looking to swap some cars need good advice - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

madness410 · 09-07-2009, 11:23 AM

i have a 96 civic that im sort of getting bored of. i found a decent v6 camaro online. its a 98 with 130k miles on it. my honda has 125k...runs like a champ.

how are the 3.8 motors in the 98 camaros? how are the 98 camaros in general? it says a lot of new clutch work done...looks like by himself. people say never buy the first year of a new generation but my civic is the first year in the generation also and runs like a champ. the car will be used as a daily driver to and from school, 30-40 minutes, driven in rain, etc.

ive just had the civic for longer than i should and id rather have smiles per gallon than miles per gallon. i'd be looking at an even trade most likely.

so should i go for an even swap or is it a dumb idea..i just dont want to get into a car thats far less reliable. thanks in advance.

Mike · 09-07-2009, 11:50 AM

the 98 isnt a first year anything, its just a facelift...

NJ Torque · 09-07-2009, 11:51 AM

My 98 is fine...

The 3.8 is bulletproof.

smiles per gallon....cute. haha

madness410 · 09-07-2009, 12:06 PM

the 3.8 is really bulletproof? how about the trans? i think he just replaced everything on the clutch.

yeah smiles per gallon. trust me...in a honda its not fun when you step on the gas and get beat by a mini van at a red light who probably wasnt even trying...

Fleetwiz · 09-07-2009, 12:11 PM

IDK...130K is a lot of miles....straight up trade...I don't think so...lots of variables to factor in...

madness410 · 09-07-2009, 12:26 PM

what kind of variables? he had it repainted by a shop and has a receipt for it and the trans was redone and he has receipts for it..it sounds legit as long as there isnt a problem with the motor

1986IROCZ28 · 09-07-2009, 01:13 PM

the 3.8 is a very strong motor as long as its cared for i have a 96 camaro with the 5 speed with roughly 190,000 on the clock and its still runnin strong i would say take it in run if the car has been well taken care of

madness410 · 09-07-2009, 01:32 PM

any dead giveaway signs of these cars if they have been abused?

91chevywt · 09-07-2009, 02:02 PM

Nothing really different than any other car. Check the all the fluid condition. Its a good indicator of how well the car has been taken care of. Plug wires should have been replaced at least once, check body panel alignment and see if there are any texture differences in paint to see if there has been any body work. Look for leaks that may have gone longer than they should. Make sure the car tracks straight down the road. Just minor things you can check to see if the car was something someone cared for.

I was looking into getting a 3.8 car a little while ago, and I was told that overall the GM 3.8 is one of the most reliable engines out there. If you look at how many out there that have gone over 150k miles without major issues you'll believe it too.

sweetbmxrider · 09-07-2009, 05:09 PM

it would be best to get it on a lift and check for leaks and such. probably an intake gasket leak.

i'd keep the honda, they don't die.

NastyEllEssWon · 09-07-2009, 05:19 PM

ask for money on top. 130k on a honda is nothing. 130k on a v6 is kinda getting up there. repaint is usually signs of an accident. carfax the car? make sure it has a clean title. manual transmissions usually last longer than automatics do. make sure you check to see the windows work if t heyre power

MyFirstZ · 09-07-2009, 07:49 PM

i just got rid of my 98 v6. I mainted that car pretty well but every week or other week it was something. . honestly i loved the car it was fun but hated worknig on it. Known for intake gasket issues. see if they have ever had them done on that car. if it has never had a tune up i feel bad for the guy or gal that is gonig to have to do it.

i say keep the honda. I think i averaged 26mpg on the highway. got 23mpg in my new one.

12secondv6 · 09-07-2009, 08:34 PM

The 3.8 V6 3800 series 2 is an extremely strong engine.

I tossed TONS of nitrous through mine and it kept on taking it.... while still getting 30-33 mpg

madness410 · 09-07-2009, 11:14 PM

thanks for the input guys. adam i dont have access to a lift...i tried my best looking under the car but it was dark and i only had a flashlight...

i did notice that something was dripping onto the y pipe and was steaming up..smelled like burning oil or something, no idea where it was coming from..anything in that area that could cause that problem?

also when i was driving it in a low gear with rpms at 3k and hitting the gas it would jerk like it was being starved for fuel or something. he said the spark plugs need to be replaced...not sure if that would cause that problem though.

i know its like a straight up trade for a honda vs camaro but im tired of my honda i would like something new.

any input will be appreciated..my buddy is getting me a carfax by tomorrow..

NastyEllEssWon · 09-07-2009, 11:22 PM

like said before....watch the leaks the intake gaskets get eaten up by that orange dexcool crap and can cause some big problems.

09-07-2009, 11:58 PM

thats the intake thats leaking onto the y-pipe, just put a 75 shot on the civic and call it a day

madness410 · 09-08-2009, 12:12 AM

what do you mean a 75 shot? lol nitrous? idk im just getting tired of the honda in general i need something with a kick and a car that will drop panties.

can you explain the leaks on the intake a bit more and what to do if they are leaking.

what about the jumping problem in a low gear with my foot on the gas. spark plugs?

sweetbmxrider · 09-08-2009, 07:27 AM

look for something else....

Blacdout96 · 09-08-2009, 12:34 PM

do it. v6 has pep, but not enough to get you in trouble.good on gas, and still have teh good looks of an fbody.

the oild on the y pipe is from the rear main seal, normal thing for these cars. It's not super hard to change it as long as you have an engine hoist.

WildBillyT · 09-08-2009, 12:35 PM

I'd pass and stay with what you know.

Savage_Messiah · 09-08-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleetwiz

IDK...130K is a lot of miles....straight up trade...I don't think so...lots of variables to factor in...

that's not a lot for a 3.8

Mike · 09-08-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madness410

what do you mean a 75 shot? lol nitrous? idk im just getting tired of the honda in general i need something with a kick and a car that will drop panties.

can you explain the leaks on the intake a bit more and what to do if they are leaking.

what about the jumping problem in a low gear with my foot on the gas. spark plugs?

umm

LTb1ow · 09-08-2009, 03:14 PM

Jersey Mike · 09-08-2009, 03:43 PM

Yeah, that could very well just be a spark plug issue. I had a little hesitation at certain speeds in my LS1. Swapped in some NGKs and problem solved.

Not sure if I would get rid of the honda, to be honest. Even if it is boring, it makes a good DD.

madness410 · 09-08-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrrmike

umm

ummmmmm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Yeah, that could very well just be a spark plug issue. I had a little hesitation at certain speeds in my LS1. Swapped in some NGKs and problem solved.

Not sure if I would get rid of the honda, to be honest. Even if it is boring, it makes a good DD.

yeah the honda is so boring..are camaros that unreliable though