Chevrolet Camaro reviews

1999 Chevrolet Camaro Walkaround

The Chevrolet is available in two basic levels, Camaro and Camaro Z28. They come in coupe and convertible body styles. (The Pontiac comes as the Firebird, Formula and Trans Am.) Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, dual airbags, theft-deterrent system, tilt wheel, full instrumentation and air conditioning.

The base engine is a 3.8-liter V6, and we like it a lot. Available with either a four-speed automatic or (our preference) a five-speed manual, it's rated at a robust 200 horsepower and 225 foot-pounds of torque and will rev to 6000 rpm. The 3800 Series II V6, as it's called, is well regarded and offers performance equivalent to many V8s of the not-too-distant past--without the cost, fuel economy penalty or extra insurance premium of a V8. Furthermore, the 3800 V6 is available with an optional performance handling package that includes a limited-slip differential, dual exhaust, P235/55R16 tires on alloy wheels, quicker steering ratio and, if equipped with the automatic transmission, a 3.42:1 axle instead of the standard 3.08:1 ratio. There is also a sport appearance package that includes alloy wheels and special body trim.

Those wanting more performance can opt for the LS1 5.7-liter V8-powered Z28. Modified slightly from the engine developed for the new Corvette, and rated at 305 hp and 335 lb.-ft. of torque, this aluminum powerhouse makes the Camaro a genuine high-performance car (especially if equipped with the six-speed manual transmission), that's capable of well over 150 mph, right off the showroom floor.

Standard with the Z28 are the tires and wheels of the sport appearance package, a performance handling suspension, limited-slip differential and the all-important 155-mph speedometer. If wretched excess is your game, order the Camaro SS with forced air induction and the output soars to 320 hp, accompanied by further suspension upgrades and massive P275/40ZR-17 tires. There isn't another car within $10,000, and doggone few within $20,000, that can stay with it.

The Camaro does an admirable job of keeping all this power hooked up to the pavement. The reason: Its chassis features upper and lower control arms in front, which keep the tires in better contact with the road than the more popular struts. A live axle is used in the rear and it's one of the best live axles because it's well-located by a long torque arm, trailing links and a Panhard rod. Springs are coils, and there are front and rear anti-roll bars. This is one very capable high-performance car. Compared to its most likely and obvious competitor, the Ford Mustang, the Camaro accelerates better, stops better and gets around corners a whole lot better, all due to its superior chassis.

The brakes are big four-wheel discs, with plenty of cooling ability for enhanced fade resistance. ABS is optional. Steering is by power rack-and-pinion.

In our view, the most attractive aspect of the Camaro is the performance for the money. We'll even put in a few words here about the Camaro with the 3.8-liter V6. The Mustang is also offered with a base 3.8-liter V6 engine, but while the Camaro V6 makes 200 hp and revs to 6000 rpm, the Mustang runs out of wind at 150 hp and won't come close to 6000 rpm. So, V8 to V8, or V6 to V6, the Camaro (and the equivalent Firebird), simply runs away from the Mustang.