2010 Chevrolet Camaro test drive

[Val]

by Aaron Gold


The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is easily the most-anticipated new car of the 2010 model year, with head-turning styling, gobs of power, and an amazingly reasonable price. Does the all-new 2010 Camaro live up to the hype? Read on. Price range $22,995 - $38,905, EPA fuel economy estimates 16-18 MPG city, 25-29 MPG highway.

First Glance: What dreams may come





Imagine you meet the girl -- or guy -- of your dreams. She, or he, is everything you ever wanted in a mate: Gorgeous looks, fantastic body, reasonable price, choice of 304 horsepower V6 or 426 hp V8. (I realize I'm pushing the metaphor a bit here, but bear with me.) She's/he's perfect! So you go out for a long drive on a twisty road... and to your complete disbelief, you find that the two of you aren't really hitting it off.

That's how it went with my 2010 Chevrolet Camaro test drive.

Let's start with the looks. Chevrolet's goal wasn't to re-create the original Camaro, as Chrysler did with the Dodge Challenger; rather they seem to want to tap into the broad appeal of the Ford Mustang. Chevy figures that about one-third of Camaro buyers will be nostalgia-seekers, and the rest will buy the Camaro because it's cool in the here-and-now -- "21st century sports car" is their term. (We'll debate that later.) There are cues from Camaros of the late 60s, but it's a thoroughly modern design, and if you think it looks cool in pictures, you should see it in person. Some cars look like they're going fast when they're standing still. The Camaro looks like it's going to beat you unconscious, put you in a silly hat, invite a couple of other Camaros over to take photos of you, then e-mail them to all your friends and co-workers. Call me crazy, but I like that in a car.

In the Driver's Seat: Cold water









If you've ever dived into an ice-cold lake on a warm sunny day, you know what it's like to climb into the Camaro's cabin after admiring the exterior. In a word: Eew. In 27 words: It's a sea of dour grey plastic, with the gauges and climate/stereo controls crammed into two small clusters as if huddling together for warmth and companionship.

At least, that was the first Camaro I drove. The second -- I drove 5 total, in case you're counting -- looked better, with a tan trim strip breaking up the ocean of grey and an auxiliary gauge pack ahead of the shifter. Chevy explained that these were pre-production cars, and that only the $22,995 Camaro LS will get the battleship treatment. Nicer Camaros (LT and SS) will have painted-polycarbonate trim, like this. Still pretty dreary, if you ask me, which is a shame -- there are some very nice design details that get lost in all that plastic. It's not as dull as the Dodge Challenger's cabin, but it lacks the retro cheeriness of the Mustang.

The short windshield gives the driver a pillbox gunner's view of the world, and the low driving position (despite a height-adjustable driver's seat) and big, broad hood make it hard to see out. Over-the-shoulder visibility is lousy, but well-shaped side mirrors make lane changing easy. Still, maneuvering in heavy traffic had me reaching for the Rolaids.

The back seat is easily accessible and comfortable for people of all shape and sizes, provided they don't have legs. And the trunk is big at 11.3 cubic feet, but the small opening means you can't actually put anything inside.

On the Road: It could have been so good...



Normally, my failure to fall in love with a car isn't that big a deal. I drive a lot of new cars, and they can't all make my heart go pitter-pat. But I fell in love with the Challenger, despite its dreadful interior and overly-cushy ride. And I fell in love with the Mustang, even though it drives more like a farm implement than a sports car. On paper, the Camaro is a better car than the Dodge or the Ford. And yet... to put it bluntly, Camaro, I'm just not that into you.

Now, it's not as if I disliked the Camaro. I'm a huge fan of the styling, the power of the V6, and the noises from the V8. I was impressed with the comfortable ride and pleasant around-town demeanor, especially in the six-cylinder car. And I'm all over the value. Think about it: 304 hp for $23k. That's $1,300 less than a top-of-the-line Honda Civic! And 426 hp for $31,000? You won't find more bang-for-buck than that. Still, it was clear that neither one of us was going to invite the other up to our apartment after the test drive. (And not just because the Camaro wouldn't fit through the door.)

I know a lot of people are going to fall in love with the Camaro, and I'm glad -- this is a gorgeous car, and I can't wait to see it on the road and listen to it go by. I'd even like to try a second date, if Chevrolet will let me borrow another one (not that they're likely to after reading this review). But a long-term love connection with me and the Camaro? I'm afraid it ain't gonna happen. So much for getting everything you want.

What I liked about the Chevrolet Camaro:
- Hot Wheels styling
- Surprisingly civil and comfortable
- Excellent sounds from the optional V8
- All safety gear comes standard

What I didn't like:
- Desolate interior
- Hard to see out of
- Not a particularly great driver's car

Who should buy the Chevrolet Camaro:
Someone who wants a head-turning set of wheels, and is willing to put up with a less-than-ideal driving experience

Who should not buy the Chevrolet Camaro:
Serious sports-car fans

Details and specs:
Body style: 2-door coupe
Seating capacity: 4 (supposedly)
Trim levels: LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, 2SS
Price range (including options): $22,995 - $38,905
Base engine: 3.6 liter V6, 304 hp @ 6,400 RPM, 273 lb-ft @ 5,200 RPM
Optional engine: 6.2 liter V8, 400 hp @ 5,900 RPM, 410 lb-ft @ 4,300 RPM (SS automatic); 6.2 liter V8, 426 horsepower @ 5,900 RPM, 420 lb-ft @ 4,600 RPM
Premium fuel required? Recommended for V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Driveline: Front engine, rear-wheel-drive
EPA fuel economy estimates: 17 MPG city/29 MPG highway (V6 manual), 18/29 (V6 automatic), 16/24 (V8 manual), 16/25 (V8 automatic)
Where built: Canada
Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control
Optional safety equipment: None
Major standard features: Power windows, locks, and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, CD player
Major options: Power driver's seat, heated leather seats, alloy wheels, sunroof, 9-speaker Boston Accoustics stereo, Bluetooth, iPod adapter
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/100,000 miles powertrain, 6 years/100,000 miles outer body rust-through
Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 5 years/100,000 miles roadside assistance

Best rivals:
Dodge Challenger (there's a review done by me here in the forum)
Ford Mustang (if I remember there's a review here too)


This test drive was conducted by General Motors specialy to Fanhost.


Your thoughts on Camaro are?

[Camino]

Thanks for the write up Val, it was a fun(ny) read!...
She is pretty too look at (sort of, I'm not into the color at all).
As for the lousy visibility, while driving at high speeds & no room to make out in the back seat...that just won't work!
I still have my heart set on the '68...
click

[Val]

hehehe ...
Everytime I see one of this, I remember the first Fast and Furious movie. Vin Diesel is the best in this car. Talking about him, he's back in the 4th movie. I have a trailer anywhere here in the forum.

[Camino]

Aren't there any older Camaro's in Brazil? There are a few of the them here in town where I live. I can hear them coming down the road from about a mile (1.609344 km) away, bye the time they go past my house, I have to go change my panties!

[Val]

Originally Posted by Camino

bye the time they go past my house, I have to go change my panties!

You will change your pants when listen to this engine in action:

http://forums.fanhost.com/culture-sp...highlight=star

Have fun!