and just when everyone stops liking a certain formula GM is going to chime in?

comon we need some inititive... make a larger solstice, with just as much boom and thus we get a big bang theory...

 

Well the G35 is pricey, and doesn't have near the name recognition a Camaro would. We're strictly talking basic dimensions here, not copying everything right down to the cupholders. I'm sure there are many cars that are just about the 2005 Mustang's size, and don't sell extremely well...that's because they aren't Mustangs, not because the size is wrong.

 

Just throwing stuff out there to keep in mind.

 

30,000 units a year is NOT going to cut it for the 5th gen. Keep in mind that was 30,000 a year each for 2 cars....60,000 total...and they still got killed off, partly for internal political reasons but killed off none the less.

I think it can be safely said that if the cars were a booming success flying off the lots that despite the CAW and St. Therese contract issues a way would have been found to save the cars. So ultimately, 60,000/yr wasn't enough.

I think you're looking at a scenario where the Camaro is going to have to sell at least 80,000/yr to stay afloat. I'd bet they are shooting for 100,000/yr though.

 

Tell me about it. It is 3.6 inches taller than a fourth gen, and 0.4 inches taller than Mustang. That practically makes it a monster truck like the GTO, which is 0.1 inches taller than G35. The fourth gen didn't sell because it was too tall. The 5th gen needs to have a height of 45 inches or less!!!

 

Who is to say they aren't doing just that?

Except the already stated struts instead of SLA front and a cheapened IRS.

 

I don't know if anyone says they're not doing that. If they are, put me down as being in the "happy camp".


As to height, I'm fully expecting to see something in the 54 - 55 inch range.


While I can appreciate those who want an even smaller and lighter F5 for autocross and/or road course adventures, IMO a used C5 ZO6 or a Solstice/Sky are the GM offerings that would fit that application better.

 

09-10 model year is a long way off. the new camaro and challenger are both shooting for this time frame. they need to get them out sooner or there not just going to be late to the party, there gonna miss it.

 

Very funny. However, a Camaro should be not taller than 50-52 inches and it needs to be at least 74-75 inches wide.

The G35 is narrower in width and track than both the Mustang and the GTO. The G35, while shorter in length than the others, also has a longer wheelbase.

I want a Camaro that out handles Mustang and GTO. Giving it a narrower track, longer wheel base and making it taller isn't going to cut it.

 

Seems like more contradiction going on here. It seems like some people tell you that the Camaro has to be all things to all people and damn the enthusiasts. Yet in another breath (read: thread) that same someone will tell you that it can't be built unless there is a sedan/larger platform to base it off of.

That brings me to this. If the 5th gen is going to have to a have a "mommy" platform for which to base it's chassis, then why does it have to be a high volume seller? Shouldn't the "mommy" platform suffice for the volume sales. Thereby leaving the 5th gen to be more of an enthusiast's vehicle. Notice, I don't mean I want it to be niche or alienate anyone, but surely there's room to make the enthusiasts and bean counters happy with this formula.

The bean counters get their volume of sales out of the platform and the enthusiasts, both within and outside GM, get a great car.

So far, from all the recent threads, only Z284ever is making sense. I don't want another bloated live-axle Camaro. I've got one, and while I don't see it's equal in the marketplace right now, a clone would be a waste. It needs to be smaller (yes, by 1" would suffice for now), lighter and more modern than the competition. If the intent is to make another "me too" brick on wheels, then I'll say "no thanks".

 

That's what I think of when I think of a smaller Camaro. I love how Cobalt sized is an example of tiny somehow, that car is as big as a 2001 Camry

 

When Reuss said that, I figured it was what we were getting as the under-pinnings for a new Camaro. I was actually pretty happy about it, as Sigma now has some years on the race track in the CTSv-R program, and look what the C5-R program did for the new Z06. Guess I figured too early?

I really hope that GM can talking about this car soon, these roller coasters are getting old.

 

Yeah, in actuality I think that the G35 is really on the small side of acceptable for a 5th gen (height notwithstanding). As Darth Xed is fond of pointing out, the absolute dimensions are not as important as the proportions and style however.

 

I am not happy with the 5th is going with struts on the front, if that is a fact. Seems like a step backwards.

 

As long as the Camaro stays RWD, has a V8 available, has a manual transmission available, and is a 2dr sports coupe not a 4dr (none of those little RX-8 and Saturn style doors either) I will look very seriously at the F5s. Everything else I don't really care which way they go with it (modern vs retro, IRS vs Solid, hatch vs trunk) as long as they don't screw it up.

Also, I would love for it to come out for the 40th Anniversary in 2007, even if it was a limited mid year run (like the 70 1/2 Camaros). I really think that would be great for all parties involved. I really don't expect it to happen, because they would pretty much have to have something sitting in a garage surrounded by armed guards that is production ready and already been approved and is able to be built on an exsisting assembly line, and that just isn't very likely. I think 2008 would be ok. 2009 is pushing it. By 2010 Hyundia and Chrysler will also have their pony out or coming out, and GM will have a lot of aggrevated F-body enthusiasts and a car based on info they gathered 5yrs earlier (translation: they better have a dang good car if they want to be competitive) .

David