5th generation Camaro, well, maybe Options

[Nestromo]

Then, everyone would want hard top strippers.

Everytime I see a nice hardtop "upgraded" to a T-Top I want to strangle someone. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Oh well, if they want to make my car more special (even just to me), then I guess I'll let 'em.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/...5862_9_full.jpg

[00 Trans Ram]

Personally, I'd really like to see a new F-body (would it still be called an F-body if it were new?) that has a stripper version starting around $20k. It would be offered with a smallish (3.8L) V6 and absolutely no frills (not even A/C or ABS). However, the body (body=chassis, body panels, and other non-moving parts) would be about the only thing not optionable. It would hearken back to the days of 6 page long option lists (none of this "package" crap, either!). You could order one with IRS or a live axle, because the engineer would have designed it to accept either. You could have it with the V6, a low HP V8 (maybe 300hp or so) and a high HP V8 (maybe 400hp or so). The option list would not charge you for taking things off (like "A/C delete") because they wouldn't be on there!

The reason I want a Camaro/Firebird that can still be had with a V6, leather, convertible, A/C, heated seats, power everything, auto, etc., etc., etc. is because that's what the girls will want. That is what will sell enough of these things so that the rest of us can have our light, powerful, well-handling race cars from the factory. Even though the Cobra is flashy, its the V6 Mustang that keeps the Cobra running, so to speak.

It will need to be smaller looking (you gotta admit, the 3rd and 4th gens look huge!), not as low slung looking (engineers can do amazing things with window placement, and door sills so that a car can be low, but not look low), and probably retro in the first incarnation (latest fad - it'll sell). While it looks like I'm in the minority, I actually like (more like LOVE) that 69 Camaro/Ferarri Modena drawing that some guy in Texas had floating around the internet about a year ago.

[trackbird]

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/...5862_9_full.jpg

AAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

[Nestromo]

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/...5862_9_full.jpg

AAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

That pic is painful isn't it? From the pics, that was a nice car before he started cutting. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) With every snip his mullet surely grew by an inch.

Thats the pic that I'm gonna whip out the next time someone tells me that a T-Top is just as strong as a hardtop. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[trackbird]

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/...5862_9_full.jpg

AAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

That pic is painful isn't it? From the pics, that was a nice car before he started cutting. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) With every snip his mullet surely grew by an inch.

Thats the pic that I'm gonna whip out the next time someone tells me that a T-Top is just as strong as a hardtop. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'd have traded him....

[Nestromo]

It was a '94ish car. It was an LT1. Of course it also sports an SS hood/spoiler, and 18in chromies. Gotta have everything to maximize bling.

LS1 hardtops are cool, because it seems like there aren't nearly as many. I know a guy with a gold SS hardtop... tell me that isn't a rare car! A little bit ugly, but rare. One of his co-workers has a NICE white hardtop LS1 Z. Oh well, I love the LT1s. I came REALLY close to buying a red '96 SS with red hardtop. It just didn't seem to have the balls that my Z has. I'm pretty sure that it had been beaten. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I was fortunate enough to have a history with my car before I bought it. I prefer a hardtop, but I prefer my friends to have T-Tops and ragtops. It's against everything that I stand for, but I love a 'vert on a cool evening.

[Bald54]

A great deal of what everyone is hoping for will probably never hapen due to one car, the Vette. GM is not going to make a cheaper car that out performs and out handles the Corvette. They probably learned a lesson with the 4th Gen car that performance alone doesn't always sell mass quantities of cars. As far as the retro look goes, if done right it can be a success. I personally think Ford is going to sell a shit load of the new Mustangs. They are retro, but look really nice IMHO, and should be priced right.

[00 Trans Ram]

Thats the pic that I'm gonna whip out the next time someone tells me that a T-Top is just as strong as a hardtop. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I've actually seen quite a bit of debate about this. I'm actually of the opinion that a hardtop is just as structurally sound as a t-top. Take a look at that picture - the internal supports are the exact same thing I have in my t-top car (not partial to t-tops - there's a lot that can be done to the car below the roof before the roof design becomes a deciding factor in stiffness).

Sure, a hardtop car has some sheet metal that is bolted/welded to the structural components. But, does this sheet metal really enhance stiffness? To me, it is like replacing metal body panels with fiberglass or plastic. The underlying frame is the same, so the stiffness is the same (or so close as to not be measurably different).

About the only thing that would make a big difference is if a hardtop car had some kind of bar that went from the windsheild pillar to the sail panel (where the handle is for a t-top). Now, that piece would help a LOT!

[rmackintosh]

Everytime I see a nice hardtop "upgraded" to a T-Top I want to strangle someone.

Oh well, if they want to make my car more special (even just to me), then I guess I'll let 'em.

I agree...it was SO HARD to find a hardtop when looking for my race car....bought it in KANSAS of all places....

I used to chide folks on other boards when they posted the "Look at my new T-Top" posts.....got old though....and I found I was fighting a LOSING battle..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[DryStout]

I'm actually of the opinion that a hardtop is just as structurally sound as a t-top.  Take a look at that picture - the internal supports are the exact same thing I have in my t-top car

Sure, a hardtop car has some sheet metal that is bolted/welded to the structural components.  But, does this sheet metal really enhance stiffness? 

To install Ts the two pieces of boxed steel above each side window is removed. Removing them does make make the chassis more flexible. Maybe you missed that from the photo. Note the boxed steel pieces are surely gone in the photo linked above.

[00 Trans Ram]

Ahhhhhh, so there is some kind of structural support running from the edge of the windsheild to the sail panel! Well, that would definitely make it stiffer.

Let me add that to the "5th Gen Wishlist" - optional roll cage from the factory, with a removable soft top.

[Nestromo]

Yep, there is a good bit of metal that has to be hacked out. You can see in the pic where that guy had chopped it out. He is still holding the weapon. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) My hardtop with SFCs feels pretty stiff to me, especially compared to my friend's '01 SS T-Top (No SFCs). Night and day. Cars have similar mileage.

[#07]

My hardtop with SFCs feels pretty stiff to me, especially compared to my friend's '01 SS T-Top (No SFCs). Night and day. Cars have similar mileage.

Definitely! There is a very noticable difference in the way my 94 & 98 hard tops feel compared to my 99 w/ T-tops.

[2000Z-71]

There was a post on another board with a link to a newspaper article about a 5th gen Camaro that I can't find now. The article was in a Toronto newspaper that said GM was in negotiation with the Canadian government for tax breaks in building 2 new factories. They listed out the vehicles to be assembled at the new plants and the Camaro was on the list. In a way I'm happy that it's coming back. On the other hand the re-sale value of my 2002 will go straight into the dumper as soon as the 5th gen comes out.

[Dewey316]

On the other hand the re-sale value of my 2002 will go straight into the dumper as soon as the 5th gen comes out.

That will depend on what exactly the 5th gens would be. if they are a pony car (read: front engine/RWD, v8, solid axle, 2+2) then you would pobably take a hit. if GM brings the badge back, in some other form of car (think Monte SS, Impala), then the value of car may actualy go up.

[00 Trans Ram]

I swear, if GM tries to bring back the Camaro/Z28 or Firebird/Trans Am badge and stick it on some underpowered, FWD, 5 passenger, blandly styled, chushy riding, V6, narrow-tire-having, only-available-in-automatic, baby-seat-toting, huge trunked, short hooded, high center of gravity grocery getter, I'LL KILL THEM!

[trackbird]

There was a post on another board with a link to a newspaper article about a 5th gen Camaro that I can't find now. The article was in a Toronto newspaper that said GM was in negotiation with the Canadian government for tax breaks in building 2 new factories. They listed out the vehicles to be assembled at the new plants and the Camaro was on the list. In a way I'm happy that it's coming back. On the other hand the re-sale value of my 2002 will go straight into the dumper as soon as the 5th gen comes out.

Have you looked at the "values" on them so far? I am about 10K upside down in mine (as a trade in, 5K if I tried to sell it). I owe about 22k on it and "trade in" is 13k (it dropped from 17,900 to 13,900 in 3 months). Resale is about 18,500 or something (if that, and mine is fully loaded, except is it not an SS). I did take some negative equity with me, but when I was trying to get rid of my car, I couldn't give it away (or the dealers wanted me to). My car is a 2002.

[rmackintosh]

There was a post on another board with a link to a newspaper article about a 5th gen Camaro that I can't find now.  The article was in a Toronto newspaper that said GM was in negotiation with the Canadian government for tax breaks in building 2 new factories.  They listed out the vehicles to be assembled at the new plants and the Camaro was on the list.  In a way I'm happy that it's coming back.  On the other hand the re-sale value of my 2002 will go straight into the dumper as soon as the 5th gen comes out.

Have you looked at the "values" on them so far? I am about 10K upside down in mine (as a trade in, 5K if I tried to sell it). I owe about 22k on it and "trade in" is 13k (it dropped from 17,900 to 13,900 in 3 months). Resale is about 18,500 or something (if that, and mine is fully loaded, except is it not an SS). I did take some negative equity with me, but when I was trying to get rid of my car, I couldn't give it away (or the dealers wanted me to). My car is a 2002.

Time to drive it as long as you like, then STRIP IT and build it into a KILLER race car!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[trackbird]

There was a post on another board with a link to a newspaper article about a 5th gen Camaro that I can't find now.  The article was in a Toronto newspaper that said GM was in negotiation with the Canadian government for tax breaks in building 2 new factories.  They listed out the vehicles to be assembled at the new plants and the Camaro was on the list.  In a way I'm happy that it's coming back.  On the other hand the re-sale value of my 2002 will go straight into the dumper as soon as the 5th gen comes out.

Have you looked at the "values" on them so far? I am about 10K upside down in mine (as a trade in, 5K if I tried to sell it). I owe about 22k on it and "trade in" is 13k (it dropped from 17,900 to 13,900 in 3 months). Resale is about 18,500 or something (if that, and mine is fully loaded, except is it not an SS). I did take some negative equity with me, but when I was trying to get rid of my car, I couldn't give it away (or the dealers wanted me to). My car is a 2002.

Time to drive it as long as you like, then STRIP IT and build it into a KILLER race car!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

That's where it's headed. That is why I wanted a hard top, stripper so badly. When it showed up on the lot 6 weeks later, I was pissed. Oh well. Maybe I can weld a roof on it.

[Nestromo]

Theres a stripper '04 GT on the Ford lot... I checked the price, with my employee discount it's $18,988. Thats pretty tempting, considering I could easily put 10k down if I sold my Camaro and my '93 GT.... but I vowed to focus on school for 2 more years, and a car payment doesn't help that any.