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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  Stick shift sticks it to you - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bill - March 30 - 10:40 am

  The manual transmission forces the driver to shift from first to fourth a great deal of the time. The owners manual dictates it and states that if you dont follow the instruction to do so your transmission can be damaged. This negates the primary reason I bought a stick shift to begin with. If you want a stick, beware of this dictated shift pattern. I assume it is to help meet government milage standards, but it ruins the purpose of the stick.

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  #1 in American Muscle - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CowboyVike - March 18 - 3:53 pm

  Stop the whining. Either you are man enough to own a Z28 or youre not. You know exactly what you are getting when you purchase one. Sure, you sacrifice some comfort. But you are getting the sharpest, fastest muscle car built in 2001. I love the feeling you get when you step on the gas, Also, with and upgraded exhaust system you get the best muscle car sound around. As I said earlier, you know what to expect when you buy a Z28. If guts and muscle, with very good looks, are what you are looking for, then you made the right choice. This is definitely not your mothers Mustang!

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  I Cant Believe They Stopped Production - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By sabshga - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Getting a new job that would have me driving 90 miles a day, I wanted something fun and handsome. I test drove every car from $21 to $35K. What can I say, convertible, 5.7 litre, V8, 310 HP with leather and a 500 watt stereo for $30K with 0% financing for 60 months. How can you drive an A4, a 325, (shiver) an X-type or a Mustang when you can drive this. Hit the gas and your head hits the back of the seat. I love this car.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned bar none - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bryon - December 26 - 5:29 pm

  The complaint about rear visibility is true. As far as any sports car enthusiast is concerned, or any real driver for that matter, it doesnt matter. After only a few times of driving this car you will figure it out. It requires you to drive the car, really. And that is exactly why you would buy this car. The Gen 6 Camaro is the new Corvette, its that good. When Corvette begins to produce the Zora in 2018, this will be the car that takes its place. This car is so much fun and has so much power for a stock sports car, it should probably be illegal. God bless America. Be sure you get a good radar detector when you purchase this car. You are going to need it. I now have 10,000 miles on mine, because I bought it to drive it. I simply cant stop driving it. Its not my daily driver, so I can hardly wait for the weekend. Everyone, and I mean everyone who sees it or hears it falls immediately in love with the car. The only thing I dont like about the car is the decals used for the stripes. Even my wife who doesnt really appreciate sports cars normally loves this car. Enough said.

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  Beautiful Sporty Classic - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ambuter ambuter - December 20 - 9:43 pm

  Great Fun meets Great quality, a quality car from Bumper to Bumper. If this car gets your blood racing then you would love owning this Classic Camaro.

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  Awesome car. - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By boyracer - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This car has had zero defects. It exceeds my highest expectations. It handles well, interior ergonomics (except seating position-Im 62") are right where they should be. Im happy with fuel economy and tightness of vehicle. This car is a winner.

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  Great car..... - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Zecho - November 26 - 9:40 pm

  ... however there is a petition to have the LS1 engine recalled due to the fact that the #1 and sometimes the #2 cylinder is over-bored causing the engine to knock. Almost every LS1 engine that GM put into the Camaro, Corvette, or Truck has this problem. GM has chosen to ignore this much the same as they have other problems in the past, some of which have cost people their lives. I still love the car but, I will not buy another car with the LS1 engine until this problem has been resolved.

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  Wife loves her camaro - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Randy Murphy - July 28 - 7:23 pm

  Her eyes light up every time she looks at it. She cant quit smiling when she drives it. So if this is how you want to feel,,, get one!!!

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  Inexpensive Hot Rod - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ranman - July 27 - 3:33 pm

  Rough ride, but made for performance. You feel the horsepower when you push it, Overall a great little car (since Im a truck guy). Bought it for my wife she loves it and to me that is all that matters. I do like to drive it, when she lets me:)

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  This car is fun - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tim Morell - July 10 - 7:24 pm

  I love being in this car...driving this car... everything about it is cool. I dont know how well it will hold up over the long run as its a new car with a new design --even a new engine (corvette engine now in the camaro). Fingers crossed. The gas mileage isnt great, but with 455 hp, what could you expect. Im averaging 23.5 mpg and getting about 420 miles on a tank of gas. Drove it from North Carolina to S. Florida and up and down the florida interstate every day since for work. Its a blast. I love the sound system too. The tech is a bit glitchy, but Im figuring it out. Same as with any new iPhone or some such thing. Not particularly troubling.