steves,
you have replied to Doug's question twice now, and both times you left out the Mustang.
Why? (besides it isn't a GM product?)
It is the best domestic alternative to the missing Camaro - bar none. They were direct market competitors in cost, size, performance.

IMO, Doug has the taste of a Camaro in his mouth, and no other flavor will sustitute for it. I feel your pain there bro, and I'm hatin' this whole hiatus-thing.

He poised a very stout philosophical question there, with the decision being asked of a theoretical "GM" individual. We have hinted at this before, in various ways, but there it is in black and white - what is he supposed to buy? How long should he wait? A 70-year-old probably wouldn't want to AutoX anymore, ya know?

Doug, FWIW I want you to have another Camaro about as bad as you want one - honest I do. But if it doesn't happen on your schedule, PLEASE don't buy foreign! I know guys with Mustangs AND Camaros in the same driveway... even here on this board, right jg95z28?

The long-time rivalry is legendary, but it's like sibling rivalry... the two really belong together and always have. Besides, you don't think GM marketing is watching the sales of the Mustang? What better way to get a reaction? And heaven forbid, but you might actually find something you like!

Here's keeping the hope alive...

 

Howm much money would you guys say someone needs to make to buy a Z28? Me and my g/f make a combined ~$90K and have two vehicles costing $30K or more. We are pretty well off I guess..but my point is..younger people today have more money than before IMO. In the 1960's there was not the decent paying tech jobs that there are today. It seems most tech jobs are populated by younger people. So in saying that...wouldn't it mean more younger people are able to afford a Camaro than before?

Also of note..randon statistic...

According to GM the 4th Generation Camaro kept roughly the same percentage of total coupes sold as the 1st Gen through out it's entire run.

IEnot factual numbers...just example)
1969-
Total Coupes Sold-1,000,000
Total Camaro's Sold- 100,000
Camaro Market Percentage=10%

1999-
Total Coupes Sold-500,000
Total Camaro's Sold- 50,000
Camaro Market Percentage=10%

Market percentage stays the same...

The Mustang had a huge gain during the 98-02 period which can be attained to Ford's overall lack of Coupes. The MN-12 being cancelled left the roughly 100,000 V8 RWD Coupe buyers in the segment no chice but a Mustang or FWD Cougar. Also not to take nothing away the Mustang was also improved performance wise in this period which probaly added some sales...but not as many as lack of selection.

 

One possibility for Mustang's increase: The fall of Japaneese coupe production. Many coupes from Japan aren't even made anymore, and just a year or 2 ago Accord coupes died & I'm sure many went to Mustang.

Steves, if you are looking for a GM sports car (and GTO isn't a choice for you) you have only one choice....Corvette.

Otherwise, I'd go to Ford for a Mach1 or Cobra.

 

Ummm... it's a convertible, but I would personally put the XLR on the "gotta buy" list if I had the cash to grab one.

Wifey gets weak in the knees every time she sees one.

 

......That asked the question.....

The next Mustang also needs to "grow up" a little for my tastes.

Spent some time in a 2001 Cobra and the interior quality has nothing on the last of the f-bodies....in fact the door handle/grab felt exactly like my daughter's 2000 Alero....cheap and squeeky plastic feeling. I don't know who thought putting a fully plastic door handle / grab would not cause squeeking and creaking....

I really like the looks of the show car Mustang coupe...but I feel like there wil be a ton of them sold and I don't want to be a "me too"....odd that way, I am....

The 350Z Track model with a Greddy twin turbo would suit me fine....but puts me at $40k+/-.....

I want a Camaro Sports car.....so guess I gotta' wait....and wait.....and wait.....

 

Honda still makes Accord coupes, and the new Solara is very attractive..as is the old one?

 

And in a bit of "I Told You So"...


The G35 Sport Coupe Starts at $31,000

http://www.infiniti.com/content/mode...,30568,00.html

Now I am sorry, but I have trouble equating the Camaro to a Premium V6 touring coupe that will probaly cost at least $34K after a few options...

Maybe Your view of Camaro is different then mine..but I see a camaro as a affordable V8 powered RWD 2+2 that offers a V8 for the price of your average family sedan. The Z28 did that last time around, and has pretty much always with previous RS V8's and Formula's.

A Camaro is not about GPS, and heated seats, and a nice touring ride etc. like G35. They may be nice...but I would rather see them not included if it comes down to the breaking point of making the car cost too much.

 

The reasons I didn't mention the Mustang: He said 350Z and in my mind 350Z and Mustang don't compete with each other. I said GTO because it is affordable, rear drive, V8 and a GM product. The GTO is not an F-body replacement but it's the closets thing we can get from GM right now. The other reason I didn't mention Mustang was....I forgot about it.

 

The GTO is the only affordable V8 rear drive from GM. It's no f-body but the layout is pretty close. I think the GTO will be considered the Mustangs direct competitor because it is a GM, V8 rear drive coupe.

 

No, the Monaro is a 2 door. Holden builds the Commodore as their 4 door, rear wheel drive, V-8 optioned car.
The GTO is as much a sports coupe as the F-bodies and the Stang. At least in my opinion.

 

...looks like a sedan to you?

http://www.hardenmotorsports.com/ima...tangmonaro.jpg

I pray to the heavens that the Camaro doesn't return this large!

 

I hope to God the next Camaro is bigger than a Mustang! After driving my kid's Mustangs around, that cockpit is too damn small for a man of my stature.

My wife doesn't even consider my 95 Camaro to be in the same category. She says my car is much bigger than my kid's.

 

Ummm... those guys are sitting on the wrong side of the car in that pic!

I vote the F5 DOES NOT get Right-hand drive here in the states, regardless of it's size!

That was an interesting pic though seriously. Seeing the two silhouettes like that does make the Monaro look larger. I guess wheelbase dimensions shouldn't be judged on paper alone. Overhangs and cab-forward type designs can screw with your mind these days.

 

THINK: Sporty.

THINK: Smaller.

 

I believe the right packaging will allow for smaller outside...larger inside....