keithert

I had 2 3rd gen Camaros back in the day. A 1985 V6 with very few options and a loaded 1990 RS v8. I sold the 1990 in 1998 after I got married. It was starting to rust in the wheel wells and hood and needed a heater core and the AC didn't work. I really loved that car and would like another but am wondering if a 4th gen might be the way to go. My reasons are as follows. Please correct me if I am wrong.

1. 4th gens are cheaper. An early 4th gen seems to sell for 3000-5000 in decent shape.

2. The plastic fenders of the 4th gen won't rust. I'm thinking that a 4th gen will stay good looking longer.

3. More 4th gens have t-tops than 3rd gens.

I prefer the looks of the third gen and the fact that there was an RS v8 option. I definatly want one with t-tops. Should I find a 3rd gen or settle for a 4th gen for the reasons above?

TJfive0

I'd say go with what you like best. Whichever makes you happier. 3rd gens aren't all that difficult to take care of, and like you said, I personally like how a 3rd gen looks when compared to a 4th gen. It is all based on what you want. I personally would say go for a 3rd gen if you really like them better.

By the way, if you want a 3rd gen, I have an 89 IROC for sale, t-tops, 5 speed, 305, black, good interior, minimul underbody rust. $3300

keithert

Very tempting but I need to sell some other cars first. Interested in a partial trade for a 1990 Tracker or 1993 Nissan NX2000?

TJfive0

Actually I might be interested in either. Can you give me the specs on them? MPG for both? How good do they run, any problems? Let me know, I would be interested.

transam84

I personally like the body lines of the 4th gens BUT the biggest turn off on those cars is how difficult it can be to work on them. I really can't afford to pay mechanics to work on my cars so I typically settle for cars that are easy to repair, so needless to say I own 4 3rd gens, 3 of which all run and drive perfectly. 3rd gens= easy maint, 4th gens = headaches and stressfull maint. my .02

z28 NyC

Yeh have you seen how they stuff v8's into 4th gens? makes it really hard to work on campared to a third gen. anyway dont settle for anything get exatly what you want, a third gen,. And for 3000 you can get a really nice third gen, also dont know if i agree with the whole more 4th gens come with t-tops than third gens comment, i think its the opposite, from what i've seen anyway.

88 350 tpi formula

iTrader: (9)

I like the thirdgen better infact I have had a few chances to buy 4th gens dirt cheap! but, turned them down because I like the thirdgens better, I should have bought them and turned a profit. anyway it's what you really like better. the 4th gens are not that hard to work on unless it's a motor swap even that is not too big of a deal just a few more hoops to jump through. buy what looks good to you. don't settle for anything less

transam84

I have heard that in order to do a motor swap on a 4th gen that you have to drop the K-Member. granted the LT1's and LS1 are not worth swapping out (unless they are blown up) but if you buy a totaled out 4th gen I assume this is how you would have to remove the motor, from the underside instead of out through the top of the engine bay. I could be wrong however as I have never removed an engine from a 4th gen, just what I have heard.

88 350 tpi formula

iTrader: (9)

yes, that is what I was saying. no big deal just takes that much longer

Matto'85TA

I've owned both. Currently I have a 2001 Trans Am WS6. Before that I owned 1985 Trans Am. Both are V8/A4's, though my '85 had a 305TPI, the '01 has the LS1.

Both are great cars. I love them both. I hated to get rid of my '85, was my 1st car, but it needed to go. Simply wasnt worth it to fix anymore. Plus I've loved the look of the '98+ WS6's and had the means to get it. If had storage to put the '85 in, I would have.

3rd gens are infinitly easier to work on. Much more engine compartment room. Much less clutter(well at least my '85 wasnt cluttered up, no AC, no smog stuff). My '01 is cramped. AIR sucks, and needs to go. Parts, for obvious reasons, are easier to come by for the 3rd gens. And they tend to be cheaper.

4th gens, becuase they are newer, dont have as much problems. Though if it was ragged on, there are no guarantees. The LS1 is a stellar motor. Great power, damn reliable, and decent gas mileage(I average 300-320miles to a tank with mostly city driving and some fun runs on the hi-ways.)

The majority of '98 4th gens have t-tops. In fact, IIRC they were standard on TA's. I have yet to see a '98+ TA without t-tops.

3rd gen:

Pros: Cheaper to work on, easier to work on. Cheaper insurance. Plentiful parts. Cheaper parts. Less electronics. Cheaper to mod. Traditional small block chevy powered.

Cons: Rust. Tendency to be beaten on, then beaten on some more. Newest ones are over 12 years old. Has GM's 80's era quality, especially the interiors. Some parts can be very scarce.

4th gen:

Pros: lots of power out of the box. When modded they make great power. 13sec stock, 12's easy, 11's without much trouble. Very little rusting issues, majority of panels are plastic. Airbags/ABS/ Traction control availible. Newer ones may still have warranties. Gas mileage is good considering the power. LS6 intake stock on '01-02 f-bodies. LS6 blocks and cams were used on occasions too if there was a parts shortage at the factory.

Cons: 10bolt sucks, can blow behind a stock engines. Sunshells in autos can crack behind a stock motor. Insurance sucks. V8's need premium(LS1 can run lower octane, but the PCM will pull timing and such until it sees that you filled up again. Not sure one LT1s) Parts can be expensive, and pain to find. Shares much of its chassis and rear suspension with the 3rd gens, so much of the same problems will have to be addressed with time. Doors are gigantic(long like a 3rd gen, but somwhere in the neighborhood of 5-6in thick in the middle. Lots of electronics.