Before you read this, please know that I am not trying to start an America vs. the World argument here. I just want to talk about a car.

Anyway...
I have been reading a lot about the new Camaro, particularly in V6 form, and I have to say that I am pretty intrigued. It obviously isn't a direct competitor the Mini (muscle car vs hot hatch), but on a broader level, I can see the appeal of the Chevy. Like the Mini, it's a stylish, highly recognizable car that appeals to the enthusiast driver and is offered at a fairly affordable price. This isn't to say that I'm going to cancel my NAM membership and buy one, but I would make the statement that for the first time, I am truly impressed with a Chevy.

What are your thoughts on the Camaro?

 

It's a GM product...isn't it??

 

I think it's awesome! I had been thinking of getting one, but I really do love MINIs and the people that come with the car. The problem with muscle is everyone just wants to race.
But boy did they do a great job with the car. It looks amazing, has great curves, IRS, and built proof drivetrain

 

It might have been succesful if they had released it 4 years ago when it was a big hit in the transformers movie. It's not even on the market yet and its already got dated styling because they've released so much press on it so long before anyone could buy it.

 

There is one sitting up at the local dealer, and I've seen one at a car show, and all I can say is:
1. It is a very angry, aggressive looking car. Like a car that has anger management issues.
2. It is an improvement over the previous generation of Camaros.

I wouldn't want one just for reason #1 above (then again, I'm female and that isn't the way I'd like to come across on the road), but I can see how it would appeal to some.

 

I was skeptical, wasn't in love with the styling, sat in it at the auto show like it a whole lot more, heard the sticker price and really liked it. I'm much more in favor of the 98-02 Camaro body style, to the point I test drove and almost bought one the night I got my MINI.

There's a lot of places around the country where the MINI's superb handling gets put to waste and a comfortable well powered two seater is just as enjoyable, and if it's like the C6 with the crazy overdrive gear and GMs dial it back to 4 cyl when cruising then it should fair just as well in the MPG department as my R53.

All of that said, I could feel the price of the Camaro in the interior quailty (much like the fisher price interior of the R56, flame suit on it's just an opinion) and there's several styling hangups I just can't get around, so if I was in the market it I'd save my pennys for a Vette (used C6s are actually getting pretty darn reasonable for that market right now too) and not lose the cornering capability.

The real debate is for someone looking between the Camaro, Challenger, Mustang (2010+) and the G8 (while they last). The Challenger priced it self out of class (starting at double whaat the others do), the G8 was very sloppy build quality and soon be gone, so that leaves a refined new Mustang (I like the exterior adjustments) and the Camaro, I'm looking forward to another 25 years of Camaro vs. Mustang market competition assuming the automakers can stay in business.

 

For the most part I've grown up with European cars and aside from a few unsatisfactory years owning a Honda, it's all I've ever owned. So I never thought I'd be caught dead walking into a Chevy dealer. But after reading the reviews for the Camaro, I was intrigued by the V-6. It sounds like a great car. And I was seriously considering it for a couple weeks but then I came to my senses. I just can't bring myself to do it. There is something about European cars and MINIs in particular that I just can't get over. Maybe its their style, quirkiness, and passion (or I'm just a sucker for marketing) but I love them.

The Camaro still looks like a great car and great value and I will probably at least go drive one at some point. But the closest I'll probably ever come to owning an "American" car (but not really American even though it will probably be made here) is if Chrysler/Fiat brings over the Alfa Mito or if I wanted a fun/cheaper car, the Fiesta (which won't be entirely "American" either).

 

nope

 

Yeah... but Transformers 2: ROF is coming out this summer and they are taking pre-orders now... and have you guys seen Jay Leno's review of it? He's in love with this car.. I think that will go along way to getting GM some much needed positive press.


http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...ml?vid=1100101

 

Personally, I think the car looks better in print than in person. Sitting in the car, I get the feeling the windows are too short. A kin to looking out gunnery ports in an artillery batallion somewhere. The dash is sweet though, AND HAS GUAGES! Pay attention MINI! Kinda disappointed oberall though. I've had 7 Camaros of all generations, but I don't see one of these in my driveway. Not to mention the dealer added 9 grand to the sticker, and GM wonders why they can't sell cars...........

 

I like it.

 

Liked it before I sat in it. Then I went to the NY auto show and sat in one and liked it even more. I dont hold grudges against GM as far as quality goes, our '94 k1500 suburban was excellent for the 100k we owned it (almost 10 years of NE city driving) and our new Yukon XL has been doing well too (a bit better than the MINI I have, which is just alright).

Anyway I really like the car. It is indeed hard to see out of, but it just looks so awesome it seems like a fair trade off. I really want to test drive one, preferably a V6, as the direct injected motor that they put in there is friggen awesome, if a little small for a car that heavy. I am not going to start griping about the weight, with properly designed dynamics equipment you can overcome some of the problems of excess mass. In other words, if it does well in a test drive then I really dont give a damn.

I would really like to see how it compares to the Hyundai Genesis coupe with the 4 cylinder. You can option that car really nicely for performance in four cylinder trim. It can with a sport pack that actually is sporty, which is so refreshing. I would definitely expect the 4 cylinder to have a nice following in the import crowd, so it wouldnt be to difficult to get some power out of if you wanted to (hello bost controller).

 

The Camaro? I like it a lot. I also like the Challenger a lot. The Mustang not so much.

contrary to what many of you have proclaimed, I think GM's [Ford and Chrysler too] quality has improved dramatically over the past few years. The Malibu is a world-class car. And the 2010 CTS is a real 5-Series fighter.

The real problem is marketing. A few years ago I was serously in the market for a Pontiac Solstice. Even with some of its quirks. At every dealership i went to, there were none to be found, even for a test drive. After two months of trying i was finally able to drive one and decided on a purchase. It would be on order for a month. No Problem. Then we started talking price. There would be a 4000 dollar 'market adjustment'.

I pointed out the MSRP and asked to talk to the manager. I was told the MSRP was only the 'Suggested price' and there were be someone willing to come in right behind me a take it for what they wanted and was basically told I could go reproduce with my self.

So, like the Solstice, GM and the dealer network finally have a car that people want but will make it so over inflated that people will walk away from. In the mean time they are begging people to com in and buy their crap that is on the lot [Azteks come to mind]

 

I love it, and it's shocking for me to say that, because the Camaros of my youth were a running joke with my peers. Anyone remember "Bitchin Camaro" by the Dead Milkmen? Having seen it in person at the auto show this winter, along with the Challenger and '10 Mustang, the Camaro is clearly the sexiest of the three, GM did a fantastic job on this thing. The only real issue is that it took so long to get here, and that we've known what it looks like for a long time now. For the first time in my life I would consider owning a Camaro, I'll take an SS please.

 

I think it's a solid effort from GM but probably too late. It's too "me too" after the Mustang and Challenger.

A buddy went to look at one this week and was told the price was sticker plus $5K. He told the salesman "Good luck going out of business." and walked away.

Although... I would absolutely love to see a modern Trans-Am series with the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger.

 

Wow. Hearing "Camaro" and "V6" together just sounds.... wrong.

 

I just saw a new Camaro on the street, and I think they're ugly. The Challenger is the nicest looking of the retro bunch, but they all look like overinflated balloons to me. My buddy has a Mustang and they're ok, but look so huge for having less room inside than my Cooper. I drove Mustangs for years, but I have no idea why American cars all look so bloated nowadays.
I also hate getting into them and seeing the window line at my chin level.
I do like the looks of the 2010 Mustang, and it seems the least bloated of the bunch save for the overpriced Challenger. Seriously, I bought a Mini after 2 decades of American muscle/pony cars. I've toyed with getting a Roush Mustang, but for those prices I'd rather have a bare bones Corvette.

 

the V6 at Laguna. It's a good car, but a little bit softer than you'd think. But I think the V6 has a lot of potential with some tweaks. The price for what you get is amazing! 300 HP out of the mill is really, really good, but the version I drove (the R/S) needs different tires and a bit more brakes than what come from the factory. I didn't get to drive any of the V8 versions, but the gas mileage they get from all of them is pretty amazing for the performance that they come with.

While styling is very subjective, I do think the door sills are too high and the cabin is a bit smaller than you would think for the size of the car. I didn't sit in the rear seat eather, so no comments about that. But for the price, it's an amazing deal.

If the Camero is to stay with us, the V6 will have to sell in volume. I can just imagine what the car will be like with a turbo kit bolted on! Should be amazing!

Matt

 

I think the car is pretty nice but from the back it looks weird.......

 

A direct injected turbo motor, in a Camaro. Awesome is all I have to say about that.

I saw one on the highway on Tuesday, same color as the one above. I am not sure how well that color works on them, but it was still one of the most interesting cars I had seen in a long time.