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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  There are better cars out there - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Nate B - January 30 - 2:00 am

  well this car is pretty suprising in the power department w/ 200 hp/tq. Terrible handling car in every situation but the sun. very light backend so its easy to slip on just about everything. i got car w/ 20000 miles on it and had lots of problems and replacement parts. decent gas mileage. actually can carry alot of cargo (very suprising). dont try to take road trip in this car. very uncomfortable for long periods of time. backseats are pretty much useless and uncomfortable. read on

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  camaro ss - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hart - January 27 - 2:00 am

  no problems here the perfect every day driver owner of a 2002 camaro ss

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  Bought it new - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dr.Wyman of Woburn - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Was my dream car then and still is today. Famos quote "You can own fastest car in the world but you can always build and/or find a Chevy that can beat it."

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  bring it back - 1993 Chevrolet Camaro
  By josh bardin - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Z28 for almost 4 years and have 183,000 miles on it. The LT1 is so reliable. It still has original plugs,fuel filter,serp belt and hoses. I take care of the car but dont baby it-5000 rpm is pretty common. Burns no oil,but does leak a little-big deal- still beats almost any import on the road and still gets over 23 mpg at 75+mph. Toyota-like reliability.

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  what i think of the camaro - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bretter - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I think its a good car, has very good gass mileage, comfortible, travels nicely, all around good car!

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  Guys let the finger from the V8 - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By D. - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for 3 month and lost almost $3000. Let built a used engine in they didt got it running right. Sold it for $1900 just to get rid of it. The V8 has alwys problems with the cooling, because is has only electric cooling. It works fine with a V6 and a stick shift does the speed. The V8 takes all place and the engine gets hot. Only one tip one of the fans is connected to the AC, so have the AC on at all times.

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  150mph Convertible is fun - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Cyburbs - January 13 - 2:00 am

  The 1995 Camaro Z28 Convertible is fun to drive fast with the top down. The biggest problem is the 460L Automatic that comes with a stock 2.73 differental ratio which means at slow speeds, no matter how big the engine is, the trans wants to downshift when you hit the pedal a little hard. The gearing however gets great gas mileage when you are able to drive within the speed limits, which is difficult for this car to do! The engine is bullet- proof, but a little drippy in the driveway. The rag top is starting to get ragged, but this Camaro looks like it is speeding even when it is parked.

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  Good while it lasted. - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dave GG - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Great car, but transmission problems after 30K miles. Once the warranty ran out, Chevy abandoned me, wouldnt stand behind their work and raked in the repair bucks.

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  My Dream Car - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By sdream696 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Camaros have always been a favorite of mine, and my car has only reinforced this attitude. My friends and family know that my car is a part of Chevrolet, American history. Never before or since could you get this sort of bang for the buck! I paid $24K in Sept. of 1998, and have absolutley NO COMPLAINTS. No problems, excellent performance, and great quality. Five summers of fun, fun, fun... GM did their homework on these cars... I will keep my car so that my kids will someday know what a musclecar really is. Oh yeah, it eats V-8 Mustang Cobras for lunch. :-)

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  Camaro SS - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By TommySS - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Best bang for the buck - ever. Solid car, no rattles/squeaks/leaks. Extremely fast, very sure-footed.