Chevrolet has only three models that I can think of that involve vocal loyalty (folks screaming and hollering about how great the car is)...

Corvette.

Camaro.

Full size trucks.


I would be very curious to know how much the volume of the shouts compare to repeat buyers for the vehicles. Especially in the case of the Camaro, as it's loyalty might have a lot to do with Corvette sales.

Like many, my SS is a stepping stone to my eventual Corvette.

I wonder if there is a way to quantify the value in hard dollar terms of the various owners and their relative predisposition to buy another of the same model or a higher-line model.

This would be an intersting twist to the relative importance of certain vehicles, and their profitability. I wonder how it shakes out...

 

I'd imagine to someone who's indifferent to FWD, the upcomming blown Impala and Monte Carlo (likely to be GM's 3rd fastest car that holds more than 2 people) will probally change that just a little.

I know that's not much, but it's a start.

 

2003 is defnately one of the lowest points I can think of in GM history as far as offering a multitude of exciting cars...

There are some great ones, (Corvette, CTS) but not a ton of them...

I think a lot of good stuff is in the pipeline, and we'll see them over the next 1-4 years...

Some examples:

New Corvette
New Camaro
GTO
CTS-V
Pontiac GXP series cars

and a bucnh more...

but, ya, as far as overall offerings, it's pretty thin for 2003...

 

I'd assume a direct correlation between Camaro buyers and Corvette buyers as I too was planning to step up to a vette in a few years. My guess would be something like 40% of vette owners owned a Camaro at one point (that's being very conservative). If you really want to be scientific about it start a poll on a Corvette board. Something like:

As a Corvette owner, which of the following best applies:

A) I've owned several Camaros prior to acquiring my Corvette
B) Owned a Camaro prior to acquiring my vette
C) Did not own a Camaro prior to acquring my Corvette, but did look into it
D) Never even considered owning a Camaro


If the results come back like 75% A and B, then I would think GM would be hard-pressed not to bring back the Camaro or some other entry-level sport coupe.

 

Cavalier coupe is entry level to GM.
Saturn extended cab is sport to GM.

We need to figure out how to get more influence at GM, think like they do, and then justify a real performance car in their terms. The Fiero guys did it and it lasted nearly five years (a low-cost commuter car does not have a mid-engine layout...).

 

And let's not forget about the F-Body owners who would RATHER have that Camaro or Firebird instead of the Vette. There are a lot of us out there who CAN get a Vette and choose not to.

Never considered a newer Vette, doubt I ever will.

Just give me my F-Body and I'm happy.

... anyways ...

GM, I wish you the best in getting new performance enthusiasts to go from your 4cyl or V6 FWD "sports coupe" line into a Vette like so many did from the F-Body family.

"Hey, let's draw straws to see which car to kill this year"

Afterwards we can play the ever popular game where we take a classic muscle car and turn it into a FWD grocery getter... maybe this time we'll do the 442: 4 cyl, 4 spd manual, 2 wheel drive (front of course)...

 

Hey! They already did that.

 

Oh no you don't. Even the FWD 442 was a screamer. Thing had nearly 200 HP out of a 2.3L four cylinder without any type of variable valve timing and didn't even need a catalytic convertor to pass emissions. 190 HP is very impressive for the engine and for the time in which it was produced.

Plus it was 4 cylinders, 4 valves, 2 exhaust outlets.

 

Forget Corvettes...let's talk to GM in language they can understand.

People who buy Chevy Camaros also buy Chevy trucks.

Those same people who now go over and buy Ford Mustang will now probably buy Ford trucks.

 

I am a F-body loyal , not GM loyal , and have no desire to own a Corvette <----there just too fun to spank with my slow looking fireturd convertible , lol

 

Im about as GM loyal as they come but Ive no desire to own a vette. My friend Mike however wants a C5 more than anything right now, but being a poor college kid (ND proud ) he's going to end up with a TA next year, then hopefully a corvette down the road.