Hey, My name is Matt and I'm thinking about purchasing an '01 or '02 V6 coupe. This will be the second car I'll be driving (I guess some of you can say I'm inexperienced 'cause I've only been driving for a year or so). My first was a 1997 Honda Accord that got totaled overnight when some truck plowed it, along with ten other cars. It was parked alongside a boulevard. I saw this as an opportunity to get a car that is more fun to drive and I'll be honest with you, I never would have thought that my search for another car would've led me to considering a Camaro.

At first I was looking at 2000-2004 Volkswagens but after seeing the high prices and costly maintenance fees I started to look at cheaper cars. One thing led to another and I realized I'm really interested in buying a Camaro.

I need to get a V6 for insurance and gas savings (I'm a college student) and they're cheaper to buy too.I can drive manual or auto, but if the automatic tranny on these models works well I'd rather have that because I'm going to be driving this car everyday to school/work/hanging out. What are your experiences with the 2000-2002 coupes? I know V6's are looked down upon in the muscle car community but I can't get a V8 so this is the next best thing for me <_<.

P.S. I was also looking at Mustangs. They do look very nice and I've read that they're more comfortable to drive but I'm tired of seeing them everywhere. I could probably afford the 2002-2004 v6 models, only thing is I have trouble comparing the V6s. Every single Camaro vs. Mustang topic on the internet is about SS's up against GT's.

 

Don't really have any complaints with my V6. If your just looking for a cruiser like you've said, a V6 will suit you.

Just search the Engine specs, then compare.

I believe the mustand is a 3.8L - 190 HP, Tq?
Camaro is a 3.8L with 200 HP, 220 Tq. Give or take a few

 

hay get out and find that car. camaro is a great car in any yr. welcome to the forum.

 

if your so worried about camaro vs mustang stuff why dont you just get the ss model or even just the v8 it will still be a fun ride either way

 

From one college bound man to another I can't say that I have any complaints with my 3.8 Camaro in the almost two years I've had it. If you like the newer style (98-02) you might want to limit your search to 2000-2002 because by then some improvements were made such as the straight TB, one piece steel driveshaft, and freer flowing exhaust manifold (which also makes it easier to change the plugs and wires) As long as you maintain it and don't beat on it too much it will be good to you. Thats what I've been doing and its been working so far, and it will have to work for another four years until I can afford an 09' C6.

 

I really can't afford to pay gas and insurance on a V8. I checked the average mpg for the V8's and the epa estimate was around 18 city.. I really think they exaggerated it I mean how can the V8 models beat V6's by almost 4 seconds (not a confirmed source) in the quarter mile but be almost as efficient?

I decided on the 01 or 02 coupe. Now I have to decide between automatic and standard tranny. How are the automatics from the 01-02 time period? If it's really laggy I rather just have standard. Also, if I get standard my friends won't be bugging me that they want to try it out. xD

 

insurance wise u will save enough with the 6 to buy a ss when u get out of school.

 

Welcome Matt, if this is going to be something to get you from A to B, and not something that's going to maybe turn into a long DD project, then go for it. If there's a chance that you're thinking this will be something that you might want to sup up a little, then I would say get something else. It'll turn out that you'll be wishing you would of got a V8 and start asking questions about a V8 swap. It's just not worth it to buy a v6 and try to sup it up. There are alot of guys that do this, but from what you say, you don't have the money or time to do that.

 

Hello Matt and welcome aboard. Goodluck with your search on the perfect camaro.

 

Welcome to the Forum Matt!!