Is A Camaro A Good First Car? Pros and Cons of Buying a Camaro When You Are New To The Road

Getting your first car? How about buying a Chevvy Camaro? But is a Camaro a good first car for you or not – let’s figure that out in the article below.

According to a Chevrolet Sales Report of 2021, there were 21,893 Camaros sold in the United States. The Camaro is a mid-size automobile that is often regarded as a popular sports car model. And over the years, it has become one of the most popular cars bought by new drivers.

So if you are a new driver planning to buy your first car, let us tell you a few things about the Chevy Camaro. Is it the best choice for your first vehicle?

 

Is A Camaro A Good First Car

 

How To Choose A Reliable Model?

When you are considering the reliability of a new car, there are certain specifications that you need to look out for. A lot of vehicles may be regarded as smart choices due to their price rates and overall performance. Yet, they may not be the best option when you start driving them on a regular basis. 

So, what do you need to look out for in a reliable car model? Here are a few pointers to look out for:

  • What is the overall, long-term performance of the car?
  • What is the overall maintenance cost for the car, and how frequently is it required?
  • How frequently does the car require major maintenance? This includes major repairs, replacements of parts, and big-scale repairs.
  • What are the safety features of a car, and what is its crash-test score?

Apart from this, you have to make sure that the car you are buying has a reasonable insurance premium, and you will not need to make frequent trips to the insurance company to get reimbursement for any kind of repairs. 

Why Should You Go For A Camaro?

Buying a car for the first time is obviously a huge decision to take on your own. This is going to be the vehicle that determines what your driving experience will be like for a long time and how much you will enjoy driving as a whole. 

So, here is a list of pros that we have compiled to help you make a choice with the Chevy Camaro. 

Light and Quiet

If you plan to invest in a car for the first time, the new-generation Camaro model can be the best decision to make. These cars with updated engines and in-car features are some of the most advanced ones you can ask for. 

The 2016 model of the Chevrolet Camaro is also one of the quietest cars to be created, given their power-to-weight ratio. These sophisticated cars are safe to drive and can be a great option to start with. 

Considered a muscle car

Muscle cars are vehicles that have a long legacy of sports cars that are known for their high performance. Since 1966, these cars have been the car of choice for people who want to find a way into the ‘muscle car’ category. When you are buying a Camaro, you would be buying a quality ride, in competition with manufacturers like Ford and Cadillac. 

Reliable 

Camaros have been called reliable throughout the years since it was introduced in the automobile market. The 2016 model has recorded a 60,000-mile/5-year powertrain warranty that continues for the 2022 models as well, keeping the reliability rating high. 

These cars are meant to be driven for long distances over a long period of time. As a regular-use car, it has statistics that prove that it is worthy of being a car to stay with you for a long time. Safe to say, you can drive a Camaro upto its limits.  

 

Is A Camaro A Good First Car

 

Affordable 

If you are investing in a Chevrolet, the Camaro is one of the most pocket-friendly options you will find in the market. You can choose between the V6, inline-four, and V8 options for your cylinder engine – all of which have slightly varied price tags. All of these can provide an easy and smooth driving experience with in-built features. 

For new drivers, purchasing a Camaro that has been driven for a few years as a practice vehicle can also be a good idea. Just make sure to take it for a test drive and negotiate on the price tag, depending on how old the car is. 

Fun Ride

Camaro’s are designed as sports cars that are fit to be driven on regular roads. So if you are looking for a fun driving experience, this could be the car for you. The car models have been updated over the years, maintaining it as a favorite for first-time drivers. 

The Camaro is also one of the most modern interior features that make the driving experience better. If you are a careful driver, you will be able to enjoy the whole experience for short distances or long ones. 

Brilliant safety features 

Chevrolet Camaro has a 5-start crash test rating, meaning that in the case of an unfortunate event, you are likely to get out safely. The car has parking sensors are indicators that can help you get a safe experience.

For new drivers, the idea is to reduce your interaction with car insurance companies and reduce the insurance premiums for your vehicle. A car like a Camaro that ensures you the right kind of safety options can help you achieve that over the first few years as a car owner. 

Multiple In-Car Features

An angled screen to avoid glare, a high-definition dashboard with color display and GPS, and in-built Android and iOS features – these are some of the basic in-car features that you can expect in your Camaros. For most young drivers, these will be more than enough to make this car a favorite. 

Camaros have been updated over time to install all kinds of modern technologies in the car. With WiFi hotspots, built-in screens, and a great audio system, the 2022 models can be the perfect example of classic designs with a twist. 

V8 Engine Option 

If you go for a modern Camaro, make sure you go for the best one! It is therefore recommended that you choose a V8 engine for your new car. The V8 is the best-selling engine in the history of American cars, with a great record for power. While the V6 has also been a reliable option, the V8 model obviously makes for better performance. 

The V8 engine is known for taking a Camaro up to 60mph in just four seconds. The newer models also have an engine of 455 horsepower (this could go upto 650 horsepower) if you get a supercharged design. 

 

Is A Camaro A Good First Car

 

Works With V6

If you are not willing to make an engine upgrade, you can easily drive a Camaro with the V6 engine. When you are starting out for the first time, you might not notice the difference in engine because the V6 and V8 engines have the same level of horsepower. 

Easy handling 

In a new car, all you want is the handling to be easy no matter what road you are driving on. Camaro can take care of that for you. The car has a four-wheel independent suspension system that assures you to drive the car safely on rough roads. This makes up for the lack of AWD in the car. 

Why Should You Not Go For A Camaro?

A Camaro may seem like a fantastic option on regular roads. But making your choice has to be balanced with the pros and cons of a vehicle. The Camaro has had a few complaints over the years that can make you second-guess this as an option. 

Here are the few downsides of a Camaro that you should consider before making the final decision. 

Certain generations have complaints

The 5th generation Camaro model is particularly talked about because of a range of complaints against the car. This model was released between 2010 and 2015 and is listed as one of the lowest-rated cars manufactured by Chevrolet. The car’s main complaints have been about engine failures, and major airbag recalls. 

Does not have AWD options

The AWD or All-Wheel is a system where the wheels of a car can gain traction independently. This is a very popular feature in modern-day automobiles that help in turning the car smoothly. Unfortunately, the feature is missing in Camaro, even in the recent models. 

Camaro still has Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), which reduces the overall traction and becomes difficult to turn on rough roads. Most high-performing vehicles have a set-up that ensures a high grip on roads.

Old models can be difficult to drive

When you are buying your first car; sometimes it is a safer option to get a used car as a practice ride. But if you are going for an old Camaro, it is a good idea. These cars are regular-use cars and are often driven till they are worn out. 

If you are planning to drive the car as a regular use car, it can be helpful to get a used car. The only problem is that you might need to get regular maintenance, heavy repairs, and a few parts replaced. This could be a disadvantage for people who are just starting their experience with a car. 

Outward visibility is limited

Camaro users complain about their car’s poor visibility, including blind spots, smaller windows, and large black pillars. For first-time drivers, this is not the best option to go for since they will not be able to have a full vision. 

When you are driving your car on some kind of rough terrain, it can be difficult to work with limited visibility. Maneuvering the car is the most important thing you have to learn when you start driving, and ensuring the visibility of the car is one of the first things to stay safe on the roads. 

You should remember that this depends on what kind of driver you are and the level of visibility you need to drive on an average day. 

Common design

If you are someone who keeps your car’s style as a top priority, a Camaro might not be your favorite thing to choose. It is not a car that has a lot of special features and gives the mileage and speed of any average car.

If you are willing to make the car stand out a little, the best thing is to go for customizations after you have bought the car. 

 

Is A Camaro A Good First Car

 

Not meant for very curved roads 

When you are trying to carve up corners on the roads, the Camaro can cause a few problems here and there. The Camaro is a big, heavy vehicle that weighs around 3,700 lbs. The RWD feature of the car is what you need to think about when you are driving on carved roads. 

The recent models have been updated to be lighter and easier to handle for new drivers. Though they are made as compact cars to drive around corners, once the cars start to age, they will not be able to move around as easily. 

Less trunk space

The Chevrolet Camaro has a small trunk space, almost to the point of negligible. If you are planning to go on a long trip or have a considerable amount of luggage, your Camaro might not be the best thing to drive. 

The newer generations of Camaro are known to become more compact, allowing for even less space in the trunk. This could be a major disadvantage for people who want to start out with a Camaro and plan a long drive shortly after.  

Recent models have a higher price range

For first-time drivers buying a Camaro; the new-generation models could be a little over budget. There are a number of new features that are added to the new model of the Camaro, like the auto-dimming rearview mirror, the new V8 engine, and braking sensors. All these features are sure to jack up the price of the car by a significant margin. 

Poor gas mileage 

The V8 engine is an advantage for increased engine performance in the new Camaro cars, but this comes with a mileage problem. This engine does not give a high mileage and decreases the fuel economy of your car. 

Lack of Space 

Along with the trunk space problem, the Camaro, in general, has less space than many regular-drive cars. Most of the space in the car is taken up by the area up-front, leaving very little space in the back. The back seats are tiny with little legroom and cannot fit more than two people uncomfortably. 

People who have been using a Camaro for a long time say that these cars are fit to seat two people in the front and use the backseat for the stuff you need to carry. For people with kids and toddlers, this car is not at all the right choice. But as a first-time driver, the space can be ground to compromise. 

Not meant for snowy roads 

Driving a Chevy Camaro on snowy roads – would be a big No! The size of the car and RWD can be a problem in moving the car around in the slippery snow. To avoid any kind of unnecessary incidents, try to go for a different car if you live in a high-moisture area. 

How Frequently Is Maintenance Needed In A Camaro?

The cost of maintenance of any car depends on how you use it on a daily basis. It can also depend on how you are driving, what kind of roads you are driving on, and what condition your car is in. In fact, there are two kinds of maintenance you need to look out for, minor and major ones. 

The frequency score of a car indicates how long a car can go without maintenance. It tells you how many times you need to go for major vehicle maintenance in a span of three years. Major maintenance includes heavy repairs and replacement of components (priced over $1000).  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Camaro hard to drive?

Camaros are cars that are meant to be driven at a very high speed since they are sports car models. This makes them difficult to drive for beginners, especially someone who has just started driving on regular roads. 

Can a Camaro be a daily driver?

Yes, they can. While Camaros are created to be sportscars, they have been in popular use as regular cars. The features of a Camaro make it fit to be driven for a long time without damaging it in any way. 

 

Is A Camaro A Good First Car

 

What age group buys Camaro?

The median age for buyers of Chevrolet Camaros is 50 years. There are also young, experienced buyers who purchase Camaros as regular-use cars. The latter group has a median age group of 52 years. 

Are Camaros expensive to insure?

If compared to other muscle cars in America, like Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro is comparatively more expensive to insure. In 2021, the rate premium on Camaro was 14% more expensive than other Chevy models. 

Conclusion

Let us tell you this – the Chevrolet Camaro is not the easiest car to drive for a first-time driver. These cars are fast and have extremely high-power engines. 

So, while it is a popular choice for experienced drivers, for your first car, you may explore other low-key options for a safe riding experience. Of course, if you are looking for muscle and want to impress the girls – by all means, get a Camaro! Either way, all cars are, at the end of the day, only as good as their drivers.

We hope your car hunt goes well. Thank you for reading!

Leave a Comment