. My friend just got one! I'm gonna have to use this line on him!

 

I already know Im going to go from an 86 Camaro to a 1997 Landrover to a 2002 Impala to a 2005 Dodge Magnum to a 2012 Chevy Corvette when I hit midlife.

 

Heh, I feel sorry for ya already. A landrover will eat you alive if you let it. Be preparedo do LOTS of things yourself or pay ou the nose at the dealer. If you can find a dealer when you things break.

 

I might seem to be out-growing the 'Old Camaro, BUT I think I could grow into a New One fairly easily..

 

We had the same thing - except in a '99 Z/28. That was AWESOME. Barely over $22,000 for a freaking Corvette engine. Just that concept was mind blowing. I still remember when my dad pulled into the driveway for the first time with it. He'd had V6 Camaro's before and let me tell you this thing was a thrill. He stomped on it on the highway for the first time and we just looked at each other like "holy sh*t that was insane." My Uncle rode in it, hopped out and exclaimed "I feel like I was just on vacation! I've got to get one!" And he did three weeks later.

My dad traded it in '03 for a Vette and then got a GTO, but I'll tell you, that black Camaro is still my favorite car ever. I know people say that the 4th gen strayed from its upright pony car roots, but in my mind, it was really the last car built completely true to the muscle car formula.

Sorry for the late-night ramblings (working on a research paper), but this what a Camaro should be IMO. No, it doesn't need to always be stripped (should be available like that though), and no it doesn't have to be an unrefined POS, but it should focus, first and foremost, on delivering exhiliration and passion inspiring performance for a low entrance fee. Note that in the Camaro's absense, the Japanese of all people have come in to fill the gap - the Evo and the WRX are really following the Camaro formula, and subsequently getting the same sort of customers that the Camaro did in its prime - predominantly young individuals who want to know that every cent of the money they spent on their car payed for performance. Of course, they can't match the sound of an LS1 at full throttle.

 

LMAO! Great freakin' thread - and I just found it! (I must've been hiding or something)
I'm probably one of the more "senior" people on this board (55 years) and yes, there are times when I feel that I'm outgrowing the SS and I get a hankerin' for a CTS-V or a C6... and I'm very greatful that at this stage of my life, that I could have either of those cars. Who knows? I still might end up with one of them... depending on how the 5th Gen car turns out (can't get a GTO in Canada!)
I got my '98 SS when I was 49 (so I guess that qualifies me for a mid-life crisis) I got a rug in the mid-80's when I had my 5.0 Mustang ragtop and started to go bald, but gave up on that when it became too uncomfortable to wear in the hot weather (so now I just shave head - should've gone that route years ago!). So there's another fit for me...
But where I don't seem to fit the description is that I don't give a crap about image, style or grace - and I'm proud of that. Most of my contemporaries are swapping their Lexi, Acuras, BMWs, Jags and Benz's every 2 or 3 years on a lease. I'm sure they enjoy their rides... but definitely not the same way I do.
My SS was paid off a few of years ago. I've spent 6 years modding it and now it's exactly where I want it - a very comfortable and streetable car with a heads and (mild) cam, headers and some suspension tweaks that allow me to take it out on road courses and run it 10/10ths (not sure how comfy I'd be doing that in a new CTS-V or C6!). It's almost as at home on a drag strip as well.
This is the only car that I've ever owned where the enjoyment that I get from it and the pride of ownership has actually increased with the amount of time I've owned it!
That's not outgrowing a car... I think it's called growing into it!
Let the 5th Gen carry on the traditional Camaro traits, while at the same time reflecting the technological advances and increased sophistication that GM ought to be able to engineer into it without destroying what made it so popular to begin with.

Best regardSS,

Elie

 

Great thread, I can't believe I missed it until now Anyways that kind of thought has been going through my head as I look to the future in the next year or two when its time for a new car.
I am 31 and I bought my Camaro about 5 years ago,(WOW it doesn't seem that long ago) it been a great car with very few problems. Anyways I am painfully aware of the cars short comings as I used it as a daily driver for several years. Now that I don't drive it everyday, I enjoy it a lot more since now I am driving something everyday that is a lot slower, keeps the Z28 feeling fast, which is something you lose when driving it everyday.
For my next car, I don't know which direction I am going to go with except I really want some sort of open top, which knocks the GTO out which is a car I really like. Right now my choices are pretty limited either a late 90s C5 or an '02 Camaro SS/Trans Am WS6 T-Top or Convertible. I probably should start car shopping early, if I don't hear any concrete news on a new Camaro since last time I went Camaro shopping it took me over a year to find one that had everything that I wanted.

On the future of Camaro, I think it has to evolve with the market to survive, something that didn't happen with the 4th gen. but there was not much they could do with that old platform. My wife calls getting into the Camaro "going into the dungeon", because its so low and once she is down in the seat she can't see much out. This is something that must be addressed to keep female buyers. I think a new Camaro should have all the modern technologies and conveniences, once again to compete with the market. Like someone posted above the days with a motor in a stripped down box are over. However I am not apposed to a Camaro 1LE model that would be a stripped race ready option, but base Camaro models should not be stripped. Also I believe there should be noticeable differences in trim levels, something I didn't like about most 4th gen. was the only difference on the outside of the car was the nameplates. If you have a Z28 it should be noticeable different from the base Camaro or RS, this will be a mute issue if the new Camaro is going to be a niche car like the SSR. The new Camaro's interior should have more room than the 4th gen with a actual back seats with no hump in-between them. The front seats should be GTO like, the 4th gen front buckets are comfy and do there job well, but they look like they are out of the 70s to me I guess because they are kind of narrow looking and the backs are a long single piece with no seprate head rest, a style that was gone a long time ago.
Enough babbling, my complaints make me think I might be out growing a Camaro. I have considered some type of 4-door sports sedan like CTS, or Bonneville GXP. If I can get past my open top affliction. Or maybe a larger coupe like the Grand Prix Coupe, oh wait GM killed that car. Or maybe a Caddy ETC, oh wait that car is dead too. Large coupes are becoming very rare at GM. Oh I forgot about the upcoming Monte Carlo V8, but GM is treating it as bad as the 4th Gen F-Bodies, giving it a new nose and front while the rest of the car keeps it 5 year old styling.