I've always loved the looks of 3rd gen F-bodies, and would like to own one one day so I'm starting to research them a little. If I get one I would get a 1990-1992, last years are always more collectable.

you can only look up 1991-present on MSN auto for relibility but the camaros get 4/5.

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/re...t&model=Camaro

How would you all rate them?? Are they very reliable, about average or are they pretty junky?

Ofcourse If I get one, I would probably get one with a rebuilt powertrain anyway. so this is party for conversation. I havent searched yet, will do that now.

 

Having owned 3 3rd gens, I would say the reliability of the powertrain is one of the best things about the 3rd gens. Especially the TBI cars. A 91-92 RS with a 305 V8 is about as reliable as it gets. (Not very fast though.) Nothing wrong with the TPI Z28s either. The interiors do tend to fall apart.

 

Powertrains are good in their standard form. For example a 305 TPI and BW T5 is a good efficient performance/economy combo, but the T5 won't handle a huge amount of power, and if you want to get serious with power then the 350 is the starting point.

One thing I would note with the 1991/92s is that they used adhesives in body construction, pretty state of the art at the time. I haven't heard any bad stories concerning that, but it might be something to think about if you are going for those years.

 

My GTA ticked over to 173,000 miles today and aside from a fuel pump going out a couple of months ago it has been reliable as a rock. it still runs mid 14's and regularly get 25-26 MPG.

 

i second the second paragraph, i have an article where they made mention the 91-92 cars getting beta testing with the glues that went into the 4th gen cars. another factor of reliability is how the previous owners treated the car. if they "drove" it and maintained it the car will run reliably for a long while. if they beat on it and half maintained it then it will be less and so on.
i bought my car with 90,000 miles and now it has over 200,000 and iv been thru everything. a friend has a 91 camaro TBI car and its gone over 300,000 on the orig motor and they are JUST now swapping it out because it needs it. so yes, these cars can be reliable but they need to be observed more than a reg newer car.

 

I have a 89 formula 305 tpi with bw t5 and it is a beast. Its a real quick tire roaster and get good mileage. It has 143,000 on it and zero issues. It doesnt even leak oil like most chevys.( and yes there is oil in it)

 

It really all depends on how well it has been taken care of and the driving habits of the previous owners. I am not nice on mine, so I have gone through 3 305 engines. Putting in a 350 roller motor now. Broke a cam shaft (no idea on how, I started it one morning and all hell broke loose), Had the bottom of the lifters get taken out, and have broken a few piston skirts. Transmissions, only been through 1 700r4, but those for the most part are a PITA. Mine was an 83' and apparently they were not the best of transmissions from the get go, never mind 20 years of abuse before I got it.
other things to consider is when it was made, I have seen that the post '86 cars tend to run longer with fewer issues than the pre-86 cars.

I have 3 thirdgens, and have only really had issues with the one. the other two are fine or just have normal wear and tear items that need replaced (like clutch and such)