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:

• 

  Fun to drive RS Camaro 2010 - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By William Monteiro - December 29 - 11:43 am

  This car is fun to drive and when you park it expect to draw a crowd. I have had entire families walk over and ask to look at this car from the Dad to the youngest child.We own a Victory red with black stripes Rally Sport the car is a head turner. I actually watched a guy taking a right turn hit the curb looking at this car forgetting to straighten out his car. So if you want a car that will be a collectors item get your hands on a 2010 Camaro !

• 

  clean - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ERNEST - December 26 - 2:00 am

  the car runs great

• 

  Kickass - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By shadowss - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive stock, the I put Heads/Cam/Headers/Custom Programming and some Drag Tires. Now I have 430RW and this car is INSANE!

• 

  Z28 Guy - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Quicksilver - December 20 - 2:00 am

  At 5000+ feet above sea level completely stock Z28, my first G-Tech scored 5.42 seconds 0-60. This car is tough. The best styling is the rear quarters and tail pipe design. I grew to dislike the front head lights-- reminiscent of the new dodge sedans. This was the ultimate entry level sports car.

• 

  Super Sport - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Quicksilver - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Within the 4 months that I owned the vehicle, I fell in love with it. This was my dream car, and it proved to be worthy of that title. It worked for me because absolutely no modifications were needed! It scared away almost everything...stock!

• 

  Camaro WAS a good value sporty car - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By H Thomas - December 20 - 2:00 am

  It is obvious that the editors have too huge a bias against american Hobby cars. They should have recuesed themselves from rating cars they just dont like. These are not world class touring cars, but for the money they have provided tons of fun both in the driving and in the modifications.

• 

  Last of the Red Hot SS Camaros - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Raidersfan - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I have been both very happy with my driving experience and happy with my dealers who have helped maintain this car. I live and work in San Francisco which is a very car unfriendly place to drive. My 99 six speed SS has handled the steep bumpy hilly terrain admirably. The car has been maintained at a local dealer and with 65,000 miles has not experienced any problems. We dont have any plans on selling this car. When the time comes we will retire it to part time duty. Our trouble will be replacing it with something as exciting as this SS.

• 

  My Camaro bliss. - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mark Rider - December 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new. 113,000 miles with no problems. The only glitch is minor- slight corrosion on an aluminum rim is said to be the cause of a slow tire leak. Cannot bear to part with the car.

• 

  Fun Car to Drive - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Zipponator - December 18 - 2:00 am

  I have an RS 6 cylinder model Camaro. The car is very fun to drive and has plenty of power for a V6. I would recomend this car to many people, except for people who might have a tough time gettin into and out of a regular car. Camaros, and its sister car the Firebird, are not real easy to get into or out of. I would say that is its only real draw back. The only other real draw back would be the fuel economy from the V6 model. My Camaro gets around 18 mpg in a combination of street and highway driving. That is any where from 5 to 10 mpg less than I thought I would get. Other than those two liitle items, I really love my convertible camaro.

• 

  VERY FUN! - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Friggedy - December 15 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the funest car Ive had so far. Its got the big 350 5.7 Liter and its pushing about 250hp. You cant ask for more. The gas mileage isnt that great, only about 250 on the highway and about 200 city but thats minor compared to the rest of the car. Its totally loaded, I would buy another one in a heartbeat!