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:

• 

  Overall great car - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Sam Johnson - April 18 - 10:27 pm

  Ive had this car for about 15 months now and have had no mechanical problems with it at all. There are over 147,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. Also, its fun to have some power to play with.

• 

  Love the Camaro - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Chris A. - April 9 - 8:25 pm

  Great gas mileage for a Camaro but have to decide if its worth the trade off with the V6 for price, but very satisfied with the 4cyl Turbo.

• 

  Bang for your buck - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By demonspeed - April 4 - 12:52 pm

  This is my 3rd Camaro. I bought the car used with 12k miles and I have put it through its paces. It is a daily driver that has seen a lot of track time. It has held up very well for the amount of abuse it has seen over the past 16k miles of ownership. With VERY minimal modifications, the car went from 13.6@106, to 13.1@110. I do not hesitate to take this car on any trips, nor fear the increasing gas prices and it sees close to 30mpg on the highway, and close 20mpg around town. For the price of these used LS1 cars, the performance/dollar ratio is top notch. With 303hp at the wheels STOCK, the car is really making more than its advertised 320hp (appx 350 crank - like a base Corvette).

• 

  quick daily driver - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 94impalaSS - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Very fast. Very affordable. Best performance value out there. Never had anything but scheduled maintenance. Yes, it has the stereotypical rattles. Handling and acceleration are extremely important to me. It will beat almost anything on the road. It certainly beats anything under 30 thousand. I use it as a daily driver and a winter car too. With traction control and snow tires, it is great in the winter. I absolutely love it. it is far, far, far, better than previous generation camaros!

• 

  40th wedding anniversary gift to my wife - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bill - March 30 - 10:59 am

  She loves the gas mileage, sporty drive and feel, sound system, its her new baby

• 

  To all of you Camaro Haters: - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Z28Muscle - March 29 - 8:40 pm

  Go out and drive one, instead of getting getting a view view of Camaro tailights as usual!! Jealousy wont get you anywhere. If you cant beat em, join em!

• 

  Excellent Bang for the buck - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By j - March 29 - 4:17 pm

  There is simply no better performance value than this car. It has the performance of cars costing more than twice its price. It has a fairly basic interior but thats okay because it keeps the price down and allows you to focus on the fun part, driving!

• 

  My Baby!!! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Hoffy1209 - March 11 - 3:18 am

  I bought her almost 5 years ago and she has been nothing but a blessing. I purchased my Camaro, after having a mechanic look at it, just to be sure, with 43,000 miles on the odometer. I changed the tires recently after my purchase, and bought a new battery. My Camaro is a Florida car so it had no rust underneath. My only major replacement on this car was a wheel sensor mod that went bad after 51,000 miles. I have no other problems to list, minor or major. I have really enjoyed my Camaro. It is by far one of the best cars ever built. It was genius that GM finally decided to put the 3.8 engines in the Camaro, which was in 96. The 3800 series engine is GMs best engine ever built.

• 

  Aqua Blue Beautiful Beast! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By RS-1SS - March 1 - 12:06 pm

  Picked up my pre-ordered 2010 aqua blue metallic 1ss a week ago. What power on this puppy! I am so happy I picked aqua blue, this color makes the car look gorgeous. People stare ALL the time and compliment many times. The sports cloth interior impresses me very much. Everything has been smooth with the car so far. Sunroof well worthed. One word of advice.. If you are debating between the V6 and the V8, get the V8. I was about to get the 6 cylinder, but I changed my mind in time and now have an awesome V8 that rocks almost anything on the street. The power for the price is just amazing. What a hot car... Very very happy so far..

• 

  25th - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 25th Ann. - February 5 - 6:05 pm

  I love my 25th anniversary Camaro. I like cruising around wth the T-tops off and the pedal to the floor. Ive had no problems with it since I bought it in 98 except for the brakes and tires that Im a little hard on. I wish I had the money to do the car some justice and restore it to its prime.