Past Camaro reliability and Future 5th Gen

[JMROD]

Whats up All.

This is my first post. I have been reading these forums for a few months now since I fell for the 5th Gen. Little background info: I have always been an Amercan muscle fan. I have never owned or driven anything with more power than a V6 ('89-Boneville). I have driven hand me downs and am currently driving a '98 Chevy Cav for commuting. When I saw the Camaro Concept I knew I must get one. It will be the first car I ever purchase. I have been doing lots of reading and research on its history and history of american automotive in general. I am eager to learn and have found this webiste very helpful.

Down to my question. The only thing thats concerning me with my plans to get the new Camaros is reliability. How have the previous generations (more so the 4th) done in this area? I feel history may be a good forecaster as to the 5th gen reliabity. Thanks in advance for helpful feedback.

[AirGoya]

I cant help you cause ive never had a camaro let alone drive one, but in general new GM cars are pretty reliable. If you treat them well and give them attention, they will treat you well.

[Urthman]

I had an 85 Z28 (3rd gen) that never had any problems. My sister had both 3rd and 4th gens and never had any issues with them either.

The only problem both of us had with our cars was keeping tires on them!

[Mr. Wyndham]

I've heard 4th Gen stories of Cars that have gotten 300,000 miles on them and still ran okay. I guess, like AirGoya said, it largely depends on how you treat it. Do you take it out in Winters often? Do you Power-shift, when you shouldn't?
My '79 Camaro is completely stock, never replaced anything, and it still runs with minor tune ups. But then again, it has only seen one winter, and it still has under 60,000 miles...

But in general, I would consider the Camaros of the past, and I expect the future model to be a very Well-put-together vehicle.

[Warghost]

Owning a Mustang, I know that American cars can surpass 100K miles just as easily as any import car can. I 've never paid much attention to GM's quality ratings and performance, but I would like to know more. Specifically how they compare to Ford's. I'm not completely satisfied with the quality of some little things in my 04 GT, yet my 99 GT never gave me a problem.

Does anyone here know how the quality and longterm dependability compares between Ford and GM?

[MerF]

There's no way to rate the possibilities of the 5th gen.

On one hand, it's a completely brand new chassis, body....hell the whole car is un-tested by the general consumer. Generally a scary time for any car-maker.

On the other, this is without a doubt the biggest thing GM has done in many many years, and Bob lutz has to know this. They are undoubtedly putting HUGE efforts into ironing out all the details before release, which is painful to wait for, but hopefully we reap the rewards of having a solidly built and long-lasting love affair.

[marczsport]

Although I didn't have my 01' SS for very long, she gave me about 20,000 fairly hard miles in a 13 month period. I suspect with the current emphasis on offering long powertrain warrantees, they'll want to get it right from the get-go.

I do have much more experience with other gens, logging 147,000 miles on an 86' IROC and 133,000 miles on a 78' LT. I replaced the brake pads, tires, and alternators on both, but that was about it.

[Scotsman]

I don't know about reliability, but I do know that GM's for the most part are relatively cheap to maintain(which to some is more important, like me). I'm not worried about reliability personally, don't know why, maybe I'm just too trusting of GM. If you want to get an "idea" for the reliability of the zeta platform, check out ratings for the Commdore on some of the Aussie car sites, like Drive.com.au(http://http://www.drive.com.au/)

[Casull]

Originally Posted by JMROD

Down to my question. The only thing thats concerning me with my plans to get the new Camaros is reliability. How have the previous generations (more so the 4th) done in this area? I feel history may be a good forecaster as to the 5th gen reliabity. Thanks in advance for helpful feedback.

I don't see how the previous generation Camaros can be a predictor of the 5th gen. Not only will the 5th gen be built on a brand new architecture, but GM has changed a lot since 2002.

[EllwynX]

3 Years and 32,000 miles with my 2002 Camaro V6

It had the window motors replaced every summer. (Common problem.)

Wouldn't start for me once at the gas station... It was some relay IIRC that needed to be replaced.

7 weeks after the bumper to bumper warranty ran out the fuel pump died. Luckily they still went ahead and covered it due to the mileage being less than 36,000 and it ONLY being 7 weeks out of warranty.

That said, I traded it 2 weeks later. I don't like to own a vehicle that's not under Bumper to Bumper warranty. And that fuel pump was the incentive I needed to get worried.

Now, I've had my Aveo just over 2 years and have 16,400 miles.

3 weeks ago it wouldn't start for me at work. Needed a new ECM.

My warranty will be up next April on the Aveo. I can only HOPE nothing goes wrong with it 'til I can get a new Camaro. Otherwise I'm screwed.

And, no, I've never even owned a vehicle with over 100,000 miles.... LOL

[Scotsman]

Originally Posted by EllwynX

3 Years and 32,000 miles with my 2002 Camaro V6

It had the window motors replaced every summer. (Common problem.)

Wouldn't start for me once at the gas station... It was some relay IIRC that needed to be replaced.

7 weeks after the bumper to bumper warranty ran out the fuel pump died. Luckily they still went ahead and covered it due to the mileage being less than 36,000 and it ONLY being 7 weeks out of warranty.

That said, I traded it 2 weeks later. I don't like to own a vehicle that's not under Bumper to Bumper warranty. And that fuel pump was the incentive I needed to get worried.

That's most definitely not good.

Now, I've had my Aveo just over 2 years and have 16,400 miles.

3 weeks ago it wouldn't start for me at work. Needed a new ECM.

My warranty will be up next April on the Aveo. I can only HOPE nothing goes wrong with it 'til I can get a new Camaro. Otherwise I'm screwed.

And, no, I've never even owned a vehicle with over 100,000 miles.... LOL

Screwed for what??? I look forward to my car going over 100k, they're built to run even longer!!! (Volvo owner here= 03' S60 2.4T Sport)

[AirGoya]

I dont wanna jinx it (knock on wood) but almost every car has little bugs when they first come out the first year. would you guys agree?

[Scotsman]

Originally Posted by AirGoya

I dont wanna jinx it (knock on wood) but almost every car has little bugs when they first come out the first year. would you guys agree?

+1. Absolutely. Unfortunately I think most people are under the illusion that there's such a thing as a "perfect" car, hate to break it to those types, but as long as it's man made it's going to break, or has the potential to, at least. Now we can assume certain things to be true of cars from certain countries of origin based upon history and experience, at the same time though nothing is for certain. I've read reliability horror stories for Lexus and Acura(among other Japanese makes), and everyone assumes that because a car is "Japanese" it's never going to "let me down", which simply isn't true. Find what you like and can afford, take a chance. That's all you can do.

[Dark Knight]

2001 Firebird here and i can vouch that they hold up.

It's about to turn over 179k(i drive and hour to and from work) and still runs fine. Biggest issue i have had is the fuel pump went out. Other minor things like rear main seal having a small leak and different stuff but nothing huge and nothing i couldn't fix myself.

My first car was a 88 thunderbird and because of the crappy sway bar it ended up hugging a tree 6months after i had it. Every car/truck i have owened after that has been a GM and they have always treated me good. It's the biggest reason why i stick with GM. And i think the Camaro is gonna be EXTREMELY realiable...i mean hell it should be with the amount of time they are taking on it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by MerF

There's no way to rate the possibilities of the 5th gen.

On one hand, it's a completely brand new chassis, body....hell the whole car is un-tested by the general consumer. Generally a scary time for any car-maker.

On the other, this is without a doubt the biggest thing GM has done in many many years, and Bob lutz has to know this. They are undoubtedly putting HUGE efforts into ironing out all the details before release, which is painful to wait for, but hopefully we reap the rewards of having a solidly built and long-lasting love affair.

Completely agreed on everything above. Nobody can predict the durability of the New Camaro, even looking at a Commodore or G8 (when it comes out), they modified the Zeta Chassis for this particular application. Who knows if this made the chassis more fragile, or stronger.( I can only hope that is the case).

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

...
It's about to turn over 179k(i drive and hour to and from work) and still runs fine. Biggest issue i have had is the fuel pump went out. Other minor things like rear main seal having a small leak and different stuff but nothing huge and nothing i couldn't fix myself...

That's what I like to hear. Every vehicle has it's quirks, apparently one of the 4th gens' was fuel pump. But I like hearing high-mileage Camaro stories. Even if it doesn't tell us anything about the New One.

[DGthe3]

Hmm, I guess my prof was wrong when he told me "When it comes to engineering, of performing well, reliability, and low cost: pick 2 'cause you're never gonna get all 3. You can have something cheap and effective that breaks all the time, something indestructable and cheap but doesn't work well, or indestructable and effective that costs a fortune. But never cheap, effective, and durable"

[TAG UR IT]

Well, tell your professor times are changing! I have a VERY strong feeling we are getting all three here...VERY strong feeling.

[daddyseth1]

Well I have not had a Camaro before, but the bow-tie has pretty much been a presence in my family for a while. I, personally have had 2 Luminas, a 95 Monte Carlo Z-34, a 78 Nova, and a 93 Cavalier, and 2 Caprices (I plan on using my GM owners loyalty discount to the fullest when I get my Camaro) and out of all of those Chevys the 95 Monte Carlo Z34 was the only one the made me punch out the brake lights, literally. And that was because GM tried some funny stuff constructing the make-up of that engine. Other than that, my experiences have been long endured with GM reliability. Care and maintenance is very important to keeping your GM running and you happy. I ran my 1992 Caprice into the ground the odometer well into 325K, My 93 Lumina I had was passed around from me to my mom then to my youngest brother. When let the city take it the odometer read 427,653! No joke. The trans was replaced at 297K, that is when my little brother got a hold of it and tried to floor it everytime. Any way, I look forward to getting my hands on the Camaro because, it will be my weekend car, which means that it may be a heirloom to my kids.

[SoFlaZ]

To look at the reliability of the 5th gen, just look at the current chevy line-up or even the whole GM line-up and see the current reliability results. Being thats its on the Zeta platform, I would do like already stated and see how the Holden Commodore is holding up.

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by AirGoya

I dont wanna jinx it (knock on wood) but almost every car has little bugs when they first come out the first year. would you guys agree?

Does this also apply (in your opinion) to new redesigns that use the same underpinnings? (Such as the 3rd to 4th Gens?)

I only ask because I had a 1995 Cavalier (first year of the new redesign, but was still on the same platform) that never had a single problem in the 5 years/98,000 miles I owned it.

For me Cavalier = Most Reliable Car Ever

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by DerScotsman

Screwed for what??? I look forward to my car going over 100k, they're built to run even longer!!! (Volvo owner here= 03' S60 2.4T Sport)

I just mean screwed in that I will have to pay for repairs. Something I don't like doing if it's over $500. I'd rather just get rid of the vehicle for a new more reliable one than pay for repairs.

Warranty Expiring = Trade It to me.

Like I said, I've never owned a vehicle with over 100,000 miles. I traded my first 3 around 98,000. My next two were less than 36,000. And the Aveo will probably be less than 25,000.

I know cars can go for more than 100,000. My '95 Cavalier is still puttering around my area 7 years after I traded it, I see it every now and then. I just prefer to not have the headache/stress of car repairs if I can help it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I can see where your coming from EllwynX, and I'm not trying to convert you or anything. But My '95 Dodge Caravan: 12 year-old vehicle, is still running strong, with very minor problems. I love it, but I can't wait to replace it with the Camaro!

[wildpaws]

I kept my old '88 Blazer as a back up vehicle so we'd have something to drive if one of the primary vehicles was in the shop or something. It's still running strong with 331,000 or so miles on the original engine which has never been opened up. Regular oil/filter changes keep these GM vehicles running smoothly, never much repair needed save the once in a while water pump, etc. I've gotten excellent service out of all of my GM vehicles (both cars and trucks) over the last forty some years.
Clyde

[TFord]

well I just drove my 01 camaro from the east coast to the west coast and she's now got well over 141K miles on her. you get what you put into your car, take care or her and she'll take care of you. I never miss anything on my maint. plan, no matter if its a oil change, egr, what ever I do it all and my Fbody runs great. hell she's a V6 automatic and if I give her some throttle the tires still chirp coming outta first!

[CamaroSpike23]

i have a 94Z28 that I bought with just under 150k. it has had nitrous ran on it at one point. iv had it for 14 months now and she's about to touch 170k. replaced the tires numerous times, put a tune on her and a few other free mods. still have no problems. got scared a couple times when she wouldnt start, tho that turned out to be two things on diff ocasions (fuel gauge inop. so i drive by mileage, only trip odo only shows 1/3 of the miles traveled, took a 2100mile drive home and back to figure that one out; and the negative batt terminal got loose and the car wouldnt start) other than that i have only had one problem, and that was when my water pump went out, all it did was pop a couple bearings and get jammed up then broke free and kept working fine, but I wanted to replace it anyway. suprisingly enough, my opti is still runnin and gunnin (tho now that I say that itll crap out on me on the way home). any other problems i have had with the car is a result of my own neglegence or when I "adjust" something without proper knowledge.

ive never owned a V-8 before this car, all my others were straight/slant-6's. I got the LT1 and have never looked back. im looking at getting an 09 camaro, but funds have been lacking a tad, plus the gf wants to get a convertable when she graduates her master's program and I still need to buy a ring for her. lol the plan is to buy a beater truck at the end of this year and a trailer to haul the 94 after the first of the year when I pull the engine for racing and then get the 09/10 to DD.



and as for you guys with the fuel pump problems (or anyone for that matter), have you checked ur fuel filters?

reliability consists of driving aspects (how hard you push the car), preventative maintenance (changing fluids/filters, regular checkups), and fuel; i know most of you dont want to shell out the extra bills for premium, but it helps fuel economy. all I run in my $200.00, 170k monster is 93 octane (then again im runnin 12.3:1 compression also...hee hee hee)

if you are worried about engine performance, buy the new maro and get an old inline-6 and drop in. lol the one in my 78 has over 200k and i only change the oil twice a year!