There...

I fixed it for you.


Lame-brained suggestion (with at least some merit):
Make non-runflats an option on the Z06, throw a can of Fix-a-Flat in the trunk, and do it just for the sheer pleasure of gaining a few more tenths in magazine comparos, thereby humiliating the GT and Viper even more. Hell, you don't even have to actually SELL THEM that way. Make it the ultra-super-secret option that drives the value of used Z06's through the roof in 20 years.

"Mine has the mega-rare 'Runflat Delete L24X' option, so it's worth $100,000 more."

Build like 10 of them and sell them all to employees or dealership owners who race. That'll throw a nice "conspiracy theory" angle at the whole thing, which will make for good press later...

Heh.

 

There's another factor I see in the whole "Firebird/GTO" question: Regardless of how you view the size of the market, and regardless of how the market grows, where would a Firebird buyer go for a new car if there's no Firebird?

I've got a '99 TA ws6 and one reason I still drive it is that there's nothing for me to upgrade to that suits me. There are lots of cars out there, but nothing that's:

1. FUN to drive in all conditions
2. POWERFUL to the point of being frightening
3. AGGRESSIVE in style, sound and feel without being retro

I've driven Rustangs, SRT8's, and 350z's - nothing in a reasonable (~$35k) price range has more than one of those traits - not anything I've even read about on-line or in magazines comes close.

But now the Camaro concept comes along and based on the sketchy information we already know, it sounds like it will have AT LEAST two of those three characteristics. For a car buyer like me, the Camaro represents the closest fit to what I want. Would I like to see a Trans Am on the same platform? You bet! Is there something I'd drive instead of a Camaro if GM never builds a Firebird? Not a chance! Anyone want to bet I'm alone in this thinking?

 

I understand the business side of why the firebird won't come back. But can someone explain to me how Nissan has the 350Z and G35. I thought the relation between these cars are the same as the firebird and camaro. I figured camaro buyers to want a powerful sporty car with no frills while the firebird buyer wanted that same power with heated seats and navigation.

 

1995, which, by coincidence, is also the last year Camaro topped 100k.

 

i've been meaning to look that up so thank you.


i still say a firebird would make money for them.

 

I never saw Camaro/Firebird as overlap...
this is just as much overlap:
Chevy/GMC truck/SUV(mid/full sized)
g6/lacrosse
torrent/rainier
g5/cobalt
not to mention Saturn..
And that's ok b/c???
All I'm saying is more variety in bait, more fish attracted...
If Firebird coming back on Camaro's platform is wrong, then GTO must go...
It has Chevy drivetrain components as well, no 400 ci Pontiac motor in there...the days of affordable, totally distiguishible(sp?) cars/components
are gone.
Camaro w/o Firebird, is like 300c w/o Charger...or vis versa.
And with all the farmed out body panels etc...I can't see it costing a fortune to build....certifying, well ????

 

This makes about as much sense as your Bin Laden Theory

 

Not the same company but Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35 coupe

 

The 350z and it's Infiniti sibling can coexist because one is more upscale than the other - and the sticker shows it. I'd say the same thing will happen with Camaro and GTO. But I can't see it happening with a Firebird and Camaro - which of those go upscale? Can you really afford to make a Firebird that's more luxurious and refined and cost $5k more than it's Camaro brother? I don't think Firebird fans want that - I know I don't.

Firebird was always the racier, more brash, loudmouth Camaro. But to employ the 350z/Infiniti strategy, the Camaro concept would have to be more upscale than it is - which would mean the Pontiac variant gets to be the upscale one this time. I can't see the Firebird nameplate fitting that image. I'll bet that's why GTO is sticking around. Btw, this fits nicely with Lutz's comments from years ago about "making Pontiac the American BMW". I don't agree with it, I'm not sure it'll work, and it might push me away from the Pontiac brand - but Lutz has more than earned the right to try it. And if that means no Trans Am or Firebird, I'll deal with it.

 

I think most people that want the camaro don't need or want luxury items. I always thought the firebird to be a upscale camaro. Isn't that what it is supposed to be? There are people out there that want the performance and sporty looks of a camaro and also want the amenities of Acura TL. I figured the firebird to fill that spot being that the majority of camaro fans just want a good looking car with brute power. They could care less about heated seats, driver memory seats, HUD, etc. Cost shouldn't matter either because the firebird or trans am has always been more expensive than the camaro. I don't see the GTO taking its place because it is more of a 2-door sedan.

 

In the last few years the Firebird has been the more upscale version of the Camaro. Not sure what you are talking about with this.

 

Just as blind when it comes to cars eh?
Anyways, "theory" is like saying, "If I play the Lotto I might win", when you buy a ticket it becomes a probability...(probably over your head), but the Bin Laden "thing", is a Probability.
Anyways, back on track..
This isn't 2002, and I see a LOT ,more coupes on the road...Could the market sustain the F-Body duo?
If done right, I'd say there could be a LOT of money in it.
Firebird has always been more showy, Camaro more functional. Do these demographics no longer exist?, or did I miss something?

 

What do you mean by showy? The Ram Air was more functional on the 02 Camaro than it was the 02 Trans AM? T-Tops were more functional on the Camaro but were for looks on the T/A What are you talking about?

 

The GTO plans to be larger than a camaro.
Not a sister car/competitor on the same level the bird was.

 

GTO better grow 4 doors then.
My dads had a 67 GTO way back.
He likes fast cars.
He's old enough were he can afford a pricer sports car like the GTO vs and entry level car like the camaro.
He'll never buy one, because it doesn't have 4 doors and people his age don't climb through the front seat.
I've tried and tried and thats his hang up. As much as it pains me to say it, I know a lot of other older men fit this same scenario, and they are the ones that are going to buy the GTO where as the younger ones like on this board will go for the Camaro.
Instead he drives a Lincoln LS. Luxery/sporty mix. At this point his next car will be another LS due to 4 doors.