Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

[keithert]

In 1990 I had a new Camaro RS that I had until 1998. It was my favorite of all the cars I've owned and the most dependable. Over the last 10 years I've though about buying a fourth gen a few times but always found a reason not to. I currently have an 01 Galant and an 06 Miata. I think about going down to one car to save money. I have a wife and 5 year old son. I know the Camaro wouldn't make the idea family car but we also have an SUV. My biggest hesitation now is that the newest Camaro is 7 years old. I know the 3.8 is a very solid engine. How is the rest of the car for reliability? Driving Japanese cars has spoiled me in that even when they get old they are still pretty tight cars. Will a 7+ year old Camaro be tight or a rattle trap? I know the fifth gen is coming but it doesn't do it for me. I've always said about F-bodies "No tees, No good!" That rules out the fifth gen. Plus a new car kind of defeats the purpose of saving money.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

I have a 89 Bird with over 200k miles on it. It's pretty reliable and very good in gas. The only thing I've changed on it: Alternator, MAF, MAP, Oxygen, Starter, and fusible link.

When my brother got his hand on it he did abuse the hell out of it where he's always full throttling it. He never takes it easy. He was nuts, he treated it like a race car. The slowest race car there is.

So when I got it back it did lost some compression and I had to change the block. But other than that it's an incredible 2.8 engine and tranny. Very reliable.

3.8 is just as reliable. If not even more reliable because it is GM's work horse engine.

[hockeyman]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

I have a '96 Honda Minivan as my workhorse, and that thing owes me absolutely nothing! It carries stuff back-n-forth (to my house) from Lowes, Home Depot, craigslist, ...whatever, without any problems. It has also carried my lard-*** all over the place without incident since it was given to me back in January of '05.

Just turned 180k on the odo back on 3-29-09, and it still runs great!

[96RS Alex]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

Going on my 5th year with my hardtop daily driver V6, I'm very satisified with the reliability with the 3800 and very soon it will hit 280,000 miles. This accomplished with not beating on the vehicle since it's all highway miles with a M5 transmission. I know it's tempting to do upgrades in the pursuit of more power but in the end you'll know it's gonna require a Z28, SS or 5th Gen, it all depends your budget. I'm single, no kids and the 4 GM F-Bodies I possess are my children which keep me happy in these uncertain economic times by wrenching in the garage. Time flies when you're having fun! ;)

Getting back on track, your question whether to keep it or not? You have a kid and your mobility seems to be of great importance. I'm sure the wife will agree with you it's time for a change. Sit down and do the math with her. She will be happy enough knowing you included her in your quest to save your car and maybe will give you the go ahead to be that shadetree mechanic now that Spring is upon us.

Ok, so it all boils down to how much money you want to save or spend. I would assess the 7 yr old car and jot down what you have not done yet to the car and work on the drivetrain strictly and keep up on the fluid changes religiously. You can live with a squeak or rattle but that's also the fun of troubleshooting problems before they arise. You will also be teaching your son an important hobby as well. The aftermarket and the Internet are your friends here too. Not a bad time to keep your car running healthy and strong.

[ssms5411]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

Mine is going on 13 years , 168,000 miles oringal owner, if the car was properly maintained it will last along time. I love my 3.8 easy to work on and alot of parts for them, esp body parts since the V8's are the same. If the engine is good and it looks like it has been kept up, 7 year old 3.8 would be great. They have like a 4-5 car crash rating so they are considered safe. I say go for it.

[kristen]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

only reason why i didn't get another f body as my beata was because i love that special feeling of getting in my camaro after weeks or even months.

[stevethepirate]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

I have an 02 that is basically my DD. Granted I don't drive it in the winter, and put VERY few miles on it (I think I am at 42k currently), I haven't had any problems that affect reliability. The few issues that I have had were results of modifications, and nothing major.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

My car, at 13 years old and 130K miles has been very reliable in the three years I've had it. The most expensive (and come to think of it, only thing besides a window motor) that has gone wrong outside of something caused by modifications is the rear main leak of about 2-3 drops a day if the car had a chance to heat up. Outside of that, just general maintenance, and the car is running very strong and looks great :)

[00FlowCamaro]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

only reason why i didn't get another f body as my beata was because i love that special feeling of getting in my camaro after weeks or even months.

Agreed. Once I sold my DD V6 all I had was my V8 left and that gets stored winters. It's a whole nother feeling once you start it up after 5 or 6 months.

[flamingchicken]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

Agreed. Once I sold my DD V6 all I had was my V8 left and that gets stored winters. It's a whole nother feeling once you start it up after 5 or 6 months.

you guys got me all jittery! i get my short block next week and then maybe a week or two i should have it in the car....i cant WAIT!

[z38camaro]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

get a car that YOU KNOW has been maintained.


I maintain mine and ive had it for 120000 miles.

hardly anything went wrong.


the only thing that went wrong was the water pump.

cheap fix though.


and yeah.

of course i have manual windows and locks and mirrors.

just make sure that you know the maintenaince history.

oh and ill give you this advise.


wen and if you get this car.




go to a shop and have them FLUSH EVERYTHING>

fuel system,radiator,engine,and transmission.

put all synthetics back in (be carefull of the engine and tranny) due to the fact that. ABUSE in the past could lead to leaks.

[flamingchicken]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

stop it...

[transamtom1]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

2001 Firebird V6 DD here.

I have had 2 older V6 cars as DD's and no problems:)

[Niko97RS]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

all about how it was treated.....94Z kinda beat up, little rattles here and there just turned 100K

my 1997 RS is perfect in every way with 152K

[DAS BOOT]

Re: Do I want a 7 year old Camaro as my daily driver?

In 1990 I had a new Camaro RS that I had until 1998. It was my favorite of all the cars I've owned and the most dependable. Over the last 10 years I've though about buying a fourth gen a few times but always found a reason not to. I currently have an 01 Galant and an 06 Miata. I think about going down to one car to save money. I have a wife and 5 year old son. I know the Camaro wouldn't make the idea family car but we also have an SUV. My biggest hesitation now is that the newest Camaro is 7 years old. I know the 3.8 is a very solid engine. How is the rest of the car for reliability? Driving Japanese cars has spoiled me in that even when they get old they are still pretty tight cars. Will a 7+ year old Camaro be tight or a rattle trap? I know the fifth gen is coming but it doesn't do it for me. I've always said about F-bodies "No tees, No good!" That rules out the fifth gen. Plus a new car kind of defeats the purpose of saving money.

I tried it, didn't work out for me... Suddenly found myself at an inconvient time with a dead car, I was lucky enough to have a 2nd "race" car, but that thing sucked as a DD. Sold it as a shell, sold race car bought a new practical car and ended up almost breaking even with decrease in, insurance, and better gas mileage and not having to make repairs.

Sure my car isn't as fun, but unfortuneately I need transportation.