1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC review from North America
"Fast, reliable, easy to work on, cheap!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The entire car needs some basic service. The brake pads need to be replaced, as well as the brake fluids. Some interior parts need to be replaced. The transmission filter and transmission pan gasket need to be replaced as well as the transmission fluid.
General comments?
For my first car is was a good deal at $4200. So far I've spent $50 for a missing emblem and door arm rest which seem to be a constant problem with these after 1988. However they are cheap to replace entirely and with a couple of hours of work and some glue you can fix them instead for about $5.
The great up is that you can get seats for these older ones out of a newer 4th gen Camaro. For about $500 off Ebay you can get a complete front and rear leather set that will fit with just a couple hours of work and some basic tools.
Pick and pulls have an endless list of parts for these cars so if any part breaks or needs replacing cheap ones are readily available.
Performance parts are plentiful and cheap!!
This car is a convertible however. I regret getting that now. GM didn't make them for this generation, it seems they hired another company to do the conversions so there are many compatibility issues with parts for the tops and finding parts is out of the question. I don't want to know what the price for a frame is because a new cloth top itself is $350 and you have to measure and really guess which you have.
This engine will easily get another 100,000 miles. You can feel it. Gas is OK if you don't plan to use it as a serious commuter car. The car is not really designed to handle that it seems and I have read that the engine can't really hold up with major mileage. Expect rebuilds if you drive a lot.
Tires go by fast too, maybe I floor it too much, it will burnout without much trouble!
You can do the work to the entire car with a $10 repair guide. This is a great first car and will work great for people who like playing with their cars.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 5.0 TBI Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 6/10 |
| Comfort marks | 6/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 130000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 132000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 18th August, 2001 |

