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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  IROCZ Best of the Best - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Seges911 - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Car and Driver rated it the best handling car in the world and they werent kidding!!!

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  Love this car - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Lenny Krygier - December 30 - 2:16 pm

  This is my third Camaro, had the other 2 for 8 years each. This is a reliable car and fun to drive at rhe same time.

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  Awesome - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kiss my SS - December 26 - 2:00 am

  Love this car, excellent take off power,excellent mid range and top end acceleration. Monsoon sound system is awesome. This car brightens any day of mine when I can pull it out of the garage. Only have 20,000 miles on it so far, and have loved every one of them.

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  The 1993 Camaro - 1993 Chevrolet Camaro
  By teucer - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Bought my 93 Camaro at the dealership in which I worked in 00 the car had 64,000 miles on it. The car has a lot of low-end power, even in v6 form, because of its OHV engine layout (now rare in a market dominated by OHC imports). Only repairs performed are replacement of ball-joints, tie-rods, etc. (usual in an older car, especially in New England). 40k miles later, it has definitely proven dependable. eople will tell you its bad in the snow...those are the people you dont want to get in a car with. If know how to drive, you can drive a rear-wheel drive car in adverse weather people forget that years ago RWD was the ONLY option available.

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  Beautiful Machine - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Sweet Pea - December 21 - 2:00 am

  The car is obviously very attractive. The interior creates a cacoon around whoever is in the cockpit. The 200 hp power plant under the hood of the base model is quite a peppy engine. It does not compare to the V8 ,but if your looking for a V6... this is it! I have a flowmaster 80 series exhaust on my Camaro with two stainless steel flat tips like the Z 28, and it looks very nice. Upon start-up it sounds GREAT!!!, not as good during acceleration, but if you want to turn some heads when you turn the key, this will do the trick. Overall an excellent car, and a great buy. Take care of it, and it will last you a lifetime!!!

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  wish you were here - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Z28Rick71 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drice, especially if you crave American muscle-car performace. V8 Power, a loud exhaust, and that classic jet fighter look, although later editions of this rear-drive torque-monster have a face like the Concorde, and we are not talking about the supersonic jet here either. On long trips the harsness of the Z28 experience can get on your nerves but the gas mileage will be surprisingly good. I have gotten 26 MPG in this car! driven strictly around town expect a mere 16. especially if you have a haeavy foot.

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  Ive been spoiled - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By chris b - December 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new with 11 miles, now I have 63,000. I still love it. The only problem is the cassette player doesnt work (so what). I still get complements on it, Gas mileage is pretty good for a car with this performance. Its just as comfortable on the road as my friends Corolla or my girlfriends Accord. Why this car was discontinued and replaced with the SSR is beyond me. Ive been shopping for a new car, but nothing tops my SS, so I keep my money

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  Dont buy Chevys - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By William Jeffers - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a T-top camaro from Carmax in may of 03 and the car leaks from the t-top when it rains and when i wash it. It still had the majority of the manufactures warranty on it so I tried to have chevy fix it and they told me that t-tops will leak and that it cant be fixed. Its a characteristic of the vehicle. Beware!!!

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  2002 CHEVY CAMARO CONVERTIBLE - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By MOVE - December 10 - 2:00 am

  IVE DRIVEN CONVERTIBLES SINCE I WAS A YOUNG GIRL BUT I WANTED TO GET AWAY FROM THE CUTSIE LITTLE DEATH TRAP AND INTO SOMETHING WITH MORE STYLE AND RELIABILITY AND THE CAMARO IS IT. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATES SMOOTHLY AND LATCHES DOWN TIGHT, THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ICE COLD AND EXTRAS LIKE LUXURY CAR. THE BODY IS SEXY AND SLEEK AND THOUGH ITS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIREBIRD, IT DOESNT HAVE THE SAME PLASTICKY LOOK TO IT, THE MOLDING AND ACCESSORIES ARE VERY UNDERSTATED. THIS CAR IS SUPER FRISKY AND HAS AMAZING PICK-UP BUT STILL ITS QUIET AND EASY TO CONTROL. THIS IS THE BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED!

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  huge bang for the buck - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jerryd - December 5 - 10:00 am

  i have a triple black ss convertible and this is the first american car i have purchased since 1989. to me this is a six speed manual,nearly 4 seat corvette. i have an slp modified car with the hurst shifter, chrome ss wheels , slp free breathing exhaust and a host of other factory mods. i am extremely pleased with the engineering of this car. it is reliable, fast, steers and brakes well and if i am careful i get approx. 30 mpg...AMAZING