Last updated on October 4th, 2023 at 11:15 am
The Camaro is a mid-sized, affordable automobile, classified as a pony car manufactured by Chevrolet.
It was first introduced to the market in September of 1966 and was planned to compete with the Ford Mustang.
The car has a smooth and sophisticated design that is hard to ignore. As soon as the Camaro had entered the market, it was a great hit.
Keep reading to find some facts regarding the Chevrolet Camaro.
How Long Do Camaros Last?
The Camaro is expected to last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles or provide service up to 15 to 20 years with regular care and proper maintenance.
Some Camaros can even surpass 200,000 miles and last up to 300,000 miles with sensible driving.
If a Camaro is driven on an average of 15,000 miles per year, that means a well-cared-for Chevrolet Camaro can provide up to 10 years of stress-free performance.
Chevrolet Camaros are usually ought to be driven as a high-powered sports car. Although, this driving style does not contribute to the longevity of the car’s lifespan.
Camaro’s lifespan depends on how the owner chooses to drive it. High-speed adventures such as drag racing and stunts put a lot of strain on the engine.
Thoughts on a High-Mileage Chevrolet Camaro
Based on the average lifespan of a Camaro, it is not recommended to purchase one that has more than 80,000 miles on the odometer.
It is better to go for a Chevvy Camaro with 50,000 miles and well-cared for than one that was neglected.
The car’s previous history plays a massive role in its condition.
Ensure that the car has received enough servicing and maintenance and ask for proof if necessary.
Have a well-known mechanic inspect the car and look for any internal or external damage signs.
Rust On Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro comes with a 6 years rust warranty due to corrosion. However, the Camaro is built to resist rust and corrosion.
If you use an old Camaro that has exceeded the warranty period, you should get it rustproofed yearly.
Your car may develop rust due to many reasons, such as your location. Humid regions and coastal areas contain moisture in the air which reacts with the oxygen to form rust.
In coastal regions, salt from the air and roads can accumulate on the car’s underside and forms rust.
Undercarriage and exhaust pipes are the areas where it is expected to notice rust early.
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How Long Do Chevrolet Camaros Last Compared to Its Competitors
Camaro is a long-lasting sports car, but let’s compare how it holds up to other sports cars of its category.
Chevrolet Camaro vs. Dodge Challenger
The Challenger first came out in 1969, produced by the American automobile manufacturer Dodge.
The Dodge Challenger can last up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles, almost the same as the Chevrolet Camaro.
The annual maintenance cost of the Challenger is about $652, which is much higher than that for the Camaro at $585.
According to Repairpal, the Challenger gets a Reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, the same as the Camaro.
J.D. Power scores the 2020 challenger 84 out of 100 in terms of reliability which is also the same for the Camaro.
Even though both vehicles are similar in reliability ratings, the Camaro beats the Challenger for efficiency.
Chevrolet Camaro vs. Pontiac Firebird
The Firebird is an American automobile launched in February of 1967 produced by Pontiac.
The Firebird is expected to last on average between 130,000 to 170,000 miles which is way low than Camaro that can last up to 200,000 miles or even more.
The maintenance and service cost for the Firebird is $395 yearly and for the Camaro, it will cost $585 annually.
Repairpal rates Firebird 4 out of 5 in terms of reliability and the Camaro gets 3.5 out of 5 for the same rating.
J.D. Power scores the Camaro 84 out of 100 and for the Firebird, there are insufficient data.
The earliest Firebirds were manufactured with equipment that gave them a better performance than the Chevrolet Camaro.
Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang
The Mustang is a series of American automobiles manufactured by Ford in 1964.
The Mustang can last up to 200,000 miles on average, similar to Camaro.
Annual maintenance and service cost for the Mustang is $709which is much higher than the Camaro.
Repairpal ratings for both the Camaro and Mustang are at 3.5 out of 5 in terms of reliability.
According to J.D. Power, Mustang gets an 85 out of 100 and Camaro receives 84 out of 100 in terms of Consumer Reliability.
Both cars are equal in many aspects, even though the Mustang is considered better than the Camaro.
Comparison Table
Car Brands | Chevrolet Camaro | Dodge Challenger | Pontiac Firebird | Ford Mustang |
Miles | 150,000 to 200,000 miles | 150,000 to 200,000 miles | 130,000 to 170,000 miles | Average 200,000 miles |
Annual Maintenance Cost | $585 | $652 | $395 | $709 |
Repairpal Ratings | 3.5 out of 5 | 3.5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 | 3.5 out of 5 |
J.D. Power Scores | 84/100 | 84/100 | Not enough data | 85/100 |
| Price Range | Starts from $30,245 | Starts from $30,025 | Starts from $30,863 | Starts from $28,000 |
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Best and Worst Years for the Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro has been on the market since 1966, so Camaro has some good and bad years of its performance.
Best Years
Many people have reported the 1969 model as the best year of the Chevrolet Camaro.
The 2013 model has big V6 and V8 engines, which produce 323 and 580 horsepower. So, the 2013 Camaro is also a great purchase due to its efficiency.
2015 and 2016 models have excellent handling and style and consist of a powerful engine.
Worst Years
2017 is one of the bad years for the Camaro as it reportedly had issues with body and paint. The worst years for the Camaro began in 2017.
The most common problem of the 2019 Camaro was with its transmission.
The reliability rating of the Camaro has been declining at an unprecedented rate. 2020 model had one of the lowest reliability ratings in the segment.
Production Years and Overall Rating
Production Years | Overall Rating |
| 2021 | 85 |
2020 | 85 |
| 2019 | 85 |
2018 | 85 |
| 2017 | 84 |
2016 | 84 |
| 2015 | 84 |
2014 | 83 |
| 2013 | 83 |
2012 | 83 |
| 2011 | 82 |
2010 | 82 |
Are Camaros Reliable?
A quick look at the history of the Chevy Camaro will show four generations of the car. The first was sold in 1966 and was the predecessor of today’s Camaro. The fourth generation has a few safety issues, but the fifth generation has been criticized for safety problems as well. This is where the new pricing strategy comes into play. Although the Camaro may not be a top-seller anymore, it is still one of the most reliable cars on the market.
The 2021 model has an average reliability rating of 3.5 out of five, which puts it right behind the Ford Mustang. The 2010 model has the highest resale value, with the highest rating of five out of five from J.D. Power. The car’s low reliability score is mainly attributed to its lack of major repairs, which means it costs the owners less than other sports cars. If you are looking for a reliable car, it might be a good idea to purchase a 2010 model.
A reliable vehicle is the same as a car with low maintenance cost. Fortunately, it has a high level of reliability, but it does come with a price. If you’re worried about keeping up with the costs of repairing a Chevy, you’ll be glad you have a plan.
Is the Chevrolet Camaro Expensive to Maintain?
The Camaro is sometimes considered a poor man’s sports car as it also has a pocket-friendly maintenance cost.
Maintaining a Chevrolet Camaro costs about $585, which is just a little over the average maintenance cost for mid-sized cars at $526.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
On average, the tires are destined to last up to 50,000 miles but if you race a lot or drive hard, expect up to 20,000 miles less from the tires.
The longevity of the tires depends mostly on driving and braking habits. Most Camaros are driven hard as they are sports cars.
However, driving gently if the Camaro is not used for racing is advised. Rotating the wheel from time to time will help extend your tires’ life expectancy.
Driving style, road surface, topography, and other factors affect the wearing rate.
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How Long Do the Brakes Last?
A brake pad for a Chevrolet Camaro is around $280, and labor is $140. Total replacement cost ranges from $380 to $420.
With good braking habits and maintenance, the brakes are expected to last from 40,000 up to 60,000 miles.
The lifespan of your brake pads depends on your braking habits. If you go through frequent stop-and-go traffic, your brakes will wear out faster than natural.
Check the brake rotors every 5,000 miles. If the width of the rotor is thinned too much, it should be changed. Brake pads may also need to be changed with the rotor.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
The transmission on Camaro can last up to 100,000 miles or even more.
This equates to 200,000 miles if you handle your Camaro with great care and do not skip maintenance.
Many cars on the road still manage to function normally, with the original transmission which came with the vehicle.
Tips to Lengthen the Life Expectancy of Your Chevrolet Camaro
- Keep the car’s interior clean and avoid scratching the leather.
- Skipping routine checkups to assess the car’s wellbeing is going to fill the vehicle up with problems.
- Avoid modifications to the car like that that can impact the engine performance.
- Go for only high-quality spares.
- Change the engine oil and fluids whenever necessary and service the car as due.
- Fix any problem that the car has developed immediately and not wait for long to get it checked.
The Camaro is a durable and efficient sports car, but it is not ideal to stress it or drive it too hard. Stressing the vehicle can reduce the car’s life expectancy.
We hope this article has given you enough information about the Chevrolet Camaro.
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