5th generation Camaro, well, maybe Options

[Spooner]

Autoweek blurb

Talk amongst yourselves. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'd love to see something with the LS-6 or even the LS-2. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

For what it's worth, AW has also reported slow sales to-date on the Pontiac GTO, here.

Last time I visited a GM/Pontiac dealership, they had one GTO in the showroom and it was marked up $3,000 above the sticker price. So it was $37K or thereabouts. Hmm. I wonder if it's still there?

-John

[prockbp]

aww.. i got excited.. that paragraph probably wasn't even 30 words long... the best part was: "We'll have a competitor"...


i'm ready to see a new Camaro...

i would like to see these things:
weight about 3200 lbs(or less is always good)
displacement right around 5.0 liters
rear suspension similar to 82-02 f-bods


things i don't want to see:
6 speed tranny.. 5 is fine with me
retro stying that goes back farther than 1982
excessive bells and whistles(gotta love those third gen interiors!)

[Rob Hood]

hmm...not too keen on retro designs, makes me think the designers have lost their imagination. However, if retro is what is going to happen or could happen...

- early 2nd gen influence. I think influence of that vintage will lend itself better for aerodynamics. It's already there in the 98-02 nose; could morph that a little without completely changing the car's look.
- I would also keep the 6-speed trans, as I really like the potential for great fuel economy.
- larger fuel tank, perhaps by 3-4 gallons.
- BETTER SEATS....MUCH BETTER SEATS....
- put the Vette brake calipers on. At least make an initially adequate brake setup a little better.
- Let's see the WHOLE engine...or at least 6 of the 8 cylinders.
- retro engine sizes - 302 for the Z, 396 for the SS. The 302 can be 365 HP, the 396 can be 400 HP.
- more rear gear options (maybe attached to the 1LE package?)
- keep the "stripper" Z28 model at $25K for starting costs, hopefully less...

[Nestromo]

Rob -

-I would like to see the LS1 Camaro look GONE. I'm sorry but I just hate that front clip. To round, looks like a catfish gasping for air (I prefer the shark look of the LT1 cars). It's not that it's ugly, I just do not think that it belongs on a Camaro. It looks great on the Sebring. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Once again that is just an opinion and you know what they say about opinions...
-I don't see them ditching the 6 speed. That could only hurt them.
-Larger Fuel Tank? Eh, I guess. It isn't THAT bad.
-Better seats would be good, but my '94's seats are fine for street driving, but then again I'm 20 and my bones don't creak yet.
-Better Brakes would be a DEFINATE plus! At least something adequate to stop a 3800lb (with driver/passenger) from a highway roll without warping a rotor to resemble a potato chip.
-I got used to working on my 4cyl Camaro. I take comfort knowing that the other 4 are under the dash if I ever need them. Chevrolet technicians will agree with you though, they hate working on 4th gens.
-Retro engine sizes would be cool. Because with a 396ci LSx block we could bore and stroke to probably 454ci. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
-The rear gear options will have to keep a decent sized pinion, so those might have to only be offered with a package for a larger 10 bolt or a 12 bolt (crossing my fingers now). That might be a pricey option, but worth it. Might run into EPA problems though. It wouldn't be worth an extra gas guzzler tax.
-I agree with keeping a stripper model low. I like stripped cars. Hardtops and crank windows are the stuff that my dreams are made of.

[LT4Firehawk]

What I'd like to see:
Lowest weight possible (sub 3000lbs)
V8 engine (LS2 based) w/ good low end torque and 300+ HP
6 speed manual
minimal bells & whistles (give it power windows & door locks, A/C, radio and ABS and leave it at that)
good seats
4th gen rear suspension would be fine
Low cost

Heck, if they could make it light enough (sub 2500lbs) I'd even take it with a smaller engine (maybe the Gm inline 6, or a turbo/supercharged 4).

[Cal]

Well I'd better get my two-bits in here:

I'd like to see a two-seat, Mid-engined Fbody with the C5-R 427 engine weighing around 2500 lbs! Forget all the power crap and bells and whistles, that just adds weight. Give me window cranks instead. A transaxle with T-56 guts would be great. The design could be similar to the DeTomasso/Ford Pantera. It would be everything the Corvette never was, but should have been, with the mid-engined design. I'd be ready to buy one of these in a heartbeat!

Good things about a 4th gen:
Wonderful lightweight aluminum V8 with balls!
Excellent 6 speed gear box
Great styling with a windshield rate only seen on exotic cars
Low cost

Bad things about a 4th gen:
1000 lbs too heavy
should be mid engined, RWD with IRS
frame too flexy
Sits too high
Seats do not provide lumbar support (unless you get a Firebird)
Should be a two-seater

[y5e06]

sub 3000lbs is just craziness! won't happen, I don't think.
That said it would be real nice to have the car weigh in sub 3200lbs. Even stripper 4th gens are around 3400lbs. V8, 6spd, solid axle are the standard Z28 items. front engine layout would stay as it is cheapest. Stripper cars are a definate must as well. Maybe solid axle rear w/ IRS option on higher end cars ala Mustang GT/Cobra of today although IRS would be over stepping the bounds into the corvette world.
Use some of the engineering lessons of the C5/6 and make it lighter and a tad narrower/shorter. I love the fbody, they are just so freakin heavy!
yeah, keep it cheap!

[Jeff97FST/A]

Bad things about a 4th gen:

...Sits too high

Funny, my codriver at last weekends autocross made a comment about the Focus we were parked next to:

"It feels funny to be looking up at a Focus"!

[SSpeedracer]

Saw the title, "5th gen camaro" and the first thing that I thought was....

the only way that is going to happen is if Holden has one in their line. (They don't.)

The last place a GM marketing guy should look is this forum for ideas. A bunch of racer types that primarily buy used f-bodies and modify the shit out of them. GM's 4th gen marketing misfortune has payed off in dividends for us. It may not happen again soon.

I feel damn lucky that I've got the Camaro. If I didnt already have four cars, I would be looking for another f-body.

[Nestromo]

The last place a GM marketing guy should look is this forum for ideas. A bunch of racer types that primarily buy used f-bodies and modify the shit out of them.

Yep. That and we want what noone else does - Bling free missiles with bumpy rides. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

y5e06 - My '94 Z28 has power windows/locks, cloth, and a hardtop. BONE stock it was 3430 with a third of a tank. I would think that a stripper model dry would fall well short of 3,400 wouldn't it?

It will be interesting to get it back on the scale some time soon. Hey, do you guys autocross with your spare/jack in place?

[Jeff97FST/A]

Hey, do you guys autocross with your spare/jack in place?

Spare and jack in place, full tank of gas...

[LT4Firehawk]

Every f-body I've owned (and my Vettes) have all had their spares removed as soon as I got them. The spare tire well on the f-bodies makes a really nice storage area for all kinds of race equipment, tools, etc. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Right now in the Hawk, I've got a box in there with:
torque wrench
socket set, screw drivers, wrenches, pliers
spare serpentine belt
fix a flat (for emergency tire repair)
mini air compressor
towels
long sleeve shirt (in case I forget for track days)
brake fluid
rubber hose
stock jack (although I normally carry a small floor jack for events too)
race brake pads

It's all in a box that wedges in the space nicely but can still be pulled easily during track events. Plus all of that combined is probably about the same weight as the factory spare tire.

[rmackintosh]

....what I would like to see.....a NEW Camaro PLEASE!!!!!!!!

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

[Nestromo]

....what I would like to see.....a NEW Camaro PLEASE!!!!!!!!

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

I'd be happy with a fresh clutch and a T2R. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[#07]

(IMG:http://community.webshots.com/s/image12/9/98/2/149499802aBaPBk_ph.jpg)

[rmackintosh]

I'd be happy with a fresh clutch and a T2R. 

...already got those.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Nestromo]

...already got those.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

As a college student at $6.50/hour it's looking like the 5th gen might come and go before I have those items. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[#07]

(IMG:http://community.webshots.com/s/image8/9/97/60/149499760skNvPG_ph.jpg)


Thats cool but this is what I would like to see it be for a bit.

[#07]

(IMG:http://community.webshots.com/s/image10/9/98/26/149499826RUawcF_ph.jpg)


But then again it would be more practical to just revise what they already were doing.And this if came out with like the new LS2 or LS6 on steriods and the IRS everybody has mentioned keep the t56 and beef it up It would be in my garage. But this car is hella expensive soo...I would hope they could keep the cost down.
You know whatever... they just need to bring it!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But I'm not holding my breath (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[trackbird]

That and we want what noone else does - Bling free missiles with bumpy rides. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That's a good one.

Maybe if we did "the anti Fast and Furious" and it starred fast cars with ugly wheels, stock shifter knobs and anything that had wings on it was owned by the Airforce (and actually flew), we could start a new trend. Then, everyone would want hard top strippers. They'd be flying off the lots.

If only.....