I read all these threads where people are whining about wanting the new Camaro to keep up with the next Cobra, even if it approaches and surpasses the 500hp range. They want to make sure their car is the meanest, baddest 1/4 mile car ever I guess.

Well, my question is, am I the only one that's more worried about the next Camaro's ride, handling, and weight?

I want a car that will handle like a dream, respond to my input instantly, and still provide a nice ride for those days I'm actually just driving to work. The last LS1 Camaro's were pretty dang fast, and the next one is gaurenteed to be faster, but I hope more than anything they focus on dropping weight, improving ride, and improving handling.

I think that may be another one of the factors that was against the 4th gen, the fact that they became more "land based missles" as opposed to a really "sporty" car.

I'm not suggesting they turn the next Camaro into a little pocket rocket at all, I just want something that is a total driving package, not just a 1/4 mile wonder.

Thoughts?

 

I agree with you completely, as a future Camaro would be a daily driver for me...

that said, I do think the performance Camaros must at least keep pace with the compitition as far as power and straight line performance goes...

 

All I want is a good platform to modify, lower power I can fix because engine mods will always be plentiful. Things like the weight of the platform the car is based on, suspension design, and tons of other things I will not be able to change need to come correct from GM.

Engines and power are the easiest to change for both GM and people like me. Just look at the life of the F-body, GM can always toss in more power and badder engines later but major attributes of the platform design will stay with it for life, maybe another 40 years. I want that stuff be done right even if it costs me some power today.

I don't know where all this 500HP stuff is coming from. Not to long ago this very board was wonding how GM was going to create a more refined Camaro w/ modest HP boost and still price it under $30K. Nobody was willing to pay more than that for a Camaro, the very thought of a more expensive Camaro sent people into fits of rage. Now everyone is willing to drop down $60K on all sorts of special uber Camaros? I guess all it took was the threat of a Mustang "winning" and all of a sudden everybody has money to spend.

 

I WANT IT ALL!

 

I believe the Camaro in the 5th Gen will almost have to "handle like a dream." It has to be under 400 horses because the base C6 'vette will have somewhere around that and you can't match the 'vette in power. So the 5th Gen will have to have 350-375 on the high end. That means it will no longer compete with the Cobra in straight line performance, which is alright with me. Ford wants the Cobra to compete with the 'vette then so be it. I still want the Camaro to beat the GT or equivilent mustang of the time, which I can imagine being relatively easy being that rumors say it'll be 3800 lbs and 300 HP. So I believe a nice handling 350 HP Camaro is what the future has in store for us. Just remember it'll never handle as good as a 'vette or have the same power because you can't do that in Chevy. Maybe Pontiac can get away with it in the future.

 

I don't care what kind of power a new Fbody would make.

I just would like to see one.

 

it'll probably be rated at 375 or something, but it'll have the same power as a base vette, that's the same they did in the 4th gen, and if i remember correctly, i think the ls1 f-bodies were more aggressively cammed than the base vette. it's all a matter of ratings for chevy, they just don't want anybody thinking that a camaro can take a vette

 

Agreed... the past pretty much dictates this...

 

You most certainly are not the only one more worried about things beyond just 1/4 mile times.

I am starting to question if those same people wanting the next Camaro to be nearly 500 hp, or the "beat Cobra at any price" gang are actually going to lay money on the line to buy a Camaro like that, or are they just full of hot air.

Although the Cobra is phenominally quick right now, I'd buy a Mach1 first. Just like I chose a Z28 over an SS. I don't see paying $35,000 and up (in today's dollars) for a Mustang or Camaro. With the Cobra, at least you get special customer service and a hotline to SVT with the purchase price.

GTO is a well made, great handling, and fully loaded very very quick luxury coupe, so I have no qualms steping up to 32 large for it. It's also a limited production car, not a limited production model.

But give me a 400 horse Camaro with great handling IRS, great styling inside & out, quality materials & assembly, and a price tag not more than 30 grand, and I'll bite big time.

Note: I didn't say it had to beat a more expensive Cobra.

 

I agree with you guionM


I will buy a 400HP Camaro for $30,000

I will not be buying a 500HP Camaro for $45,000+

 

Yah, that's kinda what I was thinking too, as long as the thing is a real "all around" car, and not just one dimensional.

 

I couldn't have said it better.

If I'm dropping $45k, it's going to be on a Vette.

 

and here i thought i was the only one....

i would love a well made, decently priced, great handeling, camaro. i personally would be satisfied with 325hp. it doesnt need to be a monster right from the factory, thats where the modding comes in. isnt that at least half the fun of owning the car anyway?

im just more concerned with it coming back and being successful then worrying about some stupid 400 or 500hp "super camaro" thats not the image the car is supposed to have.

time will tell, and hopefully by then ill be able to buy a great all around camaro that i can mod in the way i want. i personally want a better road and track car than a drag strip monster, and hopefully the new camaro will satisfy that

 

I'm not hung up on a 500 hp Camaro at all.

I'm looking for a 5th gen Z/28 with a modern chassis...that gives me world class handling, modern proportions, beautiful sheetmetal and interior and best in class quality.

Somewhere around 400hp is more than sufficient for me.

I expect the top engine in Camaro to be the C6's LS2..appropriately derated ( not necessarily detuned).

That's just fine with me.

 

I would say that you're dead on with the 400hp mark. I'm thinking that will be a valid (underrated) claim. The SS will be the way to go for all of the bells and whistles, though.