zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $16,990, Is This 2002 Chevy Camaro Z28 SS the Perfect Anniversary Gift?
At $16,990, Is This 2002 Chevy Camaro Z28 SS the Perfect Anniversary Gift?-April 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:44

Coral is the traditional gift for a 35th anniversary, but lacking that, today’s 35th Anniversary Camaro might just do. That is, if its price doesn’t totally poop the party.

We featured a rare as goblin’s goobers , yesterday, and its mere presence was cause for much rejoicing. I myself shed a tear for the car as both its distance and price sadly put it out of reach of my driveway. That proved the general consensus too, and at $6,200 it was considered Nice Price worthy by a full 69 percent of you.

When post-punkers the Dead Milkmen sang about a “Bitchin’ Camaro” they used the car as a trope exemplifying an elitist, entitled frat boy mentality. I’m pretty sure not every Camaro owner fits that description, however it’s not implausible to think that a few just might. Just not those that might drive a 35th Anniversary Z28, right?

Today we have just such a car, and when looking at this I’m struck by a pair of epiphanies. The first is the reminder that the 4th generation F-body—introduced all the way back in 1992—actually made it into the 21st Century. That seems so recent and yet this model of Camaro feels so old school. The other revelation was that 2002 was fully 17 years ago. Hell, this Camaro’s almost old enough to vote.

This Camaro is all about the years. As a Z28 - SS - SLP it’s the ultimate expression of the 4th-generation model. Following this, the Camaro name wouldn’t appear in Chevy showrooms for another eight years.

It’s also a celebration of the Chevy pony car’s 35th year of siphoning off some of the Ford Mustang’s sales. Along with all that, this one also comes with just 8,076 miles on the clock, which aren’t years but they are numbers.

First, some particulars. The Z28 was the Camaro’s top performance model, and on top of that, this 35th Anniversary Edition piles the SS package which imbues it with just a little bit more.

That’s made possible by way of a, SLP-massaged 5.7-litre LS1 V8 offering up 345 horsepower. Here that all aluminum OHV engine makes itself known through an optional center-exiting exhaust. A six-speed T-56 stick sends the ponies back to a live—and LSD-imbued—rear axle. The 35th Anniversary package includes a Hurst short-throw shifter for that gearbox.

Other unique 35th Anniversary features include embroidered seat backs and black-painted SS alloy wheels. I’m pretty sure these came with a pair of stripes down the hood and hatch too, but the only remnant of that is in the incongruously painted grille insert.

The car is a T-roof model, one of three options offered on the Gen-4 F-body. The bodywork looks to be in as-new condition, with clear lamp lenses and gleaming paint.

The interior likewise looks to be all that and a bag of chips. Yes, this Camaro hails from an era when GM’s interiors were crap, but at least all the chintzy-looking plastic here is all present and accounted for. The giant Kirby-esque airbag in the steering wheel is a throwback that’s more than a little disconcerting however.

This is a one-owner car and is offered with its original Monroney sticker and two sets of keys. The dealer selling the car doesn’t offer any info on its mechanical condition but with so few miles any issues would likely be owed to lack of use rather than wear. The title is clean and according to the ad no test drives are allowed meaning you couldn’t experience it without plunking down the $16,990 asking.

Now, we’re going to have to figure out if that’s really worth doing. This is a fairly rare—claimed one of 944—Camaro, and it’s kitted the best way possible save for the glass roof which adds weight and flex over the closed coupe.

The question for you is whether the dealer has set a fair dinkum price at that $16,990 asking. What do you say, is that anniversary worthy? Or, for that much would you be bitchin’ about it being too expensive?

You decide!

out of Los Angeles, CA, or go if the ad disappears.

So, I can’t find the tip for this car. Whoever sent it, hit me up again and I’ll tip you tomorrow. Mea Culpa in advance.

Help me out with NPOCP. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
For $29,000, Will This 1974 Porsche 914 Bumblebee Start A Buzz?
For $29,000, Will This 1974 Porsche 914 Bumblebee Start A Buzz?
Today’s 914 is the nirvana of the four-cylinder cars: two-litre, five speed, with the gauge pack. It’s also an unrestored, limited edition, with paint that earned it the nickname of Bumblebee. Might that just take away some of the sting of its price? Hey, do you remember 2015? I know...
Apr 22, 2025
The Worst Cars (And Trucks, And Bikes, And Other Crap) We Drove In 2015
The Worst Cars (And Trucks, And Bikes, And Other Crap) We Drove In 2015
It was easy for us to name . Picking the worst ones, believe it or not, was a lot harder. We live in a great time to be driving cars. The sentiment that “there are no bad cars anymore” probably isn’t entirely true, but it is true that the real...
Apr 22, 2025
The 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Is Perfect Except For Three Things
The 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Is Perfect Except For Three Things
Some things bear repeating. For instance, I tend to harp on about how value trumps price and that you shouldn’t ever settle for the mundane just because it’s technically the safer choice. As if to prove my point, the automotive gods at Mercedes-Benz have created the : the world’s most...
Apr 22, 2025
For $11,995, Would You Ring In The New Year With This 2004 BMW R1150RT and Hannigan Sidecar?
For $11,995, Would You Ring In The New Year With This 2004 BMW R1150RT and Hannigan Sidecar?
Simon and Garfunkel once sang that the boxer stands alone. In contrast, today’s Beemer is a boxer that will never make you ride alone. That’s because it comes with both a pillion and a space age side car, but will its price mean you’d just as soon leave it alone?...
Apr 22, 2025
Would You Go $9,800 For This Widebody, Subaru-Powered 1972 Porsche 914?
Would You Go $9,800 For This Widebody, Subaru-Powered 1972 Porsche 914?
The styling of Porsche’s 914 was kind of frumpy, and the four cylinder editions were far from fast. Today’s custom 914 however is neither frumpy nor far from fast, but will its price have you saying eff that? There is something to be said for German engineering, and that something...
Apr 22, 2025
Every Single Vehicle We Reviewed In 2015
Every Single Vehicle We Reviewed In 2015
This past year it felt like we drove damn near everything. From Subaru rally cars to the Bentley Mulsanne Speed. From a Power Wheels to a McLaren 650S. From an Audi TT, to an Audi TT, to an Audi TT a third time, because sometimes we all disagree and everyone...
Apr 22, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved