Ok, so we have people griping about AWD in one thread. We have people lamenting the availability of heated seats and On-Star in another thread because of price and complexity. So I say, here goes...

So, lets all put our theoretical money where our mouths are. What do YOU want on YOUR 5th gen, AND what will YOU pay for it? Me?

'09 Camaro "RS" (base model) - MSRP $21,995 ($2k more than '06 base Stang)

Standards: 240hp 3.9 V6, 5 speed stick, PW, PL, P-mirrors, power height on driver's seat, CD player, keyless, ABS, cruise, tilt/telescoping wheel, 17" alloy wheels. All the basics, more or less.

ADD:
$1,000 = t-tops (yes Red, make them happen...a sunroof won't do!)
$1,200 = 5.3, 325hp LS4 V8
$700 = 18" polished or chrome alloy wheels
$600 = 500 watt DECENT STEREO with 6 CD changer
$500 = HUD and on-board computer (MPG, outside temp, compass etc.)
$300 = XM Radio

Total = $26,295


No leather seats, no heated seats, no side airbags, no Stabili-Trak, no On-Star...BUT, I think all of that stuff should be available for those who want it.
I want a basic V8 car with the basic creature goodies + HUD, t-tops, some nice wheels and a killer stereo. M5 or M6, either way...I just want a manual that gets decent MPG.

This kind of model is the reason why we NEED a base V8 car! And personally, based on the Mustang, I don't see why 3 years from now we can't get a car priced just like this. Think about it...does a GT Mustang really give you $5k more car than a base model? No, but to get a V8, Ford forces you to. Wouldn't it be great if we could go back to a base V8? I'd love it And, I think (unlike AWD) I'll actually get my wish with this one...

 

I have a few life goals I need to accomplish before I go out and buy my 5th gen.
I need to get through and finish college, sell the GTP, pick up a good work truck, work for a year or so to get a good jump on my loans and other wise get on my feet.

So I’m thinking 2011 or 2012 will be about the time I make my trip down to the Chevrolet dealer to order my Camaro. I’ll be about 28 or 29 then, hopefully not tied down in a marriage and making a good chuck of change ever year.

By this time I’m sure the Z28 will be out and I’m sure will be going for the mid to uppers 30’s. I neither want to spend that much or want that car exactly. I think I’m the perfect candidate for the 5th gen SS Camaro. I want cool style, a bunch of options and a V8 but it doesn’t have to be the top performer. I want a cool weekend cruiser that I can take to shows or have a lil fun at the drag strip.

I will want mine fully loaded; all the options, techno goodies, creature comforts and a convertible top. But I’ll also want a V8 that can get me into the mid to low 13s off the show room. (It will get mod’ed to go a lil faster as funds allow)

So going by with Jason E’s theory and numbers this is about what I’ll pay:

If the RS starts at about $22,000, 2 grand more than the base Mustang, let’s say the SS package will start at about $27,500 since the Mustang GT starts at $25,835.

ADD:
$2,000 = convertible top
This should be included in the base price of the SS = 5.3, 325hp LS4 V8
$700 = 18" polished or chrome alloy wheels
$600 = 500 watt DECENT STEREO with 6 CD changer
$500 = HUD and on-board computer (MPG, outside temp, compass etc.)
$300 = XM Radio

I’ll take all of these options above and depending what else is offered I might check more boxes for extra options too. Ya know leather and the other nice stuff. So I’ll add another $1000 to my final price.

So overall I’m going to pay $32,600 for this theoretical 5th gen SS.

I’d say that’s a pretty realistic price for a fully loaded Sport Coupe.

I'd buy that car for the above price.

It beats the G35 sport coupes base price of $33,700 and isn’t too much more than a fully loaded Mustang GT vert at $31,800.

Oh also while I’m not against AWD, I would not buy it. I don’t need it here in Texas. We get like one day of ice on the roads a year. I also wouldn’t want the extra weight with the convertible already adding weight.

Now before I get flamed because I don’t want a stripper car that can run 11’s off the show room floor step back and think how many non enthusiasts will check the exact same option boxes that I did. A car like this will sell and make GM a lot of money.

Another thought, anyone think they will charge more or less depending what transmission you option?

Oh and while I’m putting together my dream 5th gen I’ll just go ahead and remind Red to make sure they mix some Sunset Orange Metallic Paint in a few years.

 

Vote #2 for Sunset Orange Metallic! I forgot the paint choice. Its amazing how popular that color is with members on here, but in the real world is sold at what...2% of '02 sales??? Amazing...

Your #s sound pretty accurate...the only thing I will say is that I'd expect the convertible top to be more than a $2,000 option...to me, $3 at a minimum...so I'd say your car would be around $33,600, working off our estimates Which isn't bad at all, if it works that way...Trans Am base model verts ran the same price with TCS and chrome wheels in '02!

And for me, on a personal note, the GP will be paid off in early '08 (I re-financed it awhile back to take out some equity and pay for house repairs ), so it will make a great, paid for daily beater after that. I'll have 6 months with no car payment to save up a down payment, plus over $2k in GM Card points too For me, the 5th gen will be something to tool around in on sunny days, but won't replace the Z or the GP. Unless its AWD, I will never have another daily driven Camaro The only way I would consider it would be if I got a strippo V6 model and threw studded snows on it, but where's the fun in a V6 anyway??

The only thing wrecking this theory is if its too retro...in which case, I go get my V8 MC SS and replace the fiance's Grand Am as planned next summer Now that Scott has me going to Detroit, I guess I'll have to wait and see which way I end up!

 

Going by Starmans options, but exchanging the convertible for a Navigation. I will come up with $32,600 as well, but add the "appearance" package and Bigger 18" wheels adding 2 grand. Lets say it's another 800 bucks or so for the LS2 with 400 horses. So, I will be coughing up $35,400 for my LS2 SS. Which sounds about right and what I'm expecting to pay for my next car.

They should offer a COPO version, stripped out base with the LS2 for the all out enthusiast, but it won't happen.

Edit: forgot the T-tops, add another Grand. bottom line $36,400

 

I would probably go for a top dog (z/28?) Camaro, assuming it is in the $30,000s. For better or for worse, most of the options are probably coming on a top dog, but I would go for T-tops if they are available.

 

Yeah I dont see the Z28 going for more than $38k fully loaded.

 

hell the GT0 cant go with a sticker of 33k...

 

4 members so far, 3 of whom plan to spend over $30k I hope those wanting a strippo are paying attention to this!

If I had to guess, for the purposes of this thread, I'd assume...

Base Model = $21,995
V8 base model = +1,200 (LS4)

SS Model = $25,500. Adds over base model: LS4 standard, 18" wheels, leather wheel/shift ****, upgraded suspension, appearance package of some sort with different spoiler and gfx. For $2,300 more than the base model V8, effectively you get some cool detail trim upgrades and modestly better suspension.
Optional SS engine = LS2 or some derivative of, estimated $1,000-1,500 option.

Z28 MSRP $31,995. Adds over SS: 19/20" wheels (don't ask why I think this will happen ), performance seats, better tire/brake combo, LS2 standard, more aggressive appearance. HUD is standard, as is On-Star and XM radio...both optional on base and SS.

Then, for $3k or so more, add the LS7 or whatever with the chassis bits to back it up. Or, just bring Z28 out at that theoretical $34,995, and watch them fly off the lots

So basically, I'd estimate...

Base V6 or V8, $21,995 - $26,900 with t-tops, power everything, heated leather, On-Star and XM

SS: $25,500 - $31,000 with all of the above options + SS package goodies

Z28: $35,000+

To me, that should be roughly do-able. My base SS price at $25,500 might be a little on the cheap side (consider a G6 GTP bases at $24,800 NOW), but I think even at $1,000 more for a base SS, people would still flock to it.

I'll stick with the base V8 though

 

Crap, one thing I realized...we now have 4 engine choices. That won't fly. I know it won't. So, keeping in this reality based post, I think the best choices will be...

Base: 3.9, optional LS4
SS: LS4
Z28: LS7 or some derivative of. It depends on how hardcore the Z28 gets, I guess...so now, where does the LS2 fit in? Does it? Will the Z28 get 2 engines? To me, a 325hp base V8 for the base car is essential...I don't see people wanting/needing 400hp in a base V8 like the LS2 offers...

 

but really arent the ls4 and ls2 about the same cost as far as crate engines concerned so why not offer the ls2?

 

For the reasons I said above...400hp for a base V8 is a little hardcore. This car is meant to be smaller, lighter and cheaper than a GTO. To me, it doesn't need a 400hp base V8...it needs just enough over 300 to make a Mustang GT take notice. And as a base V8 engine, 325hp is great, and will get great MPG with DoD and a decent rear axle with a M6...something that can't be said of the LS2!

So why not have LS2 and LS4? EPA certification I think we'll get 2 V8s...3is seriously pushing it...

 

The standard car you mentioned...optional LS4, stereo w/ changer, HUD, heated seats, and automatic. Whatever it costs, it will be bought. Gonna be wife's car.

How about this engine lineup.....base 3.9, optional LS4. SS and Z/28 both get the 6.2. SS gets all the "luxury" items OPTIONAL that alot of people don't want to be made available. Z/28 gets cloth only, hardtop only, stick only...a hardcore car. RPOZ28 is similar to Corvette style Z51 package w/ bigger bars, slotted or drilled rotors, fluid coolers, grippier tires. Cars would be more or less the same in performance, I imagine the Z would be a bit quicker, at the expense of "luxury" items.

 

I didn't know that was an option.

 

I really, really doubt that the mid range car will only have 325 hp. The Mustang GT is getting an upgrade in a few years, and we have a new player in the field, the Challenger. At the least, the car will get 350 hp in the mid level. I don't see why 400hp LS2 would be a negative as a mid level car. If people are really afraid of the hp, just stay out of the throttle. Also, if GM gave us a real v6 (like the Challenger is likely to have), people who were that intimidated by the LS2 could stick with a peppy v6 Camaro. The GTO is a different car, I really don't see sales of the Camaro impeding that much on it, especially if well optioned mid level Camaros will likely go for nearly as much as a GTO.

 

Well, in theory, even the most basic car will have PW, PL and such as standard, and will have things such as heated leather, XM, On-Star etc as optional. From what I am seeing so far, people who actually want to buy one don't WANT a cheap, basic, stripped car. I am actually the cheapest of anyone, so far

CLEAN,
I like your 6.2 idea...but I get the feeling Z28 will be true hardcore, with an engine that will have to be a good 450+hp. To me, that engine is too much for an SS-type vehicle. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me the SS-type buyer is going to be a Mustang GT-type customer. In my mind, I can see those wanting cheap speed buying the base model with the LS4, and the SS customers getting the nicer style and trim of an SS level car, and being happy with the LS4. Maybe I'm wrong? It almost seems like Z28 will be Z06-like in mission, which deserves more engine than an SS. Interesting debate