It strikes me that there were two core demographics behind the F4 Camaro/Firebird - V6 buyers and V8 performance enthusiasts. Even more interestingly, was the RWD platform a draw, or a deterrent, for the people looking at V6 coupes?

It strikes me that the V6 "Pony Car" market would be best served by a front-wheel drive coupe, emphasizing rear passenger accomodations to a greater extent than in past. Basically, I'm talking about the conceptual equivilent of the current Grand Am coupe, based on either the Delta or Epsillon platform. With the proper marketing and styling, there is no reason why a front-wheel drive coupe wouldn't trump the base Mustang V6 in sales.

For "Muscle Car" enthusiasts, V8 engines and REAR WHEEL DRIVE (Sigma/Y-body?) are obviously neccessary. Moreover, performance (ie. suspensions design, low center of gravity, road-hugging seating postion) would take precedence over rear-seating and cargo considerations.

Why wouldn't it make sense to build the low end coupes on a sedan production line, and attach the inherently lower volume V8 models to a true high performance chassis. Perhaps what we're looking at is using two nameplates rather than just one - so what?

 

no i think they should be on the same platform to keep the cost low plus two cars would be like comparing the most current f-body and the monte.

 

The Monte Carlo is a holdover from the 1970's concept of the "personal luxury coupe." With the two-door Grand Am soon to bite the dust, wouldn't a smaller, more performance oriented "Pony Car" make sense? If anything, the current V6 Mustang would actually sell more units, if not for the negative perception of RWD in more northern climates.

As far as the "volume" argument behind making a V6 base F-body, the idea failed in the F4 generation. Besides, with the closure of Ste. Therese, GM lacks rear-wheel-drive production capacity.

 

It would make more sense to build two serparate cars that fulfill these missions respectfully. The Mustang doesn't need a separate V6 front-drive version to sell to the masses. They have other cars that appeal to that segment (ie Focus).

If we wanted to take on the FWD, import coupes, we should make a car dedicated to performing this task, not compromise a V8-rwd car to try and kill two birds with one platform/brand name.

 

Isn't this what is the Cavalier, Sunfire, and Saturn coupe for?

The question you ask is already answered. Cavalier is getting replaced, the new Saturn coupe will have a 200hp version to compete with Neon & the import/youth market.

Just the same, the RWD Mustang is the best selling car in this segment (and yes, this includes imported sports coupes).

 

There is no way in this world that the Cavalier and Sunfire compete with the Mustang V6. The Ecotec 2.2 is just swell, but a four-cylinder only car doesn't have the cache to be a V6 Mustang slayer. The Grand Am coupe might have been able to have done the job, but it has been marketed and designed like a 2-door sedan of yore.

A real FWD "Pony Car" would need more dramatic styling, replete with fake hood and side scoops. Image sells, and the Saturn Ion is just too "touchy-feel" cute to be considered as a Mustang alternative. Say what you want, but the fact that the Mustang has a convertible option goes along way towards the "image thing."

With the F-bodies gone, does the Mustang convertible really have ANY direct competitor? I'd say that the Eclipse is too post-modern wacky to fill the bill. (Pontiac is loosing its strange body body grooves, Mitsubishi "found" them.) Both the Chrysler Sebring and Toyota Solara are frumpy "mature" drop tops, hardly cars for anyone under 40.

 

On the contrary.

Many of the same buyers that buy the V6 Mustang are the same who buy Cavalier coupes. Not every buyer is a gearhead like us, and not everyone of the base coupe buyers care about RWD or FWD. Some think the Mustang is gaudy. But the "1st car" crowd, including women & men looking for a value ladened car at a good price, would do consider both. Of course, Mustang pulls in more, but as far as budget coupes, they are in the same market.

 

Uh, your missing the point. The higher volume V6 cars on the Camaro or Mustang chassis is what allows the V8 cars to be possible, or at least so cheap. Having a low-end model allows for buyers to be "upgraded" into more expensive models. How many girls do you think went to buy just any old Mustang (v6) and left in a GT or Cobra?

Basicly what you are saying is GM should have a V6 only Camaro and a Corvette.

 

It sounds like you are describing the departed Chevy Beretta.

 

Next gen Grand Am is supposed to get a convertible version...

Something to think about anyway when mentioning potential competitors to a V6 Mustang... but I still think that since Mustang is RWD, it's two clearly different markets, though I do believe that 75% + buyers don't know if the car they own right now is FWD or RWD.