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:

• 

  2010 LT2 RS WOW - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Terry McCann - November 10 - 9:56 am

  Very fun to drive. V6 is a very impressive performance for a v6. Over all Very impressed

• 

  One really fun SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PewterSS - November 5 - 2:48 pm

  This is one great affordable sportscar. Mine is the SS with the Tremec 6-speed, I wouldnt trade the 6-speed for a automatic, no way! The engine and the stick works really nice together. This is a such a fun and fast car to drive. Hitting 80 mph is so easy you really have to watch out.

• 

  good - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Candi - November 3 - 2:00 am

  A Really Nice Car! The Best Car I have Ever Owned.

• 

  98SSman - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SSman - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is very enjoyable to especially when you have the T-top model like my self.If they go back to making the camaro I hope Chevy works more on the interior and try to get an engine sold off the lot that runs on regular gas

• 

  Camaro is a solid ride - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Howard1958 - October 5 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Camaro is a great fun car to drive. I get lots of stares from the young kids in the street. Its a small town so everyone knows when Im driving by, which I enjoy. No major problems to speak of.

• 

  Dont buy a 95 Camaro - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Former Camaro Owner - October 4 - 2:00 am

  My boyfriend had owned a 95 Camaro for 3 years,when he bought it had arround 50,000 miles on it arround the last year are so it started having problems with the water pump and all of a sudden we took it in for steam coming out of engine the guy we took it to was very knowledgeable and he said some how the mantle block cracked and to fix one of them it would cost arround 4,000 bucks and now us being not at home anymore and paying bills with hardly any money we were S.O.L and it just kept getting worse the last 2 days we had the camaro it would over heat in 2 mintues of turning it on and thank god the place we traded it in they didnt even turn the car on. The milliage at the end was at 98,000

• 

  Winding roads - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Matt G. - October 3 - 8:40 am

  I needed a driver and I couldnt find a car that looked good or felt right. I drove the 2SS and felt the power was excessive for a daily driver though lots of fun. This cars a looker, turns heads and kids take pictures with cell phones where ever I go (its red). I love the retro interior, it reminds me of my youth and the fun I had "cruisin." Ive been waiting for the "marshmallow" styles of todays cars to disappear and chevy finally did it. This camaro exudes muscle with its looks. I only wish that they hadnt chopped the top so much. The resulting limited sight makes it difficult to predict turns while mountain driving especially when gaining altitude with the sun in your face.

• 

  Impressive - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Danger Mouse - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This was my first new car purchase & I am very pleased with my decision. This F-Body Rocks!! The car has been great to me despite some hard driving on my part. Id heard the 700R4 tranny might give me worries to date Ive had none. Ive replaced the water pump, radiator (improper cap...my fault), alternator, starter, brakes (front-5 times, rear-once), oil pan (my fault again), hatch pull-down motor, 3 sets of tires & had to repair the instrument cluster once (speedometer was broken). The headliner is falling now but all- around, not bad for nearly 13 years & 120,000+ miles! My daughter is looking forward to driving this car in two years. Ill probably still be enjoying the ride. :-)

• 

  Excellent Automobile - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ssmith451 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I feel this is a great car. Then only issue now is the trade in/resale value since the stop of production.

• 

  Z28 - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Deams - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a sports car designed to go fast. With this you lose some fuel economy (although 18-20 mpg is not bad for a V8) and some interior luxury but the trade off is worth it. It hugs the road very nicely. It is very fast and it sounds good with an aftermarket exhaust system (I recommend Borla but to each his/her own) since Chevy did a poor job on these stock systems.