Those that know me know I try to rent a different car each time I need a rental. The only exceptions to date have been a Ford Mustang (rented twice) and a Ford Fusion (3 times so far). I recently went to Pittsburgh for family issues, and instead of taking the shuttle to Monroeville from the airport and using my dad's '02 Z71 Silverado truck (he passed away, so I wound up with it but I keep it at the house in Pittsburgh), I was curious what was on the rental lot. Saw a couple of Camaros on the Budget lot, so I figured I'd grab a Camaro for a day then return it and use the pickup for the rest of the trip. Got a great deal on the price (I won't say how much of a deal other than to say it was way less than the $149 per day advertised price), and I went back to the lot to pick it up.

I didn't realize it before, but when I got to the car I realized that instead of the V6 I expected, it was actually an SS. Loaded. Sunroof. Pittsburgh'
s weather... an unseasonable 66 to 72 degrees and sunny for the next few days. Weather couldn't be better. Jackpot.

One thing you immediately notice about driving the new Camaro is that even almost a year after they hit the streets, you still get more than your share of attention in one. Going down the parkway during rush hour, it seems more cars get out of the way as you close in on them. Parking on Southside during happy hour gets you thumbs up from passing cars. A driver getting ready to leave actually came up to my car at a stop light to let me know he'd save the space for me. No I'm not sh*tting you. Homeless guy came over and complemented me on the maroon SS. Then asked me for a cigar almost as an afterthought.

Parking in my driveway in Monroeville also gathered plenty of attention in a neighborhood populated by seemingly endless AWD Subarus, SUVs, and the occasional Buick, Benz, or Honda-Toyota. Pass a high school school bus stop in the morning and you wouldn't get more attention if you had Lady Gaga hanging out the passenger window. Or a Martian.

Right now I'm sitting in Kinkos checking email in Oakland after having a couple of lemon Drops at Yo Momas, and i lost count of how many people actually stopped and looked at that damn car. If you were ever neglected at the high school dance, I've found your car.

On a more practical side, the Camaro is pretty smooth. Surprizingly so. It's ride is smooth. It's handling is smooth. The way it applies power is smooth. If drive a 4th gen LS1 Camaro, this new SS makes it feel like jumping into a G37 coupe after jockying an old Fox Mustang. Everything is effortless. Want to go quickly? Just press the gas a quarter way (anything more just makes noise). you want to impress the kids? touch the traction control button next to the power plug on the console and simply mash the pedal and do your impression of a smoky Las Vegas bar room.

I've long had issue with the new Camaro's dash. I think it's design appeal is questionable. I feel the materials are 3rd world, old GM quality. After 4 days, I feel less of the former and almost unchanged on the latter. The design of the interior actually fades away after a few hours inside. That big expance of empty plastic that's big enough to hang a framed picture on? It actually starts to look like it belongs there. those ugly guages in front of you? Your eyes become numb to. the big cheap, hard, plastic panels on the doors? When the interior lights come on, that cool light strip makes you forget how tacky it looks in daylight. Don't get me wrong, the interior still won't pass any knickle raping test. But at least the design isn't so bad that you continue to regret it as you go along. At least the steering wheel is one of the best I've ever felt. The seats aren't bad either.

One thing that I am a bit disappointed in are the Brembo brakes. Some here on this site (and others) praise Brembos as if they do everything but cure cancer. My 2002 B4C has stock brakes with ceramic brake pads. The feel and stopping ability of my B4C is easily on par, if not better than the new SS. I am now of the opinion that those "Brembo huggers" are more enthusiastic with the name than any real advantage the Brembos have. Not saying they are bad brakes. Not saying they are mediocre. I just think that these guys have that "newly released felon syndrome'... they get woodies over just about anything.

On the flip side, I thing all criticism of Camaro's handling is also overrated. The SS did everything I wanted it to. Yes, I even threw it around quite a bit. It did squeel a little where my B4C would have simply bitten and hung on, but I'm also running Nitto NT05s on my car as well. The only way of getting more bite is applying liberal amounts of industrial glue to your rims.

I found the Camaro SS very balenced, very easy to drive fast... OK... very fast...and it was comfortable to throw around in the process.

What I don't like?

The cheap interior plastics actually create an echo in the car from road noise. Something even my 2002 B4C doesn't do. The seats, while actually somewhat comfortable, are made for people a lot wider than I am. If you weigh more than 300 pounds, I found your performance car.

But that 300 pounds better be in a frame less than 5'9" tall. My head was actually on the ceiling (this car had a sunroof). Something I've never experienced before in anything other than a Bricklin.
The rear view mirror is so small that it gives you the impression that you're missing most of the rear window. But you aren't. The rear window is actually that small.

On the credit side of the ledger, the stereo is top drawer. One of the best I've heard. The 1st GM stereo that actually gave Ford's systems a serious run for the money in clairity and sound. I save the earbleed levels for the less sophisticated.

Even the mailslot of a trunk opening leads to a generous sized trunk. It's bigger than you think. However, you better have long arms. If something winds up towards the front of the trunk, you won't be seeing it for awhile. Not only does the small opening prevent you from reaching the entire trunk, the rear seat doesn't fold down so you won't be reaching it from the inside of the car either.

Overall, I've changed a lot of my opinions on the new Camaro. The car is a huge attention getter. It's an easy car to drive quickly. It's interior design isn't as bad as it looks in passing if you spend a lot of time in it. The gunslit visability even isn't nearly as bad as you'd expect. The car feels smaller than one may expect.

You can even disable the automatic lights!!! (There IS a God!!)

But GM still needs to address the interior materials (read: plastics). There is simply no excuse for an interior with this type of plastics in a day and age where the competition wears names like Infiniti and Toyota. Even Mustang and Challengers have better plastics.

I've long said that the V6 Camaro's are the planet's biggest bargains, and the ultimate steal. I've also said that the SS isn't so much so. Although I think a bit more highly of the SS (notice I didn't once mention acceleration or speed... it feels fast, but nothing that will make an LS1 driver need an underwear change) I still don't see paying the price I've seen similarly equpted SSs go for (this one was loaded save halos, and they go for around 36-38K).

I think an interior change and a fold down rear seat would go a very very long way.

But that doesn't mean I'm not impressed.

 

Nice review!

 

Great review!

one thing though... every 2010 Camaro I've been in has had the fold down rear seats....

 

I actually have one from AVIS (Red) in my driveway right now. I am going to a friends house tonight in Ft. Meyers (across the state, 2 hr drive) and am taking my 8 yr old son. We were going to take the '69 but instead we went and rented a 2SS from AVIS for the weekend. I picked it up in Ft. Lauderdale yesterday and drove it home (1 1/2 hr drive). I too was surprised at the interior, not as bad as people say. I too found the seats to be comfortable (a biggy for me since I drive long distances). I sat in the car in showrooms but this was the first time I actually got to drive it. The power is great, compares almost to my built up '69 hp. I found the car to have real nice acceleration. I heard hoar stories about the blind spots and after I adjusted the mirrors properly (most people don't) it really wasn't that bad. I was never a fan of the layout of the HVAC controls and I still don't really like them but maybe by the end of the weekend I will get used to it. I found the auto headlight switch kind of cool. I had to play with it to see what it would do. I just picked this car up and started driving and for some reason AVIS took out the owners manual. Too bad I wanted to read it. I definately think that this is the way to go if you are seriously considering buying this car. Anyway I have to go pack and go for a nice drive today. The weather is going to be around 70 and clear. Time to open the sunroof and cruise. gotta run more later...............

BTW: I am staying at my buddies house (big Camaro guy) and when I pull up in this thing he is gonna freak. Pics later

 

hahahahahahahhahaha...no fold down seat??? geeezz...and you call this a car review??? My Oshawa built car has one !!
Echo cause of the plastics?? what planet did you buy your car from?? No such thing....Seats made for a 300 pounder??? uuuhhhh...I weigh 190 and they fit me GREAT !!! Cheap plastics?? Every manufacturer is building better and better interiors...many lament about this but gotta tell you its very acceptable to most people and WAAAAAYYYYY better than most other GM interiors unless you get into Cadillac or Lacrosse levels...but look around at the industry...the interiors are pretty well similar in many ways except for VW/Audi...but you pay for it....Same price in canada for a loaded A4 4 cylinder as My SS V8...somethins gotta give kids....I have said it before>>>>GM nailed the SS and V6 wayyyyy outta the park.....I love driving my SS 6 speed....fast , sexy, and comfortable....Maybe GM is trying to get more G37 coupe drivers in the fold....?? and less Muscle car guys...Might be a good thing...that seems to be the growing demographic....
The car is NOT perfect....but if you own one you will love it the day you turn the key....works for me....

 

I thought the Brembos worked pretty well, but I see what you're saying. The whole Brembo thing as a marketing tool is coming real close to being played out IMO. I mean, it was one thing when only exotics had them, but now they are on everything.

I think the PBR's which some Corvettes use are equally good.

 

Nice read. Thanks Guy.

 

hmmmmmmm............did you have any PARTICULAR "Martian" in mind????......

 

My friends had one on a dyno and said the car won't accelerate with both the hood and trunk open? Is that true?

 

Say what?

 

I've been meaning to ask everyone here about that.

 

 

Took the car back today and flew out of 70 degree Pittsburgh (into a 2 hour delay, 20-something degree, snowing) Chicago less than a couple of hours later. Wanted to add a some more things to my observations and comments made.

Budget also took out the owner's manual. I found this out when I was desparately looking for the fuel door switch so I could refill the fuel tank before turning the car back in. I didn't find it, didn't have time to take the car to refill it when I turned it in, and to this moment still have no idea where it is (it's not in the usual places...side of the seat, drivers door, lower side of the driver's side of the dash).


GM DESERVES A HIGH FIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION PROGRAMERS DESERVE A RAISE!!! The paddle shifter on my Camaro was just as much fun as a manual. Keep in mind I'm a manual guy. Of over 20+ cars I've owned, only 4 have been automatics. I have not been a fan of manu-matics. The programing of the one on the Camaro is simply shocking if you haven't been warned.

Downshift from 3rd to second on a street? It's not only does it instantly, it also double clutches (complete with dead ringer engine revving) as it shifts. Doing a full on acceleration run? Save using your left leg and your right arm, taping the switch behind the right steering wheel spoke creates the identical reaction of a manual. Even shifts that most autos would ignore, the Camaro's programing is completely game unless you're doing a absolutely bonehead shift, in which case a "Shift Denied" message comes up between the speedometer and odometer. This is by far (at least to me) the coolest feature of the new Camaro SS... at least the automatic.


I'm 5'9", and for me to be comfortable in the car, my head brushed the ceiling. I know there are people who are 6 feet tall who fit in there with no problem. However, I'd be willing to bet that once they find a good driving position in both the 2010 and the 2002 Camaro, they will likely have a bit more space between their head and the ceiling in the 2002.

Seems the seats fold down afterall. I'm told the mechanisms are on the sides of the back seat. Combined with the never-expected-it-to-be-there seat back release (we toyed around with the seat for at least a minute before we found it...oddly, directly under the headrests in the top back of the bucket seats) and a fuel door switch that was so hidden it was never found means that either a manual or a tour guide needs to be mandatory with every person who rents a new Camaro.

The (insert a derogatory name here) who signed off on the 4th gen's power window motors seems to have been successfully kept locked away when the signoff came for the new Camaro power window system. The speed and purpose in which they go up and down remind me of that old Ford Ka comercial involving a cat and the Ka's sunroof (not sharing details, just look it up).


Once again, 4 days with the new Camaro has changed a lot of my opinions about the car.

No, I'm not some fanatical Camaro nuthugger that starts their post with "hahahahahahahhahaha" then lauches into a list of apologies, fingerpointing, and a "if you don't like it go jump off a bridge" mentality. At the same time, I'm not some guy that that is going to give anything high praise it doesn't honestly deserve.

The new Mustang's interior and handling earns very high praise from me. The materials and general feel of the Mustang's interior is well above it's class, even in a $30K GT. The Dodge Challenger R/T is perhaps one of the best all-round coupes. It has a trunk bigger than an Impala, it can take you and 3 additional friends or family members around town comfortably and 4 without cruelty charges. The interior materials are also good and it gets almost as much attention as the Camaro.... and it gets better fuel economy than the Mustang to boot.

But Camaro's high praise is earned through it's styling (I'll even give GM credit for the ***** it had in styling that interior, which arguably is it's weakpoint). I also give GM high praise for the V6 Camaro because it's easily the best performance car value (RWD, IRS, 6sp manual trans, 304hp, 157mph top speed, sub 6 second 0-60mph). Camaro's paddle shifted automatic is phenominal.

But while I like the SS a lot more now, to say it's a hit out of the park is pure enthusiast talk. The only thing the SS has over the V6 is horsepower numbers. If you drive an LS1 daily, seat time in the new SS isn't going to get your pulse up any higher.

As I said, the new SS is an easy car to drive fast. It's Brembos don't feel any better, it's acceleration doesn't feel any better, it's handling doesn't feel any stickier. Where the new Camaro shines all over the 4th gen is in areas where the focus is on the car itself, not the LS3 and the SS specific parts.

That means parts, components, items, and driving dynamics that are also baked in to the V6 Camaro.

On a $32-40K Camaro SS, it's an OK car.

On a $22-25K Camaro V6, it's absolutely phenominal.....

.... and truly earns the phrase "hit outta the park".

 

True or not, are there enough people demanding it to accelerate with the hood and trunk open to become an issue?

You can't open the rear hatch of a 4th gen unless you're in park or neutral with the inside release. In automatic Fords you haven't been able to perform neutral drop burnouts since at least the early 1970s and you haven't been able to shift out of park in any automatic transmissioned car since at least the mid-80s without pushing the brake.

Not being able to accelerate while having both the hood and trunk open (even if true) pretty much ranks a

 

You couldn't find it because there isn't one. Next time just push on the fuel door itself and it will pop out.