Chevrolet Camaro Review

2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 2dr Hatchback with SS sport pkg Shown

For nearly 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 Paris Hilton values a photo op.

Starting out in the late 1960s as an answer to the Ford Mustang, the early Chevrolet Camaro could be had in coupe or convertible form. Six or eight cylinders spun the rear wheels, and the handsome styling had kids feverishly sketching tributes during study hall. High-performance versions included the Z/28 (a road racer that sported a hyperactive 302-cubic-inch V8 and a sport suspension) and the SS (essentially a muscle car that could be had with up to 396 cubes of thumping V8 power).

At the dawn of the 1970s, a redesigned Chevy Camaro emerged, available only in a sleek coupe body style. As that decade progressed, the Camaro's performance diminished while body graphics and spoilers, as if to compensate, grew more extroverted. A T-top roof option boosted the fun factor by offering a convertible-like experience.

The third-generation Chevrolet Camaro appeared for 1982, wearing a lighter hatchback body with a wedge-shape design. Although performance of this generation was weak at first, handling was a strong point and by mid-decade, powerful V8s dropped quarter-mile times to the sub-15-second range and a convertible version returned.

Staying true to its heritage, the fourth-generation Camaro, which bowed in 1993, still offered V8 power, a rear-drive chassis, swoopy styling and a choice of a coupe or convertible. It also offered more than 300 horsepower and 13-second quarter-miles in Z28 and SS form.

Though an outstanding performance bargain, this Camaro became increasingly aged as the years went by. For many consumers, it came across as unrefined and even crude, especially when compared to other sport coupes and convertibles. Sales were weak, and Chevrolet finally pulled the plug after 2002.

However, no nameplate with this much heritage and brand awareness can stay dead for long. An all-new Camaro, complete with a muscular V8 and retro styling, is slated to return to Chevrolet showrooms for the 2009 model year.

Most Recent Chevrolet Camaro

Running from 1993-2002, the last 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 V8. A 30th-anniversary model was crafted for 1997, complete with old-school white paint, orange hood stripes and houndstooth upholstery.

A midcycle refresh took place for 1998 with a new front-end look and powerful new "LS-1" 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. Ironically, 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).

In our 2001 comparison test of a Camaro Z28 versus a Mustang GT Bullitt, the Z28 had the advantage in a straight line (zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds, quarter-mile in 13.8) and even edged out the Mustang on a road course-style racetrack. But the Ford won the comparo, as it was more user-friendly on the track and on the street, thanks to more compact dimensions, better outward visibility and a more communicative chassis. It also had better seats. Still, there was no denying the allure of the Z28's more muscular V8 and sharper styling.

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.

Past Chevrolet Camaro Models

The previous generation (1982-'92) Camaro was slow out of the blocks but soon blossomed into a road burner. At first, this hatchback coupe came in three trims (base, luxury Berlinetta and Z28) and power ranged from a 90-hp, 2.5-liter inline-4 to a 165-hp 5.0-liter V8. A four-speed manual and three-speed automatic backed those engines up.

Mid-decade saw the debut of the Iroc-Z (a higher-performance Z28 that featured fat 16-inch tires and a tighter suspension), engine options up to 225 hp (5.7-liter V8) and the addition of a gear to each transmission. Sub-15-second quarters with the 5.7 were possible, and the Z28 and Iroc-Z were known for their tenacious road-holding. By the time this generation ended, the Berlinetta and Iroc-Z were gone, the convertible and RS were back and a Z28 with the 5.7 V8 was producing 245 hp.

Those considering one of these Camaros would be wise to avoid the first couple of years, as the engines were dogs in terms of both performance and reliability, and build quality was hit or miss.

For more information on these and even older Chevrolet Camaros, go to our Chevrolet Camaro history page.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.