Opposite of Pacer's thread...what DID the fourth gen do right??
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From: Sarasota FL
Opposite of Pacer's thread...what DID the fourth gen do right??
I like Pacers thread, a lot...
But I thought we should also accentuate what NEEDS to be there in a 5th gen that was inherent to our love of the 4th. So here goes my list..
1) Hatchback body design. Its the only way to get a lotta stuff in a sports car, and it looks damn good too. Hatchbacks may have a "downmarket" view in some eyes, but to me its eminently practical...something that can't be bad for an "impractical car"!!
2) T-tops. A must. Period. Or a targa top...whatever
3) Sleek, sports car design. Yes, sleeker than a GTO. WITHOUT being too jelly-beanish. 4th gen Camaros were slightly on the jelly bean side...think muscular and sleek, like an IROC.
4) True 2+2 configuration, with a little more room for the +2. Make this car a 2 door sedan though, and I will happily hop on eBay and use my 5th gen funds to buy an IROC
5) No compromises power/handling. I frankly feel 4th gens rode great for what they were able to do...of course, my other car was a third gen when I bought it. I drove them back to back often, and couldn't believe how much better the Z rode.
6) Understated body cues. Think 4th gen Camaro spoiler, not 4th gen T/A spoiler. IMO, sleek is better than "wicked."
These are the things I feel a 4th gen truly did RIGHT, without delving as far into detail as Pacer did. Opinions?
But I thought we should also accentuate what NEEDS to be there in a 5th gen that was inherent to our love of the 4th. So here goes my list..
1) Hatchback body design. Its the only way to get a lotta stuff in a sports car, and it looks damn good too. Hatchbacks may have a "downmarket" view in some eyes, but to me its eminently practical...something that can't be bad for an "impractical car"!!
2) T-tops. A must. Period. Or a targa top...whatever
3) Sleek, sports car design. Yes, sleeker than a GTO. WITHOUT being too jelly-beanish. 4th gen Camaros were slightly on the jelly bean side...think muscular and sleek, like an IROC.
4) True 2+2 configuration, with a little more room for the +2. Make this car a 2 door sedan though, and I will happily hop on eBay and use my 5th gen funds to buy an IROC
5) No compromises power/handling. I frankly feel 4th gens rode great for what they were able to do...of course, my other car was a third gen when I bought it. I drove them back to back often, and couldn't believe how much better the Z rode.
6) Understated body cues. Think 4th gen Camaro spoiler, not 4th gen T/A spoiler. IMO, sleek is better than "wicked."
These are the things I feel a 4th gen truly did RIGHT, without delving as far into detail as Pacer did. Opinions?
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: The Golden State
Since this has been up 2 hours & no one steped in, allow me. 
The Z28 was done right, and though I still think it's a rip off, the Camaro SS (can't argue with success....even if you don't understand it).
The guys that worked their magic on the suspension really deserved serious bonuses. they took the basis of a Vega, and not only created a world class suspension on the 3rd gen Z28, but in the 4th gen they created a car that actually beat the Corvette around the track the year the C5 came out.
The commitment to performance was 1st rate. that being said, I think that bred quite a bit of percieved cockiness. You always heard "we are faster" but you never heard "the rest of our line up is better". It was like the rest of the Camaro line up (if that's what you call a single model) was a forgotten stepchild.
I think if Camaro continued one more year, there would be alot of humility going around, with the SC Cobra, the Mach1 Mustang, and the Mustang GT filling in that performance mid-ground that we have constantly been told is unecessary.
Another example? Considering the money Ford put up to have no fewer than 4 wheel designs available, it seems pretty weak when one of the big news for the anniversary Camaro was it's $12 million wheels.
The Z28 was done right, and though I still think it's a rip off, the Camaro SS (can't argue with success....even if you don't understand it
).The guys that worked their magic on the suspension really deserved serious bonuses. they took the basis of a Vega, and not only created a world class suspension on the 3rd gen Z28, but in the 4th gen they created a car that actually beat the Corvette around the track the year the C5 came out.
The commitment to performance was 1st rate. that being said, I think that bred quite a bit of percieved cockiness. You always heard "we are faster" but you never heard "the rest of our line up is better". It was like the rest of the Camaro line up (if that's what you call a single model) was a forgotten stepchild.
I think if Camaro continued one more year, there would be alot of humility going around, with the SC Cobra, the Mach1 Mustang, and the Mustang GT filling in that performance mid-ground that we have constantly been told is unecessary.
Another example? Considering the money Ford put up to have no fewer than 4 wheel designs available, it seems pretty weak when one of the big news for the anniversary Camaro was it's $12 million wheels.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by guionM
Another example? Considering the money Ford put up to have no fewer than 4 wheel designs available, it seems pretty weak when one of the big news for the anniversary Camaro was it's $12 million wheels.
Another example? Considering the money Ford put up to have no fewer than 4 wheel designs available, it seems pretty weak when one of the big news for the anniversary Camaro was it's $12 million wheels.
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From: At car shows and cruise nights!
Going fast in a straightline is the only thing 4ths did the really good. (although I never cared for their sound or the feeling of less TQ compared to TPI) I was never impressed with the 4ths handling because an IROC-Z handles better and more sharp. (but 4ths are more compliant and easier over road imperfections)
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 936
From: Butler, PA
Going fast in a straighline and the twisties were BOTH great attributes of the 4th gen. I don't know where some of you guys get the idea that the 4th gen couldn't handle 
. Bang for the buck was fantastic. The 4th gen also had great looks (imo), and great power and efficiency out of what many would call an old tech 
engine. It's a fun and rewarding car to drive. Mine has been rock solid reliable to boot. To me at least, the 4th gen is the most complete Camaro to date.
-Mike
. Bang for the buck was fantastic. The 4th gen also had great looks (imo), and great power and efficiency out of what many would call an old tech engine. It's a fun and rewarding car to drive. Mine has been rock solid reliable to boot. To me at least, the 4th gen is the most complete Camaro to date. -Mike
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: cinci
Originally posted by IZ28
Going fast in a straightline is the only thing 4ths did the really good. (although I never cared for their sound or the feeling of less TQ compared to TPI) I was never impressed with the 4ths handling because an IROC-Z handles better and more sharp. (but 4ths are more compliant and easier over road imperfections)
Going fast in a straightline is the only thing 4ths did the really good. (although I never cared for their sound or the feeling of less TQ compared to TPI) I was never impressed with the 4ths handling because an IROC-Z handles better and more sharp. (but 4ths are more compliant and easier over road imperfections)
i even have the baseline camaro in 92, and i still think it handles better than any 4th gen i've drove
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From: Arkansas
Through the years I've owned an '83 Trans Am WS6, '86 IROC-Z, '97 Z28, and my current '00 Formula. Both of my 4th Gens handle just as well as my 3rd Gens did, and without a doubt the 4th Gens handle better at triple digit speeds.
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From: cinci
Originally posted by LS1Bird
Through the years I've owned an '83 Trans Am WS6, '86 IROC-Z, '97 Z28, and my current '00 Formula. Both of my 4th Gens handle just as well as my 3rd Gens did, and without a doubt the 4th Gens handle better at triple digit speeds.
Through the years I've owned an '83 Trans Am WS6, '86 IROC-Z, '97 Z28, and my current '00 Formula. Both of my 4th Gens handle just as well as my 3rd Gens did, and without a doubt the 4th Gens handle better at triple digit speeds.
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From: Pittsburgh Pa USA
Their motors, LS-1, LT-1, and even the baseline 3800 starting in 1996. They always had the edge over the mustang which is essentail. They were pretty simple looking, nothing too exotic (although you can argue the 98+ T/A's were), but they still managed to look very aggressive. I think Black SS's were the epitome of what a Camaro ought to look like.
