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2001 Chevrolet Camaro SS I’m riding along one sunny morning in my Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible, feeling fairly adult for a change.
I say “for a change” because, for once, this hot Camaro isn’t racing-striped, tattooed with decals, obnoxiously spoilered and ground-effected or some blinding shade of red. It is, instead, a subdued pewter color with elegantly integrated spoiler, tasteful badging and a jet black cloth top. I’m thinking, for the moment, this could be a grownup’s car.
About that time, the guys coming through my morning radio just happen to get on the subject of Camaros. “Only guys who live with their parents drive Camaros,” one began. “They spend all their money on the car, so then they can’t afford rent. Here they think they’re getting this great chick-magnet car, but then they have no place to take the chick!!!!” (Much guffawing.)
So much for feeling adult. Prior to driving this particular Camaro SS convertible, I would have agreed with them. But this SS showed another, more sophisticated side to what has been one of America’s great cheap thrills. Too bad my appreciation comes as the Camaro, and its sister Pontiac Firebird, are rumored to be on their way out. Despite rather legendary status, these cars are not great sellers. After producing a special 35th anniversary edition in ’02, GM will determine what shape, if any, the Camaro’s future will take. Still, it is around for the time being and this one deserves a last look, for many reasons. The Good News The Camaro has often been rightly referred to as “the poor man’s Corvette.” With this SS convertible sharing the Corvette’s basic 5.7-liter V8 engine, when Corvette gets more power, so does the Camaro. This accounts for – count them -- 325 horses found in this year’s Camaro SS. That’15 more horses than the Camaro Z28, which is no slouch either. That seductive number serves to keep this rear-wheel-drive muscle car on top of its game. Mine came with an automatic transmission, which, on the one hand, seemed a real shame given all those horses. On the other hand, the four-speed served to further my impression that this Camaro SS is capable of emotions less raw. It can be simply fast without being confrontational. Without the six-speed manual, it becomes less monster, more cruiser. I also think this Camaro convertible is a pretty car. Again, its image as a teenage boy toy tends to muddle its finer points. But the fact remains, this is a sleek, lovely car. Not only as in hot-rod good-looking, but as in good design. Even the raised forced-air induction scoop on the hood doesn’t ruin its composure. The Camaro’s top goes down electronically after you unlatch it at either side of the windshield, and the package includes all the usual power accessories . The Bad News All you middle-aged sorts looking to stave off your fleeting youth with horsepower might find this Camaro too downscale to suit you. After all, it is still basically an economy-minded Chevrolet, which accounts for an interior rife with molded plastic and a rougher sport ride than most aging backsides might abide. Besides, you could acquire an orthopedist’s bill just reaching back for the seatbelt. And another trying to maneuver those fat tires into tight parking spaces. Gas mileage EPA rated at 18 mpg city/26 highway Price Manufacturer’s base, $28,750; Price as tested, $34.225 Is it worth it? This 325-horse Camaro SS is an amazing amount of power for relatively little money. It’s a raucous, roaring romp within the reach of many. I really enjoyed this Camaro for all the reasons mentioned. It showed me a whole new personality besides the one that seduces young men to forego rent in favor of ride and the whopping insurance bill that comes with it. It’s a lovely rocketship of a convertible, and I’ll be sorry to see it go. Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television. [] 
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