How reliable/durable are the F bodies?
08-23-2005, 10:41 PM
#3
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rattling and banging from everywhere.
also they are prone to using gas quickly due to intense user/throttle interaction.
also they are prone to using gas quickly due to intense user/throttle interaction.
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08-24-2005, 07:08 AM
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Here's my list including the ones from above:
1) oil consumption (usually due to PCV, but sometimes rings)
2) window motors (mine have been fine)
3) I have no rattles, don't know what everyone's talking about...but get SFC's and you're good.
4) T-top leaks? Not me, but I don't drive mine in the rain either.
5) On Pontiac's the headlight motor gears strip (never happened to me)
6) rear ends! (yes I've had trouble)
It's a great car and I'm thrilled with my car's performance, looks, durability (except rear end).
1) oil consumption (usually due to PCV, but sometimes rings)
2) window motors (mine have been fine)
3) I have no rattles, don't know what everyone's talking about...but get SFC's and you're good.
4) T-top leaks? Not me, but I don't drive mine in the rain either.
5) On Pontiac's the headlight motor gears strip (never happened to me)
6) rear ends! (yes I've had trouble)
It's a great car and I'm thrilled with my car's performance, looks, durability (except rear end).
08-24-2005, 12:15 PM
#10
The main problem I have is with the rear tires....they leave black marks at stop signs and red lights, sometimes resulting in a burning rubber smell followed by smoke. I dont know why that happens, but I will keep trying to find out.. 
08-24-2005, 12:54 PM
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They are pretty reliable and durable. If you proper maintenance you can avoid big problems. Oil change and other fluid change schedules must be adhered too and checked regularly.... amazing the sort of damage you can cause an engine by being too low on oil (due to consumption)
Here are my problems with my LS1 Fbod:
1. Piston Slap.... it's annoying on a cold start but goes away
2. Window motors are sluggish and I expect them to go soon... good thing they are easy to change (This is a sarcastic comment)
3. Spark Plug changes suck...
4. T-top's allow a small drip or two of water in hard hard storm
5. Rattles.... these cars love to rattle!
6. Fuel Economy... if you are getting this car cause you think it will get good MPG, better pick another car
7. Insurance rates are relatively high for these cars... I suggest getting a quote before buying one
8. You can't buy them new, so chances are good that whichever one you decide to buy has been beat up by previous owners.
9. There is a nice list of things that can nickel and dime you to death on these cars....
Step into the throttle and you forget those issues though.
Here are my problems with my LS1 Fbod:
1. Piston Slap.... it's annoying on a cold start but goes away
2. Window motors are sluggish and I expect them to go soon... good thing they are easy to change (This is a sarcastic comment)
3. Spark Plug changes suck...
4. T-top's allow a small drip or two of water in hard hard storm
5. Rattles.... these cars love to rattle!
6. Fuel Economy... if you are getting this car cause you think it will get good MPG, better pick another car
7. Insurance rates are relatively high for these cars... I suggest getting a quote before buying one
8. You can't buy them new, so chances are good that whichever one you decide to buy has been beat up by previous owners.
9. There is a nice list of things that can nickel and dime you to death on these cars....
Step into the throttle and you forget those issues though.
08-24-2005, 01:08 PM
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What do you mean IRT fuel economy? I get 27mph out of mine (mostly highway miles). I think that's great. That's almost good enough to buy it just for the gas mileage.
08-24-2005, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Diolar Magnum
rattling and banging from everywhere.
also they are prone to using gas quickly due to intense user/throttle interaction.
also they are prone to using gas quickly due to intense user/throttle interaction.
08-24-2005, 01:32 PM
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I have over 120K on mine and it runs great! I am having some rearend suspension issues however I suspect this could be the shocks. Don't really have noise, rattles, except on gravel. As far as the engine is concerned it runs like the day I bought it!
*Rear tires seem to wear excessivly fast??
*Rear tires seem to wear excessivly fast??
08-24-2005, 01:32 PM
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Bad window motors....check
Broken rear end....check
Oil consumption....check (although I believe mine is PCV related)
Mine has been somewhat rattle free even without SFCs. T-tops have leaked very little over the years and this thing has seen some storms unfortunately. There is lots of plastic inside though, so you have to be careful when messing with stuff or removing it as I have learned. Broken a few pieces of trim like an idiot. Oh well. Gets bad mileage when you drive briskly but it will surprise you sometimes on highway trips and get well over 20. Love that 6th gear. Oil pumps on the earlier years like mine have been known to take a crap. The cars overall are pretty dependable though. If you can afford it, get one. They are awesome cars.
Broken rear end....check
Oil consumption....check (although I believe mine is PCV related)
Mine has been somewhat rattle free even without SFCs. T-tops have leaked very little over the years and this thing has seen some storms unfortunately. There is lots of plastic inside though, so you have to be careful when messing with stuff or removing it as I have learned. Broken a few pieces of trim like an idiot. Oh well. Gets bad mileage when you drive briskly but it will surprise you sometimes on highway trips and get well over 20. Love that 6th gear. Oil pumps on the earlier years like mine have been known to take a crap. The cars overall are pretty dependable though. If you can afford it, get one. They are awesome cars.
08-24-2005, 07:40 PM
#19
Problems I experienced before 30,000 miles on a brand new 99 TA:
Window Motors (went through 4 of em before 30k miles)
Headlight Motors
Weak Rear End (I completely shot the gears out of the differential costing thousands of dollars that were covered under warranty)
Leaky T-Tops
Easily Warped Rotors (Warped all 4 of mine)
Weak Stock Clutch (needed replacing before 25k miles)
Synchros
Rattles
Other notorious problems:
Piston Slap
Oil Burning
Window Motors (went through 4 of em before 30k miles)
Headlight Motors
Weak Rear End (I completely shot the gears out of the differential costing thousands of dollars that were covered under warranty)
Leaky T-Tops
Easily Warped Rotors (Warped all 4 of mine)
Weak Stock Clutch (needed replacing before 25k miles)
Synchros
Rattles
Other notorious problems:
Piston Slap
Oil Burning
08-25-2005, 06:38 PM
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The truck engines(some of them)have piston slap problems...more prevalent in the 5.3 and 6.0 than the 4.8 The 4L60E and the rears are not the greatest