looking to swap some cars need good advice

[madness410]

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]

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

[NJ Torque]

My 98 is fine...

The 3.8 is bulletproof.

smiles per gallon....cute. haha

[madness410]

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]

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

[madness410]

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]

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]

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

[91chevywt]

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]

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]

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 :nod:

[MyFirstZ]

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]

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]

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]

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

[JerzLT1]

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

[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?

[sweetbmxrider]

look for something else....

[Blacdout96]

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]

I'd pass and stay with what you know.

[Savage_Messiah]

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]

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]

http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/i/2204/original/vtec2.jpg

[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.

[madness410]

umm

ummmmmm

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

[LTb1ow]

ummmmmm



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

Why don't you drive your camaro? :lol:

[sweetbmxrider]

yeah seriously, fix yours and have a fast car. then when it brakes again jump in the honda!

[madness410]

I mean that's the thing I drive the Honda alot and I'm way too bored of it I want something new lol.

[LTb1ow]

Fix camaro. Win.

[NastyEllEssWon]

this sounds like a bad idea. fix your turd gen....

[jims69camaro]

even swap? take it and run.

a) it's a camaro.
b) you can do many things with it. if you wanted to, you could drop in a big inch small block.
c) it's a camaro.
d) duh, we're on an f-body message board. what did you think people would say?
e) it's a camaro.
f) it is bound to have issues, but it won't be down every other week. it's an older car, so things are going to wear out. if the carfax is clean, i'd go for it.
g) you are leaning toward the swap, else you wouldn't be bringing it up. do it.
h) did i mention it's a camaro? that'd be my number one reason to do the trade. i'd never be in possession of a honduh, so i wouldn't be in your position, but i would do it.

[sweetbmxrider]

the issue i see is he already has a camaro that has its issues. instead of letting that grow weeds, suck it up and deal with the honda. do what you gotta do with the camaro and when it breaks again, get in the honda and enjoy.

[madness410]

well to be honest ive really lost interest in the iroc...if i could get 2500 for it id be more than happy..maybe even 2k. but other than thats its a lawn ornament. my daily is a honda which im getting tired of and would like a new daily which has a little kick to it and something im actually interested in

[NastyEllEssWon]

then why not offer to trade him your camaro with him booting a little cash on top?

[madness410]

because he actually wants a civic lol..

[Blacdout96]

You're gonna get flak from the V8 guys cause your not getting a V8 Camaro, but take it form a V6 owner, they are good on gas ( not saying the V8 are not) they are pretty strong, reputable blocks ( voted as one of the greatest engines of the 20th century), still have a little pep, and overall are a fun car to drive. its a DD with some style. Civics fall short of that one lol.

[madness410]

im giving myself flack for not getting a v8 lol..but idk its not really practical or what i need..i just want to get out of my civic. but thanks for the input man. how are they to work on?

[WildBillyT]

You're gonna get flak from the V8 guys cause your not getting a V8 Camaro, but take it form a V6 owner, they are good on gas ( not saying the V8 are not) they are pretty strong, reputable blocks ( voted as one of the greatest engines of the 20th century), still have a little pep, and overall are a fun car to drive. its a DD with some style. Civics fall short of that one lol.

There are also a fair amount of 3.8 performance parts out there if you decide to screw around with it.

[Blacdout96]

They are fine to work on, the only problem are the spark plugs due to the position of our manifolds, they go up and then down, worst design ever, but if you lay a couple hundred dollars down for headers, it makes things alot easier to work on, and also gives it a more aggresive tone. unlike a V8, everything is right there and there is tons of space between the engine and radiator, so you could install a cam without removing certain things lol.

[WildBillyT]

They are fine to work on, the only problem are the spark plugs due to the position of our manifolds, they go up and then down, worst design ever, but if you lay a couple hundred dollars down for headers, it makes things alot easier to work on, and also gives it a more aggresive tone. unlike a V8, everything is right there and there is tons of space between the engine and radiator, so you could install a cam without removing certain things lol.

Sorry, mine is mounted all funny in the chassis. My rear spark plugs make me want to kill myself. Especially the one that can't be reached with a deep socket since it's blocked by the O2 sensor.

[madness410]

yeah thats what i hear about the spark plugs...the car now needs spark plugs..it jerks when u accelerate in a low gear at high rpms like almost in sync. it needs plugs but he said he didnt know how to do them. i noticed all that space when i looked under there it was great. if i were to modify it though it would just be headers and exhaust...it needs a new cat anyways..but ill wait to see if i even get the car.

IF i even get the car...something leaks right onto the y pipe that i couldnt see in the dark..not sure how serious that is or where its coming from..needs plugs..body is in decent shape..engine sounded in great shape when i hear it start up and pulled the throttle cable..trans recently completely redone with receipts

[Blacdout96]

its the rear main seal, common on these cars. our blocks actually have seperate plates on front and back. on the back you need to remove the trans to get to it, then you can unbolt the plate with the main seal on it, put in a new one, and put it back together. Should take about 5 hours at the most ( working on the ground with no trans jack or all the proper tools.) but once you do that, your in top shape.

[madness410]

u are absolutely positive that is that? what if it goes untouched for a while?

[Blacdout96]

well, I had my car for 3 years without replacing it, leaked since the day I had it, never replaced it, and it never gave me trouble. it was my aunts car, she never beat on it, so its a normal thing. its fine as long as you check the oil now and then just to make sure you don't need to add. Mine never really lost any oil unless I got high into the RPM's. Our oil pans do the same thing, but that's easy as well. Like I said earlier, use the engine hoist to bring it up. drop the pan, and our gaskets are different from others, its actually a giant plastic splash pan.

[91chevywt]

A bad cat can make the car hesitate like that also, since you mentioned it needs a cat. how do you know it's bad?

[madness410]

the kid..who i think was being completely honest with me with everything..told me. the check engine light was on i asked him for what..he said o2 sensors and the catalytic converter code came up. i told him id like to bring it to a mechanic and he had no problems with me doing that.

[Savage_Messiah]

well, I had my car for 3 years without replacing it, leaked since the day I had it, never replaced it, and it never gave me trouble. it was my aunts car, she never beat on it, so its a normal thing. its fine as long as you check the oil now and then just to make sure you don't need to add. Mine never really lost any oil unless I got high into the RPM's. Our oil pans do the same thing, but that's easy as well. Like I said earlier, use the engine hoist to bring it up. drop the pan, and our gaskets are different from others, its actually a giant plastic splash pan.


my rear main leaked the entire time I dd'd my car... end of 03 until... i guess... end of 06??? Never gave me problems and never leaked enough to cause concern.

[madness410]

my rear main leaked the entire time I dd'd my car... end of 03 until... i guess... end of 06??? Never gave me problems and never leaked enough to cause concern.

did it leak onto your y pipe?

[Blacdout96]

yup, look under any 3.8 camaro/firebird, you'll see the same thing.

[Savage_Messiah]

^ what he said.

[LTb1ow]

How about ... fix... camaro?

Ehhhh?

[1986IROCZ28]

lol my 3.8 leaks right on the y pipe and its been like that for quite some time and the cars still running strong with 190,251 on her its daily driven every day ive even had her back and forth from fl to nj and back leaking a bit as everyone else said just keep and eye on the oil and you shouldnt have a problem at all

[HeadlessNorseman]

Dont want to pop your bubble either but not many girls like camaros any more. And the ones that do, like v8s. I think thats kind of an 80s thing. More of them like riced out eclipses and other nonsense than real cars

[Blacdout96]

yeah but the stock V6 camaro is still faster then those eclipses, so get one to sit down in it, you'll change their mind ;)