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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Safety - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
By Jenn - September 19 - 4:30 pmI wanted a Camaro for years & when the new style came out I waited. Got it and returned it within 24 hours. The rearview mirror was in my eyesight. I am short but the seat was all the way up or otherwise I could not have seen over the hood. I was not allowed to drive it off the lot (safety reasons supposedly). I drove it in the parking lot. Maybe if Id driven it around a bit I would have known. Loved the feel of it. Nice interior, seats were comfortable. Blindspots left & right which made me very nervous. Why drive it if I feel unsafe? When I realized what little headroom I got more nervous. Want to be safe in the traffic Im in. First day of having it, got a ticket with four others.
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First Camaro - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
By Tony Davenport - September 19 - 3:53 amI traded a 2006 G35 6mt coupe for my 2017 Camaro. It performs well considering the skepticism on the 4cyl turbo vs the V6 and V8. I had $4k in mods on my old car and the new one still out performs it. Ive found the turbo upgrades for later that will get the car to 390hp over 400 ftlbs of torque; the kit runs $2700. Im looking forward to owning this car. On board wifi, 3 ecu modes for driving, the display and all Im loving it!
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Sad to see the ol girl go - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
By Princess Pamela - September 14 - 2:00 amI bought my car right after college and it has seen me through the years. It has been the best! No problems other than usual wear and tear...water pump, alternator, plugs, window motor, front spoiler. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves an affordable, fun sporty car. I have decided to buy an SUV because of the nature of my job- having to transport bulky computers, etc... I would keep her til she fell apart if not. No one can believe the car is a 96...it still looks that good!
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Runs Strong - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
By MALOSO - September 9 - 2:00 amreliable car, only had 1 major problem. Gas was leaking into the oil and caused the car to run erratic. Was fixed and runs fine now. doesnt leak oil and transmission is fine.
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Camaro SS Kicks Ass - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
By BitchinSS - September 9 - 2:00 amThe 2001 Camaro SS is the most straight forward, reliable, stylish and fun car I have ever owned. I bought it because of the LS1 V-8 powerplant never thinking that it would become a classic AMERICAN car. The only problem I encountered thus far (45K)was a small broken spring for seat retraction. Kudos Chevy. My Kerry/Edwards sticker does it proud and loud! Now on to the 2005 Corvette?
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*Big Bang* for the Buck - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
By Sick LS1 - September 7 - 2:00 amIf you want a car that will be faster than most porsches, run with many supercars, brake in the same distance as a race prepped porsche gt3 (famous for brakes), but are on a budget, this is the car. Do some some basic mods to unleash this cars true potential. And by the way, a Z28 has the same engine as a Corvette (exact same), and Z28s will dyno at least as much hp as a C5, if not more. The engine was seirously underrated, so dont beleive the stats. Throw on some mods, and youll be showing up vipers, corvettes, porsches, other german supercars, and possibly even a ferrari 360, or lambo gallardo. Handling could be better though.
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New Camaro drop top back seats breakkneck situatio - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
By Driver - August 25 - 8:09 pmI will not let anyone ride in the rear seats due to the lack of headrests. What is GM thinking?
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Always Something - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
By SubCoolEnt - August 24 - 2:00 amI have had my car for a couple years now. And i am overall unimpressed. Over the course of time i have had maybe 1 week worth of reliable trouble free cruising. I am 60K now, and every accessory i own on this car has given me trouble. Even the window washer projector is broke. Granted, Mechanically the engine is sound, except for the lousy brakes. But rewiring the entire interior because of some lame-broke loser thinks he should get paid more money for his job and that i should feel the wrath of his stupidity is aggrivating (can u tell?). My milage is close to 10mpg from its original 24, and i cant fix it. The V8 gets better milage. Never domestic again!
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I love this car! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
By HollywoodJose - August 24 - 2:00 amThe car drives awesome and its a great head turner when its all clean and shiny! Ive had NO problems with it and it has about 45k miles. Everything mechanical is built excellent!
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Gas Milage On Actual Usage - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
By SPCCTX - August 23 - 2:00 amYes, Ive noticed that in town stop and go driving kills the mpg, but once on the highway its much better. I have the V-6. The only thing Ive noticed is that tiny rust marks like tiny pin hole drops are all over the paint. Im not sure what happened there since I bought the car used back in Nov. 03.
