A curiosity question for those with '97 Camaros
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,985
From: In a house by the bay
A curiosity question for those with '97 Camaros
Ok, first off this is kinda tech related but I will understand if you (Bret) think this is better suited to the lounge than here.
A good friend of mine is looking to buy a 97 Camaro. A little latitude here..... he's always been an import owner, actually his whole family owns imports because they're the "most reliable" cars to own.
So naturally, he reads every report he can get his hands on about 97 Camaros. According to him, the cars "specifically 97's", are notorious for electrical related problems. And if you were to talk to him he'd have you thinking that one out of every five 97's has burned to the ground in an electrical fire.
I'm just wondering what you guys have experienced with your cars (97's) in the way of mechanical or electrical problems. Not performance part related but more on the OEM parts level.
Not that I'm trying to convince him one way or the other... just curiousity.
Thanks.
-Mindgame
A good friend of mine is looking to buy a 97 Camaro. A little latitude here..... he's always been an import owner, actually his whole family owns imports because they're the "most reliable" cars to own.
So naturally, he reads every report he can get his hands on about 97 Camaros. According to him, the cars "specifically 97's", are notorious for electrical related problems. And if you were to talk to him he'd have you thinking that one out of every five 97's has burned to the ground in an electrical fire.
I'm just wondering what you guys have experienced with your cars (97's) in the way of mechanical or electrical problems. Not performance part related but more on the OEM parts level.
Not that I'm trying to convince him one way or the other... just curiousity.
Thanks.
-Mindgame
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,035
From: Greenville, SC
As far as the engine goes Ive never had any real problems. The worst electrical problems I could think of would be the power windows. But I believe all Camaros have had problems with the windows.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7
From: A garage in Ohio
Re: A curiosity question for those with '97 Camaros
Originally posted by Mindgame
And if you were to talk to him he'd have you thinking that one out of every five 97's has burned to the ground in an electrical fire.
And if you were to talk to him he'd have you thinking that one out of every five 97's has burned to the ground in an electrical fire.
Registered User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 505
From: Barboursville, WV
The only problem I've had with mine that's even remotely related to the electronics is the stock CD player...about 3 months ago a couple of the lights on the buttons went out...still haven't figured out how to change the bulbs...
Could he be talking about the Opti? That's not really specific to one model year though.
Could he be talking about the Opti? That's not really specific to one model year though.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 131
From: Las Vegas, NV, US
Only problems I have are with the passenger window and the passenger headlight. I've had my car for a year now and the passenger headlight has gone out three times. The passenger window every once in a while will go down, but won't come up. I have to keep inching it up over a period of like 15mins.
Dan
Dan
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 852
From: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Originally posted by ixd97z28
Only problems I have are with the passenger window and the passenger headlight. I've had my car for a year now and the passenger headlight has gone out three times. The passenger window every once in a while will go down, but won't come up. I have to keep inching it up over a period of like 15mins.
Dan
Only problems I have are with the passenger window and the passenger headlight. I've had my car for a year now and the passenger headlight has gone out three times. The passenger window every once in a while will go down, but won't come up. I have to keep inching it up over a period of like 15mins.
Dan
jk.. 97s almost as cool as OBDI cars
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 131
From: Las Vegas, NV, US
Originally posted by SVT Killer LV
aside from 97's being slow turds.. they are great cars..
jk.. 97s almost as cool as OBDI cars
aside from 97's being slow turds.. they are great cars..
jk.. 97s almost as cool as OBDI cars
Dan
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 412
FYI re: import cars...
I had a 1992 Stealth R/T TT (Mitsubishi made, for those that don't know) that I got rid of to get my Z28. Why? Well let's see, here's a PARTIAL list of problems that I had with the car we had it since new - it was my mother's (!) car and she gave it to me several years ago. Keep in mind that this was a bone-stock car that was never abused, never in any accident, etc.
1. Had to get towed with 150 miles on the odometer - starter went bad.
2. Back to the dealer at 300 miles - electronic suspension not working.
3. One cam delf-destructed at 12,000 miles.
4. Replaced suspension actuators 2 more times.
5. Replaced starter (again)
6. Replace ECM ($900)
7. Ignition harness melted
8. Replace tie-rod ends.
9. Replaced rear lower control arms.
10. Replace starter (AGAIN!)
11. Tranny blown.
12. Replace ECM (again)
13. ABS brake system failure - replace ABS module.
14. Replace water pump.
15. Stainless exhaust coupler broke
16. Replace one turbo (at 40,000 miles)
17. Replace ECM again! (NOW I'm PISSED!!!)
18. At 90,000 miles the car burns 1 quart of oil every 300 miles.
19. Blown tranny - again! The straw that broke the camel's back - I sold the car with the blown tranny.
We also owned a 300ZX that we bought new in 1991 - got rid of it 3 years later because it was so damn unreliable.
I will never drive an import again.
Greg
I had a 1992 Stealth R/T TT (Mitsubishi made, for those that don't know) that I got rid of to get my Z28. Why? Well let's see, here's a PARTIAL list of problems that I had with the car we had it since new - it was my mother's (!) car and she gave it to me several years ago. Keep in mind that this was a bone-stock car that was never abused, never in any accident, etc.
1. Had to get towed with 150 miles on the odometer - starter went bad.
2. Back to the dealer at 300 miles - electronic suspension not working.
3. One cam delf-destructed at 12,000 miles.
4. Replaced suspension actuators 2 more times.
5. Replaced starter (again)
6. Replace ECM ($900)
7. Ignition harness melted
8. Replace tie-rod ends.
9. Replaced rear lower control arms.
10. Replace starter (AGAIN!)
11. Tranny blown.
12. Replace ECM (again)
13. ABS brake system failure - replace ABS module.
14. Replace water pump.
15. Stainless exhaust coupler broke
16. Replace one turbo (at 40,000 miles)
17. Replace ECM again! (NOW I'm PISSED!!!)
18. At 90,000 miles the car burns 1 quart of oil every 300 miles.
19. Blown tranny - again! The straw that broke the camel's back - I sold the car with the blown tranny.
We also owned a 300ZX that we bought new in 1991 - got rid of it 3 years later because it was so damn unreliable.
I will never drive an import again.
Greg
