Well I’ve come across a seriously clean 1998 V6 Camaro Convertible. It's loaded with every option you could get...sans the ugly RS body kit (thank God). It has leather, a brand new top, and only 58,000+ original miles. The guy has all the service records and it looks brand new. He only want's $5800 for it, I say it's a steal.
Now b4 we get carried away with all the "do yourself a favor and get the Z28" comments. Let me stop you right there, I'm 36 years old...my stop light drag racing days are behind me. I'm not looking for balls to the wall power with 2 mpg. Don’t try to sell me a V8, I seriously don't want it. I just want a nice, comfortable car with some power to have a little fun on a back road every (rare) once in a while. I really don't need or want 300+ H.P. That's not practical for everyday use. I love the Camaro convertibles look It's a great looking car, and this 3800 V6 is pretty fun. It's exactly what I’m looking for.
My question is...what's the 411 on these. I'm under the impression the 3800 Series III motor is pretty bullet proof. Since it’s in like every GM car. Are there any known issues I should look for that are common in the 3rd gen Camaros?
(i.e. like the LD9’s are known to spin rod bearings, Grand Am GT’s are known to blow head gaskets, And CTS’s have been known to snap axles)
I don’t really seem to find ANY bad write ups on Camaros, (outside of the obvious cheap interior and minor jabs like that and whatnot) they seem like they are pretty much good cars. But I want to be sure before I dive into it with no knowledge about them.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
That car has the Series II 3800. Very good motor. I had a 97 Camaro with the 3.8 SII and it was pretty bulletproof. I have a SIII in my GP and it is a great motor as well. Sometimes the upper Intake gaskets leak. THe head to intake side have gaskets, and the front and rear sides have a RTV type gasket, and the rear is prone to leaks. That is a decent price for that car. A 98 hardtop would go for around $3500, but with that little miles,clean,and vert i say go for it. I really miss my Camaros.
Jookycola wrote:Well I’ve come across a seriously clean 1998 V6 Camaro Convertible. It's loaded with every option you could get...sans the ugly RS body kit (thank God). It has leather, a brand new top, and only 58,000+ original miles. The guy has all the service records and it looks brand new. He only want's $5800 for it, I say it's a steal.
Now b4 we get carried away with all the "do yourself a favor and get the Z28" comments. Let me stop you right there, I'm 36 years old...my stop light drag racing days are behind me. I'm not looking for balls to the wall power with 2 mpg. Don’t try to sell me a V8, I seriously don't want it. I just want a nice, comfortable car with some power to have a little fun on a back road every (rare) once in a while. I really don't need or want 300+ H.P. That's not practical for everyday use. I love the Camaro convertibles look It's a great looking car, and this 3800 V6 is pretty fun. It's exactly what I’m looking for.
My question is...what's the 411 on these. I'm under the impression the 3800 Series III motor is pretty bullet proof. Since it’s in like every GM car. Are there any known issues I should look for that are common in the 3rd gen Camaros?
(i.e. like the LD9’s are known to spin rod bearings, Grand Am GT’s are known to blow head gaskets, And CTS’s have been known to snap axles)
I don’t really seem to find ANY bad write ups on Camaros, (outside of the obvious cheap interior and minor jabs like that and whatnot) they seem like they are pretty much good cars. But I want to be sure before I dive into it with no knowledge about them.
well...the Z28's hold their value better, and they get mid-high 20mpg in 6 speed models. nothing impractical about them at all...not sure why you think they're such bad mileage engines
my dad has an 02. same motor as the 98 and he is getting 23-25mpg on his Z. your call but they are all around good cars.
jim smith wrote:That car has the Series II 3800. Very good motor. I had a 97 Camaro with the 3.8 SII and it was pretty bulletproof. I have a SIII in my GP and it is a great motor as well. Sometimes the upper Intake gaskets leak. THe head to intake side have gaskets, and the front and rear sides have a RTV type gasket, and the rear is prone to leaks. That is a decent price for that car. A 98 hardtop would go for around $3500, but with that little miles,clean,and vert i say go for it. I really miss my Camaros.
That gasket problem killed my first engine. I have a brand new 3.8 in my 98 Firebird now and she runs great. I love my little f-body daily driver. It looks nice gets ok gas and ricers stopped bothering me like they did when I had my z24 vert.
I say go for it.
How many steps to heaven, Doc?
...Ah, metaphysics.
I'd say go for it. The 3800 Series II motor is a very good engine. And BTW, it's a 4th gen, not a 3rd. 3rd gens were from 82-92 and 4th gens are 93-02.
98 Trans Am
6.0, L92 heads, LS3 intake, TSP 231/236 cam, and much more
Vincent Morris wrote:my dad has an 02. same motor as the 98 and he is getting 23-25mpg on his Z. your call but they are all around good cars.
very true....my buddy drove from NY to MD one weekend and averaged 28 MPG on his LS1...and thats with traffic...
not trying to sell ya on the LSx but they are good motors, very reliable(except for that little oil pump problem), they are not a problem for being a DD and get good gas mileage...anyway....
the car your looking at seems like a pretty good deal...if ya want it....go for it!
