1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS 5.0L

Summary:

Bad electrical work, great car.

Faults:

Most of the electrical (gauges, door locks, headlight buzzer, hatch motor, cruise control) is blown, and has been since just after I bought it at 70,000 miles. I had it fixed once, but it's blown again now.

Body started to rust around 100,000 miles.

Suspension needs work now at 120,000 miles.

General Comments:

I bought the car at 70,000 miles and within a couple of years started to have electrical problems. But I hear that is pretty common with these 80's model Camaros. I had a short fixed and then everything worked for about a year before it all blew again.

I've replaced some things, mostly general maintenance though: the exhaust, brakes, water pump... Granted, the car is 16 years old, so some repairs are expected. Nothing major has ever needed to be replaced.

The engine is strong and reliable. The transmission is smooth. It's a lot of fun to drive, especially on the expressway.

I was sad to see it start rusting around 100,000 miles, because it was beautiful when I bought it. That might be partly my fault though; I got a cheap paint job for it at Maaco.

120,000 miles and still ticking.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th June, 2005

1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS 305 TBI

Faults:

I have replaced the following in the year that I had the car:

PCV valve, shocks, struts, coil springs, tires, I bought an aftermarket muffler for my car, things for a tuneup (air filter, spark plugs etc.)

General Comments:

I really love 3rd gen Camaros. I have wanted one ever since I was high school, a good ten years ago. This car rattles like crazy, hit speed bumps rough, and it seems like I'm replacing a few originals (coil springs) on the car. This car is small (of course) on the inside and I do have a 9 year old son, but it's just the two of us. Will I sell my car?? NO. Even with a few faults I plan on keeping this car. I love to drive it, I love the way it looks, and I love the way it sounds. Overall it's in decent condition for a 15 year old car. For anyone considering buying a 3rd generation Camaro I say go for it!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd September, 2004

1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS 2.8

Summary:

I absolutely love it

Faults:

The alternator went around 100,000 miles.

The wiring went bad, I needed all new sensors.

The exhaust broke twice.

General Comments:

The previous owner kept this car in great shape.

I find that it's very comfortable to drive, with the exception of hitting bumps or potholes.

Even though it needs a repair about twice a year, it's still fun to work on and to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2004

1989 Chevrolet Camaro R.S. 2.8 Multi-Port Fuel Injection

Summary:

The Devil's Car

Faults:

The first thing that went wrong was that the steering column broke.

The first alternator broke.

The freeze plugs went.

The heater stopped working.

The air conditioner stopped working.

The radiator blew.

The freeze plugs went again.

The Water pump went.

The power steering went.

The entire electrical system went.

The alternator went again.

Both of the heads went.

Exhaust fell off.

The odometer stopped working.

The Speedometer stopped working.

The steering column was melted by exhaust gases coming out of the manifold because of the missing exhaust.

The seats were becoming torn.

The ceiling clothe was not sticking.

General Comments:

I must admit that when I bought the car, it looked fabulous. The interior looked good.

After I bought it, it was downhill from there.

I knew that the car wasn't fast, but it was a way to go from point A to Point B.

All the problems above stared happening.

The heads went because of the bolts that held them on were not secure. That was probably the owners fault before me. After I had my new engine put in, I had nothing, but more problems. The timing was never right again and the engine wasn't put together properly. Good job Mr. G.M. Good-Wrench. then the exhaust fell off when I was going to work. Everything vital was lost because the exhaust melted all of the wires. The exhaust you say? The hot gases coming of of the exhaust manifold melted the wires because I repeat the exhaust fell off. It's the worst ever and I nicked named it "The Devil's Car". I should have kept my Integra. Now I'm going to get a Nissan 240 S.X.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th July, 2004

16th Jul 2004, 08:42

Wow! Sounds like the Satan-mobile! If your were "roughing up" the car badly, that might have something to do with everything going in the toilet all at once. If you read most of the Camaro reviews, everyone loves their car and have little complaints. Sounds like you just got stuck with a lemon. Give it another shot by dumping the lemon and get another Camaro. I bet you don't have the same problems (as long as you aren't beating the car to death) and you'll be much more impressed! Good luck!

23rd Jul 2004, 14:07

What do you expect, you by a 12 year old car that was likely owned by teenagers most of its life, worked on in driveways & had well over 100k on it. Sounds like it was a parts car when you bought it.

10th Jul 2009, 12:47

No... the "parts car" type of camaro normally start out looking like a dump - I'd say it's just a lemon. In most of the reviews that I've seen the owners don't have this many problems unless they feel the need to light it on fire and drive it down the road... definitely a lemon.