INeedaRS

I wasnt sure where exactly to post this so i saw general engine area and decided to post this thread here.

There is a 92 camaro with original engine and transmission with just 150,000 miles on it. Now im not sure how long does an engine and transmission last? Does it all really depend on the owner? Also how much does each cost. It is a 305 V8. I would really appreciate an answer thank you.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

it depends entirely on how it was maintained. car could be in perfect shape at that milage, or a basketcase.

a new engine and trans could cost a few grand easy, just for materials, if you pay somebody to install them, its even more.

what the car going for?

jermdm

It does depend on the owner that has it and on how well he maintained it. How many people has owned the car before the owner that has it now? Engines and trans can last a long time if maintained well. Mainly regular oil changes and other regular maintance items like trans, power steering, rear end fluid changes and fuel filter changes. Is the owner a young kid or an older guy? A young kid would most likely beat the crap out of and an older guy would most likely not and take care of the car. Theres alot to look at when buying one of these cars. Is the body in good condition and whats the interior look like? Does it have alot or little rust or none and is the interior tore up or in relatively good shape. The overall condition of these items would give you a good idea what kind of life the car has had. To me, for a 92 camaro with 150,000 on it and if its been maintaned well and taken care of, I would spend no more than 3000.00 for it. Is it a z28 or a rs? That would affect the price also.

camaronewbie

Like you said, it really depends on the owner, how well they kept up with maintenance, etc. My 1992 had 160k on it when I got it, and there was really nothing wrong with it, it ran good - needed a battery and a oil pressure sending unit and a fan switch. The tranny had just started to slip, but I didn't know it at the time - it was doing fine with the 305, but when I swapped in my 350 the extra power made it start to slip, so I had it rebuilt.

As with any car this old, it's a crap shoot. These are NOT cars to buy if your looking for a reliable daily driver that you need now - cause you just never know. Be prepared to have it parked for repairs. But that's really no different than any car to me - I've had brand new cars sit in the shop for weeks with warranty problems. I have no issue buying an older used car, but I have 3 cars and a motorcycle in the driveway, and I have the tools and can do the work to fix problems. If you don't have a car now, then you are used to not having one, and it won't kill you to park it for a week if something goes bad.

Kinda depends on the price as well - I've never paid more than $900 for a running Camaro - granted they weren't in perfect shape, but nothing major wrong with them. 6 years ago I paid $500 for a 1990 RS that had 180k on it, and it ran fine with no major issues until I sold it. With 150k, for me to pay more than $1000 for it, it would have to been garage kept and have pretty great interior and paint still on it, and no rust (but I live in the south and privileged to no-rust cars).

bracket rs

iTrader: (2)

my 89' chevy truck 350 tbi 700r has 425k, orignal motor and trans, it was
not really taken care of the first 200k, it has been the last 225k, still runs
good, pass's smog.

INeedaRS

The Car is going for 3000 and thanks for answering.

So far from pictures the interior looks to be in very good shape with on who little holes in the drivers side seat. There are also minor scrapes on the front end and the spoiler. This camaro does need a new catalytic converter. Also do you know the price to buy and install one also. As for the rest of the questions i will ask and observe when i check it out and get back to you on those. Also thanks for answering.

Thanks man. I actaully gotta go and being rushed right now so ill be getting back to you.

Thanks again guys ill get back to you all with what this car looks like at the end of the day.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

My 92 RS 305 has 146,000 on it and it runs like new. the oil stays nice and clean, the engine runs strong. the tranny shifts beautifully, I know it was owned by a 30 some year old woman before the guy I bought it from. I am fussy about oil change intervals and I use marvels mystery oil in the gas each fill up. Yeah yeah, snake oil, but I use it anyway.

INeedaRS

You seem to got lucky the guy doesnt know about the previous owner since the he bought it at the dealership. Im running a car fax later today to see everything that has been done to it.

On another note, i took a look at the car today and found all of these things.. be prepared.......


Currently the car is not inspected right now. The car needs a new catalytic converter

Other than that the car needs new t-tops because the ones that are on it are just trash, he says they dont leak but the condition of then are crap.

The front bumper and the back bumper need to be repainted the back can be but needs a whole new front bumper because there is a small hole there. Also there is a scratch (not really visible because they touched it up with paint at the dealership) going across the left door.

Another problem is the tires are way to big, they are brand new but he said when making a sharp turn the car makes a minor rumm sound against the car and the car goes out of control a little bit...

The car needs a brand new headliner its ripped a little bit and i think it needs to be replaced. Also there is two small holes in the drivers seat. There is also a rust spot smaller than a dime on the right side where the door and the car meet.

Something i caught was there was a light that lit up. the second one from the right. I think it said check engine soon.

?The car is a 305 v8.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

If you shop around you can get lucky also. There are lots of third gens that are in good condition on the market. As with your car, it sounds like a project. Take each issue one at a time, look for deals on replacement parts, and enjoy messing around with it.

INeedaRS

Thanks, i have been shopping for about close to a year now and looked at numerous camaros. Hopefully ill find one soon

TOM-1LE

From your description, it doesn't sound like a well-maintaned car to me. A conscientious owner will always take care of problems as they occur.

If you can see so many obvious things that the owner didn't fix, you can assume that there are a lot more things under the surface that are wrong with it as well.

One of the problems you run into with these cars is that, since they are generally so cheap to buy now, they are bought as "disposable" cars by people with no money or interest in maintaining them properly. They just drive them with little or no maintenance until they quit, then they junk them.

You can get a high-mileage, but well-maintained car (receipts and records are always a plus) for a few thousand dollars. You just have to be patient until one comes along. It might not be an L98 IROC or a 1LE or a GTA, but unless you have the money and/or skills to completely rebuild a car, condition is more important than equipment at this level.

Doom86

As everyone said it really depends on how it was taken care of and driven.

When I got my first F-Body it had 140k on it and it looked like the girl never changed the oil in the thing once. It was coming out in globs when I changed it. It lasted another 2 years though before spinning bearings, and it happened 20 minutes after a oil change @ 3000-4000rpm.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Mine was well taken care of when I bought it at 131K miles. After 10K miles of abuse the stock tranny went out during a street race replaced that with a built unit and 20K miles later, that car was running high 12's with just bolt ons. I maintained that motor well. Frequent oil changes, let it heat up well before running, etc.

That shortblock was strong and looked good when disassembled and stored for a few years, then I just sold it to a guy as is for 50 bucks. He plans to run it as is too Cant wait to hear if it still runs.

INeedaRS

Your totally right and i am perfectly fine with a 92 RS with a 305 in it. As long as its a low mileage car and it was well taken car of.

Its also sucks that people cannot take car of their cars and i hate to think of them as disposable but some people do!