Hey everybody, my name is Ryan, and I'm looking to get an 85-92 range Camaro, and I'm trying to get the feel for these particular cars' reliability. In essence, for those who have this era Camaro, how far have you driven your cars and what problems should be expected as these cars get driven.

I'm sorry if I sound a little vague, I just want to get a feel for this. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

well it really depends on the driver you buying it from. if he was putting it to the floor all of the time then chances are its gonna have some issues. when i first got my 89, it had a small leak in the manifold, the rear hatch motor needed to be rebuilt, both the struts for the hood and rear hatch did not work, the car was covered in sap, it had an overheating problem which turned out just to be a sensor, and some rust in the wheel ways and the floor boards which i patched up with some sheet metal, rivets and undercoating. i tossed a flowmaster on mine and i love my car. the guy before me was a pip though, i mean he was a real fanatic he kept the thing in GREAT condition. he had some of the engine rebuilt and a new exhaust from the cat back. i mean brand new brake job with new rotors and everything. but anyway... i dont really know how to directly answer your question so im kindof just telling you what i had to do with my car. but overall... i think its a great car

 

my buddy has an 84 z28 with 72,000 miles and i have a 92 rs with 165,000. My car has a rebuilt engine about 100,000 miles ago and i still runs great. My buddies car has original engine, and it runs great also. Other than minor problems (busted lights, struts, t-top leaks maybe) i think these cars are great.

 

If your gonna buy a 3rd gen try to either find an older one thats carburated or find an 87-92 z28with tpi (tuned port injection).I have a 92rs tbi with 160,000 and it runs real strong the only things ive had to replace were the radiator and the thermostat whichare both easy.

 

A car that age, mileage isn't your concern. It's a matter of looking the car over good and going for a test drive & learning what the current owner has done for work.

 

LOOK UNDER THE CAR! Rot sucks so make sure you know how much rust there is on the car. My car is an 87 2.8 tpi with 65000 original miles. The interior is mint and it only needs paint (and the mice crap out of the heater vents which im working on). If it wasnt for the low mileage and awesome shape, I wouldnt have gotten a v6

 

My 91 has over 180,000 on it (knocking on wood). It was an older guy bought it new and had a GM specialty shop do all the scheduled maintance on it. The worse part was it was in an accident when it was new (so he said) and he must have had a hack body shop fix it.