Drive a top Third and top 4th, there is a difference. (even 1LE) Which is why SCCA F-Stock racers like Thirds so much and dominate the class in wins with them.

 

I have.... there was little difference....

 

IYO maybe. There is a big difference to me, especially when driving "fun."

 

This may be pure speculation on my part but I would think SCCA racers prefer the 3rd Gen's strut setup because on a race course you aren't worried about ride quality and the simpler setup is easier to tune and maintain. Once again I have owned both a 3rd and 4th Gen and the real-world handling characteristics are pretty much the same to me.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but wasn't one of the objectives in engineering the 4th gen Camaro to engineer in a better (smoother) ride than the 3rd gen while at the same time keeping the 3rd gen's 1LE capabilities?

This might explain why the 4th gen handles as well or better than a 3rd gen, yet doesn't feel like it at the seat of the pants.

One of those instances where both sides are right?

 

Okey dokey,

If you are going to put my name on this one, you have to use the methodology.

First and foremost, quit arguing about the minutia. Someone says they want better handling, fine. Someone says the the 3rd was better than the 4th, or the 4th was better than the 3rd - IGNORE IT.

The idea is not to have a pissing contest, but get the stuff down once and for all.

K, here's my list of the good, the great, and the OHMYGOSH THAT ROCKS!...

1) LS1 power.

Feel the might of the aluminum marvel.


2) 6-speed manual availability.

Big improvement over the 3rd gen, which only got a 5-speed with engines less capable than the L98.


3) T-tops.

"Gotta have" feature for me.


4) 17" wheels and tires.

Big step up from the 16's, and an all-around decent performance tire. I can't complain about them at all.


5) Seating position and seats.

I'm a big dude. 6'3", 265 lbs. They fit great and are plenty comfy.


6) Hatchback functionality.

I like having a hatch. Fit a BIG air compressor in my car once.


7) Keeping the center console and instrument stack from interfering with my right leg at about the knee.

Damned most uncomfortable thing in the world is having your leg rest on the center stack while on a long trip. It hurts after a while. The Aztek and Cavalier and C3 Corvettes all have this problem for me.


8) Leather availability.

I hate cloth. Leather being available (I'll pay for it in the future too...) is a big plus in my book.


9) Good HVAC.

AC blows cold. Brutal cold. I like it.


10) Sharp, controllable steering and great handling.

The car feels great. Apart from big bumps that will upset the rearend, it corners at a level far greater than I will ever need (I come from the "If you can turn, you aren't going fast enough" school of automobile performance).


11) Braking power.

Car saved me by having a TON of braking capability. I missed grandma by inches when she pulled out in front of me.


12) ABS.

Cars should come with ABS, PERIOD.


13) Great looks.

Camaros look mean. Z28's look meaner. Black Camaro SS's look positively EVIL. I like that. I'll take a murderous spark plug change or two to have that rake on the windshield.


14) Fold flat rear seat.

Nice touch.


15) Terrific gas mileage.

Especially in light of the available power.


16) (Mostly...) Plastic body panels.

Guess where my only ding of significance is? That's right, a quarter panel.


17) Acceptable mass.

The car really isn't heavy. 3500 lbs. is pretty good work given the size of the overhangs and the mechanicals involved.


18) Instrumentation.

Works like a charm, and is very visible.


19) Cupholders.

I have minor gripes with them, but they work pretty well all things considered.


20) Storage.

You can fit a lot of junk in the center console and in back. Good job.


21) T-tops holders.

They work great.


22) Power driver's front seat track.

I prefer a power track, even if it adds weight.


23) Mirror mounted map lights.

Work like a charm. Like the individual switches too.


24) Twilight sentinel.

Nice feature.


25) DEFEATABLE traction control.

Great feature. Stays on unless I'm gonna lay the smack down.


26) Easily defeatable skip-shift.

I actually defeated mine before I owned the car 12 hours.


27) Dead pedal.

I like having a dead pedal.


I'll add more as I think of them.

 

My turn ...sorry about the duplicates ...they need emphasis!!

Convertible ...one of the best looking on the road ...top up or down.
Convertible ...excellent wind management.
Styling ...it looks great, even without badges, ground effects or cosmetic add-ons. (I'm partial to the more conservative Camaro styling).
Handling ...I'm turning a lot of heads at autocross this year now that I've evened the playing field by running R's.
Comfort ... we've done a number of 18 - 20 hour non-stop trips. The seats, which I considered pathetic when I bought the car, simply keep me comfortable, hour after hour.
Drivers center: Fits right. Dead pedal is where is belongs. Shifter (with a short-stick) is right, Instruments are visible, armrests are good, I like the conventional GM cruise control, wiper, turn signal stalk ...and it can be used without letting go of the wheel.
Power seat adjustment ....excellent up/down and fore/aft range (I would like the back to be able to go a little more vertical though).
Fuel economy ...even with 4.10 gears cruising at 80+ mph I get better than 25 MPG.
Horsepower: 13.03 with 4.10's an airlid and FTRA
Torque: For normal driving one doesn't ever need more than 2000 rpm.
6 speed ...having 6th means no need to compromise elsewhere.
Rear seat ... I'm 5'10" 180 and I can sit behind myself with room to spare BTW...why is it the semi-exotics ...Jag, Lexus, etc can get away will rear seats where the bottom cushion touches the front seat back
Trunk: The short and deep trunk is great for keeping things in place and easy to reach.
Durability: Almost 60,000 miles, over a hundred 1/4 mile passes and more autocross than I can count and I'm still on the original brakes and clutch. The only manufacturing defect that needed repair was a leaking pinion seal.
The fading interior lights ...first time I closed the door in the evening ...thought that was really neat.
Exceded expectations: Everytime I discovered something new about the SS it was a "that's cool" experience.

 

Have you ever seen the back seat of an Audi TT

 

My 86 IROC felt more stable in turns than my 98 Z28. My 01 SS (with Bilstein suspension) feels better than both. This is a purely subjective evaluation as I've never been on a road course with any of them.

 

A lot of you mentioned T-tops and I love them on my 4th gen. Had them off last night. But I'd really like to see a Targa like the C5 on the 5th gen. In my eyes they look so much better.

How do you guys feel about a Targe on the 5th gen. They don’t seem to effect performance on the Vette and look so damn sexy.

 

On the targa....

If it wouldn't terribly comprimise body rigidity and could be removed by one person without too much trouble and stored conveniently then I'd be all for it! They do look much better. T-Tops are really a comprimise and meet the above criteria very well, but you're right about the looks.

If there was a Targa I'd like to be able to have a clear view threw the top...like in the T-tops.