said already the 3.8 is bullet proof, te car will rot away before the engine dies(at least thats what i experianced in my 89 olds 88).

werd

Thanks everyone,

I am glad that this forum exsists to help people. Too many confusing things out there about cars and this forum helps people see through the fog.

I'm on the hunt and will let you all know how it goes and if I have any other questions I feel I can ask them here and not feel foolish and for that I thank you all.

Till then!

Joe

Hey Joe,

I bought my 95 Camaro (V6) last year... Paid about 4k, and have, until recently had minimal problems with it. I love everything about it and the worst part about her not working right now, aside from the monetary issues, and the dealership bastards, is not being able to drive it.

I don't know much about cars myself so I wont pretend to, but I love to learn as I go. My only issues so far have been the altenator, which went the day before the insurance went out for the winter (oh such a long winter!) a repeating headlight issue, and this VATS thing. Parts are a bit more expensive then I was used to. But all my previous cars were beaters while I saved up for my Camaro.

With everything said, test drive one, fall in love... AND BUY IT!!

i got my 92 rs with a 350, had around 100k miles on the car and around 50k on the engine for $2800

was my favorite of the 4 camaro's i've owned...

Thanks everyone,

I am glad that this forum exsists to help people. Too many confusing things out there about cars and this forum helps people see through the fog.

I'm on the hunt and will let you all know how it goes and if I have any other questions I feel I can ask them here and not feel foolish and for that I thank you all.

Till then!

Joe
Just so you know we are a bunch of smart asses. So dont get mad if we joke around...:grinyes:

Just so you know we are a bunch of smart asses. So dont get mad if we joke around...:grinyes:

Like that other jackass.. oh well he's banned now.

What jackass?

The 3.4 was available from 93-95 1/2; then the 3.8 from 95 1/2 - 2002. I've never had a problem with my engine over heating. But if I had the option to buy right now, I would prolly go with a 3.8 or just go all out and get a V8. Just my opinion...

I have a 3rd gen V6...89 RS with a 2.8 V6...
The good side: its reliable, parts are cheap, I can do nearly all work on my car with the engine still in it, and insurence is $1 cheaper than a z28 of the same year(I was pissed when I found out that the difference was that small)...
The bad side: I have never been able to get more than 20mpg out of it(on average)...but then again it had over 140k miles on it when I got it so it could be because the engine is worn, but I don't know...

The automatic tranny eats at everything...power, economy,... my girlfriends 2000 Focus zts only gets like 23mpg(on average) because its an auto.
Id have to agree with them...get the 3.8. And you can, try to get a manual trans, it will save tons on gas...depending on how you drive it.:iceslolan

BTW: If there is anyone on the forum with a MPFI 2.8 V6 camaro or Firebird with a manual tranny, please contact me and let me know how many mpg you are getting. Just curious. Thanks

my 3.4 had 60k miles on it, i replaced everything and it still overheated if i did over 75

What jackass?
*cough* XENO *cough*

btw welcome to af, youll get used to us eventually, just watch out for john (formulalt1) he may try and give you the shaft

*cough* ZENO *cough*

Wrong guy.. it wasnt him.. also its spelled Xeno

Welcome Joe, Elizabeth and all new persons.

Pay almost no attention to what I say cause I have no idea what I'm talking about most of the time... although I enjoy my posts so...:smooch:

And yes we are a bunch of wise-asses and don't like attitudes. Be nice (unlike the new-jerk from earlier in the thread) and everyone likes you :smokin: ... say something mean or flame someone and it's:sadwavey: .

On maro's:

I like older cars (obviously) and have one of the biggest PIG's in the world. Sacrifce economy for a grin you have to smack off my head with a 2x4. If it ain't you, don't try to make it be. If it is you, go for it, realize that not everything will go as planned and ask for help when you need it. Just don't try anything I say because you might blow up your car.

Wrong guy.. it wasnt him.. also its spelled Xeno sooooooorryyy mr post whore, i made a mistake:banghead: :grinyes:

sooooooorryyy mr post whore, i made a mistake:banghead: :grinyes:

Damn right you made a mistake..

my 3.4 had 60k miles on it, i replaced everything and it still overheated if i did over 75

That doesn't mean that all 3.4s will. I have never had a problem with my car overheating and it has 60,000 miles on it.

when trying to look up why my car overheated i read on a few sites that 3.4's were prone to overheating, not forums, but actual informational sites.

but you're definately right, not all will, he just wanted some things to look for

How many miles did that 3.4 have, 666?

my 3.4 had 60k miles on it, i replaced everything and it still overheated if i did over 75
60k

ive had two 3.4s the first one overheated cuz i guess oil was gettin in the radiator(sludge). they both had fuel pump problems tho

btw welcome to af, youll get used to us eventually, just watch out for john (formulalt1) he may try and give you the shaft
You bastards know you all love my shaft :eek:

I loved my old IROC. I had it new when I was in college.

Back to his origional question.. 4 grand will get you a very nice 3rd gen (1983-1992) and a decent (depending on where you live) early 4th gen (1993-1997)
As far as gas milage, I get between 27 and 30 on the highway, 10 to 16 around town on my almost stoc 99 Z28 A4 (with optional 3.23 gears)
If I were a student, I'd get a really clean 3rd gen, preferably with a manual trans, close to stock. No, it won't be the fastest thing around, but it can sound good easily, look great, get decent fuel economy, and be rock solid reliable.

Good luck to ya spielightdude!

KevinD

BTW..He's a college student (young) and interested in owning a Camaro... show him some support!

*supports*

 x2

why do people think v8 waist alot of gas i have a 1994 9c1 caprice with an lt1 and the gas was not bad well to me i have never driven a 4 cylinder or 6 for more than 2 days.i like the porformance any way so i dont care of gas prices that mush but if you want to buy a V6 buy on from 94 - 97 the 3.8 i like that car its kinda fast dont buy ford stick to chevy i dont have nothing against ford but alot of ford guys are haters i know alot of them.

wow, talk about maturity.

why do people think v8 waist alot of gas i have a 1994 9c1 caprice with an lt1 and the gas was not bad well to me i have never driven a 4 cylinder or 6 for more than 2 days.i like the porformance any way so i dont care of gas prices that mush but if you want to buy a V6 buy on from 94 - 97 the 3.8 i like that car its kinda fast dont buy ford stick to chevy i dont have nothing against ford but alot of ford guys are haters i know alot of them.

*** scratches head *** :disappoin Anyone care to interpret that? :cwm27:

454Chevy needs some sleep.

gook....