Here's a personal theory of mine on the Z28 versus SS nameplates. Please don't comment on which is superior to the other, but comment on this theory instead. We beat Z28 versus SS into the ground too much.

This is a personal theory of mine about the controversy over Z28 versus SS. This is the conflict between an older and newer generation of Camaro owners.

The Z28 fighters on this board grew up all through Z28 dominance in Camaro's history and grew up with that name, letting them ally themselves throughout the years with that name. Lets assume the average Camaro enthusiast becomes aware and loves Camaro at 16.

Come in 1996 though with the return of the SS, a generation new to Camaro without many years against Z28 came to see the SS as higher because of its relative newness. Say people within 4 years of their realization of Camaro see SS as superior due to a lack of experience with Z28.

So in 1996, people aged 16-20 saw SS as superior to Z28. Come 2002 there is an age range of 16-26 who see SS as superior. Lets say that all the people after 2002 since the SS was the last highest model, will see SS in the non Camaro years as superior. So assume the Camaro returns in 2008. Then there will be an age range of buyers from 16-32 who will see SS as superior to Z28!

So in 2008, changing back to the Z28 superior name will betray this NEW generation of SS lovers. 16-32 will cover most of the buying range of the 5th gen! Over 32 and we're dealing with Corvettes and other cars. The Camaro is meant to be a younger person's car. So maybe holding onto SS is actually the better move since a change may confuse and disillusion the future buyers who have grown up loving SS instead of Z28, who's enthusiasts will be out of the buying range by the time of the 5th gen.

I forgot where I was going with this, but hopefully this made some sense.

 

Here is the reason I like/want a Z28. I need an affordable performance car. That is what a Z28 is. An SS is more buttons and whistles. Yeah the later SS's had more power, but not much. That's my theory anyway!

 

Well, I am in disagreement with this entire post and guess what, I am 1 of the "younger." Maybe others might have thought I was in a higher range of age, but nope. I know Camaros and their history and I have been here for 2 complete Generations, the Third and the 4th. I have always been around F-Bodies and nice Chevrolets. And as all of you must know by now, I am a Third Gen dude. But, I don't base my thoughts on that and that only, I also have a liking for 1st Gens. Every1 I know my age thinks the Z28 should be the top model still. Any real Camaro person should know why. I'd rather not go through the list again just to have DXed and others refute back against me and others of my opinion, like Z284 for example.

And you would not be doing anything to any1 that bought a 4th Gen SS. Look at it this way, SS owners have a 7 year only option. The IROC-Z was 6 years. (it was still a Z28 though) What about what the SS did to all the Z28 owners and fans?!?! Z28=Top Model Camaro, SS=Top Model Of Alot Of Other/Regular Vehicles.

 

I own 2 camaros, both z28's (I had a 1968 but I sold it 2 years ago,also a z28). Im 22 and and love camaros, and although I love my current cars, I would much rather have a 4th gen SS than my 4th gen Z28... the least of the reason is due to performance, most of it is for the appearance of the SS, and the way supersport camaro sounds. Im one of those who grew up with the SS as the top dawg in camaros, but only purchased Z28's because thats all I could afford...and I could easily make my Z look like an SS with alot less cash! All Im saying is that I would hate to see the SS not make an appeance in the 5th gen camaros... I would love to see it even if it was only an appearance package. long live the SS

 

Well I know you're 3rd gen guy. I've debated too many times with you about this stuff. And I know the history of the Z28! I truly do! But I've grown up when the SS was dominant and I associate that as the ultimate Camaro and I'm not alone in that. I'm trying to put some sense in that this over the years must be what is causing the fragmentation between the Z28 versus SS names: age. The age difference of when we were raised is the main factor in determining what we prefer namewise. True there will be some exceptions to this as you're pointed out. But keep an open mind on this year. I don't mean to cause a flame war. But COULD this be why we have such differences here about Z28 versus SS and that keeping the SS name won't hurt the 5th gen name because all the buyers will have been raised under the SS name?

 

So what you're saying is....that all Camaro fans from 1967 to 1996 who were betrayed when the SS came out.... just need to lump it.


And, I see alot of Cavalier/Ion/Sunfire/Grand Am territory in that 16-32 age bracket.

 

Exactly. IMO age has nothing to do with it. If you know the cars or maybe like a particular Gen, thats what I would base it on. A previous post explains why later 4th Gen owners really like SS's to me, the appearance. Its the top car so of course their going to like it, and probably don't care that much when they are buying 1. Keep in mind the Z28 was the top car for 93-95 4ths too. I never liked the whole "SS" thing and I liked it even less when I found out what it consisted of. At car shows and cruise nights talking with other enthusiasts or even friends I get the same. If they were going to bring the name back it shouldn't have been an add on to a (mid model) Z28, there should have been differences that really mattered and put the cars both at the top but in different ways. Z28 is the legendary Camaro and it should really always be that way. Even the youngest buyers possible weren't raised with the SS because it was only 96-02. Figure it all out and you'll see that they definetly spent more time with Z28's at the top.

 

Your theory is well taken but fatally flawed! Didn't I read somewhere that the average age of a 4th get Trans am buyer was 41, maybe 42? 16-32 will NOT be able to afford a 5th gen brand new, unless daddy pays for it or they get it second-hand. Maybe the upper range of that subset will be able to buy it new, like well-to-do 27-32 year olds, give or take. The majority will still be older buyers, if it's anything like the 4th gen. Let's not confuse 1) who this car is bought by, with 2) who it appeals to. Most of the people it appeals to are too young to be able to afford it.

 

Im 19 now and got my first car at the age of 17, which was a 92 RS with the 305. Back then when we were looking for camaro under 5k, i wanted a Z more than any other car, which i settled with the RS. Now it was time to get a newer more reliable car, I wanted a Z because I had done all the research and realize it was the same exact car for about 3k-4k less. Easy math to be done there. I fell in love with the Z last Nov. and all my future camaros will be a Z, no need for the SS here. I just wanted to say that i grew up in the age of the reintroduction of the SS, and still love a Z. It's also an ego booster when I beat my friends 02 SS, sealed the deal for me there.


Mark

 

Not another Z28 vs. SS post!!!!

 

Agree...all the way. This notion that 16 year olds have somehow been prepped for the Camaro SS...is one that I just flatly don't buy!

By '08 or '09...most teenagers aren't even going to know what a Camaro is.

GM should not make the mistake of having their product appeal to those with NO capacity to purchase it.....while making it UNAPPEALING to those with cash in hand.

 

All Camaro fans betrayed... I think that is a rather strong assumption. In the 13 years that SS has been part of Camaro's lineup, it has garnered its far share of interest and fans. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe either the SS or Z/28 can be considered "superior" in any way. It depends on the buyer and what they are after. The Z/28 does need to regain some appeal with the 5th gen. GM has watered it down way too much. Why is GM so bad at celebrating their storied models? GM also needs to do a better job of making models appealing and different from one another. How many different versions of Nissan Z are there?


-Mike

 

That's actually a pretty good theory, but you lost me when you said 16-32 will be the buying age of the 5th gen Camaros. Assuming 2008 is correct (personally I think it will be 2006 for the 2007 model year), using your theory, that puts the 5th gen buyer at 11-27 today.

Quite frankly, most buyers under 30 cannot afford a "new" high-performance F-body today nor can they afford the insurance to drive it. That would put today's "teen to mid-twenties" age group in the V6 market where style and a killer sound system is the norm and "real" performance is secondary.

Let's face it. When the 5th gen Camaro is finally released, the majority of high performance buyers are going to be in the 30+ age group, with many being over 40. Why? Because they're are the only ones that will be able to afford it.

So a 40 year old in 2008, would have been born during the birth of the original F-body; would have missed the birth and death of the original SS Camaros; been 10 years old when the Z/28 was first resurrected; been a teen when the IROC-Z's were at their peak; and by the time the "new SS" rolled out in 1996 would have been in their late 20's and eager to buy.

However, the most influential years of their youth would have been molded by Z/28's and IROC-Z's.

Now, are you still trying to convince me that they'll prefer the Camaro be called SS over Z/28?

I really don't think it'll make too much of a difference provided its a V8 powered RWD drive 2+2.

 

No stronger an assumption than 5th gen Camaro buyers will be 16-32yo and be betrayed by a Z/28.

 

Oh, I couldn't agree more that this age theory is flawed. What I was talking about is how you stated that every Camaro fan was betrayed by the reintroduction of the SS...

-Mike