No doubt. Camaro and Firebird weren't "throw away" cars with which owners bounced around to whatever company offered the best deal. The F-body was without a doubt the second best brand loyalty-inspiring car GM had. You don't just give that up so easily unless you have confidence your future products (errrm, including a Camaro reincarnation ) were going to bring people back into the fold eventually.

 

Another point I didn't see mentioned was that GM's plans for the Corvette, after losing the Z06 option for a year, will come back with aspirations of knocking on the door of the Viper.
So again the Mustang will never be in that category.

 

Well they probably won't lose me completely... I bought a 2002 Tahoe in April and I am now considering a new Chevy truck. However when it comes to performance cars, I may end up going used unless Chevy comes out with something in my price range... and in a "style" I like.

 

Well, I'm in the same boat as you, as I bought my new 02 Monte SS about 5 months ago...

But, you gotta figure there is at least a small percentage of folks who will never buy GM again over this, or at least go and "test the waters" as far as other manufacturers go...

And, if someone wants a new, affordable, 4-place performace car... the basically have one choice right now... Mustang.