High Mileage 3800

[C.F.Massie]

Just thought I'd throw this out among all the Reatta owners. My 89 Red/Tan just turned 258,000 miles and I have only change the water pump and alternator on this engine. She runs just fine, and never misses a beat. I was just wondering how many others have mileage in that range and have never had anything major done to their engines? I know the 3800 has a good reputation for being a very reliable engine, but I was just wondering among the Reattas has anyone had more than their share of issues with the engine?

[manikmekanik]

Quote:

I was just wondering among the Reattas has anyone had more than their share of issues with the engine?

Not around here! All but one of mine, including parts cars run great!

...even the 281,000 miler I picked up in Muncie, IN last spring!

I remember one on eBay earlier this year, with 323,000 miles, being sold with the extra engine the owner bought after acquiring the car with 181,000 miles on it already. He said it ran great, and the spare engine was just taking up too much space in the garage. I wonder who got it? Is it still on the road? Did the replacement engine ever go into the car? How many miles does it have now?

We've had little trouble with Panikmekanik's '88 (Bambi-Killer) coupe, now at 182,000 miles, I've done less work to it than her '91 Regal Beagle w/37,000 miles, now at 60,000 miles, same drivetrain.

I've owned tooooo many cars over the years, and verrrry few have come close to matching the pleasure of owning/maintaining/DRIVING our Reattae.

The Reatta line may be the best cars, overall GM has ever made. I like them better than my many ElDorado, Camaro, Nova, Firebird, Cutlass, mustang, Saab, Volvo, etc. , etc.

All Hail Reatta!!!

[imported_55chevy]

My 88 coupe has 268,000 miles, the tranny is slipping, and it had some trouble starting so it's been parked for over a year, until I get a round tuit. Up until then, a water pump was the only thing I changed.

[CL_Reatta]

I believe the last time this question was asked it eventually turned into a thread about making bumper stickers <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />, so to keep on topic, mine has around 180k, and nothing major has gone wrong yet, although I plan for something small to happen everyday <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[F14CRAZY]

169k miles, hardly any oil consumption. Most is probably leaking. The engine's internals do last for about ever. Harmonic balancers, water pumps, sensors, ECMs go bad...but not really anything like crankshaft, pistons...

But with 200k+, I would suggest to go ahead and replace the timing set. I've heard of one chain breaking once, but I think the biggest issue is the chain stretching and thus retarding valve timing slightly, and a slight performance loss. Padgett replaced his and noticed better low end performance.

[Booreatta]

Craig is it time to restore yet? oh hell lets see if you can get to 300000.
good seeing ya
Boo

[F14CRAZY]

I dunno if I'll ever restore my car. Just take care of it. I find restored cars to just be trailer queens and get babied too much.

[DeeBee]

Yeah, if I had enough time for a 400 point inspection I'd rather take that time for a nice drive and enjoy the thing, and not worry about a slight rock chip in the undercoating.

[C.F.Massie]

Nice seeing you too Chuck, and I'm really envious of that convertible of yours. I'm glad to see from the responses to my question that most everyone's Reatta is still running strong. I'd like to put mine up for a make over but since it is my daily driver I don't have the opportunity right now. I do love this car thouigh and I can't see myself ever getting rid of it, so restoring it will be on the list of things to do. You know for a daily driver with this many miles on it I still marvel at the gas mileage I keep getting, 26-28 city, and 28-32 highway, of course that depends a lot on whether I have a tailwind or not. But even with the worst headwind on the highway she gets 28mpg. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hey Manikmekanik, that is one sweet convertible you have in that picture, if mine was in that shape and looked like that I'd die a happy man. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again gang for the responses, and remember 'Keep the Reatta alive and well', it's too classy a vehicle to just let fade away. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[smith356]

Hi everyone. My 90 black coupe has 184k and still runs smoothly and no oil consumption between changes. I agree, it's always the little things that keep us busy, but the cars are aging and it's to be expected - that's why this forum is a godsend ! I would be lost without it, not to mention that I just enjoy browsing the posts.