Incredible machine
08-07-2012, 10:58 AM
#1
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Incredible machine Hey folks.....
I don't know how many of you out there have owned their 2002 SS Camaro's. I bought mine new. I have over 180,000 miles on it. It's my daily driver and has been since day one. With the exception of a few minor things, this car has run and still runs like the day I bought it. I am amazed at how well it was manufactured. I have not made one single mod. It is completely stock like the day I bought it.
I have replaced the clutch once, pluges three times, tires three times, belts twice, battery twice, brakes once, driver's door window actuator twice, 18 engine oil changes, 10 fuel filter changes, 10 air filter changes, radiator flushed twice, 6 trans oil changes, two diff oil changes and never (not one) bulb change (and they all still work!). My on-off radio **** broke twice, but I was able to glue the plastic inner piece back together. And the driver's seat back has a tear down the middle.
That is all that has been done to it and it keep on running like the darn Eveready rabbit.
Have any of you seen this with your 2002...? I'm very curious if anyone else has had that same experience...
In addition, I just had an emissions test. Most readings were zero with 1 on the HC level!
Al
I don't know how many of you out there have owned their 2002 SS Camaro's. I bought mine new. I have over 180,000 miles on it. It's my daily driver and has been since day one. With the exception of a few minor things, this car has run and still runs like the day I bought it. I am amazed at how well it was manufactured. I have not made one single mod. It is completely stock like the day I bought it.
I have replaced the clutch once, pluges three times, tires three times, belts twice, battery twice, brakes once, driver's door window actuator twice, 18 engine oil changes, 10 fuel filter changes, 10 air filter changes, radiator flushed twice, 6 trans oil changes, two diff oil changes and never (not one) bulb change (and they all still work!). My on-off radio **** broke twice, but I was able to glue the plastic inner piece back together. And the driver's seat back has a tear down the middle.
That is all that has been done to it and it keep on running like the darn Eveready rabbit.
Have any of you seen this with your 2002...? I'm very curious if anyone else has had that same experience...
In addition, I just had an emissions test. Most readings were zero with 1 on the HC level!
Al
Last edited by 02CamaroSS; 08-07-2012 at 11:17 AM. Reason: more info
08-07-2012, 12:34 PM
#2
Everything you listed is basically maintenance items. Thats the key to a long lasting car. Also great job on keeping up with all your receipts etc. You are like me I keep every service/parts receipt stored away so I know exactly whats been done to the car.
Any pics?
Any pics?
08-07-2012, 01:22 PM
#3
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My '02 is at 103k. It has needed the following work:
-Alternator got weak around 75k
-Water pump started dripping around 90k
-Driver's window motor around 95k
-Main belt tensioner started squeaking around 100k
That's it. None of these items failed in such a way that left me stranded or didn't give me time to repair at my descretion. Otherwise it's just been filters/fluids/belts and such. This car actually still has the factory plugs even, and runs just perfect still with no loss of MPG or driveability. But now at a bit over 100k, I should probably change them. My regular maintanence has looked like this:
- Auto trans service (fluid and filter) at 40k, 70k, and 100k.
- Fuel filters every 10-15k miles
- Air filters every 10-15k miles
- Oil changed (synthetic) every 3-6k miles (depending on driving conditions)
- MAF cleaned every ~30k miles or so
- Brakes (either pads or pads & rotors) every 30-40k or so, plus a fluid flush around 90k miles
- Coolant flushed at the 5 year point, and then about every 3 years since
- Battery at the 5 year point, and it's still on it's second battery
- Stock belts I changed around 75k miles when I did the alternator, and then again at 100k when I did the tensioner
-Alternator got weak around 75k
-Water pump started dripping around 90k
-Driver's window motor around 95k
-Main belt tensioner started squeaking around 100k
That's it. None of these items failed in such a way that left me stranded or didn't give me time to repair at my descretion. Otherwise it's just been filters/fluids/belts and such. This car actually still has the factory plugs even, and runs just perfect still with no loss of MPG or driveability. But now at a bit over 100k, I should probably change them. My regular maintanence has looked like this:
- Auto trans service (fluid and filter) at 40k, 70k, and 100k.
- Fuel filters every 10-15k miles
- Air filters every 10-15k miles
- Oil changed (synthetic) every 3-6k miles (depending on driving conditions)
- MAF cleaned every ~30k miles or so
- Brakes (either pads or pads & rotors) every 30-40k or so, plus a fluid flush around 90k miles
- Coolant flushed at the 5 year point, and then about every 3 years since
- Battery at the 5 year point, and it's still on it's second battery
- Stock belts I changed around 75k miles when I did the alternator, and then again at 100k when I did the tensioner
08-07-2012, 02:10 PM
#4
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I've done all the maintenance myself except the radiator flushes. Don't have the machine to do that. So far, it's all stuff I can do. I drive the hell out of it, in some grueling heat. It doesn't seem to affect it. In the 10K miles between oil changes, I have to add 1/2 a quart. I think that's pretty normal and not bad for 10,000 miles.
I don't have any pictures of it. I suppose I could take some this weekend. Here's the info on it:
dark blue metallic exterior
natural interior with power 6-way driver's seat
6-speed
345HP
ZR1 chrome wheels w/locks
removable tops
rear window defogger
floor mats
cargo mat
Hurst short-throw
upgraded Delco Bose Monsoon w/fixed antenna
a/c
power windows
4-wheel power disc brakes
power steering
12-disc remote changer
fog lights
ASR with 3.42 posi
cruise control
remote entry
electric mirrors
upgraded suspension (I think there were 3 to choose from and I picked the middle)
leather steering wheel with control
There's probably more, but that's about all I can remember. I still have the window sticker somewhere.
At any rate, it's a pretty common SS. I am just impressed with how well built they are is all and wondered if anyone else had the same luck.
Al
I don't have any pictures of it. I suppose I could take some this weekend. Here's the info on it:
dark blue metallic exterior
natural interior with power 6-way driver's seat
6-speed
345HP
ZR1 chrome wheels w/locks
removable tops
rear window defogger
floor mats
cargo mat
Hurst short-throw
upgraded Delco Bose Monsoon w/fixed antenna
a/c
power windows
4-wheel power disc brakes
power steering
12-disc remote changer
fog lights
ASR with 3.42 posi
cruise control
remote entry
electric mirrors
upgraded suspension (I think there were 3 to choose from and I picked the middle)
leather steering wheel with control
There's probably more, but that's about all I can remember. I still have the window sticker somewhere.
At any rate, it's a pretty common SS. I am just impressed with how well built they are is all and wondered if anyone else had the same luck.
Al
08-07-2012, 10:09 PM
#5
I bought my 00 in 03 and have daily driven it in the nine years since. 112k on it now. All I can remember doing is one headlight motor, one window motor, the water pump (@105k) and put good shocks on it around 50k. The rest has been the standard maintenance stuff like you guys describe.
The car continues to amaze me with how well it runs and the dead-on reliability - even after countless track passes.
The car continues to amaze me with how well it runs and the dead-on reliability - even after countless track passes.
08-07-2012, 10:23 PM
#6
TECH Fanatic
Only real issues the car has given me are the cats and window motors. Other than that, I have had to put no money into this car that I did not want to. It's sitting at 75,5xx and I bought it with 67k last April. I drive it easy most of the time, but I can tell you the car has no issues whatsoever, all electronics and lights are original and everything works, I'm impressed with it. Only daily driven GM my family has seen that's actually reliable.
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08-08-2012, 12:35 AM
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08-08-2012, 12:51 AM
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08-08-2012, 07:39 AM
#10
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Okay.... I'll snap a couple and post them. Looks just like what TransAmWS.6 posted except the aluminum exhaust ports exit the middle of the rear and not on each end. Also, that Camaro looks to have had some tinting done. And yep, it's a blackwing.
I'll tell you what, these cars were made to last. Like I metnioned, it's pushing 190K. I think somewhere around 188K or so now....
Al
I'll tell you what, these cars were made to last. Like I metnioned, it's pushing 190K. I think somewhere around 188K or so now....
Al
08-08-2012, 08:49 AM
#12
TECH Junkie
My T/A was bought new but I have only 30,000 miles. No problems in 11 years except for a pinion seal which was no biggie as I wanted to change the gear oil anyway. I've always wondered about the hoses though. Have you ever changed your hoses or still the originals??
** Overall these beasts are just wonderful, and to think Consumer Reports used to lambaste these F-bodies unmercifully with their biased reviews. I always remember my '96 Formula getting solid black marks (poor) across the board. I had minmal problems with 9 years of ownership on that F-body as well.
Just remembered a catalytic converter going bad. It was replaced under warranty though.
** Overall these beasts are just wonderful, and to think Consumer Reports used to lambaste these F-bodies unmercifully with their biased reviews. I always remember my '96 Formula getting solid black marks (poor) across the board. I had minmal problems with 9 years of ownership on that F-body as well.
Just remembered a catalytic converter going bad. It was replaced under warranty though.
Last edited by NC01TA; 08-08-2012 at 09:33 AM.
08-08-2012, 09:15 AM
#13
I'm the 3rd owner of my 99 ss and the guy I bought it from only had the pinion seal issue and ended up having the rear end rebuilt under warranty by gm. both window motors. Since I have had it the only things I have had to do (knock on wood) is bypass the VATS and fix one of the aftermarket cats that broke apart and started rattling. Just regular maintenance stuff like everyone else.
I too remember seeing how the auto guides would always bash these cars for reliability...they should see this thread 10+ years later. They probably base it off negligent owners who never do any maintenance whatsoever to how "reliable" it is.
I too remember seeing how the auto guides would always bash these cars for reliability...they should see this thread 10+ years later. They probably base it off negligent owners who never do any maintenance whatsoever to how "reliable" it is.
08-08-2012, 09:15 AM
#14
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It certainly could, but CME was not manditory with the 345hp package. Dual/dual could be had either way in 2002 (either with or without center exit).
I've always disliked the CME myself. Regular dual/dual looks much better IMO.
I've always disliked the CME myself. Regular dual/dual looks much better IMO.
08-09-2012, 12:10 AM
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Ah yes, the "inefficient cat" code. I had that too, but forgot about it because I just disabled the code. Didn't bother with replacement because it was already past the extended cat warranty. No sniffer test to pass here, so no problem.
08-09-2012, 06:39 AM
#17
OP i think you meant Energizer bunny lol.
On topic, mine has upwards of 170k. Tranny went out but i ran it hard, motor has about 50k and had to deal with a pita alternator due to ps leak and water pump started ripping when i bought three years agobut no other issues. I have never touched the brakes in the 3 years that i have owned it and still stop on a dime. I did some suspension mods and it feels like a new car but i guess its expected with such high mileage car. I have a buddy whose Z28 had like 240k like two years ago and still runs stron as hell lol
On topic, mine has upwards of 170k. Tranny went out but i ran it hard, motor has about 50k and had to deal with a pita alternator due to ps leak and water pump started ripping when i bought three years agobut no other issues. I have never touched the brakes in the 3 years that i have owned it and still stop on a dime. I did some suspension mods and it feels like a new car but i guess its expected with such high mileage car. I have a buddy whose Z28 had like 240k like two years ago and still runs stron as hell lol
08-09-2012, 07:44 AM
#18
Staging Lane
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Too funny, zamora7. You are right.....my bad. Eveready....? What the hell was I thinkin'? Probably not as bad as ol' Randy Travis.... BUTT! Pretty darn close.
08-10-2012, 10:34 AM
#19
my 1998 Z28 in sig has 228,540 miles as of today and runs flawless, original engine, trans, and rear was changed just for the sake of gears. Full bolt ons and spray and doesnt even think twice of its every weekend abuse.
