comparing a 3.4 to a 3.8 is a little like comparing a 3.8 to an LTI.

 

lol got yah

 

I dont know if this helps any but I was in the same boat as you a little while ago except im still 15...
I happened to stumble across a '94z with a blown engine and a decent body from California... At first my dad was completely against a v8 RWD car for my first car but It was my money so we went out to look at it.

A couple of arguments I used to have him let me get it were:
1. The fact that it was a "project" car and it would be a learning experience, etc
2. If I can get a car I want I am more likely to take care of it and be responsible with it because I dont want to ruin it.
3. I worked my *** off to show responsibility by lining up 2 summer jobs and keeping my grades up.

It wasent easy but so far its been more than worth it.

Oh, and to answer your original question, I'd go with the '97 because even though its a v6 (Get Camaro Performers Magazine, they were modding a 4th gen v6 but I forgot how much power they got out of it) and as for being in highschool i think the '97 will be better because most girls dont care If its a v8 or v6 its all based off looks and thats where the 97 wins in my opinion.

 

BUY THE V6 CAMARO! IF I HAD A Z28 FOR MY FIRST, I'D BE DEAD! Now I'm 20 and i sold the 3.4L camaro and bought my LS1 Z28. The 3.4L's are the slowest and have the least mod potential. There was a 3.4L turbo'd firebird that made some crazy numbers, built by tiago sailes. He still sells custom fabbed turbo kits. With the 3.8L though, there is almost as much mod potential as those ricers, and with the right exhaust selection, you can sound like a V8. You can get a cam for those and some ported heads and make about as much power as an LT1! Whatever you do, i suggest a M5 car (manual 5 speed)

 

Maybe some of the experts here can tell you about how difficult each of those cars are to work on. My stepson is 16, and yesterday I bought him a 96 3.8 5-sp Camaro. I had previously bought an 85 2.8 Camaro, but it was in real bad shape and I sold it. The 96 looks like it's going to be a MOTHER to work on! That whole engine is shoved under the windsheild and between the giant strut towers.

Back to your 305 car, I don't trust anyone's repair work if I don't know them very well. I'd rather buy a car with a bad motor and rebuild it myself than buy one that someone else has rebuilt. I'm just stupid that way, I guess.

Either way, drive careful. It's a miracle I survived my teen years, and I'm sure we all know people who DIDN'T survive theirs. Don't be one of them.

kevin

 

there is no engine that is 100% easy to work on. bad stuff for the 3.8 would be spark plugs and basically anything that is on the back half of the motor. alternator, belt & pulleys, oil changes, and other stuff up close are all easier though.

working on any motor takes work, some more than others. but it's not exactly like we're talking about a 30 year old Volkswagen either.

 

If you want an easy engine to work on, look at a Honda B16 motor.

 

yeah it really is, the 3.4 is a dog, my older brother has one, i drive it on a somewhat regular basis, and from my experience with it, it does have a little but of pep to it, but it does not suit me at all, im 15 and ive driven the 3.4, a friends 3.8, an LS1 Trans Am M6, and i would definitely say that the 3.8 has WAY more get up and go, thats why you should look for the 97 or possibly 98, the benefits of the 98 are that you get all the nice exterior designings of the LS1 year cars, personally, stick witht he v6 and than develop a feel for the car, so you could handle driving it in whatever situation life throws at you, and than once you have accomplished that you should move up to a nice LT1, i got the feel for hte 3.4 for driving it for almost a year, and the LS1 trans am was the same feel, but alot more responsive, and well just it felt better to be in it. id go for the 3.8 becuase the third gen 305s arent exactly the fastest things to hit the town


WOW I CAN NOT USE PUNCTUATION!

 

I had a 96 V6 car before I had my TA and it was a great car.
The 3.8 was peppy and now there are a bunch of aftermarket parts for the 3.8.
Speeding is speeding and weather it's a V8 or a V6 once you get moving it's all down hill.

Taintedz28 if these guys look at your post this will be site 2 for you.

 

My first car was 96 Regal when I was 16, then I got my Trans Am months later when I had just turned 17 after saving the summer. To this day almost a year later the only trouble I've gotten was a ticket for unsafe start for powersliding around a country road corner(also got nailed for tint at the same time).

When I bought it I didn't know how to drive stick either and now I feel in total control of the car(I don't think I could ever leave RWD). I think an ******* driver will get in trouble no matter the drivetrain.

 

Personally I think you should get the car you want. Z28, and Trans Ams are not a lot of power as long as you treat it with respect. I drove a minivan for a year, then went to my Z28 I have now. I even think my car could stand to have more power. Yes it takes some getting use to, but only about 2 weeks. Once you learn how the car acts, and behaves it is very easy to control.

 

I would go with the v6 for sure. When i was 16 i started with a 92 RS v6. Unfortunatly i totaled it.. but 2 months later my dad used the insurance money to buy a 88 iroc-z 350 (I didn't complain). But i did learn my lesson and i still have that car today.

 

Yeah, you do have an LT1

And you have a point about hte weeks to get used to, but you're forgetting, 16 year old. 16 year old... yeah. What happens when he gets a feel for it, then realizes he cant stop as fast as he thought.. or hits a pothole/debris on the highway at 140.. oooh ouch. Get the V6. Same potential for accident, but less injury, and let the mistakes happen when you're in the V6 and not a more powerful faster car.

 

the 305 in the 91 can be built for more power very easily. cat back, high flow cat, performance chips, air cleaner, intake, heads, cam, ect ect. remember that the 305 is small than the 350 however it is still a SMALL BLOCK chevrolet. performance parts plenty. you can get 300 HP out of this engine and much more torque than a 3.8 will ever be able to deliver. plus that V8 will always sound better, i say if your going to do a camaro right at least get a V8. the 305 has also proven to be very reliable. change the oil and dont beat on it too hard that engine should last 200k+ miles. just as reliable as any other small block (as long as you dont get an earily 305 bad cam- late 70's earily 80's). you cant go wrong with a small block. use the cruise control to keep from speeding set it at the speed limit. oh yeah i get over 20 mpg with my 305 when i drive it easy. im not saying the 3.8 is bad, it is a great engine. i just perfer any v8 in a camaro over a v6, and i get tired of all of the 305 bashing. we had a G20 with over 185k miles with a 305 and still ran when we stopped driving it. go with the 305 you wont be sorry

 

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