1994 Chevrolet Camaro Base review from North America

Front right headlight/signal/marker not working.

Rear bearing needs replacement.

Brake system needs bleeding.

Brake rotors warped.

Needs front end alignment.

Stabilizer bar bushings worn.

Transmission clunks when shifting into reverse, fluid looks burnt.

Noticed some condensation in the oil.

Previous owner was using water in the radiator, replaced with antifreeze (hopefully before wearing out the water pump).

Brake light/ABS light/E-brake light on continuously.

Power window motors shot.

Power lock switch broken.

Both left speakers not working.

Rear wheel bearing worn.

Headliner sagging.

Rear hatch struts are blown.

Timing chain rattles to beat the band.

Seats are torn and need to be replaced.

Various plastic bits in the interior are either broken or missing.

I purchased this car off a co-worker less than a week ago, trading it for my 1998 Ford Taurus (purchased for $900 at a car auction a year ago), plus $1000. My intent was to fix up the car to an adequate level, and resell it, hopefully making a few $$$ in the process. I bought the vehicle without looking it over, something I rarely do - and something I'm starting to regret.

This vehicle was obviously poorly maintained. The oil filter had been on the car so long it was actually rusted; the tranny fluid smelt burnt; and the owner claimed he had been running the car (just for the summer) with water in the rad, possibly wearing the water pump bearing. To the car's credit, it passed Aircare with flying colors, and the motor still pulls strong. On the highway it has no problem getting to over 100 mph (although it wails like a banshee to get there). At idle the car has an intermittent shudder, which translates through the steering wheel and and seat. (Possible crankshaft counterbalance issue?) The car seems a bit snaky when steering, and pulls to the right when tromping on the brakes, which takes significant effort as there's no response at all for the first half of the pedal movement.

Needless to say I was not impressed with the driving experience after buying the car. If I didn't pay under 2 grand for the car, I would certainly have regretted my purchase. The cheap plastic everywhere gives the interior the feeling that it's coming apart at the seams. For example, the driver's door panel was broken in 4 places, making it impossible to re-install properly. Same thing with the console; it's loose, and the hinge to the console lid has snapped off. The seats are so torn and worn that bits of foam are breaking off, especially from the added wear of working on the doors.

Fortunately, the basics of the car are there: strong engine, good suspension, very little rust, no body damage, good paint. In fact, the car looks absolutely fabulous with the alloy wheels and Eagle GA tires. I'm doubting now that if I fix it up, I'll be able to make a profit, however; I'm thinking I'll be lucky just to break even. (Hmmm... maybe I'll just hang onto it, throw in some leather seats and a killer stereo, add a Z28 rear axle with rear discs, toss in an LT-1 V8...)