hey guys,

im looking to buy another camaro, but this time i want to go v-6. How reliable is the v-6 in a 87 85 and up??? By the way, its the 173 cube 2.8L

 

I'm pushin' 240K miles and starts everytime. Only left me stranded once when the timing chain ate the guide plate, but other than that, been really reliable.

 

147k. only twice has the car been unable to move.
1. fuel pump died. i now know the warning signs and will be able to avoid this issue in the future
2. clip holding the clutch pedal to clutch rod broke, in traffic. officialy the cheapest fix of my cars history @ $1.20. now keep a spare retainer clip and a spare brake pedal retainer clip in the car at all times.

never head any other problems that left me "broken down"

 

I owned an 86 Camaro when I was 18. The car was in terrible shape so I got rid of it before I could apprciate the 3rd gens.

Bottom line I think any car is reliable if it was properly taken care of. My advice would be to try and find out as much history as you possibly could. That may very well be your deciding factor.














Love my firebird tho!

 

bought my car for 400 bux. previous owner was a 18yo male who thought that being a camaro, it was mr hotrod. Totally abused it. It sat for over a year before buying it.

1700 to get it running (1k of that was trans alone).

While the woman was driving it, several things broke. But I now figured out, this woman was jinxed!! She has nothing but bad luck.

After me taking it over, I have drove it 19 months, and nothing has left me stranded, that I didnt cause.

If you get it, come back and we will give you a maintance list to do. Alot is things you should do to ANY used car. Some being f-body related, and some being specific engine related.

 

Yeah, it it has been taken care of, the 2.8/3.1 engines are very reliable. But you could say the same of the V8's as well. Some engines, even if you do routine maintence, they still crap out on you (Kia maybe? IDK never owned one)
It really depends.

What do you guys think? You think these older Chevy engines are more dependable than the newer V6's...like say, for the new Malibu? (been hearing lots of problems, mainly intake manifold leaks)

 

Look into the how many miles on your v6 thread.

That goes to show you some of those engines are now into import lasting forever terriitory.

Yes those cheaper newer cars have issues, neons headgaskets, pt cruisers will probably be the same thing, etc.. etc..

But if you take care of anything it will last you a long time, do Regular maintance or sooner then regular if u dont midn the extra cost. For example, new 3.4 I am getting will be running Amsoil oil, probably full synthetic, Changed every 4000km not 5000km, why? Change mroe often = less **** floating around ready to ruin your engine, cleaner oil to proove for it.

Do your airfilter every so often when needed, clean your injectors if they have never been done, replace the belts/alt/battery. Simple maintence, even if that stuff hasn't gone on you yet, willl save you much trouble down the road when it does go, because yes these are getting old and will go on you.