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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  Poor Decision - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Peter - June 6 - 11:18 pm

  I have had this car for a year and a half and commuting. I was very excited when I got it, but then, not so much. I have replaced the spark plugs (3 times and impossible to get at), ignition wires (twice), all three ignition coils, ignition module, drive shaft (have to buy a new 2 piece to replace center bearing, GM doesnt sell the bearing $625, or convert to single piece $180), tires (twice, my fault though), both window motors, clutch, fuel filter, a T-top, catalytic converter, A/C compressor, alternator, battery, rebuilt the transmission. This is insane. I hate this car. I spend more time and money trying to fix it than I do driving.

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  Do not recommend a GM V6! - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bob - February 9 - 12:32 am

  The car has no mechanical problems (thank god), but the comfort on the car is real bad. I can feel every small bump on the road and really hard to get off most of the times. The stereo system is nothing to talk about. The car is not a good driver on rain, the brakes lock up all the time. The interior is really not very good quality. The clutch pedal is far to reach, and I am 5foot7. I do not recommend this car to anybody, an automatic would be much better.

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  My last V8 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kurt - September 26 - 7:02 pm

  I purchased this car from the dealer using my mother-in-laws employee discount. I ordered it in September, 1999 and it was delivered on Jan 1, 2000. The brakes warped right away and Chevy resurfaced them no charge - more than once. Several months ago I decided to keep the car and installed Baer Eradispeed disks front and rear with Hawk pads and a new set of Goodyear F1 GS D3s and the car is now perfected. It goes like stink and stops exceedingly well. Now that gas is $3/Ga I think this will be my last V8, but it has been fun. Used ones are cheap now and mine has been bulletproof. I would recommend one to anyone who wants something like this.

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  Alright......... - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hornet - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Well i bought this car because i thought i would be able to compete with my uncles 00 mustang cobra, but was i wrong. After thousands of dollars, i can now keep up with his stock cobra, but this car was a severe let down. Since it was the same engine as the vettes, i thought it would be easy to mod., but im still working on beating the damn ford.

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  WHAT A GENERAL MOTORS LEMON.... - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By M WITKOWSKI - June 16 - 2:00 am

  HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR.AVERAGE HIGHWAY MILE.3.4 LITER MOTOR HEAD BOLTS BROKE,WITH NO LOW COOLANT ALARM/INDICATION.MOTOR COOKED FROM INSIDE OUT.G.M HAS SOME SERIOUS ENG.ISSUES WITH THIS 60 DEGREE 1sT GEN.V 6 MOTOR.1sT AND LAST G.M PRODUCT I WILL BUY.

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  Stay Away from 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By GM Sucks - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Never again will I buy a GM car. After 36,000 Miles (just when the warrenty ended) the manual transmission 5th gear synch went. $1200 to fix. I also heard that rear axle is supposed to go, havent had a problem yet at 60,000miles. Trying to sell. The body is starting to come off though.

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  My Lemon - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Cari - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Typical GM paint job...meaing it doesnt have much left. Both window motors replaced. Headlight knob replaced...twice. Alternator replaced five times. Six different batteries. EGR Valve replaced. Major oil leak-still cant fix it. Fuel cell replaced. Rear end leaked. speedometer replaced. All dash wiring replaced. Computer chip gone bad. Fuel pressure regulator gone bad. U-bolt in rear end bad. Spoiler on front end has had to be replaced four times as the car sits so low and it breaks if you go over ANY kind of bumb. And it only has 72,000 miles on it.

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  Buy a Mustang - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Stangowner - June 19 - 2:00 am

  It was a great car at first. But then the brakes started to squeal. I was find with that until I was driving down the high way and the engine died. I couldnt get it started again, so i just got rid of it and got my self a Mustang GT. I suggest you do the same.

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  Not any more. - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Matthew McGinley - July 15 - 11:13 pm

  The 2015 Camaro is really a nice-looking car, something out of a cartoon come to life. Very adequate 6-cylinder 323 horsepower, this car has no trouble passing on dry roads. The interior was meant for bachelors and empty nesters, not families. The bucket seats are perfect for two; the cockpit is well laid out and all the instruments and controls are easy to reach. The power and agility is there on demand. The front goes out a bit, and converting from a front-wheel drive takes some getting used to. This car has too much power for city driving. It does not handle well on wet corners, and after only 300 miles I had to have the car repaired because the back end slipped out on me during a light rain negotiating a traffic circle and slammed into a curb, ruining my passenger rear wheel assembly. My whole attitude about muscle cars has changed, and this will be the last one for me, especially the last rear wheel drive car. I do not recommend this car except for dry roads only, summertime, and highway driving, otherwise, it is too intrusive and likely to cause an accident from too much acceleration. In the city, the car basically drives itself with no additional throttle, and too much foot-down is an accident waiting to happen, so after having the car for a short time I will be trading out of it at the earliest opportunity into something more capable in city driving and in the rain and light snow. I regret my purchase now, as this was something I could not discover on just the test drive going very slowly on dry roads. The stock P-Zero Nero tires are only good on straight and dry roads in warm weather, otherwise the 2015 Camaro is a liability and very dangerous. My only wish is that the dealer provided a 30-day trade in guarantee, but now that Ive signed the contract I have to live with this beast until I can get back to a front-wheel drive car that handles much better than this. ------ UPDATE: I took the car back to Bill Pierre Chevrolet in Seattle, and they were gracious enough to trade me out of it. Whew! What a relief! Now Im into a much better car, much safer, and front wheel drive and BACK SEATS! I must have been in some kind of trance, but now that Im out of the dangerous and ego-centered Camaro, I can get on with my life and not have to look back and see if anyone is watching. No more ego trips, no more sliding around corners. Just look at the face of this car, esp. the 2017 Camaro. Its too aggressive, mean--like an animal. The new Camaros are just too fat in the rear and too unstable with the default tires, unless you are on a closed track. But for commuting to work--uh uh, forget it!

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  Who drove this before they built it? - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By D. George - January 14 - 8:16 am

  Had the car for 2 months, if someone wants it Ill sell it now! Too big, too heavy, poor driving visibility & seating position the hype doesnt match the finished product. For GM its a high margin vehicle that sells behind great marketing & visual style...thats how I got hooked. I dont get it when other buyers say this car handles great, compared to what?? After owning 3 different 70s muscle cars the retro formula is disappointing. For those looking to buy one I have one for sale at a discount!