Hello all well i wana get a third gen but my dad is mad because he thinks thay all are pieces of ****. So my question I wana spend about $4000 on a RS, am i gona have to be fixin it every other week or can i find one that will be dependable for that price.(im 16)



THX PHIL

 

You could find one hell of a car for 4,000. A good dependable one. Dont let dad talk you into a ***** or somethin. Me and the thirdgen crue will come to your house and put a can of whoopass on him. LOL!!!!! Good luck, try the thirdgen classifieds.

 

ThirdGens are like any other car: you give them a good home, some love and proper maintenance they should last you a good while...


My car was 3800. Now, this is a good example of what NOT to do. The previous owner did NOTHING to take care of anything under the hood of this car. We've spent a lot of money making it a good car. It runs like a dream, now, and we do regular work on it to keep it that way.

Good luck getting a third gen! ^_^!!!

 

$4000 will get you a nice condition 3rd gen with fairly low miles for the year. If I were you, I would look for a 90-92 with the 350 (5.7ltr) engine. A 90 would be a IROC-Z and the 91-92 would be a Z28. Hardtop, T-Top, or Vert is up to you but the Hardtops are the strongest. Do research on the car when you find it. Get the VIN and run it through the VIN decoder on this website. That will tell you what model engine is in the car. I would highly recommend you wait it out for a 350 (5.7ltr) TPI ... but if you must get a 305 (5.0) stick with the TPI version, not the TBI version. There is no question that people have been able to make the 305's fast, but for your 'bang for the buck' you'll have alot more fun in a 350 TPI. To this day I regret buying my 90 RS because it has a 305 TBI engine. Sure I can spend alot of money to make it fast, but it will never be as fast as someone with the 350 and the same mods. But yeah $4000 should get you a solid 3rd gen. I picked up a black 1992 hardtop B4C (police package w/ 1LE) last month for $4500 with 90k miles. Car is strong as a rock. Just be sure to take care of the engine (get a tune up right when u buy it) and it will last for a loooong time.

 

Oh yes, I'd like to add that if all thirdgens were pieces of ****, there wouldnt be any out on the road.

 

He obviously knows nothing about these cars. But really, get an IROC-Z or Z28.

 

yes, but if you want to just feel like a king, get t tops, you won't regret it. Nothing better on a warm summer day than going down a country road at 80 mph, radio off, t tops off, just listening to your exhaust singing you a song like the trumpet of an angel. look up, see blue skies. chicks dig it too. i can't stress to you enough, 3rd gens kick ***!!!!!!!! i'm 16, mine is low milage but paint is faded and front clip is dented in from a retard kicking it in, 66k on the thing. 1000 bucks....no rust. (rare in NY) 305 tpi, i'm pretty much satisfied with my 305, allthough 350 is the obvious preference. if there is 2 things you really want in a thirdgen, it's tuned port and t tops.you could live without either one, but take this as fair warning, drive a thirdgen and everything else just doesn't seem right. i go from my formula 5 speed to an automatic neon, and i just hate being trapped in the thing.it has broken twice, once was a tiny clip that holds the clutch cable, no biggie, and this time it was the water pump, also not a large deal, 24 dollar repair job if you do it yourself. performance parts are plentiful, and these cars are NOT mustangs! they don't bust alot. tell your dad i said they rock! only thing i disagree with is everyone urging camaro on you, a t/a or formula is the obvious choice

 

just dont get more than you can handle.... f-bodies, rustangs and vettes have the highest rate of driver death of all cars on the road because of drivers that can't handle a real sports car, and since you're 16 you probably dont have too much experience behind the wheel of any car, let alone a high-po one. just food for thought.

ideally, i would get a 305 TPI/stickshift 90 iroc or 91-92 z28. a 305/stick is just about as fast as a 350/auto and gets better mileage, and no they never made a 350/stick

 

T-tops have more head room for the girlfriend!!Lol!! Hold up, your only 16, I am being a bad influence, let me stop. Bad Jason, Bad. Yah get a t-top you'll love it, and your girlfriend will too.

 

Exactly.

 

Yeah.. there would be (at least mine)....

 

thats all the tilt steering btw, if you see a formula with high heels sticking out of the t tops, wait until it stops rockin and come by and say hi

 

If you get one that was beaten and not taken care of you WILL have problems......make sure you get a nice Z28 preferrably a 92......and low miles.....

 

That basiclly what my dad said, But I said oh well and bought one.

When deciding on a RS or Z28/IROC check with the incurance company first. When I was looking for my car, ofcourse I wanted the 350 TPI Z28, but the insurance wouldn't even cover me (1 speeding ticket) so I had to get an RS. 3 years after I got my RS I went back to the insurance company, I can can get insurnace for a Z28 now, but it is twice as much as my RS.

Any ways get a 1990 IROC (if you can find one).

 

*

 

Hey, guys... let's not leave out the 'birds! My '92 Trans Am 'vert cost around $4500 (after trade), and it's solid as a rock. 112K on the clock and she doesn't smoke, leak, or anything... tight as a drum. When deciding on a car, it doesn't hurt to have a mechanic check it out... if it's one you're really interested in, it's well worth dropping a few dollars into a solid mechanic's inspection. Long live the thirdgen! :hail: :hail:

 

Convertible yes yes! wish I had one. Tee tops nice but rag top nicer

 

Doggonit FLYNLOW92rs, your sig pic excites me, I get distracted every time you post!!

Oh, nice car too. lol

 

Yeah insurance should always be something to think about when buying a car.......If you are interested in getting a camaro for it's speed.....i would lean away from the V6 model RS.....

When you first buy the car.......to learn how to drive it and prevent some stupid mistakes.......take it to a EMPTY parking lot and practice your reckless driving so you know how the car handles and what it is capable of........and how to control it......

Stay Focused FyreLance

 

Why would you pay $4000 for an RS? Thats insane! For 4k, you could get an L98 or Lb9 car!

 

I bought a third gen 1989 RS camaro nothing wrong with it got it for 2750 only needed speakers and a cd player


Im only 16 so I checked insurance on 12 different other cars to high for the iroc-z and z28's, rs was the cheapest its a v6, 2.8L, was 173 (225hp now) but its still a camaro.

Dual Exhaust no cat all windows tinted
Everything is still orginal

Once i get older I will buy a Iroc-z the insurance will be down by then.

 

Some can be reliable but you will have little quality issues all over the place. I wouldn't call a thirdgen very reliable, watch out if you buy one.

 

I am 17 and currently looking for a thirdgen, but I want a 91 - 92 firebird or trans am. Well it looks like firebird to me cuz insurance SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!! Get a v-6 if you plan to out in a 350. the check book will thank you.

 

OK, so let's say the dual exhaust gives you about 5-10hp, where is the rest coming from, the tinted windows?

 

I am trying to Find a GTA and i'm having a hard time. they are pretty rare around here. I have actually never seen a GTA in person that i can think of. There are a few on autotrader but they are all automatic and i gotta have a five speed.. i guess i have no choice but to keep lookin. 4 months and counting...

 

I got an 84 L69, no rust, for $2750. A couple of small dents and shovel scratches on the hood. T-Tops. From what I understand, it's hard to get a carbed 3rd Gen that isn't beat to hell. My definitely isn't, but there are some issues with the engine, particularly leaks.

Anyway, I think if I could've done it over, I would've went with an RS. Great looking cars, not too much high performance, which is good if you're like me and don't always want people asking you to race. I think I'm gonna wait till after college before I go for serious performance. That'll give you time to get experience behind the wheel.

 

I bought my car when i was 16 for $4000 w/ 104,XXX miles. It now has 112,XXX miles. In three years it has never left me stranded. Runs like a champ. Just take care of it, and it will take care of you.

 

How could your dad SAY such a thing?? Hurtfull. Anyways, I paid $3500 for my '89 V6 RS back in '95, and I never had one single problem with it in the one year I owned it. And, it crossed the 100K mileage barrier at that time. I miss that car.

 

i got my car about a year ago when i was 16 for like 1800 - its a v6 bird and looks great but it had high milage on it- it was a decntly maintaned car that sat for a while and was a time bomb waiting to explode- now its on blocks next to my house and im shopping for a tranny- also...when you approach a deal that mayseem great-Back up , take a deap breath and think about what your doing - almost my whole paycheck went to my car and insurrance during my senior year and i missed out on a lot- like not being able to play football cause i needed money to pay for my piece of **** ride. at 16, 17 a car if your paying it yourself is a Major investment- do it right- and be patient and find the deel best for you

 

1989RS_Camaro check you hp again, 2.8L v6 only have 135 hp stock and 3.1L have 140 stock. If you haven't changed the CAM there is no way you have over 200 hp no way.

 

if you can stand to live without power for a while, i would suggest getting the 305(insurance will be much better), and then building something for it.. then you can customize the engine, get parts that will give you what you want out of the car (for example, i LOVE torque. so my 383 is going to have a lot of it (woohoo the heads just got finished today) ) if you know somebody (i know, thats a big if) you can do a decent motor for around 1000-1500 bucks.. but since you are 16 dont go to big to fast or you will end up wrapped around a tree. :nono:

just have fun finding your third gen, dont let your dad keep you down!

 

Why not just get you a car that had a v6 in it that has been swapped. Your insurance will never know!! Just make sure it wasn't a half *** engine swapp. If you don't know too much about cars have a mechanic look at it for ya. Just like my car, it is an 84 z28 ho. Do you think it has a 305 ho in there, h*ll no it doesn't. It has a built 350!!!! Does the insurance company know this???? Did they ask??? THe answer to both of these questions is no!!!!!!!! Many cars this age do not have the original engine, which is not a bad thing as long as the engine replacer knew what they were doing. Just a little somethin to think about.

 

Please enlighten us on why you THINK your car has 225 HP!

Dual exhuast, all thirdgens come with dual exhuast, if you mean "True Duals" then actually, on a V6 that would actualy cuase a power loss from too little backpressure, and on v6's backpressure is extremely important since we don't have much to begin with.

Even if you have done: cam, roller rockers, port & polish intake, Custom CAI, Headers, Hi-Flo Cat (Gutted cat looses power, again too little backpressure), High-Flo Cat-back, 3.73 REar, Boxed LCA's and Panhard Bar you still wouldn't see those numbers.

2.8s got 135 HP stock, and with 13 years of parasitic loss you looking at around 95 HP at the rear wheels and with the mods listed above, you probably would only be around 160ish at the rear wheels.

This is why not very many mod the V6, its too d@mn expensive to get that kind of power from. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the sixty degree and its a great engine, but a V8 has always been king.

I wouldn't trade my v6 for anything in the world, well maybe if it was a 1969 Vette with a 427 T-tops, Black on Black, L-88 Scoop, Twisted Side Pipes.... and enough money to do a 100% full frame-off resto , but other than that, I'll keep my V6

 

stuart69427 I agree, the only way you could have 200 is if you had the 60degree 3.4L engine with rollors, CAM, chip, and dyno max. But 200 is max with out a turbo. Goes back to the rule of 1hp per 1 ci. Also he gutted his cat so he is losing more too.

 

i bought my z28 for $4,400. the car was totally original(except for the headunit). the guy who owned the car before me never took the car out in the rain. i highly suggest T-Tops. you will love them. well good luck

 

oh yeh, on the 3.4L, 200+ HP is a lot easier, but on a old tired out 2.8, I don't think so!

 

Whatever you buy, with whatever options you choose, I would try to find some thing that has been maintained well. I think for now you might be happier with something F-body that runs/looks/drives well with little trouble, rather than going after a certain car. I know my advice isn't the most exciting, but neither is not driving your fast car because it's broken, again. My RS isn't the fastest car, but it's reliable, in good condition, and still fun to drive. Besides, I can't resist modifying anything I have - that's half the fun. By now you've figured out that I'm an "Old Fart", but I've learned lots of things the hard way, just trying to give you the benefit of my mistakes. BTW, I think a 305 TBI is a reasonable compromise for a 16 year-old, and I like my T-tops. Just my 2C. The right car is out there, Good Luck.

 

My SC (No RS in 88) has been by far the most reliable car i've ever owned, despite its age and 136,000 miles. I credit this to the fact that the previous owner... well her dad was the service manager at one of the better local GM dealers. I've maintained it quite well myself. But... I'm probably gonna sell it pretty soon. I don't know where you're from though.

Any car in that price range you will have to do things to from time to time. Its just part luck part being a smart buyer. For a first car, honestly, I'd stick with a 305 auto. I'm not saying you can't drive, I'm agreeing with the experince/fast car thing, and its not because I'm old. I'm 20, I bought the car when I was 18. If i had it when i was 16, I'd probably had some nasty things happen. But the RS is pretty forgiving... they're not bad for power, compared to most non-sportscars, and still handle pretty good. They don't get away from you as much as a lot of other cars do, and they are predictable as far as past their limits handling (sliding sideways in other words) Not as grippy as Z, but as a first car, you'll be plenty happy with it, and you don't need to be pushing the limits of a cars handling right now. Later on when you have more $$ you can always step up to a higher performance model, or just upgrade an RS. my .02


Oh yeah forgot to mention insurance. An RS will have a better insurance rate. Engine displacement also directly affects insurance rates. And just so you know, at 20, with 2 wrecks and one speeding ticked (though my record has been 100% clear for 3 years as of yesterday) I'm paying $1219/6 months full coverage. It just went up... state farm did some rate hikes this quarter. Dammit.

 

Actually there were a couple hundred sent out to Cali

 

I would hardly say that finding a Third gen is fun. it has been on of the most frusterating things i have ever done. 3 months and NOTHING... I am so sick of waiting

 

Definetly. 2 3/4 years for me looking for the IROC-Z in my sig while I drive around an RS.

 

I guess its good to know that i am not the only one but it still sucks! I really hope i dont have to wait that long!! I feel for ya man. I bet you would say that it was worth it though. thats what i have heard so i am gonna keep looking. My dad, Jokingly, was like "there arent any third gens around that arent beaten up anymore. You should just buy a honda" I WILL NEVER!.

 

I just got an email from someone selling a 91 GTA about an hour from me! it sounds pretty nice! I hope it works out, WHOOOOOHOOO!

 

good luck

 

One thing I thought I'd add is to buy the best thirdgen you can afford. Don't take your $4000 and buy a $1000 car with delusions of making it the greatest car ever with the other $3K. I started with a $1500 V6 car and a credit card (NEVER do this) and quickly got into a lot of debt. Find a nice $4000 car and you'll be much happier when you're driving it and not fixing it all the time.

 

That is some good advice!

 

I got my 88 formula 350 for $1900. The guy I bought it off of really needed the money. After a tune up and a good day of detailing it looks and runs awsome. For $4000 you can easily get a very nice and dependable 3rd gen. Just keep checking auto trader and one will come up.

And as for the 2.8L 225hp

 

Wow, I actually bought my 92 RS w/ the 3.1 for a measly $1500. When I bought it off him (he desperately needed cash), the entire interior was covered in ashes, carpet extremely dirty, engine bay extremely dirty, sports bra falling apart, the left fender smashed in w/ 109,000 miles on it. Needless to say I immediatly picked it up, former car being a 90 Buick LeSabre, cleaned it REAL nice, fixed all the damage, cleaned and scrubbed the engine bay, got a good tune up, waxed it, and now it just SHINES. Trust me, drive a non-sports car down any road, then drive a camaro, you WILL see a difference, especially w/ T-tops! Now it has 122,000 miles on it, and not a thing has gone wrong w/ it. Third-gen owner for life!

 

I agree

 

Some suggestions:

1, Father "usually" knows best - BUT NOT THIS TIME! If you buy a 3rd gen, after your dad drives it you will have trouble getting him out of it. HE will fall in love with it.

2. If it is your money then you decide what to do.

3. Research, reseach and more research. Don't but the first 3rd gen you seen. There are still lot's of 15 - 20 year old 3rd gen out there. Some made it thru longevity, some thru proper maintenance.

4. Remember the old saying, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

5. If you buy you can get plenty of advice on how to maintain your car here and on other web sites.

6. Get the T Tops. It is the s***. Do a water test to make sure they don't leak. And if they do you can get repair help on them, too.

7. Don't make statements like "89RS* did;
Quote: (Im only 16 so I checked insurance on 12 different other cars to high for the iroc-z and z28's, rs was the cheapest its a v6, 2.8L, was 173 (225hp now) but its still a camaro.}

because someone here will catch you. There is just too much knowledge on this board to BS someone. If he has this much horse with so few mods, well 2 and 2 must equal 10. I have a 5.0 v8 '86 z28 engine I am only at 200hp with modest mods.

8. Remember you only live once and you better get that thirdgen before they are all gone or too high priced.

Good luck!:lala: