Magizine guys and many people say the Camaro is a dying breed, that the newer sports compact cars are the new wave. I don't think that's case at all. The fact is the reasons for the whole sport compact car trend 1. Styling 2. Aftermarket parts 3. insurance costs. Well lets think about this, the main market of the Muscle car is who? The younger male group, atleast in theory. Although the insurance companies have made it nearly impossible for us to get such cars, thus many of us settle for imports and a few like myself get the RS's. A very few manage to get a Z28, and they are seen as gods of the roads and even the honda junkies bow down to the massive power. People of the younger Generation do like the 4th gen camaro alot, so styling isnt a big issue for the camaro. 2. Aftermarket parts..... I know there are plenty of parts out there, but not too many for V-6's, and further more teens don't have credit cards for the most part, so can't order online easily. That leaves us with one option, Pep Boys. Laugh i know, its a joke.... But seriously, we have cash, and pep boys carries a lot of import stuff, but nothing for our 3.8's or 3.4's. 3. Insurance... It is near impossible for a kids to get a V-8, thus forcing many would be camaro buyers to celicas and cougars ect. The fact is the V-6 Camaro is the only real option to young male drivers, and probably the most important version for a possible 5th gen camaro. How many V-6's stangs does Ford sell? A lot. Yes the new Z28 needs to kick serious Mustang tail, and all other competition. However the new V-6 needs to be able to dominate the RS-X's and the Type-R's of the road. Not enough to make it jump insurance classes, or compete against the Z28 itself, but it needs more power than a Grand Prix. Insurance on Preludes and other imports is going up, GM could take advantage of that buy making a better V-6 to compete in the younger market. Basically what im trying to say is that the Camaro is not outdated. People dont care if they can corner at walkens glen at whatever G's so much as they want straight line performance. In the 5th gens i hope to see a better V-6 along side a dominate Z28. Make parts for them in locations that kids can buy them, and keep them in a lower insurance class. Also advertise the car..... look at how much Honda and Mitshubishi advertise.

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1996 Camaro RS
Black M5 T-Top

 

Many interesting points, but let me submit the following tidbits:

1. Mustang buyer's median age is at least 5 years younger than Camaro.

2. Insurence for Mustangs & many FWD performance cars are similar or slightly more than Camaro because of the median buyer age & claims, not high horsepower.

3. Performance pieces for imported cars are darn near astronomical, yet youth seem to be able to get them with or without credit cards.

4. The aftermarket for Mustangs and the rest of the coupe market seems to be far greater than Camaro. Most kids aren't going to spring for engine modifications, but they will spring for trick gauges, aftermarket steering wheels, a-pillar add-ons, suspension tweaks, etc. There is a far greater aftermarket for Cavalier than the 4th gen.

Just some items to also think about.

 

1. Styling: 10 years of the same car = outdated.

2. V6 Aftermarket: I don't know what this has to do with the car being outdated, but most people that can afford a car purchase are eligible for credit cards.

3. Insurance: GM isn't trying to sell Z28s to "kids" and most teens cannot afford a $25k car to begin with, so insurance is beside the point.

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-JERRY-
'02 Impreza WRX
'88 Fiero Formula
'90 Sunbird LE For Sale
Formerly owned: '93 Firebird Formula

 

Most young adults do want power, although a few just want looks or sound ect. If the V-6 version had just a little more power, and an updated 5th gen suspension and looks, along with parts more available, i believe a new camaro will sell extremely well. You dont always need to fight fire with fire, but instead a giant water hose works. The concept of what buyers want still is the same as it always has been, power and styling. The new imports offer decent power and styling, and I believe GM can counter act that with an old dog with new tricks.

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1996 Camaro RS
Black M5 T-Top

 

Oh and about insurance costs... True most kids cant afford a brand new $25k car, although some still can. However many can afford a used car, thats 3 or 4 years old. That's when insurance costs come into play with the V-8's to the younger market.

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1996 Camaro RS
Black M5 T-Top

 

To back up the insurance thing....I'm 19 years old/male...my V6....VEEE F***ing six costs me 225$/month full coverage...I'm preparing to buy a 2000 Z28, full coverage for that....378$/month, on top of whatever my loan payment is! needless to say I'm going to have to put it on minimal coverage which is around 200$/month for a 2000 V8 Camaro. So the point of the story is, sux to be a teen who likes american (or St. Therese) muscle.

 

Well, I've got some bad news: you'll be required to have full coverage on your new '00 Z28 while it is being financed. Better find a second job or stick with the V6. It's a fun car, but certainly not worth that kind of money every month ontop of gas.

I'll also add that insurance on the performance oriented 4-cylinder cars out there (RSX-S, WRX) is also pretty high. Unfortunately, at that age insurance companies aren't going to do you any favors no matter what you drive. With a car like that, your best bet would be to keep the car under your parent's policy if possible and try to stay eligible for "good grade" and other discounts (or wait til age 21 and 25 drops in rates).

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-JERRY-
'02 Impreza WRX
'88 Fiero Formula
'90 Sunbird LE For Sale
Formerly owned: '93 Firebird Formula

 

I've alreaddy talked to my bank about the insurance. I can have minimal coverage while I'm financing. I even started on minimal coverage on the car I have now, and that was financed. I'm not going to get my hopes up on a 2000 Z28 without looking into every detail first. Oh yea...and I'll ****ed in the *** by shaquille oneal before I buy a four-banger import.

 

Yeah, I guess I used to think like that years ago. I'm more a fan of performance cars in general now. I still pull for the home team, but I'm not going to cheat myself out of other great cars because GM couldn't get their sh*t together.

BTW, if you're buying a car for $15k-20k and driving it around with minimal coverage you might as well be asking shaq to *rearend* you.

 

Don't jinx me.

 

I think he means outdated in that its looking for muscle car guys and not what is in style...kinda on the same thing with the Mustang II...if you know what I mean..it wasnt the best but it fit into the times it had..The Camaro is more refered to as a Vette "lite" than its own car now al the mags say its Vette this and that..blah blah blah and around the car community....and in a great way thats cool but for alot they say WOW a Vette I cant afford that what makes you think I can get a Z or SS...they cant so they pass and get what "looks fast"
V-6 Mustnags can bee made into nice rides..not brute street machines but great drivers..the V-6 Camaro looks just like the Z28 Camaro..no diffrence..if the V6 Z28 and SS had 3 diffrent body styles..almost like the 4th gen RS (but better stylin) then you can go well here is the nice driving V6 or the bad *** Z28 or the top of the line all in one package SS..kinda like..okay..here is goes..
V6: stock Camaro no frills.
RS: V6 with exhaust and say SS handeling and brakes.with some body improvements.
Z28: All around good performer with LS1 in it.
SS: top dog for the old school guys and bad *** ****..LS1 SS handeling and brakes and a bad *** apperrance package..

RS/SS: the body cladding of the RS with the LS6 in it. lol

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thanks
David Morgan
the "Over Drive Gang"
94 Z28 A4, K/N FIPK!,AIT Relocator,TB bypass,99 SS MAF Airfoil,HPP+, Shiftkit,Cutout, Flowmaster 80 series American Thunder Exhaust with 3" Chrome tips GMS Strut Tower Brace, GMS Sub Frame Connectors AND 93-96 GM Export Tail Lights! GTS Headlight Covers and Tail covers.

http://overdrive-gang.tripod.com

Check it out !! you might know some of the cars, or my friends.and a few of their rides frequent the pages of muscle car mags

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Making Hot Rod Mags top 10 cars of 2001!!

 

The Civic and Accord have looked pretty much the same over about th whole 90's. The Camaro used to have a larger young male following in the 80's when there were more options and engines and the car could suit your price needs. Now a days its either a $19K V6 (havent seen one cheaper here) or a $23-25K V6 Camaro. On top of that there seems to be a stigma about V6 Camaros because they aren't V8's. Just go in the lounge and see how the V6 guys are looked down on. For the money there are much better cars that you will catch less crap for owning. The Focus SVT comes to mind.



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Branden-Founder www.GMInsidenews.com
The #1 GM News Site on the Net!
1995 Firebird A4
White with red leather
1979 Firebird Formula SOLD!!! 8/2001
Visit my homepage!

 

The "concept" of a Camaro is far from outdated.

Who wouldn't want a modern, drop dead gorgeous, powerful, RWD, great handling, fun to drive, high image, 2+2 sports coupe from Chevrolet?


.....let's go Chevy, we're waiting.