1983 Chevrolet Camaro Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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After the big redesign for 1982, the 1983 Chevrolet Camaro remained relatively unchanged from the previous year. However, '83 was the first year for the L69 5.0-liter HO V8 rated at 190 horsepower, and a new 5-speed manual transmission gave the car a new level of speed and performance, pushing it further away from the Mustang in the pony car corrall. The base engine was a 2.5-liter inline four rated at 90 horsepower, but the Z28 came with the new 5.0-liter HO.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1983 Chevrolet Camaro
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by JD C
Mar 21, 2013
I love the ride quality, handling, and comfort. It's very snappy off the green light, with a lot of power. It has a very clean, sleek, and mean stance, and is well complimented with the T-tops. Very much a gear-head vehicle, definitely not a family car, and expectedly not as fuel efficient, but shouldn't be expected from a muscle car. Not a winter vehicle, but with the addition of weight in the spare well (sand bags) it is doable. more cargo space than expected, if you lay the rear seat-backs down. A lot of light inside, and good visibility once you get used to the odd blind spots. Over all, I really like this car, and the pros outweigh the cons depending on your lifestyle.Mar 21, 2013
by Coty L
Sep 17, 2011
This car was a hand me down from my wifes parents. sat up for 4 years and one day started messing with the carb and it started right up.
Performance: 4 stars due to only having 150 bhp in a v8. sure its loud, sounds like itd rip a new one on the ricers, but sadly the ricers end up laughing in the end.
Build quality: being an 83 and over 300000 miles, i have few to no complaints. it does need major overhauling which im in the progress of. parts are hard to find due to the age. rockauto.com has them all but its just the wait time that is not in my favor.
appearance: car looks like a mix between old school muscle and a sports car. i personally love the way it looks.
Cost of ownership: gas mileage is awful due to bad emission systems, and also being a 4 barrel carbed v8. it will drink more gas than you can drink water. also this car requires premium, keep that in mind for at least an extra 20 more cents every gallon. (16 gallon tank i believe)
fun factor: i love the sound of the car, love the handling. it is really great at cornering. the lack of power is just the party pooper...Sep 17, 2011
by Curtis B
Dec 19, 2010
The ideal of the car was great. The care I got was a turd. I finally got it
driving well after a lot of time and money. The rust problems around the
Ttops were worse than you would think. Like I said this one was a turd
and I am sure not all 83s were.Dec 19, 2010
User rating:
by JD C
Mar 21, 2013
I love the ride quality, handling, and comfort. It's very snappy off the green light, with a lot of power. It has a very clean, sleek, and mean stance, and is well complimented with the T-tops. Very much a gear-head vehicle, definitely not a family car, and expectedly not as fuel efficient, but shouldn't be expected from a muscle car. Not a winter vehicle, but with the addition of weight in the spare well (sand bags) it is doable. more cargo space than expected, if you lay the rear seat-backs down. A lot of light inside, and good visibility once you get used to the odd blind spots. Over all, I really like this car, and the pros outweigh the cons depending on your lifestyle.Mar 21, 2013
by Coty L
Sep 17, 2011
This car was a hand me down from my wifes parents. sat up for 4 years and one day started messing with the carb and it started right up.
Performance: 4 stars due to only having 150 bhp in a v8. sure its loud, sounds like itd rip a new one on the ricers, but sadly the ricers end up laughing in the end.
Build quality: being an 83 and over 300000 miles, i have few to no complaints. it does need major overhauling which im in the progress of. parts are hard to find due to the age. rockauto.com has them all but its just the wait time that is not in my favor.
appearance: car looks like a mix between old school muscle and a sports car. i personally love the way it looks.
Cost of ownership: gas mileage is awful due to bad emission systems, and also being a 4 barrel carbed v8. it will drink more gas than you can drink water. also this car requires premium, keep that in mind for at least an extra 20 more cents every gallon. (16 gallon tank i believe)
fun factor: i love the sound of the car, love the handling. it is really great at cornering. the lack of power is just the party pooper...Sep 17, 2011
by Curtis B
Dec 19, 2010
The ideal of the car was great. The care I got was a turd. I finally got it
driving well after a lot of time and money. The rust problems around the
Ttops were worse than you would think. Like I said this one was a turd
and I am sure not all 83s were.Dec 19, 2010
by Scott B
Aug 24, 2009
I loved the look of this car. The 83 Z28 was
sleek and angular. Later models lost the hard
lines that made this model look good. This car
also handled very well. It took corners well,
without a lot of slop, and at high speeds, the
car was planted and stable.
Where this car missed was performance and
quality. The 305 V8 was weak, and gas
mileage was horrible. The T-tops leaked
constantly, and started to rattle after a year of
ownership. The back seats were an unpleasant
place to spend time, because it was cramped,
and the huge b pillar blocked any outside
view. Aug 24, 2009
by Dan P
Aug 11, 2009
1983 Camaro Z28 with a 383 stroker motor. This car has ran 11.37 @ 118mph but usually runs high 11.40's with mufflers. This is the first car my dad and I built and will probably be the most reliable race car I will ever own.Aug 11, 2009
by Guy G
Mar 03, 2009
this is a 83 z28 with a 305 5 speed standard. runs well but isnt the fastest. so far i have rewired the whole car, put the battery in the trunk, refinished the rims, tinted the rear window, installed alarm and electric door and trunk, installed 2 12s and all alpine speakers, fiber glass rear sub finisher,electric fans, and new shocks and struts. also ive put on a victor jr intake, crane cam, headers, 3" exhaust. i still have some parts to install wich i have already this includes poly bushing kit, cener force clutch, holly carb, edelbrock fuel pump, proform distributor, and a 350 with 10:1 compression. as it is now it will crack a donut on dry payvement easyMar 03, 2009
by Darin L
Oct 26, 2008
i love the car, but its older and requires maintainence, and that requires money. what do you do. for a 305, it squaks the tires in third, but its no rocket by any means. still a great looking car even by todays standards. by one and you ll see. theyre value will only go up.Oct 26, 2008
by Anonymous
Jun 03, 2008
i own an 83 camaro and i love it. its very fast, sleek and cool. it was by far one of the best looking cars of the 80's, but they were some of the cheapest ones to. i dont care what anyone says i love my camaro. you cant go wrong with owning one.Jun 03, 2008
by Anonymous
May 28, 2008
I own a 83 camaro and the experience in the drive is unlike anything else i have driven, it handles like a sports car, but runs like a muscle car. My opinion is they are the best looking camaro's built so far.May 28, 2008
by Kyle S
Apr 18, 2008
I have a 1983 Z28 Stage Three Camaro. It is an amazing car. Fiberglass hood and trim, posi rear end, stage three hi po suspension, T Tops, functional air intake, aluminum wheels, power window, lock and lift gate. I replaced the stock Cross Fire 305 with a hi po 355 that I built myself. Apr 18, 2008
by Manuel B
Jan 11, 2008
It doesn't look like a proper muscle car and the built quality is not good either. it's cheap so that's good;)Jan 11, 2008
by Anonymous
Oct 18, 2006
its just the best car to have. performance on it is better than the old ones. i recently put a new engine in it, also a new transmission. clucth. and also gauges. so its just a nice car to own.Oct 18, 2006
1983 Chevrolet Camaro Pricing
Original MSRP
$8,441 to $10,739Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
