Though the V8-powered 3-series will weigh over 3600 pounds, in spite of having only a 4.0 liter V8, lots of aluminum parts, and a carbon fibre roof (iirc).

Even the 335i weighs north of 3600 pounds. You have to drop the turbo and switch to a partially magnesium engine (328i) with 200 TQ to get down under 3500 pounds.

What do you think the M3 would weigh at a $32000 price point?

 

Combination of both. Small sporty coupes don't sell in the numbers of larger ones. The 4th gen Camaro was still the 2nd biggest selling sporty coupe on the market when it was killed, even though it was as big as it was. Most sporty coupes on the market today don't sell anywhere near the numbers a 5th gen is expected to sell. Best selling convertible (Sebring) is no small car. Based on Ford's market research, it's easy to get the idea that if Mustang was the size of an Eclipse, it's enthusiasts would have stormed Ford HQ and ripped the place apart.

Closer to home, imagine what would happen here if the next Camaro had, say, a 320 horse V6 as a Z28 model & a size in line with a Ford Probe...even though this meant the car didn't need all the heavy construction needed for 500 horsepower & matched or exceeded the 4th gen's performance and weighed in around 3300 pounds?

 

And that right there folks, is just about as ignorant as it gets.

Do you actually do anything with your vehicles besides list them in your message board signature? You know... actually drive them or compete with them? If so, then weight matters.

Would you like your truck to weigh as little as your Trans Am? I'd think not. That trailer would push the featherweight truck around quite a bit.

Would you want your Grand Prix to weigh as much as the trucks? I'm sure you most certainly would not.

Weight is a factor to consider for customers just as price or horsepower. It's up to the individual customer to determine what is best for them.

You can STFU while you ponder all that.

 

I doubt it. But there are three different BMW I6s that you can buy today. The 3.2l in the old M3 (and current Z4-M, or whatever it's called) has an iron block, and may very well be heavier than an LS2. The aluminum/magnesium NA unit in the 328i has got to be lighter. If you include the turbo, then maybe the aluminum unit in the 335i is a little heavier. I know that BMW said it was something like 70 pounds lighter than their big V8, but that's got to be Ford Mod or heavier in weight....

Anyone know how much weight DOD adds?

 

OR maybe GM will cut corners and build a fat, heavy Camaro, building it cheaper to increase their profit margin, then charging a heavy premium due to the retro style like another manufacturer did with theirs.
That and anyone who actually pays attention to the history of the Camaro will know that, with the possible exception of the 4th-gen, EVERY generation Camaro has GAINED weight in the later model years of the production run. You guys aren't seeing the big picture. If the 2009 comes in at 3800lbs, later on that pig will be over 2 tons guaranteed. Others might not give a crap about that, but I do. Judging by the response in this thread, I know I'm not alone.

 

I agree that a Camaro costing 40 grand would be very bad. However, the AVERAGE price of a new car is north of $30,000. If GM is really going to try and price a V8 Camaro at $26,000, they're going to cut corners somewhere (weight?). I'd rather pay a bit more $$$ for a lighter, better car myself.

 

Nah, the new Camaro will just be a heavier pig than the 04-06 GTOs were.

Ok, here's a new one: Don't whine about the whining, ignore it.

Yup. Sure does. Doesn't change my opinion of anything though.

I think that probably remains to be seen...unless you're a secret member of the winkie club that has even more insider information that nobody else can know about?

Of course. If you don't agree with my POV, you should STFU and let me keep talking.

Got it!

I was speculating, because I don't know for sure. If you know the real weight of any of the current BMW I6s, I'd be interested to hear. GM's LSx is around 390 lbs.

I went looking for specific weights for the 4.6 3V Modular, but couldn't find it. I'll keep looking. The LSx is right around 390 lbs. I'm bettin the much larger (physically) 4.6 is more than 70lbs heavier than an aluminum LSx.

But I guess I'm speculating here, too. The point is that the LSx is a very compact, efficient, and light powerplant. GM got it soooooooooo right with this powerplant. If they could just do the same with the rest of the car....

Bob

 

Maybe

A car consistently getting larger/heavier is true of just about every car out there with multiple generations; it's only when a manufacturere stops and essentially "starts over" that you'll see weight start to come off again (and then the cycle of increasing size/weight will generally start over).

Also, just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they don't "give a crap"

 

Touche.

Obviously you care because you're posting in this thread.

I'm in agreement that a $26,000 base V8 Camaro would be hard pressed to be any kind of lightweight. It would more likely be the 3800lbs number that seems to be getting tossed around here.

Again, the average price of a new car is OVER $30,000, so I think we need to redefine the term "affordable" when it comes to a performance car like the Camaro. Again, I think a $26k base V8 Camaro will be "cheap", not "affordable", meaning GM will have to build a lesser car to come in at that "cheaper" price point. However, if they could make a 3400lb V8 Camaro for under $32k, that would be an absolute steal.

 

I regularly drag race my 99 WS6 TA and I know that every 100 pounds is worth a tenth of a second in the quarter mile. I would rather add a power adder or do heads/cam to the car instead of pulling out the air, stereo and seats. I'm not into autocrossing, so a light car isnt that important to me. If you are so obsessed with weight, get a Mallet Solstice, because the fifth gen Camaro will not be light. Those twin turbo 3 series Bimmers are only 330 hp. Get one of those, maybe its all the power you can handle. I also drive over 10,000 miles per month hauling cars interstate with my 3500 Silverado. Guess who Jason D called to haul his car when he sold his 96 SS to a guy in Florida? So stick the weight issue up your azz and STFU.

 

Oh, okay.

 

Really.....

 

I have done a bit of drag racing myself. We all have our prefences.

Soooooooooo.....having a light car isn't important to drag racing? Extra weight - no problem, just add more HP! Look at the GT500, stellar performance out of that 445 RWHP!

Ya.

I'm pretty sure we've determind that.

And no thanks on the Soltice. Mallet, mullet, or otherwise.

LOL. Yup, as far as you know.

Say, wanna compare drag racing credentials?

Golly. Can I have your autograph?

Once again, from your perspective, we're all welcome to state our POV, unless it differs from yours, in which case we should just STFU.

I love people like this. They make my day.

Bob

 

You are complaining about something you cant change. You might as well go and bang your head against the wall.

 

You are praising/talking about something you can't have. You might as well go jump in the lake.