All this sounds fine to me. I don't feel that the mid level engine has to beat up on the GT, just offer a similar feel. Just a nice pleasing driving experience, broad torque curve, good sound. Similar to the late 3rd gens with the L03 (no flames please).

I would probably want the TDC, but my wife would most certainly go for the base model w/ the smaller, less powerful V8, but she would definetly want the 8.

Jason, like the wheels

 

I am sure it happened, I just have my exteme doubts about the frequency of which it occured that is insinuated on this board. I would bet that for every one person that was actually scared of the power output of the car, there were more than a few buyers that would make up for it. Too much Hp is not something I contribute to the death of the 4th gen. 9 years with poor advertising and no serious redesigns in an increasingly style competitive segment is.


Isn't that what the v6 is for? To give the buyer an alternative engine if they want the car cheaper, but don't care about the performance. Insurance might be higher, but as we all know with GM's LS engines, fuel efficiency isn't an issue.


I am sure it is a factor, but somehow I doubt that it is as big a one as played up on this board. I have never seen an auto manufacturer that didn't advertise that their automobile made more power in its segment than any of the competitors, because that is point worth making to spark interest in the vehicle.


I believe the Hemi sales make up around half of all LX cars sold, give or take. I am not completely sure on this though, but I know it is a solid percentage.

I am trying to look at the broader spectrum, and I don't think keeping Hp down is a real issue to be concerned with in the 5th gen. I think the styling, and keeping it from being an "engine in a box" is. The fbody sales may have been dying off in the 90s, but apparently someone at Ford was concerned with the growing gap in Hp between the Cambirds and the Mustang when the LS1 was introduced, because it wasn't long before the PI head equipped Mustangs came out with 260 Hp, to try to narrow the gap some.

Camaros are kind of thought of as loud, rough, and aggressive period ( I wouldn't have it any other way.) Its just the image that fits the Camaro. I don't think that this has a whole lot to do with Hp, just its styling.


The Mustang kills the GTO in sales, but it is because of styling, and price, and I have said multiple times that styling is the most important factor. I just don't think it is fair to punish the guys who aren't going to be able to afford a $30k Camaro with a $20k v8 Camaro that doesn't kick ***, and smoke the competition. There are people that buy these cars for more than just image. It has been brought up numerous times that the Camaro and the Mustang are not solely crossed shopped with each other either. With more cars like the 350z, which will likely recieve a bump to 300hp on all of its models, a rumored 350hp Suby STI, a rumored Dodge Challenger, an Evo X, a possible RX-7, and possible others, I think having a fire breathing base v8 is even more prevalent.
As I stated, we enthusiasts may be in the minority, but we are the ones who make our voices known. How many people's opinions have been swayed due to advise you have gave them? JasonD wrote tonight that his fiance now appreciates third gens, and no longer likes Jettas. Sounds like his opinion had a large degree of influence over her. Case in point.

I guess my point for all this rambling is, keeping Hp down should be the least of concerns on the engineer's minds behind the developed of the 5th gen. Last I checked, I had complete control of my right foot, and I can only assume this is a constant for everyone else as well. If you don't like the power, don't put your foot to the floor. I still want a great base v8, not another 305 disaster.

 

awhile back i said i would like to see GM go back to a more broader spectrum of models ala 3rd gen. i know it all comes down to the beancounters, but we need more than one V8 and a nice peppy V6. and i'm not just talkin like 3.9, 5.3, 6.2.....hows this sound to you guys......

3.9 in base and RS
optional 5.3 in base and RS
5.3 H.O. in base SS
optional 6.2 in SS
s/c 6.2 or LS7 (i'm hoping for the later) in the Z/28

change the names as you will, just my preference. sounds like alot, but it would cover all bases and all buyers from mild to wild straight out of the dealer.

 

Its got my vote, except I don't think the v6 should be offered in RS trim at all. Other than that, I am all for it. Don't think we will see that many v8s though, unless there are some special editions cars made (fingers crossed for ZL1.)

 

that just made me giggle...LS7....ZL1......[Homer simpson voice]ooooooooooooohhhhhh baaaaabbyyyy[/Homer Simpson voice]

 

I would get out of my chair and go scream and dance in the middle of my street if I knew GM was going to put an LS7 in a special edition ZL1. Then I would promptly come back inside and figure out a way to afford it in the next few years.

 

i'd wait til i figured out how to afford it before running through my neighborhood....hmmmmmm...already budgeted for $30K for the my 5th gen......

i need to go see about a night job...

 

They more or less already did

https://www.camaroz28.com/articles/2002zl1/index.shtml

http://www.gmmginc.net/html/zl1_camaro.html

 

definetley something i would not mind carried over from the 4th gen...

 

Try a weekend job, night jobs are no fun. This is coming from a third-shift guy.

 

How can you flame over the best selling Camaro trim of all time?!?!

Ahhh, The L03 Thirdgen. Perfect example of looks, feel, and performance (for it's time). It had about 30% less horsepower then the top dog model (L98) and sold circles around it...

It doesn't have to be a 11s car out of the box to sell well, and GM needs this new 5thgen to sell!

 

I think you might be reading just a bit too far into what I said. All I am saying is, f-body sales were lost due to too much horsepower. That's it.

I then added that I think perhaps a broader choice of power levels would help reduce that in the future.

But what do I know?

I do not know where you are getting this from. I do not have a fiance, I am married and I have been for over 5 years. My wife drives a Chevrolet, has always liked 3rd gens and doesn't have any interest in VW.

 

heh

 

Sorry, I didn't mean you, I meant Jason E. One letter off there. I do agree with you though, a broader choice of power levels would be great. I just want to see: v6,*edit* base v8 for sales (one that still makes plenty of power though), and then the top dog v8.

I am still not satisfied with the statement f-bodies sales were lost because of too much hp though. It may have some validity to it, but I could also say fbody sales were lost because they didn't offer yellow as a color option. I am sure that probably cost a few sales, but is it worth bringing up as one of significant failures of the car (although more color options never hurt anyone.)

 

Oh, okay...that would explain everything!

I wonder if it won't be like how the Z06 didn't come out the first year of the C5. It took a year or two before that came out. Just speculating.