Shes looking at a 97 RS. How reliable are the 3.8l's. Please post your comments on the V6's. OH, it has 64k and is a 5psd.

 

I have a 1998 3.8L but not an RS. I bought mine used from a dealer so I went ahead and got an extended bumper to bumper service warrenty. To be honest I have had to have it serviced a few times. The 3.8L's tend to have some differential problems and vaccum problems once they reach over 50K miles. Unless she can get an extended service, expect to pay some big $$ for some repairs. Sorry if I was no help.

 

if yo uare speaking of a pinion seal leaking , that happens on all 4th gens

 

jason,

3.8s are reliable as hell, as long as they were decently maintained before, and are continually kept up. There are very very few problems with reliability. The only time mine has left me stranded was a dead battery.

Many other 3.8 owners will agree with me on this. If they don't, they have either neglected or abused their cars. Good luck with your/her purchase!

scott

edit: also, this differential problem? never heard of it, or of anyone having an issue. if that were true, then put it on all 4th gen F bodies, since they all have the same 10 bolt rear end. Seriously, you shouldn't have any issues, and the cars are easy to repair. I have no clue where this guy comes off as saying they will be costly to maintain.

 

THe pinio seal is not a horrid problem...

As for the a 3.8 5-sped, isn't 97 one of the years with the #6 ignition wire problems? Either way its not that bad of a problem. They are ok cars, not super great on gas bu not bad, reliability is average maybe slighlty above, doubt you will have to change the timing chain like you do on most newer 4 bangers.

I have had a lot of transmission problems with a 5-speed but I am rough on my car an beat it rpetty severrely average person shoudl be ok. Good luck on your purchase.

 

Pinion seal is not a defect like most think. It's just a maintnance item you replace every few years. It's rubber and with the real hot oil on one side and all kinds of temperatures on the other side, it will eventually deteriorate. After I replaced mine, it hasn't leaked a drop since.

 

I have a '97 V6 and the only thing that I had to do to it so far was replace the Serptine belt and change an O2 sensor. So fars its been realibale, i would recommend it. Oh yea i have 70,500 miles

 

The 3.8l is very reliable. When I was looking for a V6 Camaro I looked at a 97 RS, the exhaust sounded real nice. The only thing that kept me from buying it was that the interior was messed up.

 

The 3.8 is one of the most reliable engines around...near bulletproof.

Keep up with the maint. and it will last a long time.

 

I had quite a few problems with my 96 firebird V6 A4, that I had from 99 to 2000. I had to take it to the dealer for diagnosis on the following separate incidents: coolant sensor, O2 sensor, plug wire (3 separate times), and ignition coil (twice). The transmission also shifted sloppy, but I never took that in for service.

I ran the car somewhat hard, lots of WOT runs from a stop, but I never did anything like burnouts or neutral drops which would make things break. These cars should be able to sustain quite a beating without breaking. My Trans Am has taken more beating than my V6 ever did, and it hasn't had a single problem after 62k miles.

It wasn't a bad car, per se, when everything was going well I loved that car to death, but every time the SES light came on I would just get sooo pissed.

My sister still has a 96 RS Convertible with A4 tranny and she has had the same ignition system problems that I had on mine.

 

I hate the SES light...I used to put a piece of black tape over it. I had it on/off for about half a year due to a stuck-open EGR.

One thing with the 3.8...our engines love to burn up plug wires. Get some plug wire boots...

 

Is that what the burning smell coming from my engine is after some hard driving? I guess it is the burning smell from the plug wires huh? Does anyone else expierience this? Also, what are plug boots, and how much do they cost?

 

My 98 has not cost me anything other then tires and an oil changes

but....I only have 25,000 miles so mine is still a baby

 

71,000 miles, owned for a year and only have had to replace the alternator.



Although lately I've noticed the rpms redline in second