Gas peddle broke on freeway.....ya

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Again, most of you bought these cars used and you have no idea what was done previously to them. I have owned mine since new and have had to replace a lot of things.

This debate comes up a lot and it's pointless. Some of us have had terrible experiences with these cars, others of you bought used ones already fixed up and think they're great. The true facts are statistics. Consumer Guide 2005 has said one of the used cars to avoid due to LOTS of problems compared to the average vehicle is the 1997-99 Camaro/Firebird. Statistics don't lie and there is a clear reason why these cars aren't made anymore, in addition to very low sales numbers in 2000-02.

[Need4Camaro]

You say you had alot of problems but you never mentioned any of them... your gas pedal broke maybe because you were a tad to hard on it? You would say your Honda's or Toyota's sedan pedal would never have broken but then again... would you really have pushed your sedan to the limits you would have pushed your Camaro? I see nothing wrong with these cars other than typical maintanence issue's. For a V6 These things are biult pretty strong and even the V8's seem bullet proof. I went long and hard on a used Z28 and simply couldn't kill it... Did the same machining to a brand new Ford Mustang Cobra and it needed a rebiuld in 9 months...

[Silver 99 Camaro]

He didn't mention his problems but I will. I don't consider 2 fuel pumps, an intake manifold gasket, an AC compressor, and a transmission valve all by 60,000 miles routine maintenance. To clarify, I do NOT beat on it, it's a daily driver.

[geocor]

I think the answer could be in the first remark,"Ok I know I drive my car pretty hard".How hard ? I know some of my fellow F-Body/other pony car owners, & since I also have a C5 them too,litterally thrash their vehicles at every take-off.How many in rice burners do that?Some ,yes, but most don't want to look that ignorant in the type of car they drive!

As for Hondas being that durable I had a friend of mine a few years back who bought a new Honda when I bought new an Escort.During the years & even when new he took his car to the dealer for servicing more than me!Never forget in 95* heat his A/C put out a frigid 60*, & that little old inferior North American made Ford put 42* out of the vents!THey told him at the dealer in that hot weather what could you expect,& told him they all were like that!

I also had a used '93 Probe with 40K was going to sell it to a friend.Instead he bought a used '94 Honda Civic with 120K."Hondas last forever,& its my sister-in-laws car,so I know it was babied",he said. So after I warned him no car lasts forever & to stay away from this heavy mileaged vehicle,he bought it for a grand less than I wanted.End result in two months transaxle shot,3K$ plus to fix.Six mo. latter timming belt brakes 2K+ ,because Honda engines are interferance not free wheeling, head damaged. Most if not all North American belt driven cammers don't ruin the head if the belt pops, because they are not interferance engines.NO CAR BUILT BY HUMAN HANDS WILL BE COMPLELETLY TROUBLE FREE!

My '98 Camaro 50K+ ,not even a brake pad changed!Never been to dealer sevice during warranty or up to now.Normal fluid changes, that it, no other expense!

[Snuffalofogus]

Originally posted by Question:
Guys, our 3.8 and 3.4 cars are mild performance car. Stuff happens...get used to it. Do You want something to get to point A to point B? With no troubles? Wanna look like a homo when your getting there? Drive a Honda.

sorry pal, I dont really consider our v6's as performace cars

[Need4Camaro]

Basicly what I'm trying to state is the fact that it's a car... They are completely random in state, not even the same makes of two brand new cars are completely identical. One will simply last longer than the other just because of it's nature. Like I've seen LT1's with 200,000 + Miles and still ripping up the pavement on drag strips and other mild 3.8's are clutching away at barely 90,000 miles... The same could happen to a Honda, a Toyota, a Chrysler, a Ford, even a Mercede's and if you don't believe me I'll have to fetch in some of my horror stories... General Maintanence helps ALOT, along with not beating the snot out of your car, but some cars are just like that...

[camaroincal]

I have always serviced my car very well and whenever something breaks I fix it. As far as I drive it pretty hard, I do. But, I alway make sure to warm it up properly and don't even take it about 3,000 rpms for atleast 15-20 minutes from start up. I also definitely do not go full throttle all over the place like an idiot, I drive safely for the most part and never put people in danger.

Now...with that said, every once in awhile, say if I'm on the freeway and there is very little traffic and I have a clear fast lane, I like to punch it and maybe get up to around 90-100 and then slow back down to a normal speed. I also live near Napa and there is some awesome backroads winding around the hills and maybe once every couple of weeks I take my car for a "spirited drive" around there. It's great fun.

As far as Japanese car being more reliable, on average, yes, they are most definitely more reliable that GM proven year after year in reports. But, of course one person could have a GM car run perfect forever while another could have a honda that catches fire brand new..lol

[HeadyFirebird'00]

these are all well said statements. i have to agree with everyone on this.

[blacksport]

I've never had really any problems that arent self induced. The worst thing is a broken bolt in the head that I found after i bought the car....

[Need4Camaro]

Another note too... I've had SEVERAL issues with my car... The biggest one being the dreaded P1870 Transmission Crap Out... From EGR's to complicated Tuneups and I have a feeling I maybe losing my cat... But fact is, I love my car and just about every repair on this baby is worth it to me... It's why we buy these cars...

[PewterBird]

Firebid
No major problems here over the last 50K miles. A cat, EGR Vavle, and alt. All under $100 over 3 years.

Definantly not a problem car.

Now my 92 Camaro.
Lots of Problems.

Therefore Firebird are better than Camaros [img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img]

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Seems to be hit or miss. I agree with a lot of the stuff said here, just not the part that everything wrong with my car was my doing...that's BS, I am meticulous with maintenance. But I do agree that if you beat on it and don't maintain it stuff will break. I love the car, I just hate all the repairs. Oh well...