camaro reliability?

[Black5thgen]

We have a 96 Z28 with 133,000 miles and it still pulls like a freight train. I drove a 91 formula and 92 GTA for a couple winters. The 92 I slid into a curb and blew out the tire but never had any alignment issues. Also I beat the crap out of the 92 and sold it with over 130,000 miles and it still ran great. The 5th gen should have a much better build quality and better materials so it should be the most reliable Camaro yet. I can't wait.

[96CAMaro]

Hopefully the 5th generation Camaro will be light years ahead of the 4th generation Camaros from 1993-1997. I have a 1996 Z28 A4 and my Camaros in the 3.5 years that I've had her had the following problems: 2 driver's side power window motors (ugh), 3 trans problems (1 was my fault), water pump gasket leak, 1 opti spark replacement, 1 egr valve replacement, 1 rear main seal leak (VERY minor), 1 rack and pinion replacement, and a few other minor problems that I am forgetting. Oh yeah, the car rattles and squeeks like a pig being beaten. Other than that, the car has been "fairly" reliable. Things that I am taking into consideration when purchasing the new 5th generation Camaro 2SS/RS: handling at (3860lbs, 6M, LS3), performance (looking for an ave. of sub 12.8), braking (I know, I know - 4 pistons, but still), material quality (I don't want squeeks, not a single one after 175K+ miles), and reliability (I want an easy 200K+ miles being driven hard once in a while, with minimal and minor replacement of parts). Possible alternatives if the Camaro doesn't pan out: 1) 2006 and on Corvette, and 2) Subaru WRX (not for performance).

[radz28]

Originally Posted by 96CAMaro

Hopefully the 5th generation Camaro will be light years ahead of the 4th generation Camaros from 1993-1997. I have a 1996 Z28 A4 and my Camaros in the 3.5 years that I've had her had the following problems: 2 driver's side power window motors (ugh), 3 trans problems (1 was my fault), water pump gasket leak, 1 opti spark replacement, 1 egr valve replacement, 1 rear main seal leak (VERY minor), 1 rack and pinion replacement, and a few other minor problems that I am forgetting. Oh yeah, the car rattles and squeeks like a pig being beaten. Other than that, the car has been "fairly" reliable. Things that I am taking into consideration when purchasing the new 5th generation Camaro 2SS/RS: handling at (3860lbs, 6M, LS3), performance (looking for an ave. of sub 12.8), braking (I know, I know - 4 pistons, but still), material quality (I don't want squeeks, not a single one after 175K+ miles), and reliability (I want an easy 200K+ miles being driven hard once in a while, with minimal and minor replacement of parts). Possible alternatives if the Camaro doesn't pan out: 1) 2006 and on Corvette, and 2) Subaru WRX (not for performance).

My first car was a '95 LT1 Z28 I picked-up at the end of '97 with a little more than 7K miles on it. I went through one water pump (typical), distributor (because of the water pump and it was typical), had to fix the intake manifold leak (typical), a/c compressor (system was overcharged and probably wouldn't have had a problem otherwise), and went through a window motor (typical). These were all idiosyncrasies of this model and engine though, so I didn't really have a problem with it. The only time I was stranded was when the clutch safety switch went out, but I got a push and got her fired-up and was on my way.

I picked-up my '02 in '03 with a little more than 4K miles and haven't had many problems to speak of that I haven't caused. I have piston slap like crazy all the time (typical) but that's about it.

With the complaints about piston slap on the LS1s I think that won't be a problem and haven't come across any new idiosyncrasies with the newer LSX engines. I doubt there are going to be any problems with this car, especially (like has been mentioned already) that it's being produced at a plant that has won so many awards. I have full confidence and if I were in a position to purchase right now, I would without a second thought.

[KatarHol]

My '95 V6 was a nightmare,yet my friend's LS1 Z28 had 250K+ miles on it when she traded it and it ran fine,well,fine for a car with 250K+ miles on it. She never had any problems out of it,she had since new. My in-laws had 2 V6 4th gen Firebirds,no problems with either.

[The_Blur]

I see an opportunity to merge.

[PYROLYSIS]

All i've ever owned is Camaros, some with problems, some without. My 91 RS was a piece of junk, but I later found it had been pulled out of a lake. My 2001 V6 was problem free up to the 50k miles I owned it. My 92 Z28 305TPI survived the head gaskets being blown 3 times before the motor overheated 1 too many times and was put out to pasture with 175k on it. My current 02 V6 came with a 36k power train warranty. 3rd gear in the manual tranny broke at 39k miles. I had the tranny rebuilt and have not had problems since. The "security" light stays on. (but still lets me start the car?) Water temp gauge works every other day, and the oil change and service engine soon lights come on and off frequently. Not bad for a car that reaches 100MPH plus at least twice a week. I've been through 3 sets of tires and 2 replacement sets of brakes in only 70k miles.(due for more brakes) This car has treated me pretty well for as bad as I've treated it!

[howsweet]

I dont know about the newer camaros but i own a 1971 and a 1969 and have owned a 1972 1977 also.. as for realiabilty they are. my 71 went for a very long time with no problems and still has not given me any problems . the motors are tough. and i own a active management 07 5.3 l montecarloss now and i can tell you that thing can take the pounden . i went with the active mgnt on my new camaro. i know and will not worry about if it will break cuz they r tough.
A tech support once told me those cars were made to beat so go out n beat it . !!! so dont sweat it . Its going to be tough!

[edog]

I had a 78' Z-28 back in 88'. The reverse in the transmission froze on it. It was like that for 7 months. I was going down the road one night, and missed the shift point passed the neutral and slipped it in reverse by accident at around 45MPH. After that the reverse worked again.

I was shocked I did not damage it or drop the tranny out. It just skidded, and I dropped it back in drive and kept driving. I take it the reason i was able to drop it in reverse while driving was due to a safety lock not engaging, which is probably why the reverse stopped working as well.

Not to long afterwords I blew the head gasket. That car was great when it worked. I sold it shortly there after for parts.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by edog

I had a 78' Z-28 back in 88'. The reverse in the transmission froze on it. It was like that for 7 months. I was going down the road one night, and missed the shift point passed the neutral and slipped it in reverse by accident at around 45MPH. After that the reverse worked again.

I was shocked I did not damage it or drop the tranny out. It just skidded, and I dropped it back in drive and kept driving. I take it the reason i was able to drop it in reverse while driving was due to a safety lock not engaging, which is probably why the reverse stopped working as well.

Not to long afterwords I blew the head gasket. That car was great when it worked. I sold it shortly there after for parts.

If only they had printed that fix in the manual for you, you wouldn't have been without reverse for those 7 months.

[Fbodybuddy]

I had a 1983 Z28 that was absolutely junk. It stayed in the shop more than on the road. Sold it after 18 months. But I have also bought a more recent new GM vehicle, a 1997 Sunfire, that has 154,000 miles on it and my daughter drives it to college 120 miles away. I really haven't had much trouble with any of the cars I have owned save that Z28. I just keep them maintained by the mfgr. schdeule and change the oil every 3-5000 miles. I believe in preventative maintenance. I don't abuse my cars either (no racing). I do enjoy taking on twisty roads, though.

[DSL84]

I had a Corolla w/ over 200K miles. I had to practially shoot it to get rid of it, but driving it was as exciting as watching grass grow. Did it ever make my heart race when I hit 100 MPH like the Camaro...nope. I would rather have my heart race every now and then. Not to mention it is not like hot babes in bikinis pose in front of Corollas, but they do with Camaros.

[Patrol.in.a.Camaro]

Originally Posted by DSL84

I had a Corolla w/ over 200K miles. I had to practially shoot it to get rid of it, but driving it was as exciting as watching grass grow. Did it ever make my heart race when I hit 100 MPH like the Camaro...nope. I would rather have my heart race every now and then. Not to mention it is not like hot babes in bikinis pose in front of Corollas, but they do with Camaros.

[OrangeVert]

Originally Posted by mowbr4

Hey everyone,

This is my first time owning a Camaro. I wanted to get everyones opinon on the reliability of them and how long they usually last? I am coming from a Forced Induction car which I wouldn't think would have as much reliability as a naturally aspirated car.

Just wanted to get your guys opinons.

Thanks!

My LS3 V8 with Tremec TR-6060 manual is rough compared to the mechanical refinement found in Japanese imports. But Camaros have always been like that. Reliability seems to be just as good as imports, at least for the first four months - and I'm a two-time former new Mercedes owner. I think the North American automakers finally figured it out.

Driver and passenger electronics still are not up to the Lexus standard by a long shot (i.e., no nav, radio display readout harkens back to the '80s, no auto temp control A/C), but the more basic functions and options seem to be there. Don't get me wrong, I love Catharine for who she is, and by no means does this make me any less happy! If I want a Lexus, I'll go get one of those too. But don't need to, as I can't get past wanting to listen to the beautiful sounds of that 426 HP Camaro V8!

[GEN-IV]

I have a 1979 Z28 and my wife has a 2010 SS, both great cars, the 79 is pretty much a "subframe off" restoration and is a 780hp beast, the SS has an eforce and has never given us a problem, Chevrolet rocks! Been driving them since the 70s and love them!