View Poll Results: Which Camaro model is LEAST important to a 5th gen?
Base Camaro
23
38.98%
SS
16
27.12%
Z/28
8
13.56%
They are ALL unimportant.
12
20.34%
Voters: 59. You may not vote on this poll
PARALLEL UNIVERSE POLL! Which Camaro model is least important
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by jrp4uc
But if the intent is for the SS to compete with the Cobra, such minor upgrades will not be enough. I think I posted it in the parallel poll, but if/when the SS returns (or whatever top model designation you like), it should provide more substance and separation from the Z28 (base V8) model. The Cobra's visuals are quite minor over the GT; it earns all its credibility from substance.
Even though "SS" models are popular across the Chevy line right now, I'd be surprised if it was available immediately upon fifth gen launch (unless it replaces Z28). You can provide a lot of options and customizablity without necessarily having to offer a large variety of model names (see Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 2 models with endless number of options).
The demand will be there simply because the cars would be new and have been on hiatus. I think an SS model introduced later along with other limited specialty models (ala Bullitt, Mach1) would be more realistic and a better business plan, along with more consistent general refreshening.
But if the intent is for the SS to compete with the Cobra, such minor upgrades will not be enough. I think I posted it in the parallel poll, but if/when the SS returns (or whatever top model designation you like), it should provide more substance and separation from the Z28 (base V8) model. The Cobra's visuals are quite minor over the GT; it earns all its credibility from substance.
Even though "SS" models are popular across the Chevy line right now, I'd be surprised if it was available immediately upon fifth gen launch (unless it replaces Z28). You can provide a lot of options and customizablity without necessarily having to offer a large variety of model names (see Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 2 models with endless number of options).
The demand will be there simply because the cars would be new and have been on hiatus. I think an SS model introduced later along with other limited specialty models (ala Bullitt, Mach1) would be more realistic and a better business plan, along with more consistent general refreshening.
Now, all of that I can agree with.
The 4th Gen SS did compete well with the Cobra available up until the 2003 model, and we all now there is no 2003 Camaro.
But for a 5th Gen SS to compete with what Ford is doing with the Cobra, ya, the formula will need to be altered.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Since this poll was so obviously set up to b*tch about the SS again, I have refused to vote. 
I think each trim level is important to the next Camaro. The base model must be desireable enough to bring in the younger "sporty" car buyers while the Z28 and SS can be different enough to both be relevant and desireable, independent of each other.
I think each trim level is important to the next Camaro. The base model must be desireable enough to bring in the younger "sporty" car buyers while the Z28 and SS can be different enough to both be relevant and desireable, independent of each other.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,873
From: South Jersey
Originally posted by guionM
SS is very very very important.
There's alot of people out there who absolutely would rather pay $30,000+++ to get that hood, SS labels, and 1" bigger wheels, than the lowly $23-25,000 Z28 with the same engine and performance!
The sales history bears this out.
(The last part, unlike the rest of this post, isn't sarcasm but actually true
)
SS is very very very important.
There's alot of people out there who absolutely would rather pay $30,000+++ to get that hood, SS labels, and 1" bigger wheels, than the lowly $23-25,000 Z28 with the same engine and performance!
The sales history bears this out.
(The last part, unlike the rest of this post, isn't sarcasm but actually true
)
I say if the Z28 wasn't held back by the SS and at least LOOKED AS GOOD they would have sold far more Z28s (not at the expense of the SS, but in TOTAL!)
When I looked at Camaro's, the Z28 styling and lack of updates did it in for me. Can't even see the dual exhaust...no styling differences from the base model...And 16" Wheels? Ugly one's at that! Come on! At least my '94 Z28 didn't look like a Chrysler Sedan from the front!!
My Rank of Importance:
1) Z28 (it is the essence of Camaro)
2) Base model - Must be the sales leader - and desirable!!
3) RS
4) LT
5) Any special edition
6) Fleet Models
7) Police Models
8) Rental Cars
9) U2 Spyplane landing aid cars
10) SS models
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 564
From: Fletcher, NC, US
it appears you left off most Camaro models, so I couldn't really vote for the one I wanted to vote for. I guess they are all unimportant then. 
In this whole thread, I haven't seen one single mention of the Berlinetta. Which to me personally would rank as a pretty important model. How quickly we forget, eh?
important / unimportant is a very vague and general term anyway. Base model is important for high sales, top model is important for satisfying performance-types, middle model is good for a differentiation or an appearance package, etc. At least that's the way it used to be before the 90s.
gt
In this whole thread, I haven't seen one single mention of the Berlinetta. Which to me personally would rank as a pretty important model. How quickly we forget, eh?
important / unimportant is a very vague and general term anyway. Base model is important for high sales, top model is important for satisfying performance-types, middle model is good for a differentiation or an appearance package, etc. At least that's the way it used to be before the 90s.
gt
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,647
From: At car shows and cruise nights!
...but did they sell more SS's in the last years because more people wanted them or because they devalued the plain jane Z28 so much that people just stopped buying Z28's (and Camaros) altogether, leaving the stylish SS as the only camaro anyone wanted?
I say if the Z28 wasn't held back by the SS and at least LOOKED AS GOOD they would have sold far more Z28s (not at the expense of the SS, but in TOTAL!)
When I looked at Camaro's, the Z28 styling and lack of updates did it in for me. Can't even see the dual exhaust...no styling differences from the base model...And 16" Wheels? Ugly one's at that! Come on! At least my '94 Z28 didn't look like a Chrysler Sedan from the front!!
My Rank of Importance:
1) Z28 (it is the essence of Camaro)
2) Base model - Must be the sales leader - and desirable!!
3) RS
4) LT
5) Any special edition
6) Fleet Models
7) Police Models
8) Rental Cars
9) U2 Spyplane landing aid cars
10) SS models
I say if the Z28 wasn't held back by the SS and at least LOOKED AS GOOD they would have sold far more Z28s (not at the expense of the SS, but in TOTAL!)
When I looked at Camaro's, the Z28 styling and lack of updates did it in for me. Can't even see the dual exhaust...no styling differences from the base model...And 16" Wheels? Ugly one's at that! Come on! At least my '94 Z28 didn't look like a Chrysler Sedan from the front!!
My Rank of Importance:
1) Z28 (it is the essence of Camaro)
2) Base model - Must be the sales leader - and desirable!!
3) RS
4) LT
5) Any special edition
6) Fleet Models
7) Police Models
8) Rental Cars
9) U2 Spyplane landing aid cars
10) SS models
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Originally posted by WERM
At least my '94 Z28 didn't look like a Chrysler Sedan from the front!!
At least my '94 Z28 didn't look like a Chrysler Sedan from the front!!
Chrysler has a pretty good history of this actually. Their Sebring coupe in the mid-ninety's had strikingly similar Camaro cues in the rear....
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 564
From: Fletcher, NC, US
What about that bubble-Taurus of the 90s? Looked pretty much the same as a 4th gen Firebird from the back. First time I saw both cars, that's the first thing that came to my mind. 96-99 generation, I think.
http://ebay1.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_...8bcb/i-9_B.JPG
http://images.fotki.com/v1/photos/4/...wsisd03-vi.jpg
gt
http://ebay1.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_...8bcb/i-9_B.JPG
http://images.fotki.com/v1/photos/4/...wsisd03-vi.jpg
gt
Last edited by kizz; May 3, 2003 at 03:55 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 563
From: Z
Originally posted by Z284ever
If the '06 Cobra actually has 500hp as reported....you can forget about any Camaro competing with it .....maybe even especially SS.
See my comments in the parallel poll.
If the '06 Cobra actually has 500hp as reported....you can forget about any Camaro competing with it .....maybe even especially SS.
See my comments in the parallel poll.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 159
From: Little Rock, Arkansas
I think the most important model is the base car. The base forth-gen did not sell like the v6 stangs thus killing the entire line. I personally care about the performance (Z28) model but if we are to have a affordable car the base must be most important. The fith-gen needs to sell well to the entry-level buyers or it also will not work out in the long run.
JeffA
JeffA
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,000
From: TX Med Ctr
Originally posted by av8er
I think the most important model is the base car. The base forth-gen did not sell like the v6 stangs thus killing the entire line. I personally care about the performance (Z28) model but if we are to have a affordable car the base must be most important. The fith-gen needs to sell well to the entry-level buyers or it also will not work out in the long run.
JeffA
I think the most important model is the base car. The base forth-gen did not sell like the v6 stangs thus killing the entire line. I personally care about the performance (Z28) model but if we are to have a affordable car the base must be most important. The fith-gen needs to sell well to the entry-level buyers or it also will not work out in the long run.
JeffA
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by Z28Wilson
Since this poll was so obviously set up to b*tch about the SS again, I have refused to vote.
Since this poll was so obviously set up to b*tch about the SS again, I have refused to vote.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by Darth Xed
Eaxactly!!
Truth is SS was a good money maker for GM... and it left Z28 as the "no frills, no BS" performance Camaro that so many here say it should be...
...yet say it wasn't ...
Eaxactly!!
Truth is SS was a good money maker for GM... and it left Z28 as the "no frills, no BS" performance Camaro that so many here say it should be...
...yet say it wasn't ...
* Standard 17" wheels
* Standard Hurst shifter
* Standard 1LE suspension
You see....the parts were there, but GM did not have the will.
PS...and SS could keep the semi-functional Z/28 hood scoop.