The Chevy Camaro exudes the style and performance that makes it one of America’s classic sports cars.
But just how long do Chevy Camaros last?
A well-maintained Chevy Camaro should last 150,000 miles ( or 15 years ) based on driving 13,500 miles per year. The Camaro can even last up to 200,000 miles with careful use and diligent repairs.
Continue reading to find out how the Chevy Camaro’s longevity compares to other mid-size cars.
How Many Miles Does The Chevy Camaros Last?
Every Camaro that rolls off the assembly line has the potential to reach more than 150,000 miles.
With proper maintenance and sensible driving, the Camaro should see 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
Camaros are high-powered sports cars that are usually bought to be driven hard and fast.
This style of driving does not lend itself well to prolonging the life of a car.
The Camaro’s longevity depends on the owner’s choices.
A Camaro that is revved high and ridden hard every day will not see as many days or miles without expensive repairs or restoration.
Related Article: Chevrolet Camaro Gas Mileage (Ultimate Guide)
How Long Does The Chevy Camaro Last Compared To Similar Cars?
A Chevy Camaro should last as long as its major sports car competitors.
J. D. Power gave the 2020 Chevy Camaro a “Great” reliability score of 86/100.
Let’s see how the Camaro compares to other cars in the sports car category.
| 2021 Model | Quality and Reliability | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chevy Camaro | 86 | 87 |
| Ford Mustang | 88 | 86 |
| Dodge Charger | 89 | 83 |
| BMW Z4 | 75 | 77 |
The Camaro earned lower reliability scores in the J.D. Power ranking than the Ford Mustang or the Dodge Charger.
The Camaro made up for that by scoring better overall.
The “Quality and Reliability” scores for the Camaro, Mustang, and Charger seem balanced compared to the much lower reliability scores for the BMW Z4.
Are Chevy Camaros Reliable?
The Chevy Camaro earns decent reliability scores compared to other top sports cars.
RepairPal gave the Camaro a reliability rating of 3.5/5 based on average for all years.
Let’s see how that score compares to other sports cars.
| Model | Reliability Rating |
|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | 4 |
| Nissan 370Z | 4 |
| Chevy Camaro | 3.5 |
| Dodge Charger | 3.5 |
| Ford Mustang | 3.5 |
| BMW Z4 | 3 |
| Subaru BRZ | 3 |
The Chevy Camaro’s reliability rating places it in the middle of the pack with its familiar Ford and Dodge competitors.
The 3.5/5 ranking is lower than the 4/5 average ranking for all mid-size vehicles.
What Year Is The Most Reliable Chevy Camaro?
According to J.D. Power, the most reliable Chevy Camaros are the 2010, 2012, 2020, and 2021 models.
Let’s look at the reliability ratings since the Camaro’s production comeback in 2010.
| Production Year | Reliability Rating | Overall Rating | Resale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 87 | 87 |
| 2020 | 86 | 87 | 87 |
| 2019 | 78 | 84 | 87 |
| 2018 | 80 | 85 | 87 |
| 2017 | 78 | 84 | 87 |
| 2016 | 78 | 85 | 88 |
| 2015 | 82 | 83 | 85 |
| 2014 | 83 | 84 | 84 |
| 2013 | 84 | 86 | 85 |
| 2012 | 86 | 86 | 84 |
| 2011 | 84 | 86 | 83 |
| 2010 | 88 | 88 | 83 |
Not everyone agrees on the reliability of these model years.
In 2020, MotorBiscuit advised avoiding all Camaro models from 2017 to 2020 and recommended the 2013, 2015, and 2016 models.
Consumer Reports gave the 2021 a 2/5 “Predicted Reliability” rating and ranked it #8 out of 29 for sports cars costing more than $40,000.
The 2010 Camaro earned Consumer Reports’ best reliability rating with a perfect 5/5.
Are Chevy Camaros Expensive To Maintain?
The Chevy Camaro is a relatively inexpensive car to maintain compared to other sports cars. According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost of the Camaro is $585.
Let’s see how the Camaro’s average cost compares to other vehicles in its class.
| Model | Avg. Annual Repair Costs | Avg. Annual Repair Shop Visits | Probability of Severe Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | $429 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Nissan 370Z | $504 | 0.3 | 13% |
| Chevy Camaro | $585 | 02 | 17% |
| Dodge Charger | $652 | 0.2 | 15% |
| Subaru BRZ | $672 | 0.3 | 18% |
| Ford Mustang | $709 | 0.2 | 14% |
| BMW Z4 | $895 | 0.7 | 16% |
RepairPal considers the Chevy Camaro to have average costs with a relatively low annual repair price.
The Camaro is less likely to need unscheduled repair shop visits, but the Camaro is more likely to need major repairs.
How Many Miles Are Too Many For A Chevy Camaro?
Looking at the average lifespan of a Camero, I wouldn’t recommend buying one that has over 80k miles on it.
However, the Camero’s previous history is just as important as mileage.
Make sure that it’s been regularly serviced and doesn’t have any modifications.
I’d rather buy a well-cared-for Camaro with 50k miles on the clock than one that was neglected with 30k on the clock.
Are Chevy Camaro Parts Expensive?
Chevy Camaro replacement parts are reasonably priced compared to parts for other sports cars.
As with any car, some parts will need replacement at some point.
Let’s look at RepairPal’s cost estimate for replacing standard Chevy Camaro parts.
| Chevy Camaro Part | Average Part Cost | Replacement Cost (Average Part + Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| Alternator | $420-$442 | $529-$580 |
| Battery Cables | $353-$359 | $428-$454 |
| Brake Pads | $249-$266 | $356-$401 |
| Brake Shoes | $44 | $176-$211 |
| Clutch | $603-$760 | $1,448-$1,605 |
| Fuel Pump | $570-$615 | $973-$1,123 |
| Headlight Bulb | $155-$217 | $197-$270 |
| Hood Latch | $20 | $55 and $65 |
| Ignition Lock Cylinder | $43-$77 | $138-$198 |
| Intake Manifold Gasket | $158-$180 | $334-$401 |
| Spark Plug | $81-$82 | $303-$362 |
| Starter | $249-$314 | $367-$462 |
| Window Regulator Motor | $91-$112 | $217-$271 |
According to a 2020 MotorBiscuit article, many unexpected replacements are related to the ignition lock cylinder in the anti-theft system, the window regulator motor, and the hood latch.
Do Chevy Camaros Hold Their Value?
The Chevy Camaro holds its value at least as well as its competitors.
J.D. Power resale rating shows that the Camaro maintains higher resale value than the Ford Mustang and shows competitive resale ratings to the Dodge Challenger.
| Production Year | Reliability Rating | Overall Rating | Resale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 85 | 87 |
| 2020 | 87 | 85 | 87 |
| 2019 | 87 | 85 | 88 |
| 2018 | 87 | 85 | 87 |
| 2017 | 87 | 84 | 87 |
| 2016 | 88 | 84 | 88 |
| 2015 | 85 | 84 | 87 |
| 2014 | 84 | 83 | 87 |
| 2013 | 85 | 83 | 87 |
| 2012 | 84 | 83 | 87 |
| 2011 | 83 | 82 | 86 |
| 2010 | 83 | 82 | 86 |
According to HotCars, “the market looks to be rising” for the Chevy Camaro.
If you find the right price, you “might even be able to sell a used Camaro for more than you paid for it in a few years.”