3.8 camaro?

[countryguy1717]

So I'm downgrading. Long story. I commute about 90 miles round trip each day. I want something that looks good and does good on gas. I'm looking at 00-02 camaro 3.8 5 speed. I want some real input. My price range is 4k max. I don't want the v8 because of insurance and gas.

Questions about it. My uncle has a shop and said that 4th gen camaros are extremely hard to work on. But I've read online that the 3.8 Is really reliable, which is what I'm looking for.

Are the 3.8s a good motor and trans?

What should I look for when purchasing? Clutch, engine ect..

I don't want a convertible, a t top if I can. But any advice?

[Ibanezz]

3.8s are beasts. Idk why people say they are hard to work on. There's a ton of room in the engine bay. Only tricky part is that half the engine is under the cowl. But that isn't an issue unless you're pulling valve covers and doing work in there. But how often is that? General maintence is cheap and easy.

[3.4 slow to go]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

pay more for a lower milage car, and confirm VIN w/dealership on any outstanding recalls. and yes, 300IIs are the shizzle

[Docta]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Very reliable cars... I'd almost say the auto is more reliable than the T5 though. The standards have a tendency to be hard on themselves and rear ends. But with that said, mine have both got 160k of "spirited" driving and are showing no signs of giving up.

[CFreed11]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

I've put nearly 40k miles on my '02 3800/T5 over the last 3 years and have had no issues... They are fairly easy to work on as far as general maintenance is concerned.

Just check for normal wear/tear, ball joints, u-joints, etc. No fluid leaks and see if the rear main seal has been replaced on the engine. Check clutch and brake wear. And make sure they're not charging you a v8 price for a v6 car. $4k is right on par for an excellent condition 3.8 F-Body in most places.

[WarShrike]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

$4K for a low mile V6 T-5 could be good. Make sure it is in great condition. Check fluids when cold and after a warmup. If the coolant is brown and clumpy when cold, walk away.

Check the valley by the injectors between the intake and valve covers for coolant puddles. If that's present, you're gonna need an intake gasket replacement.

[countryguy1717]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

They are tough to find. I can't find many 00-02 with less than 100k. The ones i do find seem too cheap which bothers me, or they're beat up.

What does everyone get mpg with theirs?

As far as the clutch should it engage pretty close to the floor board?

[Docta]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

My clutch has 20k on it and has always engaged near the top of the pedal travel. Old clutch, was near the floor, but was still in good shape when I pulled it. As for MPG, 20 is a very safe average between Hwy and city for me with 4.10 gears and a heavy foot. With stock gear I pulled a good bit more than that.

[CFreed11]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Before I modded my engine, I was getting as high as 29mpg highway, and ~24mpg combined with a heavy foot through a T5 with 3.23's

[EarlR]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Even with light mods (intake, exhaust, ECU tune), my '02 MT will get an honest 28-30 on the highway, and when I was using it as a DD for my 120 mile commute to DC I was averaging 23-24. In just over 100k miles of driving (bought at 63k, now has 169k) I've had to replace both window motors (around 95k), fuel pump (around 105k), clutch (around 145k), and those stupid little plastic elbows in the cooling system twice. Not perfect, but not bad either.

[PalmHarborBlkv6]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Given most driving is : going to the supermarket, driving to the car wash, driving to the Mall, driving surface streets....you can expect 16 to 17 mpg, less if you run the A/C.
This car was designed for the times when gasoline was much, much cheaper and did not include gasohol which affects mileage. If you live in a cold climate, driving in snow produces resistance to forward movement and this cuts mileage.
Gas is close to $4 a gallon or has high as $5.00 a gallon in CA and parts of NYC.
This shows you the Exxon-Mobile has no problem charging that much for gas.
If there is a problem in the Middle East during the tenure of your ownership and the price of oil goes up, up, you will pay at the pump.
I have been told that in city traffic, most GM cars still get 16-17 mpg for the new models.
Yes the mileage will go up on the Freeway until you hit a traffic jam in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Conn, Chicago, San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Phoenix and others.
Because of high gas prices in Europe when this model was sold in Europe, they sold the six as they felt no one would buy a v-8 given $6.+ a gallon at that time.

[countryguy1717]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

So I looked at a camaro today. Guy wanted 4k for an 01 with 88k miles. no power anything 5 spd. Shifted seemed to shake a lot.

Maybe I've just been too used to my charger but the motor seemed bogged down, rear wheel well squeaked stereo had a hum and a bad install, quarter panel had a dent. Back bumper was scratched, front bumper was way mis aligned. Carfax said 8 owners and a front end accident minor back in 01.

It made me want to look into automatics.

Anyone know If the automatic trans are good in these cars?

[Blizzard242]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

The auto trans are stronger than the manuals.

[Ibanezz]

If you can talk him down to 3000 that'd be a great deal. 3500 would be fair. Most of those things you can touch up/repair with just a little effort.

[Docta]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Depends on location... I bought my car 4 years ago for 3800$ in mint condition..