Um..... about the same kinds of problems you'd expect from any other new car.

I don't understand your question. You seem to be implying that there is some type of problem we should "expect". Being Camaro is still 2 years away, your question would mean that a car maker intentionally puts out a car that is expected to have problems, which is a pretty silly assumption.

I'm pretty sure I misunderstood your question, so please clarify.

 

Ok, my current ride is a 72. It has plenty of problems, but none of them came with it. I have never bought a new car, and I hope that when the time comes, the camaro will be my first. My question is what kind of problems is usually associated with the release of a new car?

 

There are always lots of potential problems with any really new (as in never produced before) vehicle but no one here or at GM for that matter could really answer your question...every car maker today does a lot of testing of various kinds to try and spot problems/things that don't work as planned (and there are alwasy those that happen) but that doesn't mean there will actually be any in the production vehicle.

As I mentioned before, even the C6 has has had a couple of problems (at least one of which is probably the fault of the suppler) so they happen...would I let that alone stop me from buying a car in it's first year of production...maybe...as I said I personally like to wait until the second or third year of a production run but not just because of potential problems so, if I really, really wanted a particular vehicle I'd probably buy one in it's first year.

Bear in mind thay anybody no matter what year of a model run can produce a lemon...they happen and they probably always will but I wouldn't let those sorts of worries run my life (or may my purchasing decision for me)

My 2000 Z/28 had a couple of problems early on so even being late in a production run is no guarantee of a problem-free vehicle...even so, I still loved the car and never regreted buying it.

 

I think the notion that a new type car will be problematic is kinda outdated. Sure there will always be some problems but the days of the trans or rear end dropping on a new car are certainly over. I wouldn't expect any major problems because new cars today are tested and engineered better. And no the domestic car companies do not introduce cars to the public to further their testing. That's laughable at best.
Since we now have an idea that the Camaro will have a 6.2L V8. I think we know the engineering on the engine will be fine. Not to mention lots of other major components will probably be pulled from other GM lines and thus already engineered and tested.

 

Well, as far as first year problems, its really a very unknowable quantity. As a customer and manufacturer you want 0 recalls/issues at all. However, as cars are designed and made by imperfect people, there is usually going to be something that isn't quite right.

Case in point of cars taking a few years to get right is the Mazda RX-8 (its still not as reliable as a piston motor). The car itself is pretty reliable and well made, with a couple little issues here and there. The motor is a whole different story however. They are very prone to flooding, and not starting. It then needs to be towed to your local dealer and cleared out, restarted etc. I honestly don't see the rotary being a viable motor for the long term at all.

 

The problems today seem to be with suppliers, who between pressures to cut costs to the point of almost bankrupcy and far shorter development times often don't have the quality of the components that come directly from the manufacturer. They might supply many parts for testing that meet specs, then drop the specs for something cheaper when the car goes into production. The 2000 Cobra had a horsepower deficiency that was directly tracable to contracted parts that weren't up to specs. Ditto with the forementioned Z06 roof skin. Bridgestone nearly brought down Ford via Firestone tires (or Ford by choosing the cheapest tires they could find). One story related in "All Corvettes Are Red" regarding the fuel tank on a preproduction car where the supplier didn't follow specs and clogged the fuel system.

 

Um....is there a point to this thread?

I mean - the car's not even out yet, and current owner experience is not very accurate. For example, my '99 TA WS6 has 150k miles on it and has had one problem - an oil leak that was within the last few months. What does that tell you about the new Camaro?? If anything you're a whole lot smarter than me.....

 

I thought I had a valid question when I opened the thread. I think the appropriate question is whether there is a point to where it is going...

 

I think some people are getting their panties in a wad about possible problems with the first year of a new model.

I think that "glitches" are almost inevitable on the first year. Should it prevent someone from buying one though? HELL NO!!

People need to lighten the hell up. You've got a 5 year warranty and besides, if a widespread problem does come up, GM would recall the cars to fix the problem if needed.

 

I agree.... problems are often times inevitable. Furthermore, they are not only inevitable on the 1st year vehicles but also on later year vehicles as well. Case in point - I currently drive a 2002 Silverado. My truck was the last of this model style which was in since 99, but yet I still have received 3 recall notices and have noticed a couple other "glitches" such as a rattle in the steering column and a hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear. Both of these problems are very common in my style truck regardless whether it was a 1999 or a 2002. My truck obviously did not benefit from 4 years of production. The point is that even if you get a 2nd or 3rd year vehicle, you will still probably have some issues.

 

thats becaus its the same motor is an old rx-7 it was found out by some japanese tuner guys who ripped into the motors 90% of the parts are the same, just new electronics basically. rx-8 = same stuff as rx-7 with the same motor problems. thats why mazda is canning it and bringing back the rx-7.

 

Very true about there being a high parts commonality between the RX7 and RX8 motors. In fact, if you look at the housing, it's stamped 13B. The 13B was first introduced in 1984 in the GSL-SE RX-7 as the top of the line motor for the FB body style.

The biggest differences internally between the old 13B and the Renisis 13B is that the intake and exhaust ports are in the side housing instead of around the periphiery (sp?) of the rotor housing. Externally most everything is different, intake/exhaust/sensors etc. The oil filter is in the same place it's always been (just harder to get to) and is even the same part number.

All of that is to say, because of the reasons you brought out, they still have problems with the RX* motors, and probably always will.

 

Your post completely lost me here.

You seem to be saying that the RX8 motor is the same motor with problems as the RX7....... so they are solving the problem by ending RX8 production and going back to the RX7...... and that solves the problem???!!

Knowing that RX7 and RX8 are totally different cars, and saying engine problems can be solved by putting it in a different car.... I'm just certain that's not what you're trying to say. A little bit of clarity please.



But going by your post, the new engines are infact much improved over the old. The Rotary's biggest weakness is it's seals at the tips of the rotors. The new ones are far better than they've ever been, but you aren't likely to get the same longevity as you will with a traditional piston engine.

Of course the "RX" engines are very much the same inside. The 4.6 in a 96 Mustang is very similar internally to a 2006. Again, I don't understand what you're trying to say.

As far as the RX8 being dumped for an RX7, that's completely false. Although Mazda is hinting at bringing back the RX7, as far as I see, the RX8 is perfectly safe..... and even has a redesigned version coming soon.

RX7 is a 2 passenger sports car, RX8 is a sporty coupe. Best comparison is the Camaro and the Corvette. Both have different target markets.

 

Yea the suppliers are not always up to par but I think the question being posed or just the one I answered is what kind of problems will we expect on the 09 Camaro. And to that I think its safe to say about as many as the C6 had or the G6 or the 07 Silverado. My point was nothing major beacuse there was a time when people held off of buying first year cars because of an expected rash of problems. To me in this day in age thats a myth. But JD Power consideres quality percentages in the upper 90's as great so the odds are in the buyers favor.