3.8 camaro?

[WarShrike]

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.

Bad transmission mount and probably worn out motor mount/broken bolts.

Maybe I've just been too used to my charger but the motor seemed bogged down.

Down on power could be a variety of issues. Most likely needs list of service (plugs, wires, fuel filter, oil change). Also could be the catalytic converter. If you can, take the car to a local shop (autozone/oreillys) and get the codes/code history read.

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.

Squeaks are probably bushings that are going out or a bad shock.

Dents and collisions will drop the value. $2500 because it has body damage and needs to be run through mechanically as it sounds like it hasn't been maintained.

[countryguy1717]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Whats your take on the 3.8 camaro 96-97? Same reliability?

[fbodyrs96]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

My 96 auto has been great even cammed I still avg 20 mpg in town with 3.42's and 27 high way

[PalmHarborBlkv6]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Had you thought at all to calling your insurance company and saying:
"what increase in my premium be if I replaced my car with a Camaro
with a 5 liter V-8 and a stick? The increase will shock you.
Some insurance companies like 21th Century will tell you that you would be cancelled.
They told me that when I was considering a Nissan 300 ZX in 2000

[thebeewantsboost]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

they'd probably say that they didn't see that motor available for that make and model. :rolleyes:

[PalmHarborBlkv6]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

Yeah, insurance companies don't know what cars are involved in more accidents than others.

[CFreed11]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

I think he's saying the 4th gen Camaro's did not have an available 5.0L....... lol

[CFreed11]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

I'm 25, own an '02 Explorer Sport Trac and '02 v6 Firebird and have a couple tickets and two totaled trucks on my record. Progressive was more than happy to insure those two vehicles plus the '00 Trans Am I recently bought...

[countryguy1717]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

I have a 13 charger my insurance is faaaar more than a v6 camaro or firebird with liability.

[EarlR]

Re: 3.8 camaro?

I have a 13 charger my insurance is faaaar more than a v6 camaro or firebird with liability. I was charged with a felony dui on a golf cart with some other stuff. And will most likely be kicked out of the military for It. Hence looking for cheaper insurance and a car that i can pay outright have cheap insurance and isn't a Honda. And that'll be ok reliability wise. Now that its out there, back to the question at hand

V6. 3.8 auto or man firebirds or camaros

First, to your earlier comment about seeming down on power - that's because it IS down on power compared to your Charger. Way down. You didn't say which one you have, but even the V6 Charger has about 90 HP on the Camaro. And the manual holds up just fine, if you don't drive it like an idiot - which from the sound of it the owner of the car you test drove must have, because it shouldn't have any of the problems you describe at 88k miles. You can expect to put a clutch in one somewhere north of 100k miles (mine went 140k+), so if that prospect bothers you I would stick with the auto.

You ought to be able to find a decent condition '00-'02 from a private seller for $3k-$3.5k. $4k sounds like way too much for the car you were describing.