Camaro rental

[FC]

I was happy to see I was able to pick a Camaro for no added cost, and since I was traveling alone, I went for it.

I’ll start by saying I don’t know what model it is but I imagine is the base one. Also, slushy, of course.

Brief thoughts. Easily the best rental car I’ve ever driven and the best-driving American car I’ve driven.

I usually get pretty vanilla rentals - your Equinoxes, Malibus, Sentras. They are appliance cars, I drive them as such, and they are generally adequate. I go in with low expectations and I walk away reasonably pleased with the transaction.

I sat in this and immediately remembered the feeling sitting in Clyde’s car at John’s ‘Mudgeon gathering (damn, it’s been >6 years!). That is, the visibility BLOWS. I lowered the seat and that helped - a little.

The seating position was pretty good but the infotainment screen is too upright and is very annoying. It needs to tilt back at least 10 degrees.

The best part about this car was the handling. I didn’t push it hard, but it was very good. Sharp, little roll, firm ride but not uncomfortable. It was the first rental I enjoyed driving. Steering felt good. Responsive with good weight.

Transmission was ok. Good when engaged into sporty driving but it wanted too much to go to the highest gear even in sport mode. So at times, during evening Atlanta traffic, it went from 1200 rpms to shifting down multiple gears and jumping to 4krpm. That was unpleasant, jerky, and lost time. A lot of cars do this, but I expected a Camaro transmission to be programmed better. But once engaged, engine response was good and the car moved along fine.

I don’t know how much this car costs so it’s unfair to judge it without putting the price in perspective but while I find it to easily be the best looking of the domestic muscle cars the visibility is pretty crappy. The interior is nice enough but feels like it won’t hold up. Who knows? Opening for trunk is laughably small. I had to maneuver my carry-on to get it in.

Nice car. Fun rental.

[Jeff_DML]

Thanks for the review.

[3LOU5]

I rented one of those too

One of my favorite rentals, but I wish there was better visibility out the windows.

Must be nice to be tall, LOL.

[Alan]

I’d love to drive one, yesterday I had one on the tail of the Corvette and I think he just wanted to show me he was there and could do whatever I could do …. Meanwhile I just driving slightly aggressive but nothing crazy … an SUV could have kept up with me on those curves and then highway.

[Terri Kennedy]

Originally Posted by FC

Transmission was ok. Good when engaged into sporty driving but it wanted too much to go to the highest gear even in sport mode. So at times, during evening Atlanta traffic, it went from 1200 rpms to shifting down multiple gears and jumping to 4krpm. That was unpleasant, jerky, and lost time. A lot of cars do this, but I expected a Camaro transmission to be programmed better. But once engaged, engine response was good and the car moved along fine.

The E46 had the infamous "Steptronic clunk". I described it to the service advisor way-back-when as "transmission picks up bad habits". There was an optional re-coding they would do if asked specifically about it.

I pointed it out to somebody here (Clyde, maybe?) who was surprised, but then went and had his car re-coded.

[kognito]

A neighbor of mine has a silver one similarly equipped like Clyde's newer Camaro (the orange one with the big block V8)

A tree fell in this guys yard a few months ago, just missed wiping the Camaro out. It was damaged in the nose enough to make it un-drivable but not totaled.

Fixed now

[lemming]

Owned two Camaros of this current gen —I think they drive very nicely. GM got the engines right —not sure about the automatics since I have not driven one of those, but the clutch and manual paired with the V8s is mah-velous.

Very analog kind of drive. Not to high tech but very fun —have to agree.

Such a fun post to read. Thank you. I have often wondered about getting back into a Camaro before they go away as ICE powered cars.

[3LOU5]

Wow, I didn't realize I drove a 5th gen, not knowing that my favorite muscle car (next to the Chevelle SS 396) is in its 6th generation.

Still, I wished I had enough money to buy the current ZL1. According to Wikipedia:

"Performance figures include a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.5 seconds, a 1/4 mile time of 11.4 seconds at 127 mph (204 km/h). The ZL1's official top speed is 198 mph (319 km/h)".

It would be fun to challenge some high-end German and Japanese cars with something from the Red, White and Blue.

'MURICA !!!!

[Pinecone]

I had a Camaro SS in Honolulu last spring.

A totally stupid car for an island with lots of traffic.

Visibility out is pretty bad.

And a stupid trunk. BIG trunk, tiny opening

[lemming]

Originally Posted by 3LOU5

Wow, I didn't realize I drove a 5th gen, not knowing that my favorite muscle car (next to the Chevelle SS 396) is in its 6th generation.

Still, I wished I had enough money to buy the current ZL1. According to Wikipedia:

"Performance figures include a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.5 seconds, a 1/4 mile time of 11.4 seconds at 127 mph (204 km/h). The ZL1's official top speed is 198 mph (319 km/h)".

It would be fun to challenge some high-end German and Japanese cars with something from the Red, White and Blue.

'MURICA !!!!

Yeah, dude. ZL1 was a blast. If I had more room in the driveway I would want to get one again. Before they stop making them.