Five-Point Inspection: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

Evil. That’s about the best word to describe how the Camaro looks at night when you bump the unlock button. It’s halo eyes glow from the pointed, open mouth grille and dare you to drive it.

But that’s not the only time it looks good. At least not if the smiles, nods and occasional “hell yeahs” have anything to say. With its 20-inch wheels and angry exterior, the Camaro commands attention.

It’s almost embarrassing to admit, but driving this car offers a certain gratification that’s missing outside the world of cocky muscle cars.

If there’s one scourge to driving a convertible, it’s how an ugly interior is so obvious from the exterior. With a high beltline the Camaro hides its unmentionables better than many a female starlet. In fact, it looks darn good until you go for a ride, when the massive plastic door panels become difficult to ignore.

The steering wheel can be a frustrating because it prevents clearly seeing the gauge cluster, although a heads-up display solves that issue.

In the plus column, there’s a subwoofer built between the two rear seats that looks cool and thumps Dr. Dre like one of Snoop Dogg’s low lows.

With plenty of interior sins, they’re forgiven thanks to a rear-mirror backup camera and sensors that make parking the unwieldy beast a breeze.

Hip-hop jagaloon Wiz Khalifa wasn’t joking in his song “Black and Yellow” when he said the pedal makes the floor shake. With a 6.2-liter LS3 V8, the Camaro has a gargling roar and chugs gas like a hillbilly does moonshine. Still, it’s tough to care.

Good mileage is theoretically possible, but only for someone with a misplaced soul. The fact is, shifting only feels right after 4,500 rpm when 420 lb-ft of stump-tugging torque are at play. Of course, that means ditching a few more dead presidents at the pump, but it’s money well spent.

Space is surprisingly abundant in the Camaro’s trunk with the top up, it’s just a shame you can’t really use it.

For some reason, GM made the opening so small that fitting a medium-sized suitcase in the boot is impossible. There are back seats for that but that’s not ideal.

In full fun mode with the top folded down, don’t bank on fitting anything bigger than a couple cases of beer and a backpack. As is the case in most soft tops, space is laughably sparse.

With modern amenities like a backup camera, OnStar, tire pressure monitoring and traction control, the Camaro sheds much of its old flaws while keeping its gung-ho draw.

The clutch is heavier than Kris Humphries’ post-Kardashian heartbreak — something you’ll soon be tired of after a long day, but as cars with 426 hp and a V8 go, it’s easy to get along with.

Don’t buy the 2012, though. Instead, wait until next year when the decade-dated stereo unit will be swapped for a touch screen display. That is, unless you prefer analog controls.

At $43,895 before taxes and fees, it’s a good value for the power. Still, little things like a plastic-laden interior, plastic gas door, cheap-looking stereo and poorly fitted chrome plastic accents make every dollar sting a little more than it should.

Interested in browsing for a new Camaro? Have a look at our updated new cars section where you can gloss over the available trim levels, compare prices against other cars and even customize your own.

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