I think some take it as an article of faith that a car that is more appealing to them will necessarily sell better. Or that a car that is not to their tastes will end up failing in some way. On the other hand, I know that sales success of a car and that car's appeal to me have only a minor relationship.

For Camaro, I don't think smaller and lighter will in any way guarantee more sales, and if it's not done right, it'll go the other way. The key will be to make it smaller without turning off those who like the design of the current one, while also appealing to those who like smaller, hopefully not turning off too many who like it larger.

So I agree with you Charlie, it's not too soon to start talking about the next one. But does anyone at GM really care what this forum thinks?

 

What's your definition of pony car? I like the one in Charlie's sig, personally, and I don't see anything inherent in those renderings that contradicts it.

 

In a way he is right, but not in the 80's, in the late 90's early 00's.

A decade ago, most the RWD enthusiasts I knew considered the early 3rd gen the low point of the Camaro.

 

Good question. Who knows. I don't think GM has anyone paid to hang on out every syllable here - that's for sure.

Generally speaking, I don't think anyone from GM will change any decisions based on what we say. It doesn't seem like the "Focus Group" had much of an impact on the final 5th gen product. Lord knows, I've been inputting my opinion on the Camaro and been interviewed for my thoughts on it for years. I can't really discern any changes which I have affected. Maybe the Z/28 vs SS things - but who even knows about that.

Basically, if your opinion matches up with what GM is going to do anyway - then they'll say that they did this with enthusiast input. If your opinion does not match up with what they are going to do - then, you don't exist. No decision changes will occur, regardless.

Maybe I'm wrong.....

 

Can you go into more detail on this? Other than hatch vs trunk and T-tops vs. sunroof what else was asked for that you feel they did listen to?


Also, I remember a lot of people o this and other sites saying Z28 should be the top Camaro, looks like they heard those people loud and clear.

Edit:
Also, if the 6th gen looks like this I want no part of it.

 

You see Camaro's in traffic down in Australia? More than once?

Wow.

 

I think it's a little unfair to say that. You asked the "disciples" what input went into the 5th Gen in another thread and they basically said it was too early to tell. There could be some things included in future model years.

I think GM has done a better job listening to its enthusiasts than in the past. The silly torque gauge is another example. The problem is, there are so many voices hollering for different things it's hard to incorporate everything. And when you've painted yourself into a corner of sorts by having to go Zeta for the 5G, well, it immediately disqualifies opinions like yours and mine.

 

I wasn't part of the Focus Group, but was interviewed and asked questions various times by GM on the Camaro.

I think at this point, most of those discussions are no longer of a sensitive nature.

Hatch vs trunk? I said whichever is the lightest and most rigid.

Sunroof vs T-tops? Never a serious question. T-tops were never going to be part of the 5th gen.

My biggest concern from the outset was the use of Zeta for the Camaro. It's size, it's weight, it's high cowl. I was told that they'd try to cut Zeta down to the size of the concept (didn't quite get there), they'd trim alot of weight off of it, (didn't even come close), the cowl though - we were stuck with.

I said, I didn't want to feel like I was sitting in a sedan, that work would have to be done to alter the driver's position (relative to it's sedan roots), in order to get a proper Camaro driving position.

We also talked alot about the car's driving dynamics and feel. How I thought it should be a joy to drive and an extension of the driver.

Concept's interior.......

Z/28 vs SS stuff. Their ears were bleeding after that - I'm sure.

Lots, lots more too........

Bottom line is, no one is going to yell, "STOP THE PRESSES" at GM and redo something based on what an "enthusiast" says.

 

I understand. You can't do what EVERYONE wants.

You're right about the "torque gauge" though.

 

98+ 4th gen Camaro hood/windshield/mirrors, 1G Talon back half, and a GTO front bumper with a grille from an Aston Martin?

Hmmmm. I can't say I hate it, but it doesn't say Camaro to me. The only styling cue that isn't a direct copy of something else are the wheels, and those are saying Corvette to me.

 

[/QUOTE]

If the 6th gen looks anything like that then General Motors deserves to go completely out of business....and that's coming from someone who absolutely bleeds GM blue and who's family drives

Currently:
2010 Camaro SS/RS
2003 GMC Sierra
2002 Chevy Tahoe

Previously:
2004 Chevy Colorado
1992 Chevy S10 Blazer
1984 Chevy El Camino

 

Why would you think that the 6th gen would look like a nearly decade old artist's rendering of what he thought the 5th gen would look like?

 

Seems to be a love it or hate it thing. I'm sure there were a lot of enthusiasts that said Keep it styled like the concept just the way it is.

As nice as the Regal RS is, I'm sure a lot of people would be pissed if that was the layout used in the 2010 Camaro



I don't. The only think I think might be used from a 4th gen is the SS hood and 97+ tail lights. My main concern with a "completely fresh" Camaro is that it is something bland with some previous Camaro styling ques tacked on.

Of course going from 4th to 5th gen we got a completely fresh design and it looks awesome. So maybe I shouldn't be worried.

 

completely new inside and out but willing to bet it will be like the c5->c6 changes.

 

Maybe, but I'm not one of them. I think that's a kickass layout.