Camaro driving tip: Skip the drive thru

Most of us don’t have the foresight or sufficient time to include a trip through the drive-through ATM in our new car test-driving regimen. But after a quick stop at the ATM for coffee money this morning on the way to work, I’m suggesting prospective Chevrolet Camaro buyers might want to give it a try. (Watch our Camaro video review.)
 
For openers, lets talk about windows. The Camaro’s don’t open much. They’re low, like the rest of the car, and don’t provide a lot of room for unfolding an arm. Or reaching the ATM buttons. Or even seeing them.
 
Visibility in general is not a Camaro strong suit, but when you can’t see the ATM you’re sitting next to, it takes a lack of a view to new heights. Or lows. I had to crane my neck just to see where the machine spat out my receipt, let alone reach it. And forget about opening the long, wide door to make things easier. There’s no room for that, either.
 
None of this is likely to be enough to be a deal breaker for anyone considering a new Camaro, nor should it be. Our Camaro SS has plenty of virtues, from it’s strong, smooth, 425-hp V8 to its combination of good handling and decent ride for a musclecar. But if your motoring plans ever include a drive-through ATM or stop for a cheeseburger and bucket-sized beverage, you might want to wait to see if Chevy introduces a convertible model.
 
As for me, I’ll just skip the drive-thru for my coffee. Passing 20 ounces of hot Columbian Supremo through that window is just asking for trouble.
 

—Jim Travers

See our full Chevrolet Camaro review and ratings (available to online subscribers.)

Comments

[david]

"Passing 20 ounces of hot Columbian Supremo through that window is just asking for trouble."

Maybe you will spill hot coffee on your lap, sue GM and the coffee seller, then win millions of dollar. After that, you can upgrade to a Corvette ZR1.

Me...in my little roadster with seat bottom cut out, I can't reach the ATM controls from a seated position.

[greg forrester]

We should be avoiding the use of drive-thrus as much as possible if we want to reduce pollution, carbon emission, and fuel usage.

[Russ]

More to the point, if you can't reach the ATM, you'll likely have a hard time at drive-thru parking gates that are set up for taller cars.