i have a 96 3.8 5 speed with 190000 miles. my friend wants to trade his 3.4 auto with 150000 miles to my car. my car needs work, his doesn't. i know everyone talks about 3.8s and how good they are, but are 3.4s really that bad. i need something that's going to last me a long time, and i know i could easily get 250000 miles out of mine, well, at least out of the motor, but could i with a 3.4? btw, the only reason i'm thinking about trading is because i'm broke at the moment, and my car will need alot of work soon.

 

What exactly is wrong with your car? The 3.8 is a great engine. I havent really heard anything "great" about the 3.4s

 

the rear end is making noises, the throwout bearing is going bad, the synchro in 2nd gear is going bad(but it would still be driveable for a long time with that messed up), i just had the security system fixed along with the speed sensor that was making my car die out all the time, and sometimes now it will start then immediately die out unless i give it gas while sitting there, and who knows what else. i'm just afraid that when i fix everything else, that's when the motor will finally die. but i will say that i've never had any engine problems so far, and it doesn't even use oil, unless i run it extremely hard(which i don't do anymore). i don't know, i'll probably end up keeping my car. i know i would regret trading it if i did.

 

Every car has it's problems the 3800 V6 is on of the best motors ever made as far as V6's and GM is concerned that ever graced an F-body. Remeber your getting the same exact car just a different engine....id stick with what you got. Sounds like all your problems are minor....

 

The 3.4 is not a bad engine, it just does not make as much power as a 3.8.

 

Ive had one with the 3.4 for a short time so i wouldnt take this too seriously but...mine has 116k on it and runs like brand new...i previously had a 3.4DOHC 95 monte z34 and this thing would eat it alive so im not sure why everyone complains about the 3.4s and how "slow" they are.Ive driven the 3.8s and i really dont see much of a difference.

 

id stick with your 3.8 personally.

 

3800 > 3.4

 

the 3.4's in camaros arent DOHC. I really in all honesty didnt know they made a 3.4 DOHC. [&:] Ima have to look into that. interesting.

 

We have the same car, I love my 3.4 Its red too but has 89k miles...I wouldnt mind having a 3.8 though...and Would love a z28 and would kill for an SS but still...I'm happy with what I have...