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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  Nice Car - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Chevy all the way - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome. I love racing cars and i also beat my friends 2001 Mustang Bullitt. The power is amazing.

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  My Z28 Pony Killer - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By MyZBeatDaCHP - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I special ordered my 2002 Z28 M6 with the Hurst SShifter, and never looked back. What an automobile. Ponys cant beat my acceleration. Ponys cant outmanuver my curves. Ponys cant match my topspeed. Any questions?

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  98 camaro z28 - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By john b - February 5 - 2:00 am

  as a mechanic for a G.M. dealership, ive found that we VERY rarely see the Camaro or Corvette in the shop for any repairs other than the standard maintenance i.e. brakes, oil changes. The camaro has virtually the same engine (LS1) as the corvette just a minor de-tune so it doesnt compete on the corvette platform. Other than that said, the exterior is extremely attractive- even more with a skirt package, and the handling is magnificent! Stopping is remarkable given the 4 wheel disk brake set up and the interior is spacious in the front cabin. The rear seating is a little tight, but remember, this is a sports car!

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  Love that Z - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 6speedz28 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car. It handles well, brakes well, and definitely knows how to get out of the way when necessary. In fact, all the cars that I leave at the line look surprised when they catch up and find a female driving. The 6-speed manual transmission is a nice "upgrade" from the 5. My only issue with it is the annoying skip- shift "feature" that dumps you into 4th from 1st if your RPMs arent high enough. Yuck. Also, GM should have put larger rotors on this car because the ones that come stock warp in no time. But thats okay, the dealership gets to pay for mine for 100K miles. :) I love my Z. Shes a lot of fun.

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  Destorys the Mustang - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Eric_20 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This car performs great. I live in a quite small city with less than 50000 people that is overfilled with crappy mustangs. Having the only camaro convertible (while being only 20 years old) is nice because of all the constant looks. Overall, its been a great car so far and Im gonna be with it for a long time.

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  Over 310hp+25mpg+23k= A steal!! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Musashi - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car over a year ago. The LS-1 engine really was the main factor. However, the whole car is just a good package with a lot of potential. Great looks, goes like bat out of hell, and I got 25.5mpg on a trip to Pennsylvania with the a/c on! The stock Z-28 leaves with a lot of options on how you want the car to perform. Its a great base for autocrossing, open tracking, or drag racing. The aftermarket industry has a lot to offer. And getting help over the net is easy with sites like ls1.com and ls1tech.com Overall, an inexpensive car with tons of potential.

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  camaro SS 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By samson O - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my third 4th gen. F-body, and no doubt the best one i have driven. It is equiped with the optional revised bilstein suspension and high performance exhaust. Performance is exceptional for an automatic, offers unusually strong accelerations. Suspension is surprisingly good, very little body roll holds corners tightly and feels better on rough roads then my previous f-bodies. High marks for its velvety zo6 like exhaust note. Paint finish is excellent. Inside is somewhat cheap with the occasional rattle fixed by the dealership, annoying axle noise, metallic ticking noise from aluminum drive shaft during change of gears.

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  Total Blast for under $15000!!!!!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dmonte3 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  What a blast to drive! Pop out the T- tops, crank up the tunes, and find the road with the most curves! People often disrespect the V-6 Camaro, favoring the V-8. Those are the ones who have never driven one! Granted, its not a 305 horse monster like the Z-28, but the lighter V-6 placed nearly under the dashboard helps for much better weight disribution and go-cart like handling. The car has enough power to be fun, yet is quite controllable and predictable. It isnt a Z-28 but then again, it has nothing to prove....only to impress!

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  1996 Camaro Z28/LT1/6 Speed - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Aaron McIntosh - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Though i find the vehicle very fun to drive...the fuel economy is bad, it might have been a better car if the dealership had told me it was in 5 accidents before with over $30,000 dammage plus it was once stolen. And I paid $15,045 Canadian for it and it still goes like hell the only time I see a 5.0L is in the mirror. Although I am trying to bring this car back to the dealer (myself and my lawyer) I will deffinetly buy another.P.S. DONT EVER BUY A CAR FORM REG MIDGLEY MOTORS IN COLVILLE BRITISH COLUMBIA.

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  camaro z28 - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By dangerisland - January 8 - 2:00 am

  fast,goodlooking and smooth.did i menton that its fast