My idea of a cool Camaro is not easy on mileage and/or your wallet.  However, if you are looking for a Camaro that won't break the bank I would suggest that you try to find one with a V6.  It won't burn rubber (in most cases) off the line, but it will get from point A to point B in the style you're looking for and be relatively easy on your finances.

Get one of the F-body RS Camaros with the body kits.  Looks good, should get about 20 MPG depending on where and how your drive it with the 3800.  I'm pretty sure that they have 200 HP, which is reasonable, and the 3800 will pretty much last forever.  A V6 F-body should be pretty cheap these days.  My mother had a 99 Buick Regal with the 205 HP 3800 GenIII.  It would run pretty strong for a big car.  If you're mechanically inclined, you could swap one of the Eaton superchargers off of a Regal GS.  Don't bother with the 89 RS.

1993-1997 3.4 v6 would b yr best choice
it lookx wow ! (red with 2 black stripes) n' it's easy on gas

iv owned an 86 z,87 305,and a 97 ss.obviously the97 was my baby favorite car i ever owned.plenty of power.many cheap boltons.shop around at the auctions if poss.i found mine last year  for $.5,500 with only 38,000 miles on it.and in perfect condition

and whatever u du dont listen to the guy who said to buy a v-6.hes gay

my 94 camaro Z28 has a 510 cam, full exhuast with headers, and k&n intake. it still gets 18 mpg in the city and 24-26 on the highway. you can check it out on my profile

If you know where to look or how to look, you could find a good late 70s through 80s camaro for a few grand. It will probably need new paint and a tune up (also change the air and fuel filters)... and if you know how to handle engines, you can take care of it yourself to save some dough. (Cleaning the carb is pretty easy.)

I have a '79, but she needed lots of love (and still needs some more)... I guess it depends if your looking for a cheep but stylish ride, or more of a project. Mine's towards the project end. I bought it about a year ago, but I assume your looking for simple? So, I would suggest getting the free car add magazines and go visit some classic/antique restoration and dealers you might know, or look some up in the phone book.

Good luck :)

PS its a V8 305 T-top

I'm goin to say that I'm a camaro fan unless we're comparing it with a vette. With that out of the way it might be best to go for something else. Camaros come with an old Mullet thing and you might not want to deal with it. Gas is also an issue because even a v6 if it's old might not get great mileage (we all have different standards). Also have you thought about a 16 year old with a sports car from an isurance stand point? A friend of mine had a 92 camaro with a 350 when he was 16. Paid 500 a month.... granted his life is a giant speeding ticket so that kind of hurt him. If you have a sporty car and get into trouble every once and a while expect around 300 a month if your not with your parents insurance.

My take is this, if you have no or minimal mechanical skills and no one to help you out than maybe start with an fwd econobox and later buy or lease one of the new ones when you are in college and have more money. Also take time toget to know cars better. If you know what your doing then go ahead. Or get some older car and work on her. Maybe an old 240z or a used porsche. You can find old cars with a lot of promise that need some time. SPending some money on an econobox and then putting some towards a project car is also an idea.

I personally would have liked an 89 rs when I turned 16. But I got a 2002 Audi A6 2.7T quattro when I was 17.... dad wasn't into the 1995 corvette idea either.

i've gotten 22-26 mpg on a 2002 camaro and done smokey burnouts with a 3800 v-6. the engine and tranny went trouble free untill i wrecked.  they are really great. i miss it and am awaiting a new 2009.

if anything steer clear of t tops in any year camaro. the seals dont last long cause the body flexes and wears them out then u got water everywhere when it rains. Otherwise go for a third or fourth gen with a v-6 for fuel economy and the rs package if u can find it.

Stay away from a 1993-02 Camaro Z28 or SS. Unless you have a lot of money, patience, and knowledge you wan't have it very long. They are hard to work on, parts are more expensive, and mine gets around 21 mpg highway. I'd say your best bet will be a third or 4th gen V6. My last car was a '99 Camaro 3.8 and I usually averaged around 27 mpg highway and it was easy to work on.

ur gonna want one with a 3800 series II engine, those things run forever. the one i have now's got 125k miles and it still runs GREAT. as long as u change ur oil/coolant/air filter/brakes regularly, it runs awesome. so after u find one with a 3800 series II, just pick ur fav. body style (older or newer). i've had both of them, and I think they both look awesome (but in my opinion, i think the only colors that look good on the older body is black or white) and if u like to speed, i would recommend white b/c police radar has a hard time picking up white cars... just a little advice ;-)

Definately don't get that. It's not that great at all. My late grandmother had one, not a good car. If you really like
those older body Camaro's, I suggest getting a IROC-Z. That would sure turn heads.

I would get one with a V8 there cool the 60's models are awesome. DONT get one with cross fire full injection mine never ran right. T-tops are fun but they do get hot at times.

A 94 z28 would be best, in my opinion. If you can keep your foot out of the gas they get better milage then my Cavalier! The third gens do not get that good of milage, I've owned both and the fourth gens are MUCH better (and throw out more power!!)