Actually, I think we agree. The only difference is that I don't believe we can logically judge GM by a few halo cars. Sure, they may be great cars, but we can't ignore the other 80% of below average vehicles they produce.

I think GM's future hinges more on a succesful Camaro than any of us would like to admit. And with that said, I believe that if retro is what is selling right now, then it would be smart for GM to go retro with the Camaro - unless...unless...UNLESS, GM can successfully pull off a modern Camaro - which I don't feel comfortable about them doing right now. GM has more failures than successes right now.

Gawd, I just realized that I am sounding like a GM basher. I am not. I have just about lost faith though.

On a personal level, I'll trade my Vette in for a new Camaro for one reason: If it is a killer car. Retro or modern doesn't matter. I got a Vette simply because they don't make the Camaro anymore. If the new 'maro is that good, I'll be looking.

greg

 

I just hope it looks better in person than in those pics- Yecchh!!!

 

I'm sticking with my line of reasoning. Being that I work in a Big 3 auto facility, EVERYBODY at the plant eats, s**ts, and sleeps high performance cars. Euro cars and ricers do NOT cut the mustard. These guys LOVE good 'ole American iron. American muscle cars. This is why they love the new Mustang and hate the new GTO.
Using that as a rule of thumb, it's easy to see why I would say that if GM wants the Camaro and GTO to be wildly successful, then they are going to need to jump on the retro bandwagon. I'm not neccessarily in favor of retro, but I am in favor of GM wiping the floor with Ford and Chrysler.
Remember, the consumer rules. If the consumer wants retro, then you give them retro. Why wouldn't you want to sell cars?

And by the way, these guys range in age from their 30s to their 60s. So age has nothing to do with it. And we all make a decent living, so 30k - 40k on an awesome muscle car wouldn't be a problem.

 

Well, if your going to bring back an old name like that, might as well make it retro as possible. I like it... stays true to its roots, unlike the charger.

 

That's fine and dandy and all but you represent only one part of the market. For the Camaro to be successful it has to capture new customers as well, perhaps some from the import tuner crowd, an other places. That's why I argue it's gotta be a fresh innovative design, especially in 2009-2010 when this retro nonsense will be over 10 years old and the first person to come out with something original andfresh will look like a genius.

 

The truth is that the "retro" craze may never end. How many people still love the cars from the 60's and 70's that were not there when they were new? Good styling never dies.

 

True, but it will most probably become a smaller part of the market occupied by niche vehicles.

I love the cars of the '60s and '70s for what they are, innovative designs of THAT time. To pay $25-$30 for a 20xx car that looks identical to it's 40+ year old relative is like paying $500 to be front row center for the Rolling Stones...

...cover band.

Sure good styling never dies..the original. Any recreations that come after are nothing more than cheap knock offs that have NONE of the magic of the original.

There are countless business examples that fresh, innovative designs lead to increased market share and product success...and it's the freshness and innovativeness that makes it timeless.

 

I like most of the car. The front is........odd! But hey why not?

 

That is sweet. I'd buy one.

New Camaro and Firebird should be awesome.

 

Chrysler is in quite a pickle with you guys.

They make a Challenger that looks like a challenger, and they get blased for being retro. They make a Charger that's got a couple of Charger cues but is mostly a really different car and they get slammed.

Can't win, I guess. :P

 

Chrysler's latest round of styling really doesn't do anything for me.

IMO, the best car they did in the past 10+ years was the 300M.

 

Once again, I think a lot of people here fail to see how this will sell. Dodge has the bases covered very well. For the newer look folks, you have the Charger, for the old school people, you get the Challenger. Everyone here, and I mean everyone, is underestimating the impact this will have. The only thing that could derail this car now is not building it. This car is INSTANTLY recognizeable as a Challenger. Did I say INSTANTLY? Not to mention it's a far better rendition than that of the current Mustang.

And now to **** off about 50% of the board... Guess what, this is NOT being marketed at 20-somethings. 30-somethings, sure a little, but it's the 40's and up where these will make a splash. So when a niche message board on "da net" says it's ugly, prepare to hear crickets answering back, because the big 3 won't be.

This, more than anything else should be the wake-up call for GM. If they can't match or beat this, they are done. And they have to match/beat it on every level: performance, styling and yes, PRICE. If they fail on one, they are done. It's that simple. They have now been out of the game for 3+ years, going on 4 and they haven't had anything to brag about in 8-9 years (ala LS1). A 2002 SS won't be able to hold a candle to anything coming out in the next 2 years. And it's still going to be another 1-2 years after that to see anything remotely resembling a Camaro??? Hmm...

Food for thought.

 

NICE!

 

Oringinally posted by Buick61 over at GMI, if that tag line is correct, wow, all I can say is wow! will look real nice next to my Camaro.

 

Wow, I wonder how accurate the cover blurbs are? 425 hp--$28,000.