2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible: A Hands-Down Winner in the Top-Down Category

The Chevrolet Camaro, part of a recent revival of American muscle cars, is available as a convertible for the 2012 model year, and if you’re into cool, retro styling and enjoying a ride with only the open skies above, this car is for you.

Like the coupe version, the Camaro convertible comes with either a V-6 engine or a V-8 Super Sport.
The 1SS, the least expensive V-8, starts at $36,775, and the top V-8 model, the 2SS, starts at about $40,625.

If you prefer the V-6, it starts at around $30,000, and the 2LT, which was the test drive model, is the top V-6, and came with a sticker price of $37,810.

The tester had an automatic transmission and is rated at 18 mpg city, 29 highway. If you get a manual transmission V-6, it drops to 17 and 28. The V-6 makes an impressive 312 horsepower and 278 pounds-feet of torque.

With the 6.2-liter V-8 engine, fuel economy is 16 and 24, not bad for a car that makes 426 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on all models.

Chevy offers nine exterior colors, with tops that are black or tan.

The convertible offers seating for four, but rear seating space is extremely limited, so if you’re looking for more of a family vehicle, stick with the Camaro coupe.

Chevy makes rear parking assist standard, which is a great idea because visibility in the back is not so good.

Chevy says it strengthened the convertible's body to add rigidity so that its ride quality would replicate that of the coupe, and it has done well in achieving that.

The top is easily lowered and raised. There’s a latch above the windshield that is pulled, then you press and hold a button and about 20 seconds later, you’re roofless.

When the top is up, there is a liner that silences some of the road noise.

There is a long list of amenities that grace the Camaro, including dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips, 18-inch painted-aluminum wheels, fog lights, halogen headlights, a six-speaker AM/FM/compact-disc stereo with auxiliary input jack, XM radio, air conditioning, power
windows/mirrors/door locks with remote and front reading lights.
The Camaro comes with a tire sealer and inflator kit in lieu of a spare tire.
You can get 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels.

For driving excitement and attractive retro styling, the Camaro convertible is a winner.