3.8 4th gens in good shape with good engine and running gear are going for 3500+ here. z28s 4500+ but lower priced are not in good shape

 

as far as fixing yours its up to you ,i know i seen many of those go 240.000 miles ,as far as deal i dont think nothing is beat the 98 covertable with 65.000 miles $1600.00 where do you live ,that can affect price ,but i found if you search you can find a good low priced one near anywhere ,though again some of the best deal are found where its seasonal ,but not allways i seen one in florida had 57.000 miles they wanted $5500.00 was 97 z28

 

That's true, it may make more sense to find one, lower mileage with an over-eager seller (I'm in no rush and now is NOT the season for a while) and see if there's an eager buyer who wants my old body and parts. That probably means committing to sell (my baby) before I start shopping for a replacement that I don't "need"…. I think my approach should be wait through winter and see how time and $ look in the spring to make a decision. or…. I might just be procrastinating…

I sat in it last weekend - I bought "Cammy" new, ordered it *my way* from the factory, among the first 96's ordered end of 95. The flame red interior was an awesome surprise, totally different and cooler red than what the 95's had. Somehow the car now feels like a family member - is that strange?

 

Your a car guy so it is normal. As you get older your realize that daily drivers wear out and there is a point in any cars life when it is not worth it to keep it. If you do not do your own work it will be much sooner then someone that does. So far all I have talked about is HOW expensive it is to fix the car. The other side of the coin is how cheap it is to fix a 3800. The 3800 is a great motor. You can find someone that says "that is a great motor" for just about any motor ever build, IMO the true test is a motor is great is how available are they in a junk yard. At one point the eco tech 2.4 motor from GM was said to be the best design ever. Also known as the "quad 4" The failure rate in the first 12 months was insanely low. Go try to find a 2.4 for a Z24. You will find a waiting list. 3800's on the other hand are so common I know of one over stock yard that sold a 2006 with 13,000 miles on it for $450? Why so cheap? simple supply and demand. 3800 rarely fail, plus GM built a lot of them some when ever one gets wrecked that engine will wait in line hoping to be bought. If you did the work yourself and did not do upgrade and just replace the wear item you could be back on the road very dependable for under $700.

Normal cause for a 3800 failure, Coolant not changes every 3 years, Stuck thermostat, Failed intake let coolant into the oil and last over reved and you had a weak part like a rod bolt or something. Most 3800 can handle up to 6000 RPMs but some of them damage rod bearing up that high. My 96 3800 runs great everything else is worn out, across the street from me is a super charged 3800 FWD with a fried trans that is most likely head to a yard.

 

just get the other. before you sell the one you got now ,then no love loss,i got to admiit i look forward every year first thing is to get the camaro out an wax it up

 

posted CL 4 hours ago 96 z28 purple $2500.00 manual t tops looks sweet newark leather 74.000 miles ,thats 3000.00 less then my 95 with 69.000,that wont last ,goes to show you i could have had z28 for price of 3800.thats got to be the best deal i seen in my 6 month search for donor car