Hey all, been a lurker here for a bit, and I've decided its time to actually join. You see, I'm a bit at a crossroad in my life, and I need to decide what to do with my car. My current daily driver is a 1997 Camaro Z28 with about 126000 miles on the odometer. I bought the car about 2 years ago as my first car with the intention of giving it a little tlc and then upgrading it to make it go fast. However, the car has been nothing but trouble. In the time I've had it, I've replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs, wires, alternator, catalytic converter, water pump, and engine mounts.

Here's what is currently wrong with it:
-My gas mileage is abysmal. I do mostly city driving, and I know a V8 in the city isn't going to get great gas mileage, but I've been averaging 9 miles per gallon. My mechanic assures me that its normal for a big V8 to have this poor gas mileage, but I disagree. It isn't throwing any codes, but there has to be something wrong.
-My automatic transmission clanks and clunks when shifting. Also, when at idle, the center console will sometimes shake violently until I put the car in neutral. I thought the mounts might be bad, but it has polyurethane tranny mounts that are still good.
-The power steering pump leaks a LOT. I have to constantly put fluid in, but my mechanic quoted $1300 to replace the entire power steering system, which is a tough pill to swallow.
-The rear main seal leaks. Not actually too worried about this, since the leak isn't severe enough for me to have to add oil in between oil changes.

I love the car and don't really want to give it up, but it has been such a burden on me. Do you guys think that my problems are severe enough that it is more economical to just get a newer car? Or could I fulfill my dream of making this car go fast?

Also, I'm looking for a new mechanic, so if anyone knows of any mechanic experienced with LT1 engines in the Orange County area, please let me know.

 

IMO, if you can do your own work then it's worth keeping and fulfilling your dream. If you can't or don't do your own work then I would move on to something else. With paying for labor and parts etc. one can have a lot of $$$ into a car that's not worth much to begin with while still having the strong possibly of additional issues arising given its age and mileage.

 

OP

you have a 20 year old car you bought 2 years ago. For its age not a great deal of mileage on it.

The parts you replaced wear out on any 20 year old car so is to be expected. If you are not able to do these repairs yourself than that will always be a $ burden on you

Your city mileage is bad so something going on there. The rough idle when you come to a stop could be a dirty or failing IAC. Its on the throttle body and if you have some basic tools something you could remove/clean or replace your self.

Would help if you added any mods you have to your sig so people can make more specific comments to "why" relative to your posts.

the more you modify the car with performance parts (heads/cam, aftermarket tuning, etc) than a mechanic will have more trouble working on it as he doesn't know wtf these changes do and how to fix a car with them so if you are venturing down the path of performance modifications and don't do the work yourself than it can become very expensive having someone else do the work

 

It really comes down to how much you love the car. If you just want something fast, there are plenty of cars these days that will be fast and much more daily driver friendly. If you really like the car though then it will be worth it.

Between the vibration and terrible gas mileage, I'd say there is a mechanical issue that should probably be addressed before selling it anyway. I'd say get that taken care of and then see if you like the car enough to keep it.

 

Thanks guys!

As far as mods go, I have purposefully tried to keep everything stock just for the purpose of getting everything to run properly. I haven't even gotten a cold air filter yet since I've been so busy fixing everything, which was the first mod on my to do list. As far as I'm aware, the only thing that definitely isn't stock is the poly transmission mount. Other than that, I've replaced everything with OEM parts.

Also, no, I do not do everything myself. It entirely depends on ease of access, which unfortunately means a lot on this car needs to be worked on with it on a lift. I replaced the alternator just fine, for example, but no way am I dropping the rear end and replacing the fuel pump myself. I am not experienced enough nor do I have the equipment for it.

I personally have been unable to determine the cause of the poor gas mileage. I tried replacing the Opti (forgot to mention I replaced that as well) and the plugs and wires in an attempt to fix it, but to no avail. As previously mentioned, my mechanic seems to think there is nothing wrong despite my insistence, so where should I take the car? Dealer?

 

It seems to me either you aren't getting the exhaust out( you replaced the converter?) or the air filter is plugged up. Those cause ill running and **** poor gas mileage. Fire your mechanic and see where your friends take their car.. Define Orange County, there are several in the U.S.

 

Sorry, Orange County California. Specifically located around the city of Orange. Thanks for clarifying

 

Sounds like a typical stalled and cammed automatic to me lol j/k

 

Yeah but he said it was stock..Be surprised how many folks overlook the air filter.

 

Info on the trans and stall