Wife doesn't like 5th gen., now what do I do

Last night my wife was looking at the picture of the 5th gen. I have up as desktop and asked: "Is that the car you want?"

I answered "yes, that's the new Camaro."

She said "I liked your old one better."

Several months ago I got a good offer for my '02 SS 'vert, sold it, and banked the money toward a 5th gen..
Now my wife says she liked the looks of the 4th gen.s better.

Long-married guys know that it's crucial to have the support of their wives when they buy something expensive like a car.

So, an informal poll: who needs/requires/requests approval from spouses, and whose spouses are supportive or not of buying the new 5th gen.?

And, more importantly, what to do about it if the spouse doesn't like the proposed new car? (She wants a new Camry or Accord, and we could get one if we used my car money and her old Camry for trade)

My ex liked it because I liked it. Maybe I should get back with her.... lol

There's always divorce...

Seriously though... If you are financially secure enough to buy it without jeopardizing the family assets, and it is something you want, then you can do whatever you want with your money. Money is meant to be spent. And maybe when she realizes how much more room there is in the back seat, especially headroom... ;) She'll change her mind.

My wife is more excited about the 5th gen than I am so I married her. All I can say is if she doesn't like or approve of you getting/ having a new Camaro it's possible it could taint the whole owning a 5th gen experience. Sucks but this has been my experience with previous g/f's. When you look at your new car it should do nothing but fill you with happiness. If you look at it and in the back of your mind there are negative thoughts associated with it long term they could grow into bigger problems. Just my .2 cents.

I've been thru this whole subject more than a few times with my wife. The one time I defied her (when I got my 05 GTO :o ) was... shall we say 'unpleasant' :o so this time around I'm being a lot more proactive about it.

It's great you have already begun laying the financial foundation for the move. That seems to be the single biggest issue in my experience. Keep saving, and build a knowledge base so you can point out the car's advantages. Safety is a big issue with a lot of women - and the new Camaro will likely be safer. For example, it must meet newer and more stringent crash standards. It will likely include more safety features (stability control?).

I've already employed these methods... and my wife has signed off under the condition I sell my Formula first.

One last factor, taking her to a dealer for a test drive will likely have a positive effect. I believe it's going to be a car that will be hard to turn down after a test drive :)

If it simply doesn't work, or she decides she needs a sedan like the Accord you mentioned - may I suggest picking up a Grand Prix GXP? My wife and I are both very happy with ours.

Who cares what she thinks? I'm buying a MANUAL ON PURPOSE because she can't drive one (plus that's what I want) :lol:

If it's the only car you have, then she has some say, but if it's going to be "your" car, buy whatever the hell you want that you can afford.

It's so sad, I read on so many forums that men have to buy the vehicle their wife wants them to buy, even though they won't be driving it 99% of the time. That's BS. My girl loves me enough to understand that certain things are mine and certain things are hers, the rest we share.

I dont see the problem here....

Pull your balls out of your butt, life is short.

First off....Camry or Accord?
Malibu. Nuff said. Sit her down in that, have her enjoy the thought of a Bow-Tie family. Tell her that they will match like a set of shoes and a dress!!
What picture did she see? Did she see the car in person? Did she watch Transformers with you?

I don't give a crap what she thinks of the new Camaro. She's not that much into cars anyway. On other things, yes her opinion matters to me, but not on cars. A new car to her is like a new refrigerator to me. Matter of fact, she would be too scared to even drive it.

Get the car, buy her jewelry. Been sucessfully married for 15 years :D

Ask her nicely if you can have your balls back....is this really an issue. you sold YOUR car and now she wants to take the money and trade her car in with your money to get something SHE wants. Makes perfect sense to me.

My wife loves the new Camaro. She likes it better than both my Firebird and Ws6,and the Ls1 maro's. Now all i gotta do is not cheaper out.

Tell her to wait, like us, 'til she sees a production model, or pre-prod...say in September.

First off, get your balls back from your wife.
Second, buy the car if that what makes you happy, if you can afford it.
Third, be happy and she will be too.

I think that once the 5th Gen is in the showroom and she sees it in person she'll change her mind about it. And if you were able to get a '02 SS vert. then you certainly know how to sell her on the mans car and the cost. So just do it again.

A couple of things need to be known;
Is she going to drive the Camaro?
Will it be used for daily transportation?

Also we should not have to tell ya the Camry and Accord talk isn't welcome here. If you truly bleed Chevy red and the Camaro gets your heart racing then support the company that put that car on the road and all those whom benefit in this country.

Wife V2.0.....j/k...... ;)

This June, we'll be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. I'm very grateful for the fact that my wonderful wife understands my passion for cars and realizes how much it means to me. She is completely supportive with respect to the choices I make, whether they be about vehicles, taking road trips or participating in a lapping day. She might think I'm nuts sometimes, but that would never cause her to try and throw a roadblock in my path!:cool:

Best regardSS,

Elie

I love my wife.. lol :) She wants a V8 hugger orange convertible with gun metal stripes like the concept.. she wants it Manual and she said.. can we get some bigger wheels that are gun metal to match the stripes???

oh yeah... i love my wife. :)

Well.....my wife loves the 5th gen and even before she saw it was determined that I get one. Even if she hated it, she wants me to have what I want.

When I was looking for a black '99 TA WS6, we were dating and she made herself late for work calling a bunch a dealers near her to see if they had a car. She found one and I bought it two days later - she absolutely loved that car, too.

My wife is the absolute best and I'm the luckiest guy in the world.:bow:

Tell her to stuff it... :|

Bargain w/ her and get the 2010 anyway.. It'll grow on her, I'm sure..

First off....Camry or Accord?
Malibu. Nuff said. Sit her down in that, have her enjoy the thought of a Bow-Tie family. Tell her that they will match like a set of shoes and a dress!!
What picture did she see? Did she see the car in person? Did she watch Transformers with you?
I did tell her if we get to that point we should look at the Malibu as well as the other two.
The picture on my desktop is the white pre-production model front view.
She did watch Transformers with me but didn't like it.

Better yet, let her test drive one, and you might end up with 2 in the driveway...;)

umm??? who's car will it be? do you like it? my girl doesn't like any camaro, thats hasn't and wont stop me. from getting what i want.

has she seen it in person? that might change her mind

lol I was the one that TOLD my Wife................ I mean My husband that we were getting a New Camaro, if he liked it or not.


I mean he got ticked off at me when we got our buick because it wasnt something he wanted, but I have gone his way several times in buying a car that I hated or didnt like. Its time I get something I WANT. NOW he loves the buick & he drives it more than I do lol. ( he works at a better place than I do)


So We are getting a Jetstream BLUE Vert with Silver strips & black Leather interior.

I dont think its that crucial at all. If she is driving it as her main car then yes. If its my car the wife accepts what I want.

Yeah, we've finally gotten our situation resolved. She didn't like sticks, so I sold my Formula for a CTS, which she loved, and I liked, but not as much as the bird. So we sold that for a vette, but I got an A4 to make her happy. She was, I wasn't. Ended up making a deal w/ her...she had already picked our Blazer, so I told her to pick whatever sedan she wanted, and we would get that, and when it was paid off, I would get me whatever 6 speed whatevercar I wanted. She agreed. So now she will have her choice of 2 cars that she picked, and she will leave me alone w/ my vette :lol:.

Luckily, the SS is a short timer, as she will be getting a Camaro down the road :bow:.

Kind of hard to comment too much not knowing what you financial situation is, how "demanding" your wife is (another word can be used in some relationships ;)) and how much practice you guys have talking through issues and negotiating.

.....but I will say it sounds like you may be getting the short end of the stick if you sold your car with the agreement to use the money on a new Camaro only to be forced to use it to buy her a new car. Good luck on that one.

As far as myself, my wife could take it or leave it when it comes to the 5th Gen or any "sports car" for that matter. But as someone else said of their wife, she knows how passionate I AM about cars. NO WAY and NO HOW would I ever buy a car without her "buying off" on it. I "make my case" and she either agrees or talks sense into me and we hold off.....and there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's not all one sided.

Cases in point:

Married to my 1st wife (use the alternate term for "demanding" here) for 6 years. The only "cool" car I was "allowed" to have was the 78 Z28 I bought 5 years before we married.

Got divorced, moved in with my present wife, got my 92 Z28. In the 11 years since we've been married:
-- Got the 95 Z28 when the '92 started having reliability issues.
-- Got the 85 Vette, and she reasoned that the only way to restore it was to sell the 95Z.
-- After putting time and money into the 85 Vette I was absolutely disgusted with the only part I didn't do myself....the paint. I was "working on her" to replace it with a early 90's ZR1 Vette. She did some checking on the net behind my back, and while I was looking at more than 10 year old ZR1's, she found I could get a 1 or 2 year old LS1 Vert, or hardtop Firehawk or SS. Guess what? I got the 01 SS.
-- Got the 66 Vette off my Dad, and though I would have LOVED to keep the SS AND put money away to restore the 66, that wasn't realistic, so I sold the SS and started restoring the '66.
-- My '78 Z28 wasn't cutting it as a reliable or comfortable daily driver, so I convinced her to get a 96 Z28 off a buddy of mine relatively cheap as a DD instead to use until the '66 was done.
-- Hopefully the Vette will be done before Summer, and even though it WILL definitely be a "driver", it WON'T be a "daily driver". I can't see myself driving that 96 Z28 with over 105K miles the next 2 or even 3 years until the 500+hp "Bad-A$$" Camaro comes out AND is affordable (read: when dealer price gouging ends).

.....so I'm currently shopping for a lower mileage C5 Z06 to use as a daily driver until then :D!

A lot of it is give & take and/or being realistic about finances. But if it's all give on your part and all take on hers.....been there done that for 6 miserable years...not cool :no:

Well since the C6 we bought 1.5 years ago has become hers more or less...Lol... The Camaro will be mine.She drives it more since I use a company car most of the time. I wanted A candy apple red w/ gunmetal stripes and wheels. We compromised on Candy apple w/ silver stripes and chrome or silver wheels. She`s as excited as I am now. Personally I think you should explain to her you are selling your car to buy this new one, and it should be your decision.

I made my wife sign on with the new Camaro before we got married. I told her that was the only non-negotiable thing in our relationship. She seems to like it but she also knows how important it is to me.

Wives are funny animals..

I bought my 97 Z28 Convert 3 years before I even met my wife. I rarely drive it (only 35k miles) in the summer anymore. After we got married and had our first child she said the Camaro had to go. She had pretty much got what ever she wanted up to that point. When I told her that was not an option she was not happy. I told her that was one issue I was not flexible on. She tried for the next several years to get me to sell it, but finally realized it was like talking to a wall. That car was my first nice car I ever bought. It really means alot to me. When we built our house I added a 10 foot extension to the garage just to store my baby in the winter. Now the new Camaro is coming out. We struck a deal that I could get it if she gets a new mini-van. Well she is driving a brand new mini van so I have a green light to buy the Camaro when it comes out.:D

On a side note, she did ask if I was selling my 97 before getting the new one. I was like 'Ummmm... No...':)

This sort of thing makes me value my freedom, and realize how important it is to ensure you identify well with your partner before you pop the big Q.
I would hate to feel bad because I bought what I wanted for MY car and she was mad about it, because I damn sure am not going to allow her to be the sole reason I'm not enjoying what I drive.

To the thread poster: I'd explain to the wife just how much the car means to you, if it really does.. and seriously, it hurt to hear that she wanted to spend your SS money on a dang import sedan thats about as exciting as last week's mashed potatoes.

Good luck sir!

Tricky situation. But when she says "no", that just means that it is the start of the negotiations. She is probably trying to get something out of it. The real trick is to figure out what she really wants without straight up asking her. You *cannot* ask her or insinuate in any way that she wants something in exchange for her permission. This would just set her off.

When you finally figure it out, put it to her something like this, "You know, I've been thinking when I get the Camaro, I think we should both get something. I think maybe you should get a (something)"

If your situation doesn't allow for two big purchases that may be part of the problem as well. She may feel inwardly that you are being selfish by making a big buy like that without respect for her.

Another situation is to make getting the Camaro her idea. This is probably the hardest situation to create but has the best results. She may currently be against the idea but you need to get her to suggest you get it.

She hasn't actually said "no," she says; "if you can afford it." Which turns out to mean it can't be financed and I can't take money from anywhere else in the budget.
I have to have my own separate cash. I can use the money I got from the sale of my 4th gen., but that won't be enough by itself. So I'm saving what I can each month out of my personal allowance (we each get a little no-questions-asked money each paycheck.)

It would be ideal if I could get her to want it too, but I'm not sure if that's achievable. I'm hoping when they come out and she sees it she'll like it.

BTW the Camry she currently drives we obtained by trading in my previous '96 Z28 vert..

She really is a good woman and we get along great on most things. She's just very frugal and not into cars.

Maybe by some miracle she'll fall in love with it in person but I'm doubting that based on her response to the pre-production pictures which was very disappointingly negative.

Dude, you already traded in one of YOUR cars to get HER one. She owes you!!!! Grow a pair ;)

I don't think you've answered... will this be your DD, or just a toy... do you have 15 other cars/trucks/projects??? What are you driving now... will that be traded in as well???

...and she doesn't need a new Camry... they last FOREVER! :rolleyes:

Marrage is a give and take. Fighting only makes life harder. I give in to what my wife wants for her car and I take what I want for my car. Also thank God I make more money that she does. It makes it easier.

Dude, you already traded in one of YOUR cars to get HER one. She owes you!!!! Grow a pair ;)


Got that right! How come she can get a new car w/ no financing restrictions and you can't? Put the pants back on and work it out.:D

Dude, you already traded in one of YOUR cars to get HER one. She owes you!!!! Grow a pair ;)

yeah I thought that too but I think the "one" was the '02 SS vert which I got AFTER she got the Camry.

I don't think you've answered... will this be your DD, or just a toy... do you have 15 other cars/trucks/projects??? What are you driving now... will that be traded in as well???

It will probably have to be daily driver. Right now I'm driving an Impala but I promised it to my daughter when she gets her license.

...and she doesn't need a new Camry... they last FOREVER! :rolleyes:

yeah she even admits she doesn't NEED a new one. More of a want. Like me and a 5th gen..

My girlfriend told me that she wanted to marry the 5th gen camaro when she saw the white pre-production. Hphmm..

Tricky situation. But when she says "no", that just means that it is the start of the negotiations. She is probably trying to get something out of it. The real trick is to figure out what she really wants without straight up asking her. You *cannot* ask her or insinuate in any way that she wants something in exchange for her permission. This would just set her off.

When you finally figure it out, put it to her something like this, "You know, I've been thinking when I get the Camaro, I think we should both get something. I think maybe you should get a (something)"

If your situation doesn't allow for two big purchases that may be part of the problem as well. She may feel inwardly that you are being selfish by making a big buy like that without respect for her.

Another situation is to make getting the Camaro her idea. This is probably the hardest situation to create but has the best results. She may currently be against the idea but you need to get her to suggest you get it.

kinda sound like a car salesman!

yeah I thought that too but I think the "one" was the '02 SS vert which I got AFTER she got the Camry.


But that's gone now... again, it's was YOUR car, so YOUR turn :D


It will probably have to be daily driver. Right now I'm driving an Impala but I promised it to my daughter when she gets her license.


Sounds like a perfect scenario to get a new Camaro to me :D


yeah she even admits she doesn't NEED a new one. More of a want. Like me and a 5th gen..

As you've said, she doesn't give a rip about cars, you do. If she wants to drive a boring old camry, it's no different than a boring new camry. You'll truely appreciate the camaro. HUGE DIFFERENCE between her want to have a new car (and not needing one) and you being a car guy (I'm assuming based on past camaro's) and WANTING the new Camaro, because it's what you like.

Best of luck to you, I really hope you can swing getting one and keep the little lady happy, but from an outsider looking in, it really looks like you're getting the shaft...

My girl LOVES horses. EXPENSIVE AS HELL! She gets to do her thing, I get to do mine (spend $ on my rides.)

kinda sound like a car salesman!

Well, I'm trying to sell my wife on the Camaro, so I guess in a sense I am.

I sat my wife down and showed her the picture and told her, "This is the new Camaro. They'll go on sale next year, but I plan to hold out until the Z28 becomes available. This will be my next new car."

She hasn't said, "no." :D

All this makes being Divorced with the Alimony and Child Support a distant memory a good thing. :)

Although with what she gets a month from my Army Retirement would make a great car payment. :mad:

But still worth it as now I can do: What I Want, When I Want and If I Want. Lastly if I don't Want to I Don't have to. :D

Let's put this in simple terms? WTF are you asking her for in the first place? Why is it even being discussed? I had a 94 Z28 when we got married 12 years ago. I traded it in on a 96 Z28 a year after we got married. Same polo green- didn't tell her I was buying it- just came home with it after work. Didn't say a word... she left in the morning and didn't even notice it. (to be fair we were in an apartment and she wasn't parked right next to me but she did have to drive by it to leave). If I hadn't taken her to dinner that night who knows how long it would have been before she even noticed. Kind of couldn't hide T-tops, automatic, and leather; old one was a base Z28...

In any case, I held onto that car until Sept 04 when I bought my GTO; didn't tell, discuss, hint, ask, beg, NOTHING. Left work a little early one Thursday afternoon, went to the dealer, looked, bought. Went home saying nothing to the wife, ate dinner, played with the kids, and went to bed. Came home with it the next day. She called and asked where I was after work that day and I told her I was picking up my new car and I'd be home in about an hour. That's the kind of discussion that one should have regarding buying a new piece of equipment for the man cave.

Let's put this in simple terms? WTF are you asking her for in the first place? Why is it even being discussed?

First off I dont know where the caveman came from, But If my husband bought something that we will be making payments on with out speaking to me about it unless it was for me as a present, (even then he might say something like I got you something BUT we still need to make payments). Then his butt will be grass & mine wuuld too if I did the same thing. Its called RESPECTING each other.


Do you beat your wife too if she doesnt listen you too or goes out & spends 1000 on clothes that she doesnt need?

My wife loves the concept, and based on those pictures, she's said she'd love for us to get one eventually. A couple weeks ago I showed her the pre-production pics (just the exterior ones). She said, and I quote: "They gave it a butt!"

I haven't asked specifically, but I suspect it may be slightly harder to convince her that we need one now. I'll wait until the real thing is out, put her in the driver's seat of a brand new M6, and then see what she thinks. :D

Let's put this in simple terms? WTF are you asking her for in the first place? Why is it even being discussed? I had a 94 Z28 when we got married 12 years ago. I traded it in on a 96 Z28 a year after we got married. Same polo green- didn't tell her I was buying it- just came home with it after work. Didn't say a word... she left in the morning and didn't even notice it. (to be fair we were in an apartment and she wasn't parked right next to me but she did have to drive by it to leave). If I hadn't taken her to dinner that night who knows how long it would have been before she even noticed. Kind of couldn't hide T-tops, automatic, and leather; old one was a base Z28...

In any case, I held onto that car until Sept 04 when I bought my GTO; didn't tell, discuss, hint, ask, beg, NOTHING. Left work a little early one Thursday afternoon, went to the dealer, looked, bought. Went home saying nothing to the wife, ate dinner, played with the kids, and went to bed. Came home with it the next day. She called and asked where I was after work that day and I told her I was picking up my new car and I'd be home in about an hour. That's the kind of discussion that one should have regarding buying a new piece of equipment for the man cave.

I have a new outlook on life now.
Thank you.

We went to NAIAS last weekend...my wife took more pictures of Bumblebee than I did...and she took them to work to show her friends!..:cool:

My g/f and I made a deal.....I get a SS 'Vert M6.......She gets to pick the color and I teach her to drive a stick.....'nuff said.

Let's put this in simple terms? WTF are you asking her for in the first place? Why is it even being discussed? I had a 94 Z28 when we got married 12 years ago. I traded it in on a 96 Z28 a year after we got married. Same polo green- didn't tell her I was buying it- just came home with it after work. Didn't say a word... she left in the morning and didn't even notice it. (to be fair we were in an apartment and she wasn't parked right next to me but she did have to drive by it to leave). If I hadn't taken her to dinner that night who knows how long it would have been before she even noticed. Kind of couldn't hide T-tops, automatic, and leather; old one was a base Z28...

In any case, I held onto that car until Sept 04 when I bought my GTO; didn't tell, discuss, hint, ask, beg, NOTHING. Left work a little early one Thursday afternoon, went to the dealer, looked, bought. Went home saying nothing to the wife, ate dinner, played with the kids, and went to bed. Came home with it the next day. She called and asked where I was after work that day and I told her I was picking up my new car and I'd be home in about an hour. That's the kind of discussion that one should have regarding buying a new piece of equipment for the man cave.

.....WOW! Your wife sounds like one lucky lady!