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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  This car is great - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By aSH Housewares - January 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my third and greatest Camaro I have owned. It has a shark-like aerodynamic body and torquey motor underthe hood. It is a superior car as a daily driver and it does me good at the track every once in awhile.

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  Love that Z - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 6speedz28 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car. It handles well, brakes well, and definitely knows how to get out of the way when necessary. In fact, all the cars that I leave at the line look surprised when they catch up and find a female driving. The 6-speed manual transmission is a nice "upgrade" from the 5. My only issue with it is the annoying skip- shift "feature" that dumps you into 4th from 1st if your RPMs arent high enough. Yuck. Also, GM should have put larger rotors on this car because the ones that come stock warp in no time. But thats okay, the dealership gets to pay for mine for 100K miles. :) I love my Z. Shes a lot of fun.

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  Underrated - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PreZ - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my Camaro for a four and a half years. I think the car is underrated. The engine is solid and has been reliable for all 117,500 miles. It also gets better mileage than many cars. Ive gotten nearly 35 miles to the gallon on interstae trips. It does have the five speed. Sure it has a few quirks, but nothing major. Dont forget, this is a Camaro. For the money its hard to beat. I still get many complements. Unfortunately I wont be able to get a new one, so Ill be looking for a 2001-2002 Z28 for my next vehicle.

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  wow, what can I say. - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rotwiler - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I had 2 Mustang GTs before this 02 Z28 and the Camaro blows them away in every way. I am like a kid with a new toy, the car is fast and fun and price was excellent. The seats leather is great quality and superior to my 00 Monte Carlo SS or the previous Mustangs I owned. I may have to keep this car forever. The Monsoon sound system is great and the T tops are a great addition for the summer. And for the fully loaded Z28 with every option but traction control, 19,000 was a steal (had 2,000 miles on it).

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  Camaro SS - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Symanski41 - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Pure performance at a reasonable cost.

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  Destorys the Mustang - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Eric_20 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This car performs great. I live in a quite small city with less than 50000 people that is overfilled with crappy mustangs. Having the only camaro convertible (while being only 20 years old) is nice because of all the constant looks. Overall, its been a great car so far and Im gonna be with it for a long time.

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  2002 SS - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BLK SS - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I Love my 02 SS.

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  Best Car in Town - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By go3wide - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the second of two Camaros I have had the pleasure of owning. The first was a Z28 (with the LT1), this a standard coupe (with the L36 V6). Both are a pleasure to drive. The L36 is surprisingly powerful even at the factory rated 200hp at the flywheel and 3.08 rear. Both cars have the 4L60E 4 speed automatic trannine, that has near perfect shift, especially at WOT. The L36 car has the increased benefit of bieng more inexpensive to maintain and insure, and still is a head turner at the car show and at the track. Both cars have plenty of aftermarket and custom performace products that they can share with the obvious exception being the motor.

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  One of the best sport coupes ever - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By NRGZ28 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for over 4 years now and Ive enjoyed every day of it. I will never sell it or let it rot like others.

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  Over 310hp+25mpg+23k= A steal!! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Musashi - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car over a year ago. The LS-1 engine really was the main factor. However, the whole car is just a good package with a lot of potential. Great looks, goes like bat out of hell, and I got 25.5mpg on a trip to Pennsylvania with the a/c on! The stock Z-28 leaves with a lot of options on how you want the car to perform. Its a great base for autocrossing, open tracking, or drag racing. The aftermarket industry has a lot to offer. And getting help over the net is easy with sites like ls1.com and ls1tech.com Overall, an inexpensive car with tons of potential.