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:

• 

  Z28 Camaro - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jason Billingsley - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The Camaro and Firebird are the last off the affordable muscle cars! Who cares about the Mustang! They were only good from 64 1/2 - 70. Chevy never put a four-banger in the f-bodies! Mustangs cant hang with the f-bodies! They just dont have the power from the factory!

• 

  2002 Z28 Camaro - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Caramo - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive had more expensive sportscars in the past, but my Z28 is tops in bang for the buck. Plus I wanted to get one of the last of the breed before they were gone forever.

• 

  Lots of fun not for the inexperienced - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Lucwolf - March 27 - 2:00 am

  It goes like greased lightning, looks sharp, stops well, and is quite economical to drive. The build quality is shocking, with mismatched body panels, failed electrical equipment, wind and water leaks, and just not a quality vehicle . My dealer has been most supportive, but I am pleased that I got the extended warrantee. The power, even with traction control, makes it a handful in wet weather, and in the snow, just park it and take the bus. It has startled me a few times with unpredictable handling with no warning.

• 

  Get a Super Sport Camaro...KICK A$$ - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By oldman - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Brute force muscle as it was meant to be. This car has NO panache and never should as a true muscle car was meant to be. G.M. has sold me my last new vehicle.....My loyalty to G.M. dies in 2002 along with the Camaro. I have owned 8 of these cars and loved every one of them. Now G.M. seems more interested in selling trucks and SUVs to the lemmings of the world.

• 

  My Third Camaro - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Third Camaro Kid - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the best camaro yet. Ive had a 70 and a 77. This handles great, gets super mileage (26 MPG around town with the 3.4L V-6 and 5-Speed manual transmission). Nothing to complain about - I just enjoying driving 80-85 on the highway knowing that the car sticks to the road.

• 

  Awesome sports car...fun in Florida - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SuprSpdDB7 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  this is just a superb car!

• 

  Fun but not reliable - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Car buff 64 - March 18 - 5:35 pm

  I bought this car used with 40000 miles. Had problems with head lights , power windows and rear gasket seal after first 3 months. Needless to say I am not happy. Driving this car is a blast. Fast and handles great, a real head turner in black especially. Youll have to decide which outweighs the other, headaches or headturner.

• 

  Camaro Forever!!! - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Noir Espoir - March 16 - 4:01 am

  This car does not deserve the untimely demise GM has sentenced it to. Performance wise (and look & quality wise) this car blasts the mustang (and everything else near this sports car price range) out of the water. Fuel economy is none too good, but im willing to forgive & forget. Good fun, beautiful, reliable car. An American Classic.(this goes for the Firebird as well)

• 

  3 camaros no complaints - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By yoyo - March 15 - 11:09 pm

  A 97 SS is my third Camaro. I used to be a mustang man, but know I am a bow tie guy till the day I die. I have logged 130,000miles on Camaros and have only had to replace an electric window switch. The reason I am on my third is horse power. I started with a V-6. then traded to an LT1 and finally to an LT1 SS. I like to work on cars, even computer controled fuel injected models. The Camaros have been a dissapointment as they have loads of power and have been totally reliable. I have never had the need to crack open a motor or mess with a chasis. Ill have to keep my current Camaro forever because I certainly cant afford a Vette.

• 

  awesome vehicle - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kalamazoo - March 15 - 2:49 pm

  awesome vehicle