Nissan could do it, why couldn't the General, New Nissan 370Z Options

[Major_Lee_Slow]

Here's the thing that still gets me. The Nissan and the Vette for that matter, do have luxury items such as fancy radios's GPS, power everything, A/C etc and they don't weight 3900 lbs which is the projected weight of the new Camaro. Seriously, this is just stupid heavy. I could have considered 3500, but there is no way in hell I'm plunking down some hard earned cash for a "sports car" that weights close to 2 Tons.

[ESPCamaro]

At least in S/P autox trim, cars that start very heavy have more weight to lose with simple parts substitutions.....

I would be willing to bet that the wheels/tires, exhuast, seats and battery are absolutely rediculas massive on that car.

Just a guess but I'd say a 3500lb S/P 5th gen Camaro is possible.....Maybe less.......

[StanIROCZ]

GM vehicles tend to be heavier because they want to have a safe, 5 star rated, corporate culture. Every single GM vehicle will be 5 star at some point. Nissan doesn't seem interested in that route.

I have my 3rd gen gutted to the point where I can see, touch, and feel the sheet metal in the cowl, a-pillar, windshield, and roof. Lord help me if I get into an accident that has any significant impact in these areas. There ain't much there. My 3rd gen (3500 lbs loaded with options from the factory) is no where close to being as strong/stiff/safe as these newer cars. Think about when the 3rd gen or even the 4th gen (much of which was based off the 3rd gen) was designed. Think about the analysis tools that were available then versus now. And rash technology has come along way since then. I'm not sure if crash rating existed or was even a concern then or not (I don't know, I was born in 1980).

I've seen real life cut-aways of C6 vettes and Mid-size GM cars - No comparison to my 3rd gen. I'd venture to guess that a roll cage in a newer car is very much redundant.

Here's the thing that still gets me. The Nissan and the Vette for that matter, do have luxury items such as fancy radios's GPS, power everything, A/C etc and they don't weight 3900 lbs which is the projected weight of the new Camaro. Seriously, this is just stupid heavy. I could have considered 3500, but there is no way in hell I'm plunking down some hard earned cash for a "sports car" that weights close to 2 Tons.

You're comparing 2 seat sports cars to basically a 2 door 4 seat (I dare say) sedan (built off the same platform as the G8 etc). In the case of the Nissan you are comparing a sports car with a lighter driveline to a sedan with a heavier and more powerful driveline. In the case of a Vette you are comparing the Sedan to a sports car that should be priced about 10k$ higher which has a lot of aluminum (subframe and suspension etc), which will drive the price up even on the base model.

If you want to compare the new camaro to the old ones, look at what has changed since then. Emission and crash standards are much more strict. The bar has been significatly raised for quality and warranty.

I hate the fact that the new camaro is a pig but I understand the pressures on the OEM's. Make it cheap, make if safe, make it fast, make it fuel efficient, make it emission compliant, make it light, make it quality/reliablity/low warranty, make it quiet. You can't have it all. And GM is always the bullseye when it comes to comparisons. They get a lot of undeserving shit flung at them in Mag reviews, IMO. And the Japanese cheat.

One thing that I regret though is I think they could have saved some weight and cost (at the expense of unsprung weight) if they had went with a beam axle instead. I wouldn't mind that instead of the IRS for this "muscle car". The mustang, which is its direct competitor, has it.

[LS1_Alex]

Here is where some of the weight comes in..

More at Camaro5

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429475
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409

[StanIROCZ]

Here is where some of the weight comes in..

More at Camaro5

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429475
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.p...mp;d=1226429409

Ummm yeah, nothing like a 3rd gen (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[NJSPEEDER]

The funny thing about the weight of the new Camaro is that it is only a little heavier than a well optioned 4th gen. There are bunches of 3700-3800lbs 4th gens out there. Add the excess amounts of steel to make a 5 star crash car, useless mega huge rims, and a handful of other trinkets and it is easy to see where the extra 100bos came from.

I am also better than the 370Z, much like the 350Z, is going to be a middle fo the road performer at best. I have driven several 350's and it is about as boring a driving experience as one can find in anything selling itself as a sports car.