1997 Chevy Camaro Review
1997 Chevy Camaro Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
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Pros
- Powerful engines, great styling, excellent performance value, standard ABS
Cons
- Cheesy interior trimmings, macho image
What’s new
Chevrolet celebrates the Camaro's 30th Anniversary with a special-edition Z28 that emulates the appearance of the 1969 SS Indy Pace Car with white paint, Hugger Orange stripes, and black-and-white houndstooth seat inserts. Interior revisions to seats, center console and dashboard freshen the look inside for 1997. Two new shades of gray are available for interiors, while exteriors get new green and purple hues. Tricolor taillamps debut, and new five-spoke alloy wheels are optional. On the safety front, daytime running lights are standard and side-impact regulations are met.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro RS 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$200/mo for Camaro RS
Camaro RS
vs
$184/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
"From the country that invented rock n' roll," claimed the advertisements for this Quebec, Canada-built sport coupe when it was redesigned in 1993. A small technicality, we suppose, but there are no technicalities when it comes to the Camaro's performance abilities, particularly in Z28 guise. The Z is blazingly quick, holds the road tenaciously, costs less than the average price of a new car in this country, and gets decent gas mileage when it's not being hammered along a twisty two-lane road.
For 1997, Camaro buyers will note few visual changes to their favorite pony car. Tri-color taillights debut, snatched from export models of the Camaro. Five-spoke aluminum wheels are newly optional, as well. Two new exterior colors join the paint roster; Bright Green Metallic and Bright Purple Metallic. Interiors are slightly revised, with new seat contours, a revised center console that now includes four cupholders, and a slightly restyled instrument panel. Radios are new, and a 12-disc CD changer is optional.
The Camaro celebrates its 30th birthday this year, and Chevrolet will release a special-edition Z28 to commemorate the event. Painted white with Hugger Orange stripes, the 30th Anniversary Camaro will sport a white interior with black-and-white houndstooth inserts. White leather is optional. Like other 1997 Camaros, daytime running lights will be standard on this limited production model. Yeah, like someone won't see this white and orange fire-breathing Z28 coming down the road.
The base Camaro engine is the 3800 Series II V6, which makes 200 horsepower. That's 45 more ponies than Ford's Mustang can produce. Phased in during the 1995 model year, the 3800 V6 can be mated to a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. With a manual, this powerplant gets the Camaro to 60 mph nearly as quickly as a Ford Mustang GT. In fact, the existence of this powerplant makes a strong argument for avoiding the higher insurance rates and prices of the Z28. An optional Performance Handling Package puts bigger tires, alloy wheels, tighter steering, four-wheel disc brakes and a limited slip differential on the V6 Camaro.
From a bang-for-the-buck standpoint, the Z28 is unbeatable. A Corvette-derived 5.7-liter V8 gets 285horsepower to the pavement through the rear wheels. The SS version of the Z28 makes 300 horsepower, thanks to a big air scoop on the hood that forces cool air into the engine. SLP Engineering, known for working magic with GM's F-bodies since the late '80s, does the conversion work on the Z28 SS. See your dealer for details.
The interior of the Camaro is functional, if not slightly garish. The Camaro holds a respectable amount of gear in the cargo hold (more than 33 cubic feet of space with the generally useless rear seats folded down), and airbags and antilock brakes are standard. More mature drivers can order traction control, but that option defeats some of the fun of Chevy's ponycar: smoky, adolescent burnouts that leave the drivers behind choking on charred Goodyears.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Chevrolet Camaro.
5 star(77%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(3%)
43 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.75 out of 5 stars
1997 Camaro Z28 30th anniversary (z4c)
racerbane09, 10/02/2012
1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 2dr Coupe
i was searching on craigslist for a t-top z28, 93-97 body style since imo looks the meanest of all the camaros. when i ran into a white with hugger orange stripes z28 coupe. i checked it out in person and i was stunned at how cool it looked!
....tho its an old car, i have had plenty of people old and young tell me how cool my car is. tho the best complement was indirect by a kid, "cool … mom look i want a car like that".
.. performance wise car deff puts me back in my seat the auto is very responsive and car is just a head turner even with the imperfect paint and stripes. bought for 5400 and has been an awsome purchase so far only problems besides cosmetics are a bad radiator cap, later radi
4.63 out of 5 stars
These 5.7's are monsters.
The Z28 Guy, 11/26/2009
1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 2dr Coupe
Simply an awesome car. The 5.7's are torque monsters and are very fast for a 1997 muscle car. LT1's have more torque as compared to the LS1's higher top end, but if you ask me, I'de take torque over top end any day. Replaced water pump, optispark, and starter which is completely understandable. Put on aftermarket cold air intake, throttle body, headers and exhaust which unleashed the … true beast under the hood. After putting on bolt on's I began using Castrol EDGE and it went from 288 HP to 318 HP on the dyno. If you want to help the 5.7 breath better and reach it's full potential than it is a must to put on a top of the line cold air and exhaust. Find one that is well maintained and buy it!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Very Fun Car
TomcatMF, 04/22/2009
1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 2dr Coupe
This car is a blast to drive. The acceleration is tremendous, and I love the beefy exhaust note. The stock brakes were a little wanting so I upgraded to a Baer 6 piston system with bigger rotors. The engine is totally bullet proof, but just about everything else on the car has had to be fixed after 141,000 miles (Radiator, water pump, Rear axle, clutch, brakes, master cylinder) But … despite all of that, I still love this car
4.38 out of 5 stars
Impressed!
Karma, 03/18/2008
1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 2dr Coupe
Not the most comfortable car. Definitely not for long road trips. Overall it's great car. We bought it from a college student who didn't know what he had. We took her in and have begun restoration. With an all new cooling system in place this car drives like an all american muscle car should. It has a growl all it's own. Clutch is a little far for someone in short stature (I'm 5'8") but … it is worth the thrill.
1997 Camaro Highlights
Convertible
RS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $200/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 7.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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