SS and Camaro.....is that a good thing?
04-24-2003, 11:14 AM
#1
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SS and Camaro.....is that a good thing?
Something I've been thinking about.
It's obvious where the SS sub-brand is going within Chevy. It will be a way to inject some flair into an utterly boring car line......and collect a heavy price premium at the same time.
I can see where this strategy would be useful in the Malibu Maxx, Monte Carlo, Silverado, etc., but does this really apply to Camaro?
Shouldn't even the most basic Camaro be sporty and desirable out of the box....without the need for an expensive package to create some sportiness.
And will we have a repeat of the 4th gen strategy
....SS takes on Z/28 features (wheels, scoop, etc.), which are traditionally standard on Z/28, but Z/28 itself is excluded from, in order to justify a higher price for SS.
I guess the question I'm getting to is: Will the SS sub branding be good or bad for Camaro?
It's obvious where the SS sub-brand is going within Chevy. It will be a way to inject some flair into an utterly boring car line......and collect a heavy price premium at the same time.
I can see where this strategy would be useful in the Malibu Maxx, Monte Carlo, Silverado, etc., but does this really apply to Camaro?
Shouldn't even the most basic Camaro be sporty and desirable out of the box....without the need for an expensive package to create some sportiness.
And will we have a repeat of the 4th gen strategy
....SS takes on Z/28 features (wheels, scoop, etc.), which are traditionally standard on Z/28, but Z/28 itself is excluded from, in order to justify a higher price for SS.I guess the question I'm getting to is: Will the SS sub branding be good or bad for Camaro?
04-24-2003, 11:20 AM
#2
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Re: SS and Camaro.....is that a good thing?
Originally posted by Z284ever
justify a higher price for SS.
I guess the question I'm getting to is: Will the SS sub branding be good or bad for Camaro?
justify a higher price for SS.
I guess the question I'm getting to is: Will the SS sub branding be good or bad for Camaro?
Such as small black / big block or something like that, but we know that won't happen.
04-24-2003, 11:35 AM
#3
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I'll have to agree.
To me (as an outsider), SS could go on any Chevy car, and it should denote a "better than base" model performance and refinement wise. But THAT'S ALL.
I think the Z/28 should be the "best available" in that model. Same goes with Z34, Z24, Z06, Z71(I know, it's a truck) and so on. These should be the primo PERFORMERS, regardless of refinement and luxury.
If the performance level were distinctly separated, I think SS and Z/28 could coexist on the 'maro - BUT ONLY THAT WAY. If it means a different engine for each, or a "detuned" model for the SS - so be it. But I think history shows that if SS and Z/28 share the same drivetrain there will be confusion at best as to which model means what to whom, and that will lead to discontent in the fold of buyers/loyalists.
There's my .025 (includes inflation for todays market
)
To me (as an outsider), SS could go on any Chevy car, and it should denote a "better than base" model performance and refinement wise. But THAT'S ALL.
I think the Z/28 should be the "best available" in that model. Same goes with Z34, Z24, Z06, Z71(I know, it's a truck) and so on. These should be the primo PERFORMERS, regardless of refinement and luxury.
If the performance level were distinctly separated, I think SS and Z/28 could coexist on the 'maro - BUT ONLY THAT WAY. If it means a different engine for each, or a "detuned" model for the SS - so be it. But I think history shows that if SS and Z/28 share the same drivetrain there will be confusion at best as to which model means what to whom, and that will lead to discontent in the fold of buyers/loyalists.
There's my .025 (includes inflation for todays market
)
04-24-2003, 12:19 PM
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Originally posted by Z28Wilson
This horse is so old there's nothing but bones left to beat.
Z28, SS, whatever. I really don't care anymore. Just give me my 5th gen!
This horse is so old there's nothing but bones left to beat.
Z28, SS, whatever. I really don't care anymore. Just give me my 5th gen!
04-24-2003, 12:34 PM
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Originally posted by ProudPony
But I think history shows that if SS and Z/28 share the same drivetrain there will be confusion at best as to which model means what to whom, and that will lead to discontent in the fold of buyers/loyalists.
There's my .025 (includes inflation for todays market)
But I think history shows that if SS and Z/28 share the same drivetrain there will be confusion at best as to which model means what to whom, and that will lead to discontent in the fold of buyers/loyalists.
There's my .025 (includes inflation for todays market
)
04-24-2003, 01:30 PM
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Re: SS and Camaro.....is that a good thing?
Originally posted by Z284ever
Something I've been thinking about.
...
And will we have a repeat of the 4th gen strategy....SS takes on Z/28 features (wheels, scoop, etc.), which are traditionally standard on Z/28, but Z/28 itself is excluded from, in order to justify a higher price for SS.
I guess the question I'm getting to is: Will the SS sub branding be good or bad for Camaro?
Something I've been thinking about.
...
And will we have a repeat of the 4th gen strategy
....SS takes on Z/28 features (wheels, scoop, etc.), which are traditionally standard on Z/28, but Z/28 itself is excluded from, in order to justify a higher price for SS.I guess the question I'm getting to is: Will the SS sub branding be good or bad for Camaro?
Make the Z/28 more of a performance stripper ala the 1LE and make the SS the one with leather, T-tops, scoops and shiny rims.
I'd rather have a fast sleeper than a sluggy riced-out SS buggy.
Last edited by jg95z28; 04-24-2003 at 01:33 PM.
04-24-2003, 04:13 PM
#12
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There should be no "SS". Like Corvette, Camaro should be a true sports machine in all variants (yes, even the V6 cars), and does not need any special "Super Sporty" model to separate performance models from the more plebian models.
04-24-2003, 06:19 PM
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Re: Re: SS and Camaro.....is that a good thing?
Originally posted by jg95z28
There are some people who completely hate that strategy for the Z/28. There was a time when Z/28 meant factory street/racer. I'd like to see that again.
.
There are some people who completely hate that strategy for the Z/28. There was a time when Z/28 meant factory street/racer. I'd like to see that again.
.
04-24-2003, 07:48 PM
#15
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Wouldn't a better question be......
......What exactly does the SS moniker mean?
It really seems to be a catch-all trim upgrade option.....with sometimes a modest increase in performance.......but always with an increase in $$.
Is this really what Chevy wants it to represent?
It really seems to be a catch-all trim upgrade option.....with sometimes a modest increase in performance.......but always with an increase in $$.
Is this really what Chevy wants it to represent?