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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so much fun - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
By pinnpharmD - June 6 - 12:50 pmI have had this car for 2 weeks and I get a thrill every time I look at it and start it up. I cant get gas without at least 2-3 people stopping to come over and look at it. I got the imperial blue metallic with the silver stripes on the hood and trunk. So classy and that motor just makes my toes curl up in my shoes. The performance this car puts out is amazing and stuns the people I let drive it. Way to go Chevy!
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gotta love chevy - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
By sharptech - June 5 - 2:00 amThe Z28 model of the camaro in 94 my year are by far the easiest to beef up and to race. Sure mustangs have a little syle but they are more show and no go. Camaro has the best of both worlds I think personally. The best part is being able to just mod the LT1 engines. My 94 Z28 runs 7.62 in the quarter mile without the 150 shot of N2O. Running just over 650 HP its one of the fastest pro street cars I have ever owned. The only car that has touched this thing was the really modified Z06. Other than that these cars just rock.
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2001 Camaro SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
By SStunr1 - June 4 - 2:00 amI Had an Impala SS big and heavy but fast, never did I think I would trade it in for a sports car or at all. Until I started thinking this would be the last year for camaros and affordable chevy High Performance cars Since they dont make the Impala SS anymore. So I decided to test drive some camaros. I fell in love with a Black on Black SS 6 speed T- tops. Man I Loved my Impala SS but This Camaro SS really hit the spot.SS Owners Keep on Smoking them tires.
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The Last American Sports Car - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
By C. LaBianco - June 3 - 2:00 amAmid a host Italian and New Jersey jokes I bought by 98 camaro as a step up from my 93 Eagle Talon. 106,00 miles and 4 1/2 years later and I can only sing the praises of this vehicle. The styling is fantastic and GM did it without a bunch of plastic glued to the doors. The v6 200 horse engine has more power than most cars on the road today - and while it wont compare off the line to its bigger engined brothers the Z28 and SS it can easily handle speeds of 80 and higher on the highway and still get 30+ miles to the gallon. This car hugs corners like nothing Ive ever driven. I opted for the v6 200 horse only because of insurance costs.
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I like it A LOT! - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
By This is ME - May 30 - 2:00 amI am 17 years old. I Have always liked the 3rd Generation bady style, I think the 98s and above are not really very appealing at all that is why i went with the 30th anniversary 1977 edition. It is Metallic silve. A V6 3.8 i love it. 5 speed manuel
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Love my Commute - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
By Alex Gonzalez - May 28 - 7:19 pmI purchased my 14 Camaro 2SS new. Actually two of them, my first was badly wrecked from behind within seven weeks. The safety and integrity of the car held very well, If I would have been in my Corvette I may not have been so lucky. I purchased another exactly like it a few weeks later, and now its three years I have owned it. I originally purchased the car for commuting on 2 1/2 hours a days in Miami. I can now say its a uplift in my spirit to drive and makes my commute a thing to look forward too. And with no issues at all, only maintenance an easy car to own and drive.
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Poor Mans Race Car - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
By Nemesis - May 28 - 2:00 amThis beast is the best. Ive had other sports cars and this one gives the greatest bang for the buck. And best of all its easy to hood up, the plastic interior makes it a breeze to hide and install wires. And engine mods are simple. I have maybe $600 in mods and Ive beat everything from C5s to 2000 Cobras. Lost to the Viper though . . . soon enough.
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Fun, Fun, Fun, till her daddy takes the - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
By Color me gone - May 25 - 2:00 amThis Z28 has been an fun, powerful car to drive and own.
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Camaros SS - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
By Dave Doughty - May 24 - 2:00 amBest modern day muscle car/daily driver period! Nothing can match the performance and enjoyablity without spending at least $50,000-$60,000. I would be lost without this car!!!
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1995 Z28 - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
By super83Z - May 24 - 2:00 amThe car is awesome! It gets 17 MPGs around town and 24 on the highway. All this from a "gas guzzling" V-8. People need to get with the times. It gets better mileage than some 4-cylinders. The car is comfortable and beautiful. Nothing has broken with 70K on the clock tranny still shifts perfect and engine purrs like a kitten.
