The Camaro Club (UK)

Hi

I'm new to the forum and live in Sussex. Currently running a euro car following 10 years running a Chevy Blazer. I also have a Harley so you can tell I like American vehicles!

Currently looking for Gen 4 Camaro and would welcome your thoughts on differences between the 3.8 and the 5.7 especially the MPG.. I've seen some good claims for the 5.7 but what will I expect as a daily runner.

Would welcome your thoughts.

Stuart

Well I've had the 5.7L version for 6 years now and I believe if you going to have a Camaro then go for the 5.7L V8. Mine does around 24mpg and gets used every day doing at least 70 miles per day. It can do better than that (the wife says she's maneged 26 - 28 mpg as she used to use it all the time) and in the winter months in drops to around 22mpg. It has never gone below 20mpg even when driven hard. I have the LS1 engine (i.e. post 98). It starts first time everytime and is really happy with daily commuting.

The only repair it has had is a secondary air pump which was under £100 except for Tyres and a new exhaust. The servicing and insurance is very cheap.

I believe that the 3.8 has very similar fuel consumption, similar insurance but the performance is a lot different so can't really understand why you would buy a 3.8.

The biggest difference though I believe must be the sound of the engine when you turn the key and that is priceless.

If you do decide on a 5.7L then get the front brakes upgraded if the car hasn't has it done as I don't believe they are man enough for the performance.

Howie

Thanks, that's very helpful. I'd heard MPG was similar but good to have your thoughts on it. The Blazer on a good day managed 23mpg but on average about 19 - so 24 sounds good.
I apppreciate the comment on the brakes, I'll take that into account.

Stuart

gotta agree with Howie... seems as if there is no real benfit in getting a V6 since even the insurance isn't that much different over here (suspect that in the US where big engines are common it'd be different) and the fuel consumption is only fractionally off a V8 without the soundtrack (and performance!!).

Obviously the best one to get is an SS, in black with anniversary stripes (see for sale section) ... what me? biased? Never!!! Seriously though leaving aside the SS/colour quip everything in the 1st paragraph is the truth - a few years ago I had a poverty spec '95 Firebird and hated nearly every minute of it and then the problems I had trying to sell a V6 <shudders>

I use my '94 LT1 every day and it's been fine. Starts on the button now the dreaded Optispark's been changed, it go's like a rocket and uses less fuel than my old 2000E Cortina did!
Only drawbacks are poor rear seat legroom and there isn't a huge amount of luggage space but that's the same for the V6's anyway.
Get one, you'll love it!

Ah. the old "Which engine should I go for?" It's easy to answer with two simple questions.

1. How many people have bought the V6 and wished they bought the V8 instead.
2. How many people have bought the V8 and wished they bought the V6 instead.

Thanks folks

I'm getting the picture here, I think a V8 is the one! I'll be keeping an eye out for a Z28, sounds good to me.

I will qualify my following statement by saying I'm obviously looking to sell mine BUT if you can, go for the SS rather than the Zee... better looks (argueable), more power (though in fairness you'd probably not notice), differrent alloys IIRC (17") and rarer than hens teeth over here (I think that there are less than 10 in the UK so the chances of seeing another are slim)