There’s a debate going on now with the few people who actually in the market for a new car; should I get a car that I want or get one that’s practical? Worse still is the choice of buying a domestic car versus an import. For many people this is a no brainer; they know exactly what kind of car they like, and some are so passionate about their car choices that to suggest something different for them is unconscionable. And buying a car from a maker that has been given government bailout money, is considered by some well, dumb. But I have a surprise for you, and yes it’s an American car made by an American company – the all new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
Laugh all you want, but there’s a reason to my madness: For the first time in history, the base Camaro isn’t a model to ignore. The two other V-6s found in the current line of Detroit pony cars – Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger SE (240 and 250 hp, respectively) are good economical engines, but they don’t tear it up on the streets. The six-cylinder Mustang and Challenger exist because of their relatively good fuel economy. The base V-6-powered 2010 Camaro on the other hand? It’s going to be cheap, but it’s also going to be fast. And that isn’t just numbers talking.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has more than enough power to handle any of its closest competitors. Car and Driver reviewers has proclaimed that “with a 304-hp, 3.6-liter V-6, the base Camaro is nearly as powerful as the Mustang GT,” which has an V-8 engine! Car and Driver also mentioned that the V-8 version of the Camaro, which is distinguished by the SS badging, gets “400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque” when paired with the automatic transmission. But the manual transmission gets “426 hp and 420 lb-ft”. I don’t think you’ll worry about responsiveness on the freeway anymore.
And the looks of it? As Cars.com states that, “though loosely styled after the 1969 Camaro, the 2010 model lacks the vintage look of the current Dodge Challenger or Ford’s 2005-09 Mustang.” Car and Driver also praises the 2010 Chevy Camaro for its “evocative, contemporary styling” that recalls it’s late-60s glory years but “thankfully misses being totally retro.” If you happen to see it out on the road, the Camaro’s looks will make it stand out, and not just because of the unmistakably loud exhaust sound.
While Chevrolet has by all accounts got the exterior design right, a number of reviewers aren’t as impressed with the interior, however. Cars.com reviewers found that the interior “looks more retro than the exterior” and that “the unique center controls may be off-putting for some.” Car and Driver says that some of the 2010 Camaro’s ergonomics are poorly designed, claiming that “as great as the high-mounted squircle-shaped gauges and cool center stack look, the script is tiny and the buttons can be ergonomically challenging in operation.” Other reviewers point out that the Camaro’s interior is too dark; Autoblog cautions that “the high beltline, low roof and black interior don’t let bundles of excess light to play within the cabin,” making a “somber” environment. Not everything about the interior is bad according to Automobile Magazine. It praises the Camaro’s instrument panel, stating that “the gauge and console layout is clean, tasteful, and modern.”
Despite the persistent doubts about the car industry, particularly about GM’s ability to deliver a quality product, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro scores on both counts with me. This Camaro doesn’t lead the rest of the pack for its features, but I do think it does offer a lot of value for the money. And these days, getting value for your money is what will spell success or failure for any business.
