I Can’t Believe I Found a Unicorn Chevy Camaro At The Dealer Auction!!

[@mbkl79]

Hello from Germany! I've bought a 2001 V6 last year, from first owner. Original condition, for approx. 4.000 Dollars. Less than 60.000 miles on it. I love it so much and enjoy every ride. Super rare here in Germany, so a real eye catcher. 😊

[@charlescollins1992]

I had had my 4th gen z28 for 15 years and sold it 3 years ago. And now I’m seeing all these video’s about how valuable it is now lol.

[@airgunningyup]

i sold my 97 z28 for 1100 dollars back when they were worth nothing ( 2009 ish ) huge regret now.

[@jonmcclane7433]

That’s how I feel about my Iroc Z and Foxbody I used to have! I have a super low mile 8th Gen Civic Si and I’m holding onto it.

[@TheCharleseye]

Be glad it's at least still out there. My 4th gen Trans Am got T-boned by a guy in a minivan who was drunk and on meth. Totaled my car. Body was twisted bad enough that they couldn't straighten it. I still can't believe my wife and I walked away from it.

[@jackiejorpjomp]

This channel is my jam. I appreciate these kinds of cars more than unattainable status symbols

[@MitchZero9]

Yeah its the only TFL channel I sub to.

[@barrydraper]

Cool review guys! Be careful with your choice of V6 engines, as some of the older 4th gens had the whimpier 3.4L engine, vs the 3.8L that you reviewed. There was a significant difference in power and reliability. The 3.8L was an excellent engine (for a V6).

[@ABRetroCollections]

1993-1995 were the years of the LT1 350 and the L32 3.4L V6. 1996 was the change to the L36 Series II 3.8L V6. 1999 was the facelift, including the change to the LS1 350.

[@engineer_alv]

@@ABRetroCollections The facelift and LS1 came for 98MY

[@jamesruiz4005]

160hp out of the 3.4L in my 1993 Camaro. Horrible gas mileage and I got beat by an Oldsmobile Achieva

[@CynHicks]

​​​@@jamesruiz4005Chevy did the v6 Camero WRONG back then. I remember it. The newer v6 (LGX engine) is pretty fantastic for a v6 though. 3.6L that revs to 7.2 and puts out 340sh HP at the crank when near redline. It's top speed is impressive for a v6 but at least with the manual trans it's still a bit tourqey even in 6th gear at around 130 mph. It drinks oil when ran hard and still sips it when not but that's expected.

[@ABRetroCollections]

@@engineer_alv 98.5. Technically '99, but no point in splitting hairs. 98.5 was a big change for a lot of GM vehicles.

[@Cutthroatflame]

Drove a 2000 firebird 3.8L for 279,000 miles before I traded it in towards a newer camaro. All I did in 279k miles was replace spark plugs and tires. Enough said.

[@keithdosik]

I’ll never get enough of these videos!! I love older stuff, real cars ya know?

[@LafemmebearMusic]

That human nostalgia…😅

[@josemanuelruiz2036]

That’s perfect for a supercharged project.

[@freshnugget2099]

Absolutely

[@OldThomMerton]

Dude, those V6s are solid. I had a v6/manual (I was a V6 guy, enough power for me and with a manual you could get really good gas milage) and I drove that thing for 130k with only a couple of sensors replaced.

[@BlackRam17]

Manual V8’s got equal if not better mileage.

[@75pontiac45]

That was my first car I bought for myself, just in black. Same spec…. Base with a standard transmission. Absolutely loved that car! So many great memories, big mistakes and lessons learned with that car! Glad y’all found one and thanks for sharing

[@hailtothe_rooster1572]

The GM 3800 is a legend that holds it own.

[@smebert1901]

mine is a 01 Red convertible and my bullet proof 3800 is perfect, with Tan leather, new tires, Good carfax, near Daytona $4500. LOVE it

[@Gr8thxAlot]

One fourth gen (Z28) story from college that I remember, is that someone had their windshield wiper paint peel off from one high speed run. That sums up the fourth gen perfectly. Tons of power, but somewhat low build quality. Someone else had a V6 Camaro and it was surprisingly good. A deer strike killed it when it was fairly young. Like you said, they were disposable. With high depreciation, it didn't take much to total them out.

[@GrandCamino6]

I worked with a young single mom in the early 2000’s that had a Camaro in this exact spec with the wheel covers, crank windows & a 5spd manual but hers was in Mystic Teal. It was the only one I had ever seen spec’d like that.

[@timothyforce1949]

I knew someone who converted their 2000 Firebird 3800 into a supercharged version from a rear end- wrecked 2004 GTP. They had some issues, but once all was said and done it had great acceleration. Great thing was the owner said the front end still felt lightweight compared to V8 cars. Years later a blown head gasket killed the fun.

[@talis84]

My dad had a 95 Camaro when I was younger. He took it to Home Depot to get a water heater. Popped the hatch, and the Camaro held the water heater, box and all. F-bodies are better than pickup trucks.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

That's why I HATE the 5th and 6th gen Camaros. Yeah the back seat sucked on the 4th gen, but with that hatch, seats folded, you could cram a damn good amount of junk in it. Could fit a full sized bicycle in there with both wheels attached and close the hatch. A few years ago my buddy wanted to drive his then "hot new 2011 SS Camaro" he bought last week down to the beach to meet up with some other friends. So I ride over in my 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood, planning to park it in his garage and ride in his new 5th gen Camaro. Neither his cooler or suitcase would fit thru that mail slot trunk opening lol. We ended up driving the Cadillac down to the beach in Florida. All six of us piled into the Cadillac to go places, we had a ball. Drove that car to the beach the next 3 years cause we all loved riding around in it. Kinda funny seeing 6 fit/fashionable "hipsters" pile out of that bright red old man ride.

[@EricFortuneJr.]

It’s a great first car, but I would personally make it a project starting with the engine then suspension and maybe axle. You could literally eBay and junkyard this thing into something that would run with any modern Coyote Mustang, Scatpack or Camaro. Growing up I was never a fan of those headlights, but this is such a clean example I would snatch up.

[@resultsfitnessco]

i had one as my first car at 16. loved it. so much room for a stereo and t-tops in the summer are amazing

[@expeditionjay]

I own an ls1 firehawk and never really thought about the base models, but after seeing this it actually raised an eye brow especially after start up. The exhaust sounds good on camera.

[@mach1mustangguy992]

Ya it did fire right up didn’t it

[@dylano7242]

In 2024 i bought a 2002 pontiac firebird t-top v6 3.8L 185k miles $1000. It still runs great. And is a cheap fun car to run around in.

[@hitchedtohorsepower]

My best friend had a 98 just like this in red when he turned 16. It was still a fun car. I wish they still made lower powered Mustangs and Camaros for teens so they don't kill themselves. The V6 versions now are over 300 HP pretty much what a SS or Cobra had back then. Of course stability control has come a long way.

[@bldontmatter5319]

Yeah, and even the V6s are so expensive

[@hitchedtohorsepower]

@Only-Memories-In-The-End yup another friend had a 2000 Cobra and the 2020 GT500 Carbon Track Pack I used to have has nearly 2 and half times as much power! I thought that Cobra was a fast car back then lol

[@JesseLJohnson]

I sold a z28 convertible think it was an 01 maybe it was an 02 was black on black with the 6 speed. I kinda wanted to keep it for myself but I already had a ws6 and an SS and one of the GTO at the time that I had just got with like 200 miles on it. Ended up selling them all but the TA still have that car and a couple CTS-V and other cars but this guy showed up wanting to buy that Z28 for his 16 year old kid for his first car. I didn't really want to sell it to him. I would feel bad if the kid went out and killed himself in it. He didn't even know how to drive manual. I have no idea what happened to them or that car I don't remember ever seeing the car again after they left.

[@hitchedtohorsepower]

@JesseLJohnson yeah it's irresponsible to get your kid a highish hp rear wheel drive car especially without traction and stability control for their first car. My dad collected cars and got me into cars when I was in my early teens. I wasn't allowed to drive any of the fast cars until I had quite a bit of experience driving and he sent me to racing school. When he did he made it very clear that I was going to racing school to learn how to properly control a car, not so I could drive really fast on the street. He said if he ever learned that I was being irresponsible behind the wheel all the cool, fun cars I was lucky enough to drive would go away and I'd be driving the old pickup truck that was listed as my driver on the insurance lol. Even though the late 90s and early 2000s cars aren't super fast by today's standards and can be a handful for inexperienced drivers cars like you mentioned and sone others can be more enjoyable!

[@jefferysmith3930]

The 3800 was such an improvement over the earlier 3400. My mother in law had a metallic red 95 3400 that was pretty base but did have the alloy wheels automatic and a few other options. A definite improvement over her strictly base 94 Beretta

[@JarmelSingsKaraoke]

Good job Brendan and Tommy 👏👏....have a good day everybody ✌️

[@Austinandjules]

The 3800 engine family was built in the early 60s. The fireball Buick v6, the dauntless jeep v6 and this modern 3.8 are all from the same engine family. And same basic design

[@rjolly87]

Slapping a supercharger is usually not for the faint of heart on these, because there is just enough difference, and the supercharger pulls air from the back, which is super inaccessible in this platform. I haven't actually seen one done to be honest...and many have asked over the years. Slapping a turbo (or two?) or even some nitrous is usually the way to go, but even then the bottom ends won't let you get too crazy before they need to be built. Super fun however if you keep mods to naturally aspirated, and will take quite a beating and come back for more every time.

[@richki.24]

I had a 2001 Camaro V-6 with fully loaded options including the body kit .... I loved that car ...

[@JesseLJohnson]

I bought a repo z28 with the 6 speed not long ago for $1100. It had about the same miles on it as this one. Was full of junk and I found a bunch of SnapOn and Matco tools in it. It had a set of c6 rims on it and a Magnaflow exhaust.

[@wutang80oc39]

My 1st car was a silver 4th gen Z28 ,i owned it for 10 years, i sold it in 2015 with 80K on it, when I was visiting my parents my dad pointed out that on of their neighbors kids got a silver Z28 just like the one i had

[@cdsorvinyl]

I have one now bought it 2001, Pewter, Z28, LS1 with a 6 speed, TTops and 15,000 miles on it. Has the sports package with spoilers and Hatch. It is like brand new. Also has the 1 CD Monsoon Sound system. It rocks!!

[@harryrupertus2075]

They're talking about all the cars that have the 3.8 litre and at 5:24 a flat bed with a Buick that has the 3.8 litre engine rolls by 🤣👍🏻

[@nedaCFilms]

‘90s V8 Camaros are a fantastic Bang for the Buck!

[@windowcreek1798]

A 1987 Camaro, yellow, ttop v6, sold in Canada with 44 thousand kilometres for 54 thousand dollars. Never seen snow or rain. Mint Mint Mint.

[@madchoochoo1501]

If you can find one with the y87 package you get different shorter gearing and an lsd, I keep up with v6 accords and older v8 stangs

[@sebyylove]

That cargo capacity is really appealing

[@WayApp]

Congratulations on getting your hands on such a unique Chevy Camaro!

[@tonyflorio3269]

My recollection is these were ~7 sec 0-60 cars when new; probably high 15 second quarters. So, slower than the V8s by a lot, but fairly competitive with other sporty cars. Handling with the right package was good with less weight on the nose. Unfortunately, the post facelift styling is a love it hate it thing (not a fan) and the earlier, better looking cars come with the 3.4, I believe, with 160 hp.

[@seanparks1675]

This was a Chevy dealer’s “ad car”. A car like this to advertise a low price. Then when a customer came in to see the cheap Camaro they would instead buy one that was more expensive because they wanted power windows, etc.

[@winstonmiu]

I’m more of a V6 guy myself! I like the lighter front end

[@marcmcphee]

My aunt had that V6 (supercharged) in a Pontiac Grand Prix…that thing would move!!! Great video!!! 🚗 ❤️

[@27Zangle]

There are a ton of performance mods for that 3.8L as well.

[@jerridehlinger9689]

a turbo 3800 would be fun in this car

[@svpracer98]

I remember our township police department had a 4th gen Camaro as an "undercover" patrol car... This was the very early 00s btw.

[@JesseLJohnson]

There was tons of them here. Especially the state troopers. They finally retired them when they mostly all switched over to Chargers. They had a c6 z06 too. Used to have a lot of foxbody mustangs as well. I think they do have some Mustangs again that they use as chase cars on like I-95 and I-20. There was a Navigator here too that I am assuming was confiscated from a drug dealer they made into a police car. When they finally retired the Camaros you could buy them for next to nothing. Sure they might have had 100-150k miles on them but they were taken care of and they were about giving the things away

[@cdsorvinyl]

They were called 'Police Interceptors'.

[@justinp8015]

Great content. Keep it up fellas

[@davidparkin9017]

A three litre inline six which is 182 cubic inches puts out 225 torques, same as this 238 cubic inches. This gets 30mpg highway but the LS1 upgrade gets 26mpg.

[@DetroitMetroRetro]

Just picked up a 1996 rs model and im very happy with it so far. Couldn't afford a z28 in a condition similar without spending close to corvette prices lol

[@carltonboles6675]

I think y'all under sold that car... I had one in college circa 2006. It was the same configuration as that one, but black with alloy rims. I got it with 62k miles and when my girlfriend totaled it some years later it had about 160k miles on it. I only changed the oil about 4 times and ripped on it hard its whole life. I dont think I ever had to fix anything (if I did it was very minor stuff). It always impressed everyone how fast it was and actually easily out ran a stock Mustang GT from the early 90s. Not to mention it got right at 30 mpg.

[@tommyistommy]

I love 4th gen f bodies, the manual window regulators are actually great since the power windows SUCK in these. I think it's cool to see a base model, I just can't recommend anyone buy a V6 car. The cost to swap in a LS isn't worth it, it's a lot more complex than swapping a truck for example. Still cool to see, just don't agree about buying one for anything but commuting. It's worth the premium to find a LS1 car

[@ronhoover5516]

Love these videos and this channel. That being said, this isn't my favorite edition of the Camaro. I never liked the long nose and overall 'heavy' look the car had back in the day. Still, fun to watch and read the comments of people who had one.

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

My 2008 Pontiac Montana SV6 had this 3.8L V6… it was really reliable and smooth!

[@BLAHBLAH-qq4je]

Had a 5 speed 3rd Gen v6 ,and now have a 5 speed k 1500 v8 love them both

[@sonofagun1037]

If GM did the same amount of cool trims to the catfish that Ford did to the mustang than the catfish would have stayed in popularity like the mustang did instead of being rediscovered as it is now. Mustang had the Cobra, Cobra R, Terminator, all the Camaro had was SS and Z28 and the Catfish Z28 really wasn't anything more than a regular SS. I always liked the catfish and I may be biased but I do think it will become a full bore future classic due to its uniqueness in design in the camaro lineup

[@anthonykiedis1765]

It's wild to think that Honda, Nissan and Lexus were all getting close to 300hp out of V6s in the early 2000's. And this was in their sedans.

[@tomdell9836]

All the none luxury brand Japanese V6's were making around 200hp in 2002. Nissan being the only brand making 240-250hp out of there 3.5 which was new for 2002.

[@schmoab]

That is a pretty cool car. I looked at the Z28s in 2001 but ended up buying a Miata. That was a truly great car.

[@cdsorvinyl]

I bought one fully loaded, Z28 and still have it with 16,000 miles. Garage kept, never used in rain or snow!!

[@skippymcskipster8779]

I miss my F Body Camaros. I had a 98 T Top and later a 01 convertible... Both v6 because I was 18-21 years. old and couldn't afford the insurance on the v8s.

[@paulsandvig6961]

That engine bay is a knee killer!!!

[@mudejartrainingnaturalscie6938]

"I can't believe I found a car that nobody wanted, still in good condition."

[@sneakerfreak2002]

You’d think this guy discovered an Egyptian mummie 😅 Get a grip the cars only about 20 years old holy cow

[@jesusdaviddiaz1256]

Didn't know that came that basic model, just cool and affordable

[@drg5352]

I mean, it is kinda of a unicorn, since anything with a proper transmission in it instead of a creepbox is unusual these days. I'd probably rock it, and try to shoehorn in the supercharger and other goodies from the Buicks of that era. Because it would amuse me.

[@marcoadamberger4456]

I live in germany and those chevys are absolute bargains here. For like 2000€ you can get a nice one. And absolute nobody buys them because of the high gas prices. Sadly most of them come with an automatic transmission. Otherwise I would have bought one by now

[@richki.24]

I currently have a 2002 Z28 with very low options, has manual window cranks and the Traction Control button wasn't even included ...

[@dannyoaks85]

I've got a navy blue metallic z28 in my garage right now. Just at 100k miles.

[@nathanwoten6236]

They had a supercharged 3800 fwd version in the Buick Regal GS

[@canadaeast8358]

V6 or not it’s still a nice car

[@TheCharleseye]

I'd daily that. I used to get 27-29 mpg, commuting with my F body Trans Am. I'd assume I could get better than 30 mpg with this.

[@alafrosty]

Even in nice shape like that, it's a $2000 car at most, especially with the visible defects.

[@OhYeaMista]

Real unicorn is a z28 with the windey windows. They do exist.

[@ivantuma7969]

With a supercharger with ~240 hp - at TFL's altitude - it would be like a 300 hp NA V8.

[@lastplaceracing6540]

The Price is Right spec

[@4pevans]

Was hoping you guys got it so I could buy it from you!

[@greathey1234]

I am surprised the interior isn't cracked

[@clangdon1436]

Cheap enough would see a ls 427 swap before plates went on it .

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

I had a 1999 Z28 about 20 years ago, same color but every factory option(auto/t-top/LS1 V8). Loved that car to death, it was actually stone dead reliable as a daily driver for the 6 years I had it. My thing about buying a V6 one in this day and age, is the 4th gen Camaro is a compromised design with it being a PITA to work on, engine sitting halfway under the windshield. Also its not that comfortable of a car, seats are meh at best, driving position is ass on the ground legs straight out like any proper sports/exotic car. I can put up with all that if its a riot to drive with the LS1 V8 giving you instant tire smoke and low 13 second et's factory stock. The v6, well its okay I guess but I'd rather buy a more comfortable/less compromised/better built car if I'm going slow.

[@danziger69]

The 3800 is a great engine, but not for a F-Body. I had a 2000 Z28 M6 bought new and still miss it.

[@abliss2006]

Love these cars!!

[@rnt45t1]

I didn't realize they put the 3800 in the Camaro.

[@pmscalisi]

Yeah it was the base engine.

[@michaelm3381]

It started in mid 1995-2002.

[@KevinLaswiss-l6m]

If it was black it you just have to get the red cross bar light. You have the night riders' car. I find a super odd car online a Class C motorhome on a Chevy Astro van

[@Ruben-dr4yi]

Great videos 👍.

[@mach1mustangguy992]

I can’t believe they wanted 7 for that thing!? 3500-4 Gs tops

[@kdub11]

He just called a v6 camaro a collectable car. Lol At least it has the 3.8 instead of the terrible 3.1 six

[@VL1975]

Is this a Copart auction? Best place to find cheap cars!

[@mach1mustangguy992]

How dare y’all call a v6 Camaro a unicorn……for shame

[@cdsorvinyl]

Five speeds were an option and costs more on this years model.

[@nagygergogabor640]

can somebody tell what exhoust do they use? I have one with stock exhoust

[@StySaeBePitive]

I have a 2002 v6 convertible with 106,000 miles.. I’m selling the pony here in Tucson,Az just let me know.

[@my1vice]

You know the car industry is in a sad state when Gen 4s are sought after. Ugh.... You can keep it.

[@1k_vonte]

Guys hear us out…get it and build it

[@KalleSWBeck]

It survived so long because it is a v6 it kept the kids away

[@stevevice9863]

That engine is half under the windshield and dash.

[@scottsporowicz4621]

Powered the Holden commodore from 1988 to 2004

[@mopesrus7266]

I had the super charged GTP. It was a screamer.

[@amazingjason455]

All of the impracticality with none of the performance.

[@shadow9961000]

Good for a drift car project.

[@willyhwang1059]

love the base models

[@subversclothing535]

You are right, I turned off soon as you said V6 😂

[@hkwise011]

Clicked this thinking it was a B4C

[@Ollie_skate500]

That’s a Holden Commodore engine😂

[@KoryBrooks]

Just put a turbo muffler on it, no rasp and not too loud

[@aaronbritt2025]

Haven't watched yet. Title says "unicorn" Camaro. I hope it's a B4C with manual windows. That's the true "unicorn". Almost bought a leftover in 2003. Dealer said it was special ordered and never picked up. Nobody wanted it because it had manual windows and NO options. Okay, now I'm watching... V6 isn't a unicorn.

[@joey8701]

I have one sitting in my driveway with a blown head gasket that I bought. I am changing the rims, tires, exhaust pipes that stick way out, and the ugly interior to Black vinyl seats. Those original seats in my opinion, are horrible looking.

[@dennisl6198]

not sure how a late 90s/early 2000s v6 camaro is a unicorn. its more like a hedgehog. I'm not saying they can't be fun cars. but rare? nope.

[@ThisThing-so3dq]

Rare in this condition and miles I think.

[@73clementines]

I’m looking at all these replies and trying to figure out what I’m missing…that car has never held value with a v6, even with a stick. I think I could post a video with an actual wooden chair & get likes these days.

[@scottyellis3442]

Yes, the 3800 was a good reliable engine.