A lot of the GM cars with the 3800 engine went way past 100K miles
100,000 even 200,000 mile vehicle club
grillebilly
Empty Head
Yes indeed, that's why the last 5 cars I bought have had that engine. Transmissions have gone bad, but those engines are workhorses.
I think the 3800 was dropped in 08 or 09 wasn't it?
beat_truck
Addicted Member
As far as I'm concerned, I think the 3800 (and the similar 3300) were some of GM's best engines ever. My mom had a 3800 Regal GS and absolutely loved it. It ran really well, was good on gas and never required any engine work that I remember. My dad had a Cutalss Ciera with the 3300. It had high-ish miles when he died. I wasn't really in love with the car, so I sold it. To my surprise, it kept running well for the next three owners. Had I known that, I would have kept it and driven it until the salt took it off the road which would have been a while as it was still nice when he had it.
grillebilly
Empty Head
My daughter is currently driving my mom's old Regal. She passed away a couple years ago, so it has a lot of personal attachment. Before that she had a 93 Volvo with the 5 cylinder. It was a good car. too. Every car she has ever had was from the year she was born.
That's my 2001 in the background.
Johnno_Oz
W-a-y down south
GM used to ship those 3.8s down here and put them in Holdens .
I had one that outlasted my 96 VS Holden Commodore (mine was a green version of this bluey). Only issue was a leaking power steering pump in something like 200k kms.
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My 1997 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 with the 454, 4.10 rear gears and 14 bolt full float rear axle has 267,000 on the clock!
Shown here on the car hauler being delivered to me, 5 years ago. It's been a faithful and relatively reliable vehicle!
Shown here on the car hauler being delivered to me, 5 years ago. It's been a faithful and relatively reliable vehicle!
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
No timing chain or camshaft issues?
55Redneck
Canadian Redneck
That's a real bummer Gordon. Looks like the tree bounced off the eves on the house on its way down.
Johnno_Oz
W-a-y down south
Nope, regular services with Mobil 1 when required seemed to help. Seemed to miss out on the common issue of the timing chain sensor issue as well.
I did have issues with a 450slc when the timing chain guides rotted away.
Eric H
Addicted Member
I think I've only owned one vehicle with less than 100k on it. My current rides are a 2000 Civic with 271,000 and a 2003 Escape with 181,000.
The Escape has had loads more repairs done to it than the Honda, partly because I was not the original owner, and partly because it's a Ford.
The Escape has had loads more repairs done to it than the Honda, partly because I was not the original owner, and partly because it's a Ford.
Pfft. That'll buff right out, G.
2005 Honda Civic has 240k, 1995 Ford Ranger says 144k, but the odometer is like a bad employee - works when it wants, and it rarely wants.
Ours are about neck-and-neck--2004 with 241k miles on it. I had to change the cylinder head with a rebuilt one at 239,939 miles because some effing trash Bosch spark plug (that the previous owner had installed) shattered in the cylinder and ruined the valves in the #2 cylinder. (Lucky the ceramic shrapnel didn't score the cylinder walls.) It's just our spare car now--runs great with the proper NGK plugs and the fresh valvetrain. Since I also replaced the timing belt/water pump/tensioner, and the alternator (I broke off the terminal since the nut had rusted onto it), it's ready for another 100k. Going to redo the front suspension once my current project is completed (all the rubber bushings are dried out and cracked, and I'm giving it new ball joints as well).
Marine0811
I love it loud!
We’ve got three vehicles with well over 100k on them.
2002 F350 7.3 diesel 180k
2006 F250 5.4 140k
2007 Chevy Tahoe 180k
The dually needs an oil pan but other than that it’s good
The f250 I put a transmission in about 3 months ago
The Tahoe has all sorts of upper end motor work done and is now a little over 400 horsepower
2002 F350 7.3 diesel 180k
2006 F250 5.4 140k
2007 Chevy Tahoe 180k
The dually needs an oil pan but other than that it’s good
The f250 I put a transmission in about 3 months ago
The Tahoe has all sorts of upper end motor work done and is now a little over 400 horsepower
Mark W.
Nut house of the Universe
98 Dodge Dakota 39L V6 5spd. Driven daily at 206K
2005 Fprd Focus ZR3 auto 220K Driven Daily
When the Dakota gives up I'm thinking about dropping a 1966 220HP 283 I have in it and keeping the AX15 5spd.
When the Ford Focus dies I'm wondering how the hell we will replace it. Being I plan on retiring in 5 years.
2005 Fprd Focus ZR3 auto 220K Driven Daily
When the Dakota gives up I'm thinking about dropping a 1966 220HP 283 I have in it and keeping the AX15 5spd.
When the Ford Focus dies I'm wondering how the hell we will replace it. Being I plan on retiring in 5 years.
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