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:

• 

  Best Bang for the Buck! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 99SS - March 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car used with 30k miles, and I now have over 80k miles. I have not had 1 problem with the car, and trust me I use it to the extreme. I run nitrous on the car, full exhaust, intake, and gears. The car takes a beating and keeps coming back for more!

• 

  You like sports cars? Youll love this. - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Teresa Miller - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I love cars very low to the ground & corner well with speed. I live on a gravel road that is not well maintained & the car has held up & is as good as the day I bought it. Mine has the ground effects which makes it very sharp & stylish.

• 

  95 Z28 Very Fast!!! but Problematic. - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Johnny-Speed-Racer - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle new back in 95 and w/ 51,000K I dont drive it very much... My A4 Transmission is problematic and a 4L40E Nightmare!!! 8 times rebuilt. Other than that, its a High Performance Z with every SLP bolt-on including a Level One Handling Package. Its an Ultra Quick Street Car, and a really fun car to drive. With 26 years Driving Experience, My Z can outrun, outperform, or at least hang with anything with 4 wheels on the street or Highway. I still Love the Car!

• 

  Best Fun Car Value - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jachevy28 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Own a 2002 Z28. This is my 3rd Camaro, first Z28. My previous one was basically totaled after being hit in the drivers door by a drunk driver, I walked away. My Camaros have been unbelieveably reliable for the amount of mileage I drive, are extremely fun, and have a lot of features than many high-end cars dont even have, all for a great value.

• 

  Gins View - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Gin - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I love my Camaro. It is the best handling car I have ever had the pleasure to own. I got an offer to sell it, but I just cant tell them an asking price. I dont think I could sell my favorite driving machine. Even my thirteen year old nephew wants me to keep it for him to have it as his first vehicle. I dont think so! No first time driver needs this sporty a car for his first car, not even my nephew. Hope this review helps more people appreciate workmanship and style of older cars. There are more Camaros in this area than I care to count, but that just means people here have the best cars.

• 

  Its an SS, its fast!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By fcitori - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Cant beleive they dont sell more of these cars. The thing is dam fast with 345hp option. What stock car on the street is faster? Ok, for under 50K, NONE!!!!

• 

  Great car for the money - 1993 Chevrolet Camaro
  By pat lippy - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car when I could finally afford the insurance. Love to hop in and drive in the summer - especially after cleaning, washing, and waxing. No fun in the winter. I have to make alternative plans to go to work but thats OK - just a minor inconvenience.

• 

  Mid life Camaro crisis - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bugwart - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun! I have had many sports cars - British, and Italian. The Camaro handles with the best of the them. Little body roll, and very predictable. The torque lets you move the rear end around at will. All in all, a fun car!!

• 

  zed2k - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Zed - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Car is not running right now, but with 2,000 $ of engine repairs, it should be back to normal. (That would be taken off my selling price.) Assuming repairs are made, car is fun, extremely quick with no soup-ups, and a great color. Problems include the 103K miles on the car.

• 

  2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Brian Patterson - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car by far is the best bang for the buck on the market. Its unfortunate that they are no longer being made, but that just means that the prices will drop a little, and more people will be able to afford, and enjoy such a unique car as this.