Hello,

I'm considering getting a 2000 V6 model - something that would be mostly local driving around, something for mid-life crisis management....
It's fairly high mileage, though - @145K. Seems to be in decent shape, and I think I can get this for about $1,000 to $1,500 ( after taxes, fees, etc ) with a trade for a POS SUV that I currently have, and am looking to get rid of. I have no plans on racing it, modding it, juking it around like I was 17 again, and I don't think it would see more than 5-6,000 miles per year. I might take it to a Cars and Coffee event from time to time, and to the Daytona Turkey Run here in NE Florida ( all Camaros welcome ! ). Maybe a handful of 200 - 300 mile round trips each year.
I know about the 3800 Series II engines being great engines, and I've seen the listings for Gen 4's going over 200K. But I don't know how serious the issues are with the 4L60E transmissions near and past 150K ( This is an auto tranny, by the way ), or other issues with the drivetrain. Carfax seems to indicate a decent condition car. Is this something that has the potential to give me a lot of hell, or an OK mid-life mobile? I don't enough about these cars to make a judgement yet - I do know some of the usual things to look for. Can anyone offer some advice to buy or not buy?

Thanks!
Matt

 

My 2 cts is - if you like it, get it.
Anything you get is a risk.
Change oils and filters, don't forget the rear axle lube, and it should provide more years of service.

 

Intake gasket is the biggest common failure besides the transmission. If the intake gasket has not been done it would be a good idea to do it. When they fail they tend to take the motor with them. Once it is done it will never need done again. Do you have access to a coolant pressure tester?

High RPMs with a fast let off of the throttle should be avoided. Other then that the 3800 should be a 250k motor.

Leaking T-Tops and rusty floors should also be check. In some cases the rust can extend into the frame rail. We have had several member buy nice looking cars only to find out 6"-10" of frame around the rear wheel well was all but gone.

Coolant system, the car original came with Dex cool. If this is not been changed every 3-4 years you will have what looks like mud in the radiator. This can cause the car to run hot.

Transmission is going to be hit or miss. Make sure you get the car hot (20 minutes or more) put it in reverse and back up some what aggressively, feel for slippage. Then drive it and check the shift points. 200k is not uncommon on an original transmission. On a personnel note I would seek out a 5 speed. They add to the fun factor and the automatic transmission parasitic hp draw is more noticeable in a V6 3500 lb car then you would think.

It may be worth the 50 buck to have the car checked by mechanic. Buying any 17 year old car is going to be all about how its been cared for over its life. A good pro will spot a amateur work pretty quickly. When I was searching for a 3800 5 speed in 2009 I looked at several cars that where a little over 10 years old that I did not want at any price. Just way too much work to get them right after years of abuse and I was looking for a car to put a motor in. IMO it is easier to deal with a major failure in a well maintained car, like an engine, then it is to deal constant problem from a car that has not been maintained or has had poorly done repairs.

 

i have one nice car lower miles though on my 99 was 2k with 87k miles ,you may do better to spend a bit more

 

i guess my first thought was can you work on cars? it can make a big difference with some things. i currently wish i made it through the auto transmission part of my collage learnin. im sure i could have done a transmission rebuild with enough time,,, lol. maybe not... blown trans is turnin my project into not such a good deal.

 

I'm in this camp too,200K mile cars in that price range all need something if not a lot of things typically.

 

yes unless there newer high miles cars that were highway miles sometimes one can do ok with high miles cars not these though,like the lsx engines an like honda Accord is a good car said to be the most stolen car couse they go 300k most times my sister had a 97 for 20 years + 320k built the bottom once though an top,got a friend fixes them ,says everyone overlooks the high miles cars trucks suvs. ,though a friend bought a 2007 denali for $21.000 with 125k miles wich i thought was high but it was 50k truck new ,again though its the 6.2 lq9 engine too that was taken care of ,an the cadillac escalade have a good rept to though they should for 70k new

 

I went through one of the best course in the States in the mid 80's and did warranty repairs for a year before I move to driveablity (The dealership was desperate for another computer guy) . I have build a dozen or so 700R4r's I would not try a modern 4l60e. Not when I can buy a new one with a 3 year warrant for $1500. To many tools are needed to do it right and so many updates/revision sort out. Somewhere I have a GM training video on the 700R4. It is an hour and a half long, the first 45 minutes are how to rebuild the trans the second 45 minutes was how to determine what rev the trans you are working on so you could order the right parts.

The best guys for rebuilding a 4l60e is a guy that does 6-10 per week. They can look at a clip and know that is an obsolete clip or that it can not be reused with X upgraded parts. To us it is just a clip.

Now a power glide I might do but I would still want a clutch pack compressor and some seal tools, pump alignment tool. heck I would still need 2-$300 worth of tools.

Just to give you an idea. This is a cheap version most shops have a floor mounts foot actuated version.
https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...FZONswodEicEtA

 

I bought a 2002 v6 auto with 36,000 on it 2 years ago. I really like the car and use it as a d/d. Only thing bad so far is new gas cap to get rid of a code. The turning radius could be better.