Automotive history is littered with American muscle cars that looked like a great idea on the other side of the pond but never seemed to translate to the demands of European driving. One of the most recent examples is the Chevrolet Camaro.

Introduced to the UK in 1998 the left-hand-drive Camaro was available as both a coupé and convertible. With no obvious competitors Chevrolet hoped that the big engines, generous equipment and reasonable list price would attract buyers into one of its 11 UK dealers. They were wrong, and just three years later the Camaro was withdrawn from sale.

But almost a decade after it was first seen on UK roads the Camaro is now worth a second look if you fancy a bit of secondhand American muscle at a knockdown price.

Under the bonnet, or hood as Chevrolet would prefer us to describe it, comes a choice of two engines. The smallest, a 3.8 V6, is good for 193bhp and a 0-60mph time of 8.5sec, while the 5.7 litre V8 produces a stonking 288bhp, which will launch the car from standstill to 60mph in 5.3sec. Performance like that puts the Camaro Z28 into some pretty illustrious company, chasing the tails of much more expensive machinery such as the Jaguar XK or BMW 840.

But unlike the European coupés the Camaro is never able to exploit its performance potential. Steering, brakes and chassis all feel woefully off the pace; the Camaro is a car to use in a straight line, not through the bendy bits.

By way of compensation the big V8 does at least sound good, and burbling along at low speeds is almost as satisfying as hearing it accelerate hard. Transmission comes courtesy of a manual gearbox: five speed on the V6 and six speed on the V8, with the option of a four-speed auto on either.

Driving dynamics aside, the Camaro makes a decent fist at providing a reasonable driving environment. Front seats are generous, with a good range of adjustment, while rear seats in both coupé and convertible will accommodate a couple of children in reasonable comfort.

The list of standard equipment is also promising. All models get electric windows, air-conditioning, cruise control and central locking plus a limited-slip differential to handle all that torque. Among the list of popular options was a pop-out targa roof for the coupé and leather upholstery and electric seat adjustment on all models.

Used examples are never going to be plentiful but with only limited appeal secondhand, finding a decent one should not prove too tricky. Condition is important. Putting a scruffy car back into shape can take a fair bit of time and money, so buying the best you can afford is a wise move.

Prices for early convertibles start at about the £4,000 mark while an equivalent coupé will set you back £1,000 less. A beefy V8 fetches about £1,200 more than an equivalent V6 while both manual and auto cars fetch similar money.

Keeping your Camaro serviced and maintained should be a relatively easy task thanks in most part to the fact that it uses some pretty simple technology. The engines are virtually bulletproof and, with no fancy suspension, the cars should run and run if not driven too hard.

Find a nonfranchise specialist and your servicing costs should remain low, with maintenance required every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever is sooner. But be prepared to wait if your need is for nonservice items such as trim – the chances are that they will be special order rather than sitting on a shelf in the UK.

The Chevrolet Camaro came to the UK as a reasonably priced, reasonably equipped coupé and cabriolet with its steering wheel on the wrong side. As a secondhand buy the steering wheel remains in the wrong place but the used prices look even more tempting.

Wheels Kerbed wheels and trims commonplace as drivers struggle to judge the car’s width from the left-hand front seat

Bodywork Fibreglass panels are immune to corrosion but can crack and damage relatively easily

Brakes Overassisted brakes provide little pedal feel and fail to inspire confidence if you are driving quickly

Coupé Check ease of removal and replacement of optional targa panels as they can warp

Seats Large front seats but they lack the lateral support of many sports cars. Electric adjustment was a popular option

Engine V8 not available in the convertible

Wheels Alloys standard on V8 only

Safety No Euro NCAP score available but the Camaro has front airbags and ABS

Servicing Once every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever is the sooner

Vital statistics

Model Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupé

Engine 5700cc, eight cylinders

Power 288bhp

Transmission Six-speed manual

Fuel 22.8mpg (combined)

Acceleration 0-60mph: 5.3sec

Top speed 158mph

The one to buy

Chevrolet Camaro Z28 V8 coupé manual 2000 V with 60,000 miles. Pay £6,695 at a dealer or £4,775 privately

Values

Mileage 30,000 40,000 60,000

1998 R Trade £4,525 £4,300 £3,825

Retail £6,495 £6,275 £5,795

1999 S Trade £5,025 £4,725 £4,175

Retail £6,995 £6,695 £6,150

2000 V Trade £5,800 £5,450 £4,725

Retail £7,775 £7,425 £6,695

Or for similar money

1992 J Porsche 944 Turbo 1997 R Mercedes-Benz 320 CLK Elegance 1999 T BMW 328i Sport coupé 2000 W Volvo C70 2.3 T5 2002 51 Alfa Romeo 3.0 V6

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