trilkb

iTrader: (4)

Im going to be looking at a v6 car on tuesday. Are there certain things i should look for a on a V6 car that i wouldnt look for on a v8? Are there any issues with these cars that can be major or costly to repair?

its a t-top car, 130k, cloth interior, manual windows , Automatic, 3.8L.

One thing that i already know about the car that im not happy with is that its got a slp loudmouth exhaust. I honestly want this car to be like its not even running, wether its doing 70mph or 20mph. Does anyone know any good ways to make this happen with a slp loudmouth? Most people switch to a borla muffler on the v8 cars, but im going to guess that i want even quieter then that.

This will be a 2nd car, I assume it will get 25-30mpg. What are other v6 guys getting? Be trading my 2000 lincoln LS v8 for it. I just need something that doesnt require premium gas and is cheap to maintain.

ROCNDAV

iTrader: (100)

I get better mpg out of my 2002 SS than I did with my 94 3.4

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

thats beleiveable. I think the 3.8 moves the car a little better then the 3.4 though. If i could get an ls1 car i would, i dont want another LT1 though, i dont think i could survive with 2 of them

SS1Eagle

I love my daily driver '96 3.8L 5 Speed Camaro V6 Treat them well with regular maintenance and they'll give you more miles than you can think of.




If youre buying an older car, look to see if your door windows are scratched from the inside. I wanted tints right away when I bought my black V6 but the window support felts disintegrated and scratched them up on both sides. When people shut the doors by placing their hand on the window than the door itself, then the felt support guides is the first to go. The drivers side take the most punishment. Someday I'll get tinted windows...

Original motor, transmission and rear end here. I change the motor oil with Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W30, Manual trans & Rear diff gets the annual fluid change no matter what on my birthday in August.

I average 380-400 miles per tank in the summer. 350-370 miles in the winter probably due to the fuel blends here in the Northeast. All highway miles.

Only issue I have with the 3.8L is the expensive low beam bulbs at $27 a pop. I somehow manage to crack them while tailgating text messaging idiots in the passing lane.

Long live the 3.8L Series II V6 !

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

haha! good to hear!

you have a 6 speed 3.8L? not a 5 speed?

Yea i hate the windows on these cars, im just glad this has manual windows. My trans am the windows are scratched, and they are tinted. its annoying but whatever, i drive with them down most the time since the tint is illegal.

Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

My 1997 3.8 M6 Camaro was one of best, most reliable cars I've had. The Y87/Y86 package gave it the same suspension/brakes/diff as the Z28 so with lighter engine it handled better than the Z. And while it wasn't the quickest car, it wasn't a dog. Gas mileage was pretty good, with regular gas another benefit.

I'd get another 3.8 before a LT1 in a minute.

SS1Eagle

My mistake, got carried away.

I had driven my six speed SS for the last time in December before hibernation and jumped to LS1 Tech to gloat at the "Black Camaros Unite" thread.

My V6 has the original 5 speed transmission with slight clutch chatter upon take off though. Gonna edit that now.

JPCrazyLegs

iTrader: (1)

I got one, way less harsh of a ride then the firehawk, I still love it. No problems with it and had it for 3 years. Don't expect 30mpg, I normally got 20 the same as my v8. The most I ever squeezed out of it was 27 MPG cruise control straight highway to WV. Great car though It does not rattle or ride harsh like the v8's suspension. Unfortunantly it has massive body roll in the turns haha.

Breathing Fire

I didn't have 300k on mine, but I sold my black 97 bird this last summer with over 200k on the clock. Only things I ever did to it was change the fluids, a pinion seal, and a clutch at 180k. By far the most reliable car I ever had. Oh forgot a coil pack. Had to do one of those. Never got worse than 24mpg no matter how hard I drove it and I drove it hard! Best I got was 37mpg right when I bought it on the trip home. Filled it, drove it, and filled it 300 miles later. Had to do the math 4 times before I believed it though. Great car.

venom99

iTrader: (32)

the intake gaskets like to leak also if it is a manual replace the all the hyd you can use the ls1 tic one but they are fun cars and will last if treated right

1998silverbird

iTrader: (29)

I had a 98 3.8.. Loved it.. I had a 5 speed and got between 30-35mpg on the highway.. To get the best gas mile I would get some headers, Full exhaust, 3.42's, and a lid.. When I did those mods I got the best gas miles except I had 3.73's since I was a 5 speed.

Things to watch out for that happened to my car isThe ignition control module and coil packs went out on it after 100000 miles. That was about it. I changed my oil every 3 months, Changed my plugs due to nitrouse every 4 months, and changed the fuel filter every 6 months.. My car stock started out with 174rwhp and after I was finished with it on a stock tune it made 370 rwhp.. There is alot that can be done to the 3.8's that will make them perform and not really hurt your MPG or drivablilty..

WarShrike

iTrader: (5)

Check the coolant and oil beforehand, and look in between the intake and the valve covers to see if there is any coolant pooling there. Look under the car and see if there is any build up (gunky/greasy).

If you can, get a scope and look inside the valve covers at the heads. If you can see nothing but a mottled black like lava rock, it's gonna have problems (see pic below). I'd also recommend replacing the oil filter adaptor spring and make sure the oil filter bypass spring is in good shape as they tend to get weak and allow unfiltered oil to go back into the crank, yielding a spun bearing.

Reason I say this is the intake gaskets tend to give way around 80K miles and later. I recommend the metal problem solver gaskets to repair the issue.

The Valve covers have a tendency to leak as well after a lot of miles have been put into them.


Picture for reference.

Wayfastwhiteyaz

Im a newbie to this site but i purchased my 2001 A4 V6 3 years ago with 64,000 miles and it was one of the best decsions i made i have personally put 58,000 miles driving 100 miles round trip to work everyday and the only problems i have ever had with the car is the fuel pump went out but the durability of the 3.8 is amazing with regular maintnaince i can see my car lasting well over 200,000 miles and more.

versz

I got a 94 3.4L A4 minor mods. Just did a full tune up on her recently Getting around 26 MPG with premium. But I drive all highway. If you take care of the car the car will take care of you.

teamfbody

i could use a 1998-02 v6 camaro for a daily driver but it has to have t-tops