I'm fascinated sometimes, by the widely disparate views that "Camaro enthusiasts" have on Camaro.

Some of them really make me cringe though. Here are some of my (least) favorites, not particularly from anyone specific, just off the top of my head.

TOP TEN 5th GEN CAMARO KILLING VIEWS

1) I don't care what they build it on....just as long as they build it.

2) Camaro should not be a car that females want to buy.

3) Camaro should be a large car... after all it's a muscle car.

4) Camaro should have large overhangs...after all it's a muscle car.

5) I hope Camaro is not a girly car like Mustang.

6) GTO would make a great Camaro.

7) Even a 19 year old with a part time job should be able to afford one.

8) I hope the 5th gen looks like a 4th gen.

9) I hope the 5th gen looks like a 3rd gen.

10) The Camaro died because of it's "no compromise performance design".

 

#7 and #2 are my personal favorites

A well done list. I don't care if a 5th gen looks like a 3rd or a 4th, despite them being my favorites. But, I also do not want a 5th gen looking like a 1st, either. Make it look like a Camaro...that's all I can say.

 

I remember a long time ago, when I was just a lurker on this site...someone said that they should base the 5th gen on the S10. The reasoning was, that all Camaro enthusiasts really needed was a cheap car that could go fast in a straight line.

Yes...he was serious.

 

With Camaro meaning so many different things to so many different people, not everybody is going to be happy with whatever direction the new generation (may) will take.

For me I hope we get something like an American verison of the Ferrari 456/550 or the new 612. Now I don't mean a copy of it but a nice, sleek, powerful, 2+2 coupe with a long hood and a short trunk type styling that will be affordable ($25-28K for a mid level performance model). And I think handling capabilities of a Camaro are just as important as the 1/4 mile times, so for me IRS.

 

Whats a killing view?

 

I thought "oh no, another thread on what killed the fbody"


Anyhow. Getting back to topic. I think i have a simple formula to satisfy most enthusiasts' needs.

Have a Corvette extend platform to fit 2 seats in the back. And sell it for $17,000. Simple, brilliant, thoughtful.

 

1. This is because they faith GM will build it on a proper platform.

2. Never seen this one, but wrong yes.

3. Some people want their large workable engine bays back.

4. People like the looks.

5. Many Mustang enthusiasts feel this way, other cars do friendly and fast better.

6. Not many think this, But the NEXT GTO PLATFORM is what I thought everyone is talking about.

7. Nobody thinks that.

8. People like the looks

9. People like the looks

10. It did. It wasn't everyday people friendly. But to the people that like it that way...

 

The car needs to have a mix between GTO and 4th gen, IMO.
It needs to be useful outside of the track. It needs ot handle very well, and it needs to have great power. It needs to be a car for everyone, from design to feel. People need to stop and say "Wow...thats a killer Camaro" Not, "Wow...didnt know Chrysler made a 2dr Concorde?"
It needs to strike the same tone the new Mustang does, but it has to be an original and distinct design. 30 years from now, designers should base there design off this car. Thats how powerful it needs to be.
Also...its gotta be easy to wax. A couple of bad angles of sheetmetal can be a PITA trying to lay a good coat of wax down on.

 

ummm..... OK.

Check.

Not a good argument.

Yeah, I guess some people like really HUGE overhangs on their sporty cars. Some people like neon lights too.

OK

Don't go there, it makes me very agitated.

Oh no?

Time for something fresh and modern, don't you think?

Well, if taking a HUGE car and giving it a small interior and stuffing it's motor under it's windshield...all while you have over 7 feet! of wasted overhangs is what's considered "no compromise performance design"......well let's just say, I'm not buying what you're selling.

 

7 feet of overhangs??? That's it???

Cool

In all seriousness, every Saturday morning for the past few weeks, when I sit down at my desk, there's a new G6 GT in front of me. I am reminded how the wheelbase of this car is TEN FULL INCHES LONGER than a 4th gen, despite being a little shorter overall. When I go outside and look at the Z later, it looks pretty damn goofy to me...

I am sure this will be fixed next time...

 

I definately agree that the camaro should have awesome handeling. People are saying that the new stang handels great, and the camaro should be able to beat the stang in every way

 

Well

1. The F-body platform is OLD...it won't take much to improve on that. Most people would be fine with another round with the same thing so why bother argue what GM is going to build it on? Everyone is going to have to deal with what they get, might as well have faith they'll do it right.

2.

3. The Camaro does need to be a large car based on the sole fact it needs to be big to fit a large engine and transmission in it. Even if the next one is a lot smaller it will still be considered "large". We're not buying a Miata here, might as well not beat around the bush and have some extra room in the engine bay.

4. I don't see it as a desperate view, some people like them. Personally I feel they can be smaller, and I like overhangs in general.

5.

6. I want a GTO as a Camaro now, but who knows what GM could do with a modified version of it.

7. Like I said I've never seen anyone say a 19yo w/ a part time job should be able to afford it. That person should be buying a $10K car...and no one said anything about a $10k Camaro.

8. It would be better than looking like a 1st/2nd gen we are assuming it looks like now

9. Same

10. Camaro didn't die because of its size. It just didn't offer much but performance. Everyone is drving SUVs now, last time I checked they aren't exactly small and nimble. Large cars are sell pretty well now too.

 

A very scary view! What you're saying is, that the old car was so old and crappy, that it won't take much to improve it. I say -AIM HIGH, and don't be swayed by mediocrity. We want a successful car right? One that might inspire more than a few thousand sales, annually.

.

Mmmm.... pretty silly. Corvette fits all the requisite powertrain components and C6 got smaller by 5 inches than C5. SN95 can fit a big V8 -with supercharger- and HD drivetrain and it wasn't huge. The Torana can fit a HD powertrain and it's around 183 inches. Those SEVEN FEET of overhangs didn't do a damn thing to fit a big motor in the last car, BTW.

Buy a GTO. I, for one, would like a Camaro.

Size matters! But the point I was making, is that it didn't die because every aspect of it was no compromise performance design. That's just a tiresome copout for me. It died because it offered very little besides a fantastic motor.

 

10. Hmm...this has been debated more than a couple of times. As has been discussed before, the f-body died/was allowed to die for a wide variety of reasons. Anyways,

1. What some must realize is that not everyone shares the same views of what Camaro is/has been and, in turn, what it should be if it comes back. I myself have stated that I was not concerned about which platform the car is built on, as long as it's world class and very competitive with other vehicles in its segment.

2. Agree, this is dumb

3. Once again....personal preferrence. Some would rather have a larger car, while others want a smaller car. I myself would rather have a car similar in size to the new Mustang or GTO, but that's just me. Other's aren't wrong if they want something smaller.

4. ehh....

5. I don't really see the Mustang as "girly", but rather more user friendly. The next Camaro is going to have to be more user friendly than the 4th gens to sell volume imo. The only thing that could possibly change this is if it becomes a niche car. Who knows?

6. While the GTO is a great car, it in no way says Camaro to me. It does have some nice elements that I'd like to see incorporated into a 5th-gen though.

7. Agreed, there aren't many new cars today that any teen can afford on their own. Prices that are similar to competitors is fine with me.

8. Personal Preferrences. A new car should be evolutionary for the most part imo.

9. See #8

Moral of the story: Just because someone doesn't share the same wants and views that you do doesn't make them wrong or less of a "Camaro Enthusiast". Everyone's entitled to their own opinions of what THEY want Camaro to be. In the end, GM is in charge of the game not us.


-Mike

 

Hard to argue with that.