Sorry, guys - I was referring to the majority of the the "ricer crowd", the people who stick a fartcan, wing, etc on a civic and then think they can outrun 350 SS Camaros.You also hear them spouting the typical lines, for example: "I've got more horsepower per liter"...

 

The import scene exists because it offers affordable performance to today's youth. When I was their age, imports were slow, gutless and undependable. Our only option was cheap used Detroit iron that was cheap to run and easy to make go fast.

They're only doing the same thing we did, they're just using a different medium.

Give them an alternative that offers the same performance and style at an affordable price and maybe you'll get a few converts. However that alternative does not exist.

 

The ricer crowd buy used imports & hop them up. Until used 5th gens start ending up on used car lots, it's going to be hard to tell.


Keep in mind that Ford sells more Mustangs than any other coupe that can be considered a "Ricer". In fact, at last count, if you discount the Monte Carlo, Mustang owns something like half the sporty coupe market and you can't keep a V8 manual Mustang on a used car lot.... so who needs ricers?

Finally, if a truck (Cadillac Escalade), a big American 4 door (Chrysler's 300C), and an aggressive looking, "only-in-America" muscle sedan (Dodge Charger) can all be "cool", then Camaro also has a pretty good shot.

Hell, the 5th gen concept Camaro already found itself in a rap video.

 

While i would have to agree that an open exhaust on a four cylinder is becoming more popular (and more annoying), comparing a go kart to any of those cars is kind of short sighted.

Heck, when i sit in my best friends 00 Camaro SS with the ttops down, i get more of a go kart feeling than i do in my balt. Considering the blah interior, overpowering exhaust, and extremely low-to-the-ground feel.

Besides, despte my exhaust sytem, all i hear is supercharger whine when i gun it.