My 2 cents on the new Camaro...gotta say it

[JTH74]

I really didn't mean to beat up on the new design like I did on other posts, it just really fell short of what I was expecting with the retro style of the Mustang and Challenger, Ford hit a grand slam with the mustang. I agree with what Charley said, and I think that they have a really good platform to start with, they need to make some changes and get it looking like a 69, offering the RS, Z28, RS/SS, RS/Z's, and offer some really serious power trains, like the LS-7 as a option, I really feel that if GM does not this one right and hit a grandslam as Ford has with the Mustang, if they bring a half way appealing car to market and the sales slump the time production on the Camaro stops it will be FOREVER! I have always been amazed that Ford has been able to take less powered Mustangs, and out sell the Camaro/Firebird lines. Just my two cents worth, doesn't mean much!

[jeff-san]

my thoughts...for those of us just too young to appreciate the first wave of high horse power muscle 1964-74, I have had an ear to ear grin in the recent 400-505hp offerings from the factories...European, but first and foremost the U.S. The table is set for the automakers to walk us to the bank and or home equity accounts and ask us for our very last dollar in return for the biggest-baddest best all around cars in history!

I love the idea of the Camaro and what it could evolve into if the power brokers/ bean counters actually listen to their customers.

I love most of the design but I feel they should have had stronger cues to the original 69 Camaro DNA. To me, the front end appears a touch too edgy. The worst part about the front end is that it reminds me of a cross between the Caddy and one of those smiley Chevron cartoon cars...I have a hard time airing my true feelings in such a public forum but if I'm not the only one that doesnt like it we need to be heard.

My first love is a Chevy but the Mopar/Challenger offering has a strong link to their 70's heritage and it has my attention. I can only imagine a long option sheet to please the bean counters and public alike. Does anyone truly doubt that a bigger badder Shaker hood monster is far behind?

I can only hope G.M. has the guts to build cars to pull some of us back into their camp. I love the new Z-06 but it's out of reach for most of us, I feel a Camaro would be a start in filling the price point gap....let the games begin.

[rsatz28]

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But it will really come down to pricing regardless of what it looks like. I sure hope they can keep it in the $30K or under range. Anything higher than that and you lose a lot of potential buyers.

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1-10-06 Chicago Tribune auto writer
Pricing

Bob Lutz, in charge of product development at GM, said the new Camaro would cost about $200 more than the rival Ford Mustang, with a base price of $19,000, but will have more equipment.

He sees it as a high-volume car with sales of 120,000 to 150,000 a year. Mustang output is at around 190,000 units.

[Zedder]

I watched two shows on Discovery this week; one with he designers of the new Challenger and one with the designers of the new Camaro. Their thoughts on the new car were very different. The Challenger guys were taking the old car and making it new, while the Camaro guys were making a "new" car that had some styling elements of the '69 Car. This difference in intention is exactly what sets the cars apart and exactly why most of us on the Collector car boards like the Challenger concept better...it was designed for US; the Camaro wasn't. I've owned more than 30 first gen Camaros and must say that the new car is just "OK". If it were cheap enough, I might buy it. Now, I have never owned a Mopar anything, but if the new Challenger was the same price as the new Camaro, I'd buy it first. That being said, I would pay a premium if the new Camaro looked more like a first gen Camaro - even as much as $45K US if it had the Z06 motor.

So the problem as I see it is that GM designed a car for new buyers that does not necessarily appeal to us. They need to go back to the drawing board and design one that appeals more to both groups.

[Stuart Adams]

I like the new car. Change the front end some and put plenty of power in there and it will be good. Great start. If the consensus is the 69 looks best then it took them a couple of years to get that body also(67,68).

[BUIZILLA]

I agree 100% with Charley........ I am sitting here with $80,000 in cabbage in a bag, to buy a new Z06, and the local dealers want 12k-to-13k OVER sticke, at about $91,000 out the door. They'll order one for sticker, but it's a 1+ year wait they say..... I will pay cash for a black/black Z06 at sticker, and maybe some+++ sticker today....

with that said, if Chevy made a '69 retro with an LS7-500hp, I will write a check today, and if they don't I'll buy something else, probably a Mustang, the same way about 50,000 others will, when they jump on the Mustang/Challenger/Charger bandwagon. If Chevy can sell 36,000 Vette's a year, they SHOULD be able to sell 70,000 to 100,000 '69 retro camaro's a year. Use the LS1 as a base and the LS7 as an option.

What the hell is wrong with them????

I can't stand the new car one bit.

Jim Haas

[Stuart Adams]

Its hard for us Camaro guys to swallow, but GM will never put the same amount of energy into the camaro as they do the vette. Its the stepchild, it sucks but oh well. If it wasn't for a few guys, Yenko, Rosen, etc. there would have been no camaros that where outside the box. Thank goodness for those guys.

[wake00]

I'm a 21 year old college student, and I must say I disagree with most of the comments. Since I was 15, I have had a few '67 F-bodys. I was able to enjoy them and make a few dollars in the process. I have loved classic cars and always will. I mainly thank my dad and his collection of cars for that. My generation today is mainly taken over by imports. Myself and the few others that enjoy muscle cars hate the situation. But the truth of the matter is everyone my age can't afford most the high horse power American cars. And if we can insurance is a killer. The new Camaro is awesome. I love it. I disagree with taking an old car and designing a new car from it. I want my car manufacture to take a step forward, not take a step back in the past. I will agree that GM puts to much effort in the Vette, and the Camaro is left in the shadow. I also understand that GM is going to design a car that will sell. And if my generation won’t have the money to buy a new car, then listen to the public and make a “new ’69 Camaro”. Either way, I’m glad it’s coming back. I love that the horsepower wars are back too. It’s nice to see what the US manufactures are doing. These are just my two cents, and I know everyone won’t agree with my opinions.

[redbaron]

The demise of the 4th gen Camaro IMO, was a threefold problem.
The price of the Camaro was way more than the Mustang to begin with.
Next, the insurance rates where about double for the Camaro
But finally and probably most important, Women bought the Mustang.
So with this in mind ask the women in your life what they think about the new Camaro. For us to get the Camaro in what ever form it takes back, there has to be women buyers.
JMO

[Born30YrsLate]

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So with this in mind ask the women in your life what they think about the new Camaro. For us to get the Camaro in what ever form it takes back, there has to be women buyers.
JMO

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I did...and she said "when is the Trans Am coming out"...