Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

Here's a good article about the 3rd Gen Camaro. I didn't realize the last 350 version was a pretty quick car for the time - almost as fast as the first 4th Gen LT1.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...z28/index.html

IMO, for their particular time periods, the 3rd Gens were a better car than the 5th Gen. I think GM went overboard with the retro idea and compromised the current car, especially the interior. I also like the hatch on the 3rd and 4th Gens which allow a lot more versatility - try putting a bike or something similar in the current Camaro.

TriShield

I was in middle school when 3rd gens were still new and old enough to read and appreciate enthusiast magazines. Aside from the originals and the 5th gen the 3rd gen is still my favorite Camaro.

It was light, it was taught, it had a good interior for it's day and it had great wedge styling with the correct long hood and short rear deck muscle car proportions. Moreso than the 5.0 Mustang which resembled a Ford Escort hatch more than a proper Mustang. The GM G-bodies also got the styling right.

I also think the 3rd gen was a better car than the 4th gen that followed, aside from the powertrain of course. The 4th gen didn't bring anything better to the table aside from declining build quality, an interior that reverted to shiny playskool parts, bubbly 90s space age styling and supersize proportions. It's like they inflated the 3rd gen and then rounded off the edges and creases to create the 4th gen. My opinion of them hasn't changed since I was a kid. 3rd gen RS, IROC-Z or Z/28 with an LS1 swap for me please.

I also know it's cool to hate on the current Camaro online but GM delivered a good car and that's panned out by the fact that it dethroned the muscle car sales king, the Mustang, for the first time in a long time. They also delivered to showrooms a virtual copy of the concept car that lit the world on fire when it debuted and built it out of the finest RWD platform they had in use. I can't fault GM for it, the 5th gen is a cool car.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Over the years, I've found that many people have forgotten or didn't realize this. The final version of the TPI 350 was stout for a stock car of it's time. Many people seem to mistakenly equate all 3rd gens with the performance of the 305 engines.

I see that you've never owned a 3rd gen. They are great cars, I loved the one I owned ('89 Formula 350) and I still love them to this day. But to proclaim that 4th gen build quality (interior or otherwise) represented an overall decline from the 3rd gen standards is very much inaccurate.

gocartone

iTrader: (4)

Agreed ha. The 3rd gen interior makes the 4th feel like your in a BMW; EVERYTHING in those cars squeek, creek, rattle, vibrate, etc.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

3rd gen build quality was crap.


350 TPIs had great low end and handled well until they started falling apart. paint was terrible too.


they did look great and that time and were very popular. i wish they wouldve came with a manual with a 5.7.

SS#1531

iTrader: (4)

I had a 1991 RS with the 5.0 and M5. It was slow as hell, but I loved it. Some day I'll have an IROC with an LS3 swap.

CaptainDirtymax

+1 GM thought about using the T5, but the torque output of the TPI 350 was WELL above what a T5 is rated to take. (345btq compared to a rated 300tq on the T5).

i still miss my 3rd gen, it was so much more fun to drive (and auto-x race) than my LT1. even with a 3.1 V6 and 700R4 trans

my old beast:

TriShield

So was the 4th gens but the 3rd wasn't huge, bubble styled and the interior didn't rape your eyes as hard as the shiny plastic inside.

Yes, I have experience with the 3rd gen. but haven't owned one. A friend in high school (in the mid-late 90s) had an 88 RS with a 305 and manual transmission.

It had 11k miles on it when he got it. It was a tremendously good looking, fun and quick car. Even after I got my Grand National I still loved that Camaro. Even when it crossed 80k hard miles it did not squeak or rattle.

In fact before I got the Grand National I looked at close to ten cherry 3rd gens and almost got one over the GN. I'm glad I didn't but I still want one and still prefer it over the 4th for the reasons I already mentioned.

1st, 3rd and 5th gen when it comes to Camaros for me.

TriShield

I see South Dakota plates. I grew up somewhat close to Aberdeen, SD and moved to AZ after finishing university.

CaptainDirtymax

ya i'm in Sioux Falls. even though the plates are Turner County :p

if my RS ever shows back up for sale, i'm going to jump on it. i love that old car. i got it for free and beat the **** out of it. never broke anything, got ridiculous fuel economy (35mpg @ 90mph FTMFW) and was just a literal blast to drive. if i had been able to bypass VATS, i would still be driving it.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

My '02 Camaro is currently at about the same age and mileage as my '89 Formula was when I sold it. The '02 car's interior has worn better.

Styling, as always, is subjective so there is no right answer in that regard. Personally I like the styling of both (inside and out). I would definitely own another 3rd gen, if the right one came along.

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

I do prefer the 3rd gen over the 4th gen. Build quality is hit or miss with either of them, but for the love of god I can't stop the rattles in the 4th gen. The rear deck lid, center console, something in the door, the mirror, and something in the dash love to make vibrating noises.

The 3rd gens I've had never rattled, but again they didn't have near as much plastic, and certainly no plastic as thin as the 4th gen. My main gripe with the 3rd gen was the dash pad, but same with the 4th gen. The 3rd gen dash pad had a tendency to shimmy at high speeds or under hard breaking, it just wasn't supported as well as it should be, and they would crack if not taken care of. HOWEVER my 1989 dash pad has 10 years on my 1999 and hasn't cracked. My 1999 dash pad, split in half lol.

As far as the rest of the dash goes, I liked the 3rd gen, it reminded me of the round 2nd gen style gauges. The 4th gen is much more contemporary, but as far as quality and functionality it would be hard for me to pick on over the other. 3rd gens DO usually lose the odometer/trip due to soft plastic gears, something you don't have to worry about in the 4th gen.

Now, as far as exterior, and chassis, the 3rd gen wins hands down. Engine/trans are much better in the 4th gen, but the 3rd gen is MUCH easier to work on and seems to have more overall room in all areas.

I got tired of the debate myself though, my 1989 formula has a 4th gen rear, gas tank, engine, trans, and seats. When you can't decide between one or the other, why not combine everything you like about both right?

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

We must've had very different 3rd gens then. All the plastic was more problematic in my '89 Formula than it is in any of my late 4th gens (I have no idea which is more "thin", but the quality has proven to be better in my 4th gens). The center console was of primary concern, with the warping side panels and easily broken lid in the 3rd gen. Rear interior screws were easily broken, headliner had sagging issues by age 9, and the cloth seats were worn to the point of thin patches in some areas by age 9/100k miles (none of these have been issues on my 4th gens). Additionally, the power trunk motor was junk (glad they didn't use those on the 4th gens) and the 4th gen carpet is better quality.

On the exterior, 3rd gens have window sweep cracks, door handle problems, spoiler cracks (Pontiac, certain years), and bumper paint fading/cracks (even with stock paint) that my 4th gens have never had. Hatch and hood shocks have also held up much better in my 4th gens.

Again, I'm basing all my opinions on the 3rd gen I owned, as compared to my current 4th gen at the same age, mileage and level of care. Also, I'd like to again be very clear that I have NO hate for the 3rd gens at all; and once again I'd love to have another at some point. But I just don't agree with you guys that seem to think their overall build quality was better than the 4th gens.

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

That may be part of what skews my example some. Both 3rd gen's I've had were over 130k when I got them, they were both pretty well taken care of easy miles though. The one I still hold onto though, got a make over.

My aunt owns an upholstery shop and my head liner was sagging, really the only thing that bothered me other than the small tear in the seat bolster. After one too many crusty headliner particles in my eye we decided to tear it apart for a thorough cleaning and update.

I do remember one thing we hated, and I know was remedied on the 4th gens. the door panel and speaker grille backing LOL!

They are made of plain old cardboard on the 3rd gens, probably part of the reason they don't rattle, but at the same time, the slightest bit of moisture will kill them. Luckily I have a hardtop. I did replace the door panels with thick sheet plastic, that alone made a HUGE difference in insulation from both road sound and temperature.

I also double backed my headliner with foam, and reinforced the fiberglass mold with kevlar. So really my new interior can't be compared to the original, but my original interior was pretty well taken care of for the miles and exterior abuse it had.

Now, don't get me started on the paint, both my 3rd gens have rust developing on the roof in the same spot. Then again, my 4th gen has glue bubbles.

Why are we comparing build quality on American cars again? LOL

fspeedster

iTrader: (6)

Everything in my 4th gen squeeks, creeks, rattles, vibrates etc. I don't have much experience with 3rd gen tho...

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

i had a 3rd gen for 10 yrs before my SS and it was garbage compared to it.

4th gen quality wasnt great but its far better then 3rd gens in my experience.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

but yet corvettes back then came with manuals. i think GM didnt want performance to be comparable to a vette.

It'llrun

The 3rd gen wasn't known as a stellar performer, but it was a pretty cool cat and if you had a 350 under the hood, it was scoot right along. Aside from the cat bump, I'd still prefer a 4th gen... T/A WS6, thanks... I do like the 3rds though and I remember wanting one when they came out. It was like a Camaro, only smaller... for those who remember the 2nd gen...

Overall, I still prefer the 3rd least, in the scheme of things, even though I prefer the body over the 4th in Camaro form. Quality aside(none were great), I wanted a car that at least FELT fast and the original did indeed, not to mention the BB 2nd gen and the LS1 in the 4th(not knocking the LT1, just wasn't as good). The new one looks great, but has obvious visibility issues and that steering wheel... But it IS fast!

Which CLIFF did you hurl it from? 35mpg isn't even close to the 90 RS I drove, which would've been "lucky" to get me 24 on the highway at the then 55mph limit... I even got to borrow an '89 GTP(3.1L Turbo) for awhile(uncle ran a Pontiac stealership) and that wouldn't come close... nor would my gals 90 Regal 3.1L(no turbo). My 90 Mustang 4 popper... Yeah, that one did, but not at 90!

z28evans

iTrader: (4)

We love our 3rd gen (it has an ls1, t56, and other stuff)

Could use some TLC (new paint, dash cracked, etc)



from an auto-x 15 yrs ago -

CaptainDirtymax

partially that and also the cost of either the 4+3 manual or ZF6 6-speeds.

car came from the factory with 195/50/15's tires. i had 255/60/15's on it. even with 3.23's out back it was turning maybe 2100rpm at that speed. @75mph it was cruising along at 1500rpm.