ThePain

Hey fellow Third-Geners! Well since I've found out that my economy car 1998 ford contour needs $1000 in steering work and just blew through a set of tires, and numerous repairs, I have decided that it's time for a new car. I was looking at a fwd monte carlo but I happened to find a nice looking camaro on craigslist for really cheap, and wanted your opinion.




1989 Camaro RS
Asking Price: $3000
Mileage: 69,000
2.8l V6
Fuel Economy:
17-City, 25-Highway, Combined-20

From CL:
Replacing a

1998 ford Contour
Mileage: 145,000
4-cylinder
21-City, 30-Highway, Combined- 24

My needs are a daily driver with a good heater that I can drive during most weather, except during moderate snowfall. That's what my Bronco is for. I would like to drive it during the winter here in Alaska when the weather is good(Not snowing lol) Gas millage is very important. I would be using it as a pizza delivery vehicle, and for my 60 mile round trip commute to college. I would also love something that's not another grandma car haha. It's almost summer so I would have the rest of the season to save up and put on the most expensive winter tires I can find. There would be a LOT of icy and snowy driving still.


I researched the KBB, and it only goes to 1992. A similar camaro in excellent shape goes for $2,800 so the price is close, except for the year difference. I REALLY like the idea of finding a really low millage car, the fact that this is a cool-blue camaro is just a plus.

My Questions are:
-What are the typical repair costs I might expect?
- IF there's no hidden problems, is it out of the question to expect 5 good repair-free years with such a low-millage camaro?
-What type of gas millage does the V6 get real world?
-How horrible are these on icy roads?


Thanks for reading guys, looking forward to the answers.

silentkillzr

iTrader: (2)

Don't get it if you plan to drive it in winter. You will have a very high chance of dying or not moving at all.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

In addition, no one pays $3k for a v6 car. That car might be a $1250 car here. If it were low miles and completely stock (garbage wheels, garbage "moonroof", etc really take away from any originality value that comes with being "low" mileage, and honestly, that thing is one year of commuting away from being a 90k mile car.... Not really low very low mileage either.

A 305 TBI RS car will get around 20 mixed city/highway mpg... Mine did at least. I dont see any reason to get the horrible v6.

silentkillzr

iTrader: (2)

I paid $1250 with no motor ( mine was a complete no option v6, very light ), and $300 for the motor next to the car. Lol

ThePain

hmm, That's a bummer. I haven't taken my 92 out in the snow because it's my baby and the tires on it now are CRAP. I see a lot of people driving older mustangs, and even newer camaros and challengers so people don't seem to be too afraid of RWD.

Cars in AK are a lot more expensive than other places unfortunately. If you saw the condition of some of the ~$2000 camaros you might have a heart attack lol. Not a pretty sight.

Didn't realize the V6 was so hated. I don't really care if the car is fast, I just want reliability and good MPG.

Maybe I'll give the Monte Carlo a more serious look

silentkillzr

iTrader: (2)

I bought a v6 car because it was original v6, someone swapped it long long ago to a v8, and now technically the insurance company thinks its some pos v6, so my insurance is super cheap . That monte will get you through winter just fine, i drive a grand prix gtp, basically the same car. Very nice in snow, if you like your thirdgen and dont want it to rot after 1 winter, then dont drive it. They rot REALLY fast as soon as the salt hits em. Exposed pinch welds, and 80's car technology really kills these things, Thirdgens imo rot faster than the average car . Anyway i love my thirdgen, and i never dare drive it in winter even if it was my only vehicle, Besides 11:1 compression does not dig cold temps

Also its not that its RWD to be afraid of, its how long will the car last. In my trucks i drive rwd everywhere, i used 4x4 like twice. Its easy to drive rwd in winter if you know how to. But the cars simple are NOT designed to handle mass salt they pour on roads every year. Not to mention ALL that snow get stuck everywhere!

ThePain

Actually that's the cool thing about Alaska, there's so much snow they don't even bother trying to use salt So rot is not actually a concern.


Front wheel drive in my contour has been awesome but i drove my bronco a whole winter in 2wd cuz the PO lost the front driveshaft so I'm definitely no RWD noob.

I mainly just love how clean that car looks and with my camaro being 150k, my contour 145k, and my bronco also now 140k I thought 70k seemed pretty nice and low. All of my vehicles except the camaro have required constant maintanince So I figured a 70k camaro would probably save me a ton in cash.

I've owned the contour for one year and in addition to paying $200 for it I have spent ~1800 in repairs. It currently needs $1000 steering work and new tires too So for $3000, or maybe if I could talk it down $2500? I thought it seemed a good deal, especially after dumping the contour on Craigslist for $1000.

DeathStarr89

iTrader: (1)

F-bodies and snow don't mix at all, V6 or not it's doesn't matter. Modern RWD cars have traction control and all kinds of other fun things to help, ours do not.


I'd pick up a small 4WD truck or an AWD Astro van, those things are great in the snow and the mileage isn't too bad.

silentkillzr

iTrader: (2)

Most modern cars have a LOT of rust defense. car's from the 80's and prior are getting hard to come by because back then people DID drive them in winter, as no one knew the real outcome of the GM and other classic car monsters! If some of those people that picked up 69 Camaro SS's knew how much they were worth today, i gaurantee you, there would be a lot more clean 69 ss's lol. Just an example, but you see the point, Thirdgens are now hitting classic/collector car state, And its a near shame to drive it in winter, If your going todo that you may as well pick up a beater and rock that in winter.

silentkillzr

iTrader: (2)

Car looks clean, i would recommend IF you are having another vehicle to drive in winter, thats what im sure 99% of TGO's do, we all have more than one vehicle

406ci91rs

check and see if the paint is good and was done right...looks in several places like its been repainted..

58mark

iTrader: (3)

3000 for a V6 only happens if it's in fantastic condition, and has AC. I'd have to see some more pics, but it looks like a $2000 car to me, and that's only if you can verify the mileage is really as low as they claim, and not 100K more

scottmoyer

We have gotten so spoiled here guys. I was 17 and drove my 82 Cross Fire Z28 (posi) all winter in NJ. It was the only car I had so I had to deal with it. I also lived on top of a mountain, so it was uphill to get home regardless of where I went. I also drove an 88 Sport Coupe in a Minnesota winter back in 93. Again, it was my only car and I survived rush hour traffic during major snow storms and black ice. These cars can be driven as a daily driver as long as you're careful. People have done it for years!

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I drove my 82 TA as a DD for a few years back in 1989 and 1990. After a few close calls during winter I bought myself a beater car to get to school and parked the TA in the garage. Thirdgens aren't the safest cars in the winter. Although I suspect that modern all weather tires would make a world of a difference from the Radial TAs I had on there.

ThePain

Here's another one, I originally passed it over till I noticed it only had 56k. The main attraction is that it is a 5-speed, and I've always wanted to have a manual camaro. Looks a little sad haha, Guys asking $2,500. Missing the dashpad, and only has cheapo steel rims, and a new battery. Those dash pads are expensive so maybe I could talk it down to $2000.



Would be great if it was at least a TBI. Apparently this gets worse gas mileage than the 89


I guess as far as winter goes, most everyone's asking "Am I feeling lucky"?

KBcobra

I've driven my Camaro in the snow for 5 years. Its doable BUT NOT FUN. Buy if you want to get good at driving in the snow.

Motown

Comparing the Camaro to that Monte, and where you live, Id say get the Monte. I have a 01 Grand Prix (same car) and it is awesome in the snow and a nice cruiser in the summer too.

Just my

gsxrfann

A car is really worth what you are willing to pay. If you are happy with it, then it is a good deal.

Jason E

A low mileage CLEAN V6 Camaro is worth $3,000. I don't care what people on here say...I take in total buckets on trade for $3,000 these days.

406ci91rs

disagree.....like said above, its really what you wanna pay for it....im my opinion i would not pay over 2000 for any v6 car no matter what condition