One Year Review: Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS

This month is a year since I bought my Chevy Camaro, I've put 15,000 miles on it, and figured it was time for an updated review.  The initial review is here.

I'm pleased to report that the first American car I've ever bought new is still trouble free.  Other than a couple of oil changes, I've not had to do anything to the car.  It starts perfectly every time, including remotely via the keyfob or even via the iPhone or Android OnStar app.  It runs smoothly, it's still fun to drive.  In essence everything I liked about it is still true, and everything that slightly annoyed me is also still true.

The styling that makes the car so unique in this segment does create a few issues of visibility, and it did take a while to learn to park it properly.  With most modern cars you barely have to think about parking, but thanks to the unusual shape of the Camaro you just have to think a bit more and learn to judge the distances.  The trunk is still a bit annoying because of its limited aperture, this can make putting a large suitcase in the trunk slightly more of a chore than it should be, although in truth this is partly due to the fact that the car came with a trunk mat that has ridges on it and the wheels on my suitcases can get caught on those.

But the minor niggles about visibility and the trunk are always outweighed by just how well the car does everything else.  As I've already said, no warranty or maintenance issues so far.  The car is lively and fun yet very well behaved on a run.  Last week I had to drive through some of Louisiana and into Texas.  I reset the MPG monitor and drove for about 250 miles.  I cruised around the speed limit most of the time, and did a few over taking maneuvers with heavy acceleration and 'sport' mode on the gear box.  Despite making no efforts whatsoever to save gas, I was achieving 27 MPG on regular gas.  With lots of city driving, I still am getting an average of 24 MPG.  That's just not bad for a 312 HP car.

As well as being a joy to take on a long run, it gets compliments wherever I go.  People make positive comments all the time, and if I take a passenger or colleague, they talk about getting to ride in my car like it was some kind of special trip; like I had let them sit in a Lamborghini or something!  Considering this car starts at just $22K, it's surprising how many people are so impressed by it.

I count myself among them, and really have nothing but good things to say about it.  I was looking for a sports car experience in a well mannered reliable car, where I could still at a pinch carry a passenger or two in the back seats.  And that's exactly what I got, very sporty performance, a comfortable ride, an attractive car, all for a reasonable price tag.

I've also had the opportunity to drive the latest Mustang in both hard top and convertible forms.  I won't deny this is a fun car too, with better visibility, a lighter and more nimble demeanor, and arguably a more comprehensive stereo system.  But despite the upsides, the Mustang is still so common on the roads, the back lights look stupid when signalling, and I really didn't like the old fashioned automatic box that doesn't have paddle shifters or sports mode, merely the Park, 3, 2, 1 kind of deal which is a bit 1980s.  I missed having a HUD too!

So that's about it for my car, I recommend it highly, and hope to enjoy it for a couple more years.

My 2011 Chevrolet Camero 2LT RS

I recently seriously surprised myself; I bought an American car. Time will tell if this was the right move or not, but so far I am pleasantly surprised, which appears to be the consensus among the auto journalism community.

My issue with America cars since I moved to America in 2000, was that they were unreliable, depreciated like a rock falling off a cliff, and had insultingly bad warranties. All good reasons to not buy.


What Chevrolet have achieved with their new Camaro is give people a taste of the classic, with the modern features that one would expect in 2010. I opted to purchase the 2011 2LT model, which is the top of the line V6. Now many die hard car 'experts' will immediately start shaking their heads at the mention of the V6, but this is 2010 folks, displacement isn't everything. My engine gets me from 0-60 in under six seconds and outputs 312HP, all while returning 29 MPG of regular gas on the interstate. What's more, I paid right under $30K.

For a sub $30K car, the features are remarkable. I have two decent size informational displays one being what they used to call a trip computer, and the other for the sound system and phone system. In addition to that, new for 2011 Chevy have added a very cool Head Up Display, much like a fighter pilot uses to save them from taking their eyes off the horizon.

I get a USB port that can talk to my iPhone, charge it, and play songs off it. I can even shove a bunch of MP3s on a memory card so I don't have to worry about forgetting my iPhone in the car.


There's no navigation system, but OnStar has a feature where you can press a button on the mirror and tell the operator where you wish to go. The directions are then downloaded into your car, and turn by turn instructions are delivered verbally by the computer and also displayed on one of aforementioned display screens. The catch is that after six months you have to pay them $28.90 a month for that service. A big catch, but it is a sweet service.

In addition to the cool technology, the driving experience is particular stellar too. The comfortable seats are leather, as is the wheel and gear stick. The automatic has a standard 'D' mode for every day use. If you want to get frisky there is a sport mode where the computer causes far more aggressive gas drinking shifts. And if you want to pretend to drive a stick without the hassle of learning or using a clutch, there are paddle shifters on the wheel which allow you to change up or down manually.

The optional RS package adds some sweet 20" rims, some styling improvements that include BMW-like 'Angel Eyes' halos around the upgraded HID headlights.

One of the things that sold me on this car, beyond the great looks, is the ride and handling. No doubt it's a pretty big and heavy car. Critics are quick to point out that the 2011 Mustang feels lighter and more sprightly despite the single rear axle. But for me the ride and handling are excellent. The car feels settled and calm, even when you push it. It's not the razor sharp experience of driving a Nissan 370Z, for example, but I got way more technology, two back seats, and an actual trunk. I also don't have the insane unpleasant tire roar of the Nissan either.

Ask me in two years if going American was the right choice. So far I am very pleased. If you look around the available cars for this kind of price, it's hard to think of something that looks so striking and delivers in so many areas as this car.