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:
Showing 771 through 780 of 980.00-
camaro SS 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
By samson O - January 12 - 2:00 amThis is my third 4th gen. F-body, and no doubt the best one i have driven. It is equiped with the optional revised bilstein suspension and high performance exhaust. Performance is exceptional for an automatic, offers unusually strong accelerations. Suspension is surprisingly good, very little body roll holds corners tightly and feels better on rough roads then my previous f-bodies. High marks for its velvety zo6 like exhaust note. Paint finish is excellent. Inside is somewhat cheap with the occasional rattle fixed by the dealership, annoying axle noise, metallic ticking noise from aluminum drive shaft during change of gears.
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Total Blast for under $15000!!!!!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
By Dmonte3 - January 12 - 2:00 amWhat a blast to drive! Pop out the T- tops, crank up the tunes, and find the road with the most curves! People often disrespect the V-6 Camaro, favoring the V-8. Those are the ones who have never driven one! Granted, its not a 305 horse monster like the Z-28, but the lighter V-6 placed nearly under the dashboard helps for much better weight disribution and go-cart like handling. The car has enough power to be fun, yet is quite controllable and predictable. It isnt a Z-28 but then again, it has nothing to prove....only to impress!
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1996 Camaro Z28/LT1/6 Speed - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
By Aaron McIntosh - January 12 - 2:00 amThough i find the vehicle very fun to drive...the fuel economy is bad, it might have been a better car if the dealership had told me it was in 5 accidents before with over $30,000 dammage plus it was once stolen. And I paid $15,045 Canadian for it and it still goes like hell the only time I see a 5.0L is in the mirror. Although I am trying to bring this car back to the dealer (myself and my lawyer) I will deffinetly buy another.P.S. DONT EVER BUY A CAR FORM REG MIDGLEY MOTORS IN COLVILLE BRITISH COLUMBIA.
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Love It But Will It Start? - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
By rlematta - January 10 - 2:00 amI went from a 90 Vette to the V6 coupe with t-tops, power everything. I didnt choose the dual exhaust option with tighter steering for only a couple hundred, I recommed that. The car has not started 5 times in 3 years, 2 new batteries, new neg terminal(s), still has problems. But when it works it is nice.
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I love this car!!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
By TattoodFool - January 10 - 2:00 amI have never had so much fun driving a vehicle! And its very affordable.
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camaro z28 - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
By dangerisland - January 8 - 2:00 amfast,goodlooking and smooth.did i menton that its fast
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Bat out of Hell...whos too sick to fly - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
By MarioZ - January 7 - 2:00 amI bought my 1994 Z28 with 27K miles on it. The car has got to be hands down, the most fun you can get for 8K. But man, the repairs on these cars are KILLER! I had a distributor go bad in this car and it was over 1000 dollars to fix ( part was 640 and labor 440). Then the starter..( another 520 with diagnostic), then the water pump ( 640 dollars), then the intake manifold gasket ( 300)...This car will eat you alive financially..but whne it runs..its the most fun you can have by any means. If you plan on buying one, you are rolling the dice. Its a thrill to drive ( and gamble) but theres a good possibility it will cost you thousands over the life of the car.
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keep your 4th gen... - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
By zerogsx - January 2 - 2:00 amTorque monster L98. Mine was a Heritage Edition Z28, Bright Red with Black stripes. One of the more timeless designs to ever come from an auto styling studio- though Im not crazy about the hi-rise F40-style rear spoiler of 91-92. It was my daily driver for years and it only needed tires and a small oil leak fix covered under warrantee. No rattles/squeaks at all with subframe connectors and no t- tops. Ive owned a total of 5 third generation FBodies and loved them all. Traded it in for a 96 Z28/SS 6-speed and regret every second of it (but I needed a manual transmission!).
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Last of the Beasts - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
By Normy - December 31 - 2:00 amBeatiful sleek styling....immense torque, good handling. A true high-tech muscle car..comfortable, reliable...alot of bang for the buck. Long live the F-body !
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Camaro is a fantastic sports car - 1993 Chevrolet Camaro
By EM - December 30 - 2:00 amWould definetly buy another Camaro, or GM product, they are fantastic cars. GM builds the highest quality. No tune up needed for the first 100000, very impressive, and no problems. Its probably one of the best cars on the market today, which bugs the competition. Performance, handling and sport feel make this car fun to drive. Still runs great, looks great, and handles great in 2003.
