OK guys, I'm new to the whole Camaro type thing. Since my Mustang is becoming more and more of a show and track car, it's becoming less and less of a streetable daily driver. I'm not looking into another V8 with the current price of gas, so I'm looking into a few options for when I decide to buy another car her within the next year. I'm still debating as to exactly what I'm gonna get, so far I'm thinking a 94-04 Mustang V6, a 4th gen Camaro V6, or some other nice car that gets decentish MPG.

A few questions though. I know how to mod a car, and fix them, however, I know jack squat about possible problems dealing with Chevys and more specifically Camaros.

So my Q is.............how do you guys like your car? I could care less about speed at this point, I'm just looking for something nice to cruise around to and from work. I need to know how reliable are Camaros and what problems they have. Also, how much MPG do you guys usually clock in at upon fill up.

 

Well first off, HI! second of all Nice Stang!!!. Well here is what i think, I have a 1994 Camaro V6, i love it more then life itself, its really comfortable, ya have a great view of whats in front and in back of you, i fill up my tank on monday and im good well until monday, i drive only 20 miles a day or so from work to home. I have to say that its the most reliable car i have ever owned, i love th style. But i guess your gonna haev to choose, so good luck man tell us how the search goes.

 

Thanks for the comment, that's a good thing to hear about Camaros.

 

Hey jthorn9, nice stang..

If your considering a Camaro there are a few things to know about them, so I'll throw in what I've got and others probably will too. Some of this you may already know, some you may not..

4th gen Camaro's are the years 93-02.

93-95 V6's were 3.4L
160 hp
200 tq
207 ci

The 3.4l and 3.8l engine (I believe they were the L32 and the L36) were both offered in 1995, the California Camaros being 3.8, while the Canadian Camaros were 3.4.

95-02 Camaros were 3.8L
200 hp
225 tq
261 ci

Both were offered in A4 or M5 trans.
The LT1 body style went from 93-97. They are the older, more pointy looking front ends, with the inset headlights.
The LS1 body style went from 98-02. They are the newer front ends with the flush headlights.
In 1997 the Camaro get new taillights (they were the 3 colored ones) and a new dash/center console. The same taillights and dash/center console were used in the 98-02 Camaros, possibly with a few minor changes.

You may have known most of that, or didnt need to know most of it.
I've heard a lot of good things about the 3800 Series II engines, and the only real problem I've had with mine was a misfire, since I've had it.
Heres a little about the 3.8, thanks to BadInfluenceRS
https://camaroforums.com/m_55629/tm.htm
And a little about the 3.4, thanks to 94CamaroSFI
https://camaroforums.com/m_24703/tm.htm

 

oh yeah, and gas mileage. I've got a 97 3.8. Im not sure of my actual gas mileage as of now, but my window sticker says 19 city, 29 highway.

One time my dad put premium and octane booster in mine, it ran above the F mark for about a week. (Then again I dont drive a lot everyday, but still..)

 

Windows usualy act up after a while. Other then that, I can't think of anything. Engine runs like new with 122k miles on it. MPG isnt bad if you use the freeways or lots of redlightless roads. Where I live, its red light every 1/4 mile so I dont do that good on the gas. : /

 

Well I bought my 99 3.8 in May of 2002 with 42,000 miles, today it has 100,200 miles. Here are the problems I have had or just things that were wore out, I'll include the miles for the stuff I can remember.

1. coil pack, probably around 50,000 miles
2. It would get a misfire about every six months due to a bad plug a wire an it did this forfour years, the way the motor sets in there it seems to keep heat in around the plugs. But, I have not have this problem in a year since I put in the AC Delco Irridum plugs recomended from GM. Ipretty surethe reason they were going bad so often is because of the cheap non-irridum plugs I was putting in there.
3. belt tensioner around 85,000
4. fuel pump 98,000
5. rotors 98,000
6. currently the passenger side window is getting slower and slower each day, and the struts on the hatch lid are wore out, they will not keep the hatch raised.

Thats all I can think of. I've enjoyed driving it but it's about time to part with it. Currently I'm getting about 26-28mpg highway and 20-22mpg city. When it had about 30,000 less miles I was getting 30mpg+ highway and 26-28mpg city.

 

my car's nearing 180xxx miles, and still running strong.all the mechanics i know tell me that's not alot of miles for a 3800 and believe that it willmake it well into the 200 thousands. oh, and i usually get around 26 mpg, i'm kinda on and off the highway.

these cars are relatively cheap, even though i overpaid for mine considering the miles. but just the other dayi passed one for sale, and the guy wanted 2500 for it, and it only had 90 thousand miles. i kinda got annoyed seeing as how i paid 4000 for mine.

 

Well I'm liking the feedback I see so far. It appears as if the Camaros are much more efficient mpg wise than a comprable Mustang V6, mechanical problems are about even, but hey, anything electrical can be expected to go out, hell my drivers side window no longer works, and the passenger side is working on going out.[]

 

Peformance wise the 3.8 isbetter than any V6 stang, well maybe except the new ones. They are no V8 but they are quick for a V6.I guess if your used to a quick V8 car you might think it's slow. They will take most imports andit's pretty even betweena 96-98 4.6Mustang GT. Personally I would only consider the 3.8, not the 3.4.