One of the most iconic and the very first muscle car from Chevrolet, Camaro was first launched in 1967. It was continuously produced for four generations until 2002 when the Boisbriand plant, where it used to be manufactured, was shut down. Officially developed as a rival to Ford Mustang, it is also fondly remembered as a classic pony car. Several decades-old Camaro has been restyled more than a few times. The first-gen looked like a European style muscle car, while, the second generation changed the dynamics and followed the aesthetics of Ferrari. The fourth-gen attempted to reunite with the roots and brought the muscle back. It is one of the reasons why Camaro is the best muscle car you can buy right now.
The fourth-generation models entered production in the year 1992 and ran through 2002. Launched in 1993, they were conceived as concept cars before being publically launched. The 4th gen shared more than one thing with Pontiac Firebird. They came in coupé and convertible with 2+2 seating, equipped with the options of V6 engine, 6 cylinder V8 and RWD. In 1998, Chevrolet added 5.7L V8 small block LS1 engine in Camaro, Corvette, and other high-performance cars, which remained till 2002. LS1 was probably the coolest thing about a 4th gen Camaro, well that and the speed!
Although the Camaros from the fourth generation are believed to be reliable, there are a decent number of cons to them too. Find out more pros and cons of buying a fourth-generation Camaro below.
Pro: Strong Engine Options, Fast Stock LS1
The fourth-generation brought power and speed on the table. The 1998 model was modified with a 5.7 liter LS1 V8 small block engine, which churns 305 hp in a Z28. The 2001 Camaro SS took the power to 325 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
These models are known for their speed. The 2001 Z28 can hit 0 to 60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds with LS6 power train modification and upgraded cylinder. The 2002 Camaro Z28 SS can sprint from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds. If you maintain it well, or, go wild and modify it, in a few years time you might be able to sell it on much higher prices than you bought for!
Con: Gas Mileage & Ride
The 4th gen Camaros are not very fuel-efficient. They deliver around 15 to 17mpg in the city and 20 to 28 mpg on the highway as per FuelEconomy. When you are driving mostly on open, straight roads, you might find slightly better mileage than when you are driving twisty two-lane roads. Several times, drivers have complained about their excessive oil consumption, especially by V8 engine. This is why the Chevrolet Camaro's future is so uncertain!
Rides feel a bit bumpy on tricky road surfaces. Although they are lightweight, many drivers feel it’s hard to maneuver them, according to Camaroz28dotcom. They are not very great on snow either. If you live at a place that has snow all around the year, you might want to opt for another car.
Pro: Fun To Drive, Looks & Great Handling
Regardless of any generations, Camaro has always been fun to drive. The 4th generation models are light and on point. They can hold their own on roads. They steer precisely and are practical. No doubt Camaro turns heads, the fourth generation models more so. They got a massive makeover during this period. 2002 was the last year before Camaro was discontinued for some time. To celebrate this, the 35th anniversary package was introduced. The package had all the Camaros painted Rallye Red, with silver stripes. If you buy a used ’02 Camaro car with the 35th package, they have traction control, Hurst short throw shifter, and a few other cool features.
These 4th gen cars handle well on all sorts of surfaces, save snow. They do not ask for too much maintenance or service. They are meant to be driven hard, but, if you respect the power, they will last longer than most of the popular muscle cars.
Con: Space & Difficult To Work On
The interior space is not optimum. They have enough space in the front, but the back seats are not comfortable for adults or taller people. On top of this, the trunk space is rather small too. If you ever wondered why these are some of the reasons why Chevy Camaro is losing the muscle car war. Some owners also said that it's really difficult to work upon the fourth-gen Camaros. Although all of this is not extremely satisfactory data, at this price point, it’s hard to beat. 4th gen Camaro is not a very good option if you want to use it as a family or a long drive car. However, if you want to look cool, have fun, bask in Z28 LS1 or LS6 magic and experience the mind-blowing speed and power this thing possesses, this is the car for you.