You make a great point Proud. I think plenty of people are willing to pay money for the perception of performance, in a stylish, comfortable package.

You used the "Pony" analogy and I'll give you another. Mid to late '80s IROC-Z's. They weren't all fast. In fact they didn't even all have TPI.

Even most of the TPI equipped IROCs and Trans Ams/Formulas weren't all that fast. Unless you ordered the proper options, your Tuned Port IROC came with a "peanut" cam, 2.73 rear gear, drum brakes, auto trans etc. Most would combine them with T-Tops and power everything.

They were slow....but they looked and sounded good and sold like hotcakes.

 

I wasn’t really referring to the motor. I wasn’t specific enough. I was thinking more package. This car need to be a solid desirable base car. Like the Mustang V6 is now. Its need to have plenty of options without a huge price. I don’t think we should worry about the base motors output. How many high school girls asking daddy for a mustang when they turn 16 care about power. Its all about looking cute for them. And at the same time we need it to have that "cool" effect. The 5th gen needs to have a bad *** base car to succeed. Do you see where I going with this?

I never said anything about insurance or expense of the motor. While I know RedPlanet said there is a fat change we will have a mid range V8 model, I think it could effectively fit in the line up. I base my argument With what the Mustang GT does. Its the simple idea of a V8 without all the power. You have to realize cars sell these days from their "cool" factor. V8s are cool. But not everyone want tire melting power. But at the same time I almost agree with you. If I was going to drop a model from the line up it would be the RS I've talked about. However I would replace it with the SS in a sense.

Maybe its because I'm young (19) and I've only been around in the car scene for the past few years but that’s exactly what I see the SS badge as. Up graded performance and style but not the top of the line performer. Oh and by the way I don’t know anything about disco. I grew up in the late 80s / early 90s with bad hip hop and grunge rock.

Ok this is where I just plain disagree with you. First of all why is the Z28 the least desirable body style? Are you holding out on us? Have you seen what the next Z28 looks like? I think your stuck on the 4th gen line up here. I'm hoping the 5th gen Z28 will have sexy styling and be distinguishable from the base car. Even if its just a front fascia, cowl hood and spoiler. I know I keep going back to the Mustang as comparison but their line up formula seems to work. Each car is distinguishable over at Ford. Each Camaro needs to have its own look (at least their own hood).

As I'm sure you know the Z06 only comes in hard top form, only with a 6-speed. I'm not saying automatics cant be performers or anything less. I know they are great for drag racing and very consistent. But as a road racer as the Z06 is and what I want the next Z28 to be you need a 6-speed. They are just seen as the sportier option. Ok I feel like I’m having a hard time getting my idea across.

Tell me what do you see the Z06 as? I see it as the upgraded style. Upgraded motor. Upgraded brakes and suspension. The top of the line car. The one everyone wants. it’s the “Z” car. Less frills more fun. I see no reason why the next Z28 cant be this.

I just think it would be dumb to have the top of the line Vette sitting on the lot in ‘07 being a “Z’ car and the top of the line Camaro being the SS. Wouldn’t this cause confusion with buyers? Why is the "Z" not the top of the line for both car lines is what I would think. The Z28 on the 5th gen should be top car no matter what it was in the past. The SS shouldn’t be looked at like the second in line though. But more as serving a different purpose.

 

I think you're getting your idea across very effectively....and I pretty much agree with everything that you just said.

 

thanks buddy!

I try, I always get so scatter brianed when I make a long post.

 

Good question. I have the feeling that Chevy is currently in the process of defining it to itself. I get the impression that it will become the volume Chevy performance/trim package, as "GT" is to Ford and "R/T" is to Dodge.

In the '60s it used to mean a trim upgrade at a negligible price from the base model with the option of upgraded performance.

According to GM literature...todays' "SS" will mean upgraded trim, wheels, and performance from the base model but it appears it will be at a more than negligible price.

NOTE: In both cases, it upgrades the base model.

 

Yup stars1010, IMO you got it down dude.

SS is the designation for a "sportier" model on all the regular Chevrolets, this should not be the all-out top performance Camaro. Z06 for the Corvette and Z28 for the Camaro. Lets leave all the revisionist name placing in the 4th Gen. It should be Base, RS, SS, and then Z28. All with their own purpose, looks, characteristics, and personality.

 

Why have a high performance car designed for a low performance driver? And to all those guys that say "consistency in Drag racing", just what exactly do you do for those 13 seconds driving in a straight line with your right foot planted on the floor? I dunno...sounds pretty dull to me. Just my personal opinion.

 

If this is such a big deal and a smack to the SS name, can you explain how Z28 has ever been anything different?

 

Didn't the Z/28 usually have a unique engine not available in other Camaros?

 

I think that you are misunderstanding me Darth. This is what SS was and is . I'm not saying it's a "smack" to the SS name......on the contrary. As a GM representative said at the Malibu Maxx SS intro......."SS has always been a way for family cars to get performance" ( or words to that affect).

I think the SS strategy Chevy will be using is probably a good one.

I'm just not sure if this strategy will have a good effect or bad effect on a sporty model like the next Camaro...

It's one thing to spruce up a car with no sporty pretentions, but Camaro may need to be handled differently.

The only way I could see it working for Camaro, is if the base Camaro has little sportiness (which IMO would be a mistake), and if the Z/28 once again loses it's focus and becomes the "standard V8" Camaro, (also a mistake).

I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't diminish the Camaro brand, just to make the SS strategy work on it

 

Well, seriously, if SS is and always was "just an upgrade from the base car"... how has the Z28 ever been different?

Both have always been an uprade to the base car... they are all Camaros .

If you wan to say "Z28" has only been on Camaros, while SS has been on others cars... well, then I'll present Z24, Z26, and Z34... same story.



I guess I am very on the fence with this... I perfer the Z28 name, which is why I find it odd to be arguing for the "other side", but there are a lot of mis-truths that keep getting said on this subject.

 

Darth, don't you think that Z/28 has always represented a more comprehensive and focused performance package that could be added to an already sporty car? Where SS was a trim and (sometimes) performance package on standard passenger cars and trucks.

 

The Z/28 can't just be a V8 option, which for the past generation it was. There needs to be a smaller HP or smaller cube V8 below the Z/28 (RS, anyone) so the Z can become what the 1LE took over from the Z in the first place. The SS was an even higher cube or hp motor from the base V8.

A next generation of the Vortec-based alum motors would be a good base.

 

no

 

Why not? Cheap, already made for the trucks.

Or we can make a whole new engine? :chaching: