When GM updated the styling of the Camaro in 1993, I had very high expectations for that car. The '93 Camaro looked fast, it looked sporty, and it even looked high tech. So when I finally got to drive the '93 Camaro, was I impressed?
Since the Camaro's introduction in 1967, the Camaro has been an American tire frying V8 powered coupe. Fast forward 20 some-odd years and the Camaro had turned from that roaring lion that it once was to a soft spoken lamb; at least with its standard V6. In 1993 the base Camaro came with a 3.4 liter OHV V6 producing a meager 160 horsepower (the LS1 275 horse V8 is optional for the Z28 and SS). Step on the base Camaro's throttle and you soon find that this car was not made for speed, but for point A to B transport. With the 3.4-liter V6 coupled to its rough shifting 5-speed manual transmission, not only does this 3,000+lb car have a hard time moving from the light, but it also complains all the way to redline.
One might also note that under full throttle there is no sporty sound to the exhaust that you get with the Z28. Instead, the V6 sounds like your base model Chevy Beretta. This could be good or bad depending on what you like to hear when you floor your car's gas pedal.
The 1993 Chevrolet Camaro V6 drives like a boat. Even with the Z28 package, handling is not as good as competing cars, i.e. the Mustang or 300ZX. Taking a turn too sharp can mean big trouble in the V6 Camaro. The body rolls way too much in turns, the small 15" tires only offer minimal grip, and the V6 Camaro just feels overly large in turns. With the Z28, however, you have 275hp to up the fun factor. With the base model, you have poor handling matched with an anemic 3.4 liter engine that should have been used in a Buick Century, certainly not a sports car. The 1993 Camaro I drove also come with only 5 gears. While I doubt a 6-speed manual would have helped performance any, it would have probably given the 3.4-liter engine a smoother cruising gear and perhaps better fuel economy. Out of 450 miles of driving, I averaged around 25 MPG doing all freeway driving. This is well below average when you take into consideration the amount of V8 equipped cars out there that offer better gas mileage.
Interior Accommodation:
The interior of the base Camaro isn't quite an incapable as its performance attributes. The base Camaro can be had with plenty of amenities. There is a thick leather wrapped steering wheel, comfortable cloth bucket seats, a decent 4-speaker stock sound system, and a surprisingly cold AC. The 5-speed shifter looks nice (does it sound like I’m scraping the bottom of the pork barrel for compliments on the base Camaro’s interior? I think so). Anyway, the interior is above average (despite all the plastic) for an American car made in 1993 retailing for less than 14,000 dollars. I definitely like this interior better than the
1993 Mustang's.
If you have a family you may want to avoid this car. Even though this Camaro looks big, it’s anything but big on the inside. While there is plenty of creature space up front, the rear seats are for small children only, if that. Also, despite looking like the hatch would open up to reveal tons of space, it only offers a scant space for a few grocery bags.
Exterior Innovation:
The exterior of the 1993 Camaro is totally All-American. There is no confusing the 1993 Camaro's design with a Maserati or Venturi. The 1993 Camaro comes with composite body panels, cool rear lights, optional alloy rims, and a very aggressive modern look. One might also note the overall mass of this car. Instead of looking like your typical sports car, the Camaro looks very large. Chevy would have made this car much more appealing if they could use this good look in a smaller package without sacrificing interior room.
Conclusion/Pricing:
The base Camaro was and still is a fair value; it being as slow as a minivan or not. This car has a sharp design, it is reliable, and has a modern (for 1993) interior. A used 1993 V6 Camaro can be found for around 2,000-4,000 dollars.
Other Cars To Consider In Random Order:
1. Dodge Neon
2. Ford Mustang http://www.epinions.com/content_55453716100 (My Review)
3. Chevy Cavalier
4. Pontiac Grand Am
5. Pontiac Grand Prix
6. Chevy Lumina Z34
7. Geo Storm GSI
8. Honda Civic Si
9. Toyota Supra
10. Mitsubishi 3000 GT
-Happy Car Shopping!
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