Discussion
I'm looking for a new toy, only having £4,000 max, I'm wondering where to go. Camaro / Firebird preferable (Corvettes too expensive), just seen a 1994 Camaro on e-bay might go for the right money, only done 50,000 miles or so. Is there anything I need to look for? (ie models not to touch).
Your comments aprreciated.
Your comments aprreciated.
Less than 6 months ago, I bought a '97 Camaro V6 with only 22k on the clock for £4,495 from a place near Heathrow. That's a fair distance from here, but if you're prepared to travel a bit, there are some good ones out there for the sort of money you're looking at spending!
As for the choice of V8 or V6... well, I suspect the V6 isn't that much more economical and the road-tax is the same, so if you find a good car fitted with the V8, don't let that put you off
General advice would be probably best to buy as late a model as you can find in budget. If you can find a 1997 onwards, so much the better because that was when the interior got updated [as did the rear light cluster, with the revised front lights following a year later]. Engine power increased every couple of years or so from release, too.
Good luck!
As for the choice of V8 or V6... well, I suspect the V6 isn't that much more economical and the road-tax is the same, so if you find a good car fitted with the V8, don't let that put you off
General advice would be probably best to buy as late a model as you can find in budget. If you can find a 1997 onwards, so much the better because that was when the interior got updated [as did the rear light cluster, with the revised front lights following a year later]. Engine power increased every couple of years or so from release, too.
Good luck!
I am biased I suppose but it would have to be a V8 for me. I have run a Camaro Z28 as a daily driver for the last four years. I bought it privately and had lots of niggles which I have gradually sorted over time. It has been a great car which I have enjoyed enormously and can very highly recommend. I am currently in negotiations to buy a new car so am likely to be selling soon, do e mail me if you want any information.
The early V6 is a 3.4 with something like 165hp. The 200hp 3.8 came along in 1995 I believe. If you have a choice, I would strive to find a Z28. The 1993-1997 models use the LT1 engine which is good for 275hp (285 in 1997). The problem with early ones is a non-vented OptiSpark system. The Optispark system was basically GM's attempt to get rid of the distributor drive by mounting it directly on the nose of the engine, where all the water goes. Condensation soon made toast of most early Opti-Sparks and a vented one was introduced in 1994. They aren't cheap to replace so ensure it's in good condition.
By far the better car is the 1998-on Z28 which used the Corvette C5's LS1 engine which purported to produce 305hp. The reality was that it produced rather more and nearly 300 at the back wheels was the reality and it's a cracking engine and all-alloy with 8 coils.
The Z28s have better suspension, bigger sway bars, wider wheels and more kit. The Euro-spec Z28s, identifiable by their add-on Euro-size front plate holder and bumper-inset rear fog lights, were usually far better kitted out than the US cars, usually having full leather seats from the Trans Am and a 12 CD changer in the boot. Although officially marketed as having 284bhp, this was mainly due to the single exhaust fitted and in reality they produce as much power as the US cars. Autocar tested one at 0-100 in 13 seconds which is quick.
Some cars have T-tops and some don't. The V6 more often uses a T5 manual box so can be quite a good drive.
By far the better car is the 1998-on Z28 which used the Corvette C5's LS1 engine which purported to produce 305hp. The reality was that it produced rather more and nearly 300 at the back wheels was the reality and it's a cracking engine and all-alloy with 8 coils.
The Z28s have better suspension, bigger sway bars, wider wheels and more kit. The Euro-spec Z28s, identifiable by their add-on Euro-size front plate holder and bumper-inset rear fog lights, were usually far better kitted out than the US cars, usually having full leather seats from the Trans Am and a 12 CD changer in the boot. Although officially marketed as having 284bhp, this was mainly due to the single exhaust fitted and in reality they produce as much power as the US cars. Autocar tested one at 0-100 in 13 seconds which is quick.
Some cars have T-tops and some don't. The V6 more often uses a T5 manual box so can be quite a good drive.
Edited by LuS1fer on Tuesday 25th March 13:56
get yourself a copy of this book
they don't speak very highly of the 3.4 V6, saying its not a sportscar engine - nasty at high revs. I think later models had a 3.8 engine - I don't know if that a better bet.
generally there seem to be more camaros on the market, although probably more of the Jap imports are V6s there are v8s too.
I don't think on your budget you will get the later shaped nose (with either engine), but personally I think they're ugly anyway
If you are careful you should be able to get a good v8, and that would be my choice - in fact this HAS been my choice twice now and still love the current one.
In terms of what to look for:
- optispark already covered - can cause a hesitiation at low rmp if on the way out I read somewhere
- the diff on the V8s is not overly robust - listen for rumbles particularly at the end of a test ride when the oil has warmed-up
- they are wide cars with a low nose, so dings are common
- IMHO T tops are a waste of time - the wind drums when they are out and they reduce the rigidity of the car. check the seals etc if it does have them
- pre-facelift, the disc are really a bit small for the car/performance, so have a hard life.
- if its just been imported check the SVA/registration of whatever
- Jap imported cars have different wing mirrors
- check the windows go up and down - faily simple to fix, but good for a haggle
- manual V8s are rare, but do exist
Edit - on reflection 4k is probably bordline for a v8. if you have a tight budget, then there's not much point in buying something that will cost you twice as much to keep going.
they don't speak very highly of the 3.4 V6, saying its not a sportscar engine - nasty at high revs. I think later models had a 3.8 engine - I don't know if that a better bet.
generally there seem to be more camaros on the market, although probably more of the Jap imports are V6s there are v8s too.
I don't think on your budget you will get the later shaped nose (with either engine), but personally I think they're ugly anyway
If you are careful you should be able to get a good v8, and that would be my choice - in fact this HAS been my choice twice now and still love the current one.
In terms of what to look for:
- optispark already covered - can cause a hesitiation at low rmp if on the way out I read somewhere
- the diff on the V8s is not overly robust - listen for rumbles particularly at the end of a test ride when the oil has warmed-up
- they are wide cars with a low nose, so dings are common
- IMHO T tops are a waste of time - the wind drums when they are out and they reduce the rigidity of the car. check the seals etc if it does have them
- pre-facelift, the disc are really a bit small for the car/performance, so have a hard life.
- if its just been imported check the SVA/registration of whatever
- Jap imported cars have different wing mirrors
- check the windows go up and down - faily simple to fix, but good for a haggle
- manual V8s are rare, but do exist
Edit - on reflection 4k is probably bordline for a v8. if you have a tight budget, then there's not much point in buying something that will cost you twice as much to keep going.
Edited by balls-out on Tuesday 25th March 15:30
There's nothing wrong with a 3.8 but depending on the specs, you can run into problems with limiters which I think are set at 108mph.
There was a "GT" version which came with a limited slip diff and I believe came with better wheels and tyres which meant a raised or no limiter. Inside the car on the door jamb or inside the glove box, you will find a sticker with loads of codes on it which basically is the blueprint for everything on the car. The GT option was Y87 and the limited slip diff option was G80. Most cars will have neither though. As with all things GM, the later car you can get, the better it will be. The 1998-on cars with the peanut shaped lamps got better dashes, bigger brakes and stiffer springs with slimmer sway bars so handle better. That's the one I'd recommend.
3rd gens are all very well but the 3.8 made 200hp and 225lb/ft torque. The 3.4 hits 60 in just around 9 seconds so the added 60hp is worth having in the 3.8.
For all things Camaro V6 and the sort of research which a site like this couldn't possibly cater for, try http://forum.camarov6.com/index.php
It's worth bearing in mind that Mustangs are also plentiful and often cheaper as they are more profuse so a V8 Stang might be a good bet too. Many of the 3.8 V6 Mustangs had head gasket problems so beware.
In fact, there's a metallic green 4.6 V8 on Auto Trader right now for £3600 with 27000 on the clock. Could be just what you're looking for and I'd take a V8 over a V6 any day.
There was a "GT" version which came with a limited slip diff and I believe came with better wheels and tyres which meant a raised or no limiter. Inside the car on the door jamb or inside the glove box, you will find a sticker with loads of codes on it which basically is the blueprint for everything on the car. The GT option was Y87 and the limited slip diff option was G80. Most cars will have neither though. As with all things GM, the later car you can get, the better it will be. The 1998-on cars with the peanut shaped lamps got better dashes, bigger brakes and stiffer springs with slimmer sway bars so handle better. That's the one I'd recommend.
3rd gens are all very well but the 3.8 made 200hp and 225lb/ft torque. The 3.4 hits 60 in just around 9 seconds so the added 60hp is worth having in the 3.8.
For all things Camaro V6 and the sort of research which a site like this couldn't possibly cater for, try http://forum.camarov6.com/index.php
It's worth bearing in mind that Mustangs are also plentiful and often cheaper as they are more profuse so a V8 Stang might be a good bet too. Many of the 3.8 V6 Mustangs had head gasket problems so beware.
In fact, there's a metallic green 4.6 V8 on Auto Trader right now for £3600 with 27000 on the clock. Could be just what you're looking for and I'd take a V8 over a V6 any day.
balls-out said:
Looks like this might be mine - the Optispark has been sorted in the last month so I hope this is going to be the start of a long relationship! £3,300 -pretty good price I think.I assume 100k is not that much for a 5.7 V8.
ChampagneCharlie said:
balls-out said:
Looks like this might be mine - the Optispark has been sorted in the last month so I hope this is going to be the start of a long relationship! £3,300 -pretty good price I think.I assume 100k is not that much for a 5.7 V8.
ChampagneCharlie said:
balls-out said:
Looks like this might be mine - the Optispark has been sorted in the last month so I hope this is going to be the start of a long relationship! £3,300 -pretty good price I think.I assume 100k is not that much for a 5.7 V8.
Had a mate in the US when I lived there had the exact same engine option on his non-z28 camaro. It was still going strong getting close to the quarter million miles mark when I left.
balls-out said:
ChampagneCharlie said:
balls-out said:
Looks like this might be mine - the Optispark has been sorted in the last month so I hope this is going to be the start of a long relationship! £3,300 -pretty good price I think.I assume 100k is not that much for a 5.7 V8.
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