We have had topics of what the 4th gen did wrong and what needed to be fixed, so i thought it is appropriate that we list all the things that we liked about the 4th gen and would not want to be changed at all.

The obvious one I think we will all agree on is that it had the best bang for the buck possible

For me I would say one thing that really stands out are the seats. I think they are the some of the most comfortable seats ive ever sat in. I've gone looking at luxury cars fairly recently as my dad was thinking of buying one, and let me tell u on most of them, the seats are not even in the ball park of the comfort level of 4th gens' seats.

Also short throw shifters for manuals are really nice.

I also think the guage cluster is well designed: simple but effective and well designed, both LT1 and LS1 years

 

Performance Value.

The 4th gens are SLIGHTLY less liveable than the 3rd gens, but all the changes that cause this (to my eye anyway) were made for performance. The windshield rake, the converter hump, etc etc. Its like a 4 seat metal (well, mostly anyways) Corvette.

Oh ya, and its half as much.

However, it suffered (saleswise) from the aformentioned sacrifices.

 

-LT1/LS1
-The 6-speed manual
-Hatchback
-Ergonomics (after you contorted into the car)
-Removable roof panels

IMHO, it was a Fabulous power train wrapped in a so-so car.

 

They definetly got the engines right with the LT1 and LS1
I love both the transmissions, the T-56 and the Auto, the auto is great because you don't give up any peformence versus the manual.

While they weren't the best handling cars out there, they defintely held their own in the corners.

The styling is to die for very aggressive and mean.

The bang for the buck was another appeal for these cars, if you stayed away $35K SS and WS6 converitlbes.

I really enjoy my T-tops, but I doubt those will come back.

They got the wheel and tire package right on the SS and WS6 cars with 17" wheels and 275/20/R17 tires. I think the 245/40/R16 was a bit too small on the Z28 and base Trans Am

The doors make a nice solid THUNK when you close them, don't sound like an empty beer can like a Honda.

These cars also get decent gas mileage.
There is no top speed limiter

 

It was the best bang for the buck out there.
Its styling was praised, I belive, in 93.
Its handling was still one of the best (because they got it from the third gen )

after that, not much. Interior space is smaller then a third gen, you cant really put an engine in much larger then a LT1 or LS1 without massive reconstruction,but with the massive expansion and power build ups of both LT1 and LS1 engines going to massive cubes, I dont think it matters. I never liked the guage cluster. I like the seperate sections as in first, 2nd and third gens.
Seats are nice, and I want a set coughgreyclothfirebirdseatscough
rake was waaay to much for me.

 

+ Power!(engines)
+ wheels & tires
+ bang-for-the-buck!
+ 6spd tranny's
+ gages/useability
+programmable (PCM's)ECM's & tranny's


Wrong:
-extended the windshield over the engine.
-color choices.
-cramped feeling interiors.(smaller backseat than a 3rd Gen)
-shortened the overhang TOO MUCH...
-poor styled wedge shaped exterior.
-mirror cowls.
-no ground effects std on Z28's?

 

-Styling (definately)
-Performance (more definately)
-Seats (better leather and they would have been among the best seats ever IMO)
-Fuel Economy (sort of)
-It felt like it was built like a rock, but just with squeeks and rattles

 

I can't think of anything but HP. Each new Gen features certain improvements since the car is new, but that is really the only stand out thing.

 

-The powertrain. The LS1/LT1 6 speed combo is awesome.

-Bang for your buck appeal.

-Another vote for the seats. The seats in my 4th gen are WAY more supportive and comfortable than the seats in my old Sunfire ever were.

-T-tops. Cool styling with them on or off. (sorry most soft top convertables look too goofy for me with the top up)

-Handling. Even in stock trim it corners very well.

-Ergonomics (for a sports car). Though getting in and out is a problem for some, once in the driver's seat, all the instruments are aimed at the driver and within easy reach, a must for me in a sports car.

 

What seats are we talking about? My 97 Z28 had some of the worst seats ever. Cheep cheep leather, zero padding...pure crap hehe.

 

in both my camaros, the 95 has tweed and the 2000 has leather, they are extreamly comfy, maybe u got defects?

 

Interesting.......

I wonder.
If the 4th gen came with a 225 horsepower modular 4.6 instead of an LT1 or LS1....how many here would say it had great seats or great styling? I'd bet...not many.

The powertrains WERE the package. Without them...the car would have died by 1996.

 

agreed.

 

The SS and WS6 packages were awesome, agressive powerfull and just draw dropping...the z28 was too plane jane with out the hood scoop, the Trans Am looked like a beatle, but with teh WS6 hood it looked like a hog. The Wheels and fat tires were nice. I liked the sound system, sound really good (monsoon anyway), way better then the thirdgen. Styleing was nice on the 98+ the LT1 camaro's looked like fat geo metros and the the trans am's looked too plane jane, and a ws6 trans am looked akward with hoodscoops that didnt blend into the body lines. I like my seats (grey cloth) i like my manual the shifter blows IMO, it could be alot better. I like the T-56, LS1 is awesome. T-tops are a must.

 

Actually my review is coming from a v6 guy, with a 200HP motor. I TRULY like those items in my Camaro.