Overview & Reviews

For most of the past four decades, the Chevrolet Camaro has been the poster car of young (and not so young) speed freaks and boulevardiers alike. You know, the type of folks who value the rumble and thrust of a small-block V8 and sleek styling as much as would-be Hollywood starlets value a photo op.

Starting out in the late 1960s as an answer to Ford's Mustang, the original Chevrolet Camaro could be had in coupe or convertible form and with six-cylinder or V8 power. Forty years and five generations later, the concept really hasn't changed, as the current Chevrolet Camaro also can be had in coupe or convertible form with six-cylinder or V8 power. It even looks similar and carries the classic Camaro qualities of tire-spinning performance and a reasonable base price. But this is a thoroughly modern car that makes for a decent everyday driver, despite some significant practical drawbacks.

Current Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is available as a two-door coupe or convertible and in five trim levels: base LS, midgrade LT, high-performance SS and hyper-performance ZL1 and Z/28. The LS comes standard with niceties like alloy wheels and air-conditioning, to which the LT adds power seats and a touchscreen with smartphone integration. The V8-powered SS includes a limited-slip differential and a sport-tuned suspension. The ZL1 boasts a variety of performance parts like Brembo brakes and adaptive suspension dampers, plus standard leather upholstery and Boston Acoustics audio. The hard-core, coupe-only Z/28, on the other hand, has a race-ready suspension and modifications for reduced weight.

The Camaro LS and LT pack a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 323 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the V6, and a six-speed automatic is available. The Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual-gearbox SS cranks out 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, with the automatic version tuned to "just" 400 hp and 410 lb-ft. Offering the same transmission choices, the Camaro ZL1 gets a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8 good for 580 hp and 556 lb-ft of torque. The Z/28, which is 300 pounds lighter than the ZL1, employs a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8 and comes only with the six-speed manual.

On the road, any of these Camaros will provide brisk performance, a reasonably compliant ride (though the Z/28 is significantly firmer) and respectable handling, while the V8-powered versions should satisfy the most ardent acceleration addicts. The ZL1 and especially the Z/28 are astoundingly capable on a racetrack with their special suspensions. However, in day-to-day driving, the poor outward visibility, mediocre cabin trim, cramped backseat and tiny, oddly shaped trunk opening could be deal-breakers. As such, we'd advise potential buyers to also consider the Camaro's equally classic competitors, the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang.

Used Chevrolet Camaro Models
After a seven-year hiatus, the Camaro returned for 2010. In that first year, the Camaro was offered as a coupe only, and the V6 engine produced 304 hp. The next year saw the convertible's introduction and a bump up to 312 horses for the V6. It reached its current output for 2012, which also saw the introduction of the ZL1 and a number of noteworthy changes to the cabin. Camaros produced prior to this suffered from an oddly shaped steering wheel and gauges that were hard to read. For 2014 the Camaro introduced revised styling (including one-piece taillights that replaced the original double-rectangle design) and the debut of the Z/28.

Running from 1993-2002, the previous Camaro generation continued the age-old tradition of performance and style above all else. Initially just a coupe body style was offered in base and Z28 trims, the former coming with a 3.4-liter V6 (160 hp) and the latter with an LT1 5.7-liter V8 (275 hp). Transmission choices included a five-speed manual (V6), a six-speed manual (V8) and a four-speed automatic.

The following year saw the return of the ragtop, while 1995 brought a 3.8-liter, 200-hp V6 for the base Camaro. For 1996 the Z28 had 285 hp and the SS trim was reincarnated, complete with a 305-hp version of the 5.7-liter V8. A midcycle refresh took place for 1998 with a new front-end look and powerful new LS1 5.7 V8s for the Z28 (305 hp) and SS (320 hp). Apart from minor trim differences and a bump in power for the Z28 in 2001 to 310 hp, the Camaro soldiered through 2002 mostly unchanged. That last year also marked the Camaro's 35th birthday, which was celebrated with a 35th-anniversary SS.

Although fast, stylish and affordable, this Chevy Camaro was lacking in terms of refinement, particularly in regards to the interior. The clunky steering wheel design was about as sporty as a taxicab's and there was an abundance of low-grade plastic trim. Furthermore, the seats were rather plain and short on lumbar and lateral support. On the upside were the large gauges, decent cargo capacity and buttoned-down handling (though midcorner bumps could upset the solid rear axle suspended out back).

Consumer feedback is mostly favorable toward Camaros from this era. Praises center on the strong performance (even with the V6) for the money, relatively good fuel economy, mechanical reliability, cargo capacity, handling and styling. Chief complaints concern cheap interior construction, a smallish interior considering the body size and occasionally leaky T-tops.

For more information on these and even older Chevrolet Camaros, go to our Chevrolet Camaro history page.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car but should have bought Vette - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By RED - October 31 - 9:00 pm

  Fun to drive. Have six speed Z28 with all the options. Not built well and mileage averages 13, way below EPA. Got it with big discount at end of build out. Great weekend car with tight feel. Stay away from snow and rain as traction poor. Brake rotors warp easily and front window distorts view in areas, Black plastic interior pieces fall off. In other words a piece of GM junk thats really fun to drive. Trade value about half of purchase price after three years. Hard to get in and out of. Its ok as during the week drive the Buick LeSabre.

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  Z28 is a great car!!! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Brian Searles - October 22 - 10:22 pm

  I dont have enough good to say about my 1996 Z28. The LT1 engine provides effortless acceleration, the ride isnt bad for a sports car, and reliability has been great! Mustang has a long way to go to provide the same kind of driving experience of the Camaro/Firebird. Please GM, bring back the F-body......GTO isnt going to cut it!

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  Summer Cruiser - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By This Cars a Keeper - October 19 - 6:14 am

  This is the best summer cruising car ever. It is not very practical for a daily driver as it is bad on gas and the top tends to leak. The body style is sweet. The car is super fast and very fun to drive. A real head turner

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  2000 Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ray Yankura - October 16 - 10:36 am

  The engine is awsome. Handling is great. Matching panels is terrible. I dont use it when it rains and I store it in the winter. Had to purchase new tires after 12,000 miles. I dont hot rod it either. Sound system is great. I have the 500 Watt Monsoon. Paint is pretty good. I have not taken it for service since I purchased it. Not a family car. Only use it on week ends. I have added some body decals which give it a better apperance. Have lots of people tell me how nice the car looks. Runs very well. I guess the engine is what sold me.

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  95 Camaro Z28 one of the best! - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tony - October 10 - 4:52 pm

  I still cant believe GM did away with the Camaro! This is one of the finest sports cars ever built. First of all it had styling. This car really turned heads. It had performance. The stock 350 LT1 had plenty of hp for the average driver and was easy to upgrade with lots of aftermarket parts. It was a comfortable car to drive. I have a lot of fun with this car. Minimal repairs. I would recomend this car to anyone who would like to drive a fabulous sports car without emptying our your bank account. I perfer the 6 speed transmission for extra performance but the automatic still offers great performance too. I would purchase another one if I didnt have three already!

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  Purely Amazing - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tim - August 31 - 11:04 pm

  Bought used after experiencing buddies SS. Absolutely amazing the exhilarations that this car brings is like nothing I have ever experience. Straight ahead speed and if you lay off the gas through turns it corners better than any sports car on the road. With proper care this car will run for years. As for gas mileage you wouldnt even know that you had a v8 engine (low range from small tank)...plenty of power to get in and out of sticky situations...if you have the opportunity to get this vehicle get it and get it quickly. Dont worry about the resale value, you will not resell this car. Still get compliments on a weekly basis by all types of people...

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  97 SS - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Carlton - June 29 - 4:21 am

  Its garage mate is a 2003 Quick Silver Z06. The SS is probably the more fun to drive. It is pure seat of the pants driving where the Z06 is power and technology. It is as much fun today as it was driving it off the showroom floor. Additions/changes include Goodyear F1 GSD3s, shock tower brace, subframe connectors, underdrive pulley, K&N air filter, etc.

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  Slow poke - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Old Man - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I special ordered this car last spring after thinking about it for two years. I ordered all the options except for the T-tops and traction control. I got the Y87 Performance/Handling package. Everything is great about this car except the V6 engine. What a letdown. Two weeks ago I went back to the dealer and special ordered a Z/28 with almost all the same options. I ordered it with the 3.23 axle. I would not have bought another Camaro if it wasnt a great car.

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  knee room - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
  By denny dubs - June 23 - 9:36 am

  in 2012 i was looking into a mustang and chose a camaro because of the knee room the camaro has and lack of in the mustang. so when it came time to buy new, i went to view the camaro. The very 1st thing i noticed was the console being much wider than my 2012 model causing a lot of discomfort to my right replacement knee. Unfortunately i HAD to pass on buying this car thus causing my dream of owning 2 anniversary models to fade. oh well

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  Original owner - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By mike - June 5 - 12:22 am

  Im the original owner of a 1998 Z28 Camaro and its been a really great car. Ive had it now for 7 years and have been driving it every day and in all types of weather. Its an absolute hoot of fun to drive. The LS1 V8 is a lion of an engine and it has incredible acceleration and handling - even to this day. Its also been very reliable considering how these cars always seem to have a bad rating in this area The only drawback is the difficulty of getting in and out of the car