Small things for the wish list

With all of the talk surrounding engine sizes, suspension, model make-ups, I was thinking about a few small things I would like to see included in the production version of the Camaro:

1. Ability to change all 8 spark plugs if I need/want to without performing a minor miracle
2. An engine bay that we can be proud to show off from the factory
3. A cloth option that is tasteful (please no more zebra print!)
4. If/when a convertible is made, please no 3 piece boot, an nice integrated cover ala Corvette would be nice

I know the design is amazing, and the powerplants will be stellar, its in the small details where this car can really shine.

1. Oh god yes, the spark plugs...please, i found new ways i can bend trying to get them out of my LS1.

2. I would also like to see a nice option for a Hurst Shifter, like they did back in the day from the factory, i have always rather disliked chevrolet shifters.

3. Nice cloth option, i hate leather, and i live in texas, so it will burn my ass too. So i second a nice cloth, or maybe even cloth/suede...but that's doubtul.

4. My Slash in my Z/28 badges. :)

5. Nice looking brakes on the top model, or upper models. I hate nasty looking calipers, and im not saying go all out like the huge ones on the Z06, but something nice, maybe that says Camaro, or has a bowtie on it.

6. I want it tomorrow....like, seriously.

7. I wasnt playing about #6, where is my camaro.

Its also the small details that magazines will pick the car apart for. I agree that attention to detail is necessary, and I'm hopeful and fairly confident GM knows it.

Window motors that last the life of the car? :shrug:

I was thinking about the hump in the floor of the 4th-gen, and the 2-into-1 exhaust, but I'm pretty sure those things are gonna be non-issue in the 5th-gen ;).

I'd like LED backlit gauges like the C5's & C6's have :yes:. Technically I've only ever been behind the wheel of a C5, but every time I sit in a newer 'Vette, I love their "3D"-like, extruded gauge pods and the way they seem to "glow" when they're lit up :thumb:. I don't know, they just seem exciting even sitting still ..... I want the Camaro to have that same feeling :cool:.

I agree. The use of different materials on the dash/door panels instead of one or two gray plastics. Some brushed aluminum and optional color matched panels. I think we are all more concerned with the interior, fit and finish, above any other concerns. Also, if I see cupholders that block either passenger legroom or shifter accessability I will send my own black Suburbans to GM.

4. If/when a convertible is made, please no 3 piece boot, an nice integrated cover ala Corvette would be nice

I've been hammering on this point whenever I've had the ear of anyone that might have some influence on the decision. I've not been told anything that gives me warm fuzzy feelings about what we'll get. :(

+1 on the window motors!

With all of the talk surrounding engine sizes, suspension, model make-ups, I was thinking about a few small things I would like to see included in the production version of the Camaro:

1. Ability to change all 8 spark plugs if I need/want to without performing a minor miracle...
Why? Seriously. Spark plugs are now a 100k mile item. Sure some of you will modify your cars as soon as you get them home, however I suspect its a microscopic % of total Camaro buyers.

What if GM comes out with a maintenance-free engine that only requires lube changes every 10k miles, and nothing else over the life of the vehicle? (Not that they are, but wouldn't that be something? :D )

*a plug in the stereo so i can connect my mp3 player. *

*a plug in the stereo so i can connect my mp3 player. *

That's pretty much a given as new models are rolled out.

At least two cupholders, neither of which is behind the shifter.

At least two cupholders, neither of which is behind the shifter.
who is the moron who though about putting a cup holder between the shifter and the arm rest/consul. they did that on my eclipse to. how are you supposed to shift?:mad: morons

That's pretty much a given as new models are rolled out.
all i driven is the new Vette.. and i didn't see it there??? or maybe i was paying less attention to the radio and more into driving the heck out of it. :D

but if so.. COOL!!!

who is the moron who though about putting a cup holder between the shifter and the arm rest/consul. they did that on my eclipse to. how are you supposed to shift?:mad: morons
cause they only think of automatic transmission buyers. a "no cupholders behind the shifter" coporate policy should be made.

Where exactly "can" they go though??? :think: In a 4th-gen anyway, there's about NO ROOM between the shifter and the radio, sooooo????? :shrug: The cupholder that swings out on the passenger's side is the only option that works (from a driver's standpoint).

I agree with the MP3 interface, but last I heard GM was going 100% ipod compatible- including charging while playing, while plugged into the car (!). I LOVE that idea!

I agree with the comments also about the interior - and think LED gages are important. But please, no orange back-lit gages - it's a tired look (at least for me since my last two cars were Pontiacs). I like the Vette's white letters and bright illumination. I also understand the Aura has a nice gage setup - and the amber illumination would be a nice throwback to the 4th gen.

Can we please have switches and gages in reasonable places? My friend's Z28 has a rocker switch right in the middle of the dash (I forget which one) and it really doesn't fit there - it is away from anything else related to its function.

STAY AWAY FROM CENTER CONSOLE SWITCHES!!! Our old Liberty had the window controls in the console and that was just annoying - had it three years and NEVER got used to it. Now my wife's Z has the seat heaters in the center console - and it's way too easy to turn the suckers on....then you don't realize it until your butt's baking!

I also want to suggest floormat clips - my wife's Z has them and it's SO nice to not have the mats go all over the place. The factory mats don't move much AT FIRST, then they're all over the place! Definitely some kind of floormat retention system is in order.

Dual trip odometers. Maybe a gas mileage readout like the vettes.

Skip just iPod jacks, let's do like Audi and have available hard drive units. I have a friend with one and he has 15K songs!

Where exactly "can" they go though??? :think: In a 4th-gen anyway, there's about NO ROOM between the shifter and the radio, sooooo????? :shrug: The cupholder that swings out on the passenger's side is the only option that works (from a driver's standpoint).
that just means it's just a bad design. go look at a cobalt.

or they could go on the door

http://miata.typepad.com/photos/mx5_photos/2006mx54.jpg

one more:
put the parking brake on the passenger side!

that just means it's just a bad design. go look at a cobalt.
Different design, but also FWD. FWD = no "hump" up the middle of the car for transmission/driveshaft = more space from console to floor height = more space to put cup-holders in front of shifter, below dash.

Cupholders (useful ones, not "just" big enough for a can of pop) in the doors would be good! :thumb:

one more:
put the parking brake on the passenger side!
It already was;). Unless you're thinking of the '05+ Mustang, which is on the driver's side I believe?:think:

Cupholders (useful ones, not "just" big enough for a can of pop) in the doors would be good! :thumb:those fit a bottle....i checked.

It already was;). Unless you're thinking of the '05+ Mustang, which is on the driver's side I believe?:think:yes i am and i don't want chevy going down that road.

put them in the dash:

http://www.seriouswheels.com/2004/2004-Holden-VZ-Monaro-Interior-1280x960.htm

At least two cupholders, neither of which is behind the shifter.
How about 4? 2 in the front and 2 in the rear. 4 passengers= 4 cup holders. Whoever decided that a 97 Monte Carlo, a large personal luxury coupe should have 1 needs to be hit HARD!

i really cant belive with all thouse enginers and years of school and experince they cant find a better place for a cup holder i just dont belive it.

I'll second all these (or third or fifth in some cases)

A cloth option that is tasteful (please no more zebra print!)

Window motors that last the life of the car? and take less than an hour to raise the window

A plug in the stereo so i can connect my mp3 player.

At least two cupholders, neither of which is behind the shifter. And not the useless one like the flip out one on the 4th gens.

No orange back-lit gages (even better, choice of color for backlight, doesn't the stang have this?)

STAY AWAY FROM CENTER CONSOLE SWITCHES!!! Our old Liberty had the window controls in the console and that was just annoying - had it three years and NEVER got used to it. Can't say I agree with this one, my iroc had the window and hatchthere and I liked it.

Cup holder in door is NOT a good idea! have you ever closed a door w/ a cup in it?:mad:

Map pockets in both front seatbacks please.

At least two cupholders, neither of which is behind the shifter.

I row the gears to work every morning (pro 5.0 & lou's short stick) with a 16 oz coffee mug in the modified (cut the skinny bottom out and glued a plumbing pipe end cap on) cup holder and don't have a problem with it.

That said, I'll take all the cupholders, storage compartments, nooks and crannies they can engineer in.

It would be nice to see optional rear axle ratios in the upcoming car as well. I was "building my own" Trailblazer/Avalanche/Tahoe online and noticed there were multiple rear axle ratios available. No need for anything crazy, 3.23, 3.46, 3.73, 4.11 would be a nice list. I agree with the center mounted switches, my wife's Equinox has them and it has a decidedly "mini van" feel to it with nothing on the doors.

I would like an easy car to work on. Simple maintenance, like spark plugs is no problem. Reaching items in the engine compartment is easy, no more of this struggling like in the fourth gen.

Also make a car that cools, my 1994 Z/28 gets too high of an engine temperature for my comfort. The dang thing cannot handle a red light on a summer day. I had to spent almost an hour on the side of the freeway waiting for the car to cool off. I don't trust that car anymore.

i really cant belive with all thouse enginers and years of school and experince they cant find a better place for a cup holder i just dont belive it.

As an electrical engineering undergrad, I can understand why engineers would do this. We are paying you people back who were out partying while we were studying for tests, building projects, and researching...like tonight.

Honestly though, given the stigma around Camaros as mullet and redneck mobiles... it's probably so you don't have a place to put your beer while you shift to discourage drinking beer while driving your car.

Ihave a camaro and a mullet:D ...I need to be slaped. But I dont drink and drive at least that kinda makes it better lol

Hide-a-way headlights?????.just throwing that out there.........agian..............and how about a Ram-air design that doesn't require 2 90 degree bends to make it to the throttle body?...hmm lets see....Cupholders..check......window motors...covered..........how about a dash pad that doesn't crack so easily??.....backlighting on the gauges.....discussed.........ummmmm how about a stock tranny cooler worth a damn...like a remototley mounted one like we all have added to our stalled A4's......perhaps a more Sporty feel in the seats...(i.e. Lumbar, back, and side supports...much like in a Vette)

Looking at that engine compartment, i don't think they'll have to bend the air induction. The hard plastic dash of the 4th gen wasn't so sun-breakable as the 3rd gen dash. I'd love to see those colored door panel inserts from the concept.

Room in the engine compartment so that I can drop a 3.3L whipple twin screw blower over the LS3.

To think. 9.5L of total displacement. :eek:

Also make a car that cools, my 1994 Z/28 gets too high of an engine temperature for my comfort. The dang thing cannot handle a red light on a summer day. I had to spent almost an hour on the side of the freeway waiting for the car to cool off. I don't trust that car anymore.
I don't think the reverse-cooling worked as well on LT1's as they hoped it would? :shrug:

My LS1 runs pretty much the same temperature at all times once it's warmed up, regardless of weather or traffic. Usually just a hair below the 1/2 line. The only time I've seen it actually touch the half mark, or maybe a hair over is when I've had it out on the track (road course or 1/4 mile, right after doing a run). I don't think we need to worry about the cooling system on the new car :cool:.

Here's my wish list:

-quality interior plastics, fabrics, and leather (yes, real leather, not the plastic imitation stuff)

-a usable trunk, with a low lift over height, and fold down rear seats

-steering wheel stereo controls

-high quality paint, well applied (less orange peel than on the 4th gen cars)

-cold weather package, with heated seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a rear defog that actually works

-brake upgrade (like on the Z51 Vette) package. No more crappy 4th gen rotors

-a large glovebox, and even larger console bin. Lots of storage areas

-power antenna, with on/off switch, to save the motor if you aren't listening to the radio

-easy to replace headlight/tail lamp/parking light bulbs (unlike on the 4th gen Trans Am, which are a royal pain to get to)

I don't personally need leather, but if someone wants it, and will pay, they should use qualiry leather.
Hope they put the antenna on the rear of the car like the 4th gen.
Mostly at this point i'm hoping for a better looking dash. I've always hated the 69'. To me it looks chunky and dated compared to the 68'. A dash and console like the Corvette is fine with me!

My LS1 runs pretty much the same temperature at all times once it's warmed up, regardless of weather or traffic. Usually just a hair below the 1/2 line. The only time I've seen it actually touch the half mark, or maybe a hair over is when I've had it out on the track (road course or 1/4 mile, right after doing a run). I don't think we need to worry about the cooling system on the new car :cool:.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but, really? I always worry about overheating with my 1994 Z/28 and the LS1 year cars don't have a problem? If this is others experience I might be interested in trading up.

Thread hijack over, carry on with regularly scheduled posting.;)

Sorry to hijack the thread, but, really? I always worry about overheating with my 1994 Z/28 and the LS1 year cars don't have a problem? If this is others experience I might be interested in trading up.

Thread hijack over, carry on with regularly scheduled posting.;)

Just food for thought, but my 94 Z28 has never overheated on me once....even on 100+ degree days with AC on sitting at red lights. Maybe I just got lucky....my 95 will overheat if it's anything over 65 out :mad:

/hijack

My LS1 runs pretty much the same temperature at all times once it's warmed up, regardless of weather or traffic. Usually just a hair below the 1/2 line. The only time I've seen it actually touch the half mark, or maybe a hair over is when I've had it out on the track (road course or 1/4 mile, right after doing a run). I don't think we need to worry about the cooling system on the new car :cool:.

Are you relying on the factory guage? If so, guess what, it's a dummy guage that never moves by design because too many people got uncomfortable watching their temp guages swing around in traffic, etc.

I forget exactly when it was since i don't care much about 4th gens, but i first found out about it when i observed it in my GTO and then found out that the later 4th gens also were like that. My factory temperature guage will sit in exactly the same spot from ~180 - 226° as observed on my scan guages.

Yes, I've heard it be accused of being a "dummy gauge" before, but the gauge still "works" to a degree ... I mean, it's not an "on" or "off" thing. When the engine is stone cold, and as it is warming up, the gauge slowly climbs up. When it's up to temp, it normally rides around the same mark, and I'll agree, probably in a pretty wide range, but it does move up a little bit more after I've been pushing the car hard (when I would expect to see it rise slightly). The car is far from "over-heating" though, and at nearly ~230 degrees, I think that's pretty extreme, and hope that my motor isn't truly that hot at the times I've seen the gauge rise above normal? :shrug: But hey, who knows?! :rolleyes:

/hijack ;).

I think that's pretty extreme, and hope that my motor isn't truly that hot at the times I've seen the gauge rise above normal? :shrug: But hey, who knows?! :rolleyes:

/hijack ;).

Actually this isn't really a hijack since a real working temperature guage is a nice thing for the wish list. Probably won't get it though since most people can't accept the fact that modern engines run damn hot as programmed stock

I just got back from driving my 4th gen around all day and there is another thing I'd like to add since most of what I'd like was already mentioned. How's about a turning radius that's better than a full size truck this time? Thats always bothered me but I got a reminder the last 2 days. Just think that would be nice.

LED Turn Indicators in the Side Mirrors. Color matched to the rear signal's.

LED Turn Indicators in the Side Mirrors. Color matched to the rear signal's.which should be yellow.

How about the two basic things that made me get a 6MT G35 Coupe over a GTO?

Automatic Climate Control.
Xenons.

Anything else, I have no pressing need for. Stick the window switches wherever the hell you want GM. Cupholders? I just need one. I'm selfish and single, so I rarely have a passenger. Put it anywhere. Just give me things that I would get for spending this much money on an import, and I'll buy domestic. Because I really do want to buy domestic.

With all of the talk surrounding engine sizes, suspension, model make-ups, I was thinking about a few small things I would like to see included in the production version of the Camaro:

1. Ability to change all 8 spark plugs if I need/want to without performing a minor miracle
2. An engine bay that we can be proud to show off from the factory
3. A cloth option that is tasteful (please no more zebra print!)
4. If/when a convertible is made, please no 3 piece boot, an nice integrated cover ala Corvette would be nice

I know the design is amazing, and the powerplants will be stellar, its in the small details where this car can really shine.

Im with ya on the sparkplugs and engine bay 100%! I changed mine at least 3 times. In addition to that the O2 sensor swaps are best left to Houdini... I get the feeling we wont have the same problem on the 5th gen. I think that one was lesson learned... :)

one more:
put the parking brake on the passenger side!

Can you explain why? It was already on the pass side 4th gen, and I hated reaching across to use it. If its driver side its right there, and also if you want to play around with the E brake on wet surfaces its right there.

I can explain one possible reason for having the parking brake on the passenger side. I'm 6'9" and in cars with the e-brake on the driver's side it is useless to me, I simply can't use it because my leg is in the way. I actually factor in parking brake location when looking at a possible car purchase. Its not that much farther to reach, and really helps out those of us that need it.

That said, I'll take all the cupholders, storage compartments, nooks and crannies they can engineer in. Now that I think about it this is actually pretty important... these nooks and compartments turn into gauge mounts, displays, etc. when modders get ahold of them.

Also, this may fall in as a big thing... make sure the V8 cars look differnt from the V6 cars. I believe this was a nail in the coffin of the 4th gens. (Maybe not as much for the Firebird/Trans Am side of things.) We need more that a couple of cheap emblems to set things off.