What did the 4th gen do right?
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 121
I just wanted to chime in on the seats. I have a third gen and got some seats out of a 97 camaro. (direct bolt in) While being leather, and better than my previous third gens. I guess I was most impressed with the weight, they are LIGHT. I hear even the electric ones are light. A vast improvement over the third gens for sure. (although, I think pontiac has always gotten better seats than the camaro, since thirdgen on.)
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
[rant]I thought this thread was about what you liked about the 4th Gen? 
Everytime we start talking about the good that 4th Gens did someone has to pi$$ in the Corn Flakes and quite frankly it's getting old.[/rant]
There were a lot of neat little features I liked. I like the slots to hold the T-tops under the hatch for clean stowage. I liked the fact that there were two glove boxes, one in the center console and a traditional one in the dash. I liked the slide-out cupholder for the passenger. I liked the fact that we finally got a modern-looking guage cluster. Good looking wheel and tire combos on the SS/WS6. Making ground FX optional (I always thought it had a cheap look both in the 3rd and 4th Gens). Firebird seats were good, the Camaro's not quite as good but I have no real complaints. I actually liked the Bose stereo system in my '94 (probably more than the Monsoon I currently have but that's another story...) And of course, the available T-tops which are carry overs from the previous car. I can add a few more later when I have time.
I purposely did not mention the powertrain.
Everytime we start talking about the good that 4th Gens did someone has to pi$$ in the Corn Flakes and quite frankly it's getting old.[/rant]There were a lot of neat little features I liked. I like the slots to hold the T-tops under the hatch for clean stowage. I liked the fact that there were two glove boxes, one in the center console and a traditional one in the dash. I liked the slide-out cupholder for the passenger. I liked the fact that we finally got a modern-looking guage cluster. Good looking wheel and tire combos on the SS/WS6. Making ground FX optional (I always thought it had a cheap look both in the 3rd and 4th Gens). Firebird seats were good, the Camaro's not quite as good but I have no real complaints. I actually liked the Bose stereo system in my '94 (probably more than the Monsoon I currently have but that's another story...) And of course, the available T-tops which are carry overs from the previous car. I can add a few more later when I have time.
I purposely did not mention the powertrain.
Last edited by Z28Wilson; Apr 13, 2004 at 05:49 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 388
From: Northeastern Ohio
Well, having a 94 V6, the 3.4l 160hp... i can say i love the car. The t-tops, the seats, the feel... someday ill want the upgrade, but at the moment, the powertrain isnt too important to me, and im a 17 year old male. Maybe its because of the Chevelle i usually drive everynight in the summer.. but hey.. it will probably be everyday since i convinced my dad to put the nitrous on it!
-Eric
-Eric
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 641
From: Dollars, Taxes
-Powertrain LT1/LS1 w/ a 6spd
-Firebird seats only. I think the Camaro seats are extremely uncomfortable.
-Low stance
-T-tops
-Hatch. I found the hatch in my old Formula to be extremely useful over the years I owned it.
-Price
-Handling. Although, it needed to be modified a bit to suit my tastes, it was a great starting point.
-Styling
-Firebird seats only. I think the Camaro seats are extremely uncomfortable.
-Low stance
-T-tops
-Hatch. I found the hatch in my old Formula to be extremely useful over the years I owned it.
-Price
-Handling. Although, it needed to be modified a bit to suit my tastes, it was a great starting point.
-Styling
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 936
From: Butler, PA
Originally posted by Z284ever
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.
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.
. It does in fact have great seats and styling to me...I've been quite pleased with mine. Likes:
-seats ( I have T/A with power lumbar)
-styling (SS's and WS6's look wicked IMO)
-performance (great powerplants)
-handling (4th gens handle much better than many give credit for)
-fuel economy
-reliability (my car has been rock solid for its 53K, no rattles)
-price
It's a well documented fact that 4th gens weren't perfect, but they did do more than one thing right. Some people just refuse (for whatever reason) to take off the blinders and respect that.
-Mike
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
What did the 4th gen do right? You're kidding right?
Engine and the Transmission!
The LT1 engine was the most innovative engine made IMHO. It's optispark purpose was to eliminate stress on the camshaft, it's gear driven water pump eliminated the pull and wear from the pull of a fanbelt, the reverse coolling was logical in that it cooled the hottest part of the engine 1st and enabled the engine to run a then insane compression ratio (10.25 I believe) on regular gas!. Great engine.
Transmission? 6 speeds! The tranny was so good, Dodge grabbed it for their Viper (yes, Viper's 1st transnmission started off as a new tranny for the upcoming 4th gen Camaro!). Back then only Corvette & a couple of exotics had one.
Z284ever brings up a good angle to look at this question of what the 4th gen did right. If it wasn't for the engine & transmission, what did the car get right??
The only thing I can come up with is the T-tops and the front of the 1993-97 Camaros. I won't get into my peeves about the car.
Are the F-bodies a great car, discounting the engine & transmission? Would just the t-tops and early 4th gen front end alone have been enough to entice me to buy one?
NOPE.
Engine and the Transmission!
The LT1 engine was the most innovative engine made IMHO. It's optispark purpose was to eliminate stress on the camshaft, it's gear driven water pump eliminated the pull and wear from the pull of a fanbelt, the reverse coolling was logical in that it cooled the hottest part of the engine 1st and enabled the engine to run a then insane compression ratio (10.25 I believe) on regular gas!. Great engine.
Transmission? 6 speeds! The tranny was so good, Dodge grabbed it for their Viper (yes, Viper's 1st transnmission started off as a new tranny for the upcoming 4th gen Camaro!). Back then only Corvette & a couple of exotics had one.
Z284ever brings up a good angle to look at this question of what the 4th gen did right. If it wasn't for the engine & transmission, what did the car get right??
The only thing I can come up with is the T-tops and the front of the 1993-97 Camaros. I won't get into my peeves about the car.
Are the F-bodies a great car, discounting the engine & transmission? Would just the t-tops and early 4th gen front end alone have been enough to entice me to buy one?
NOPE.
Last edited by guionM; Apr 13, 2004 at 04:25 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,925
From: Detroit
-leather seats like the ones in my car (not 95 seats)
-T-56
-LT1/LS1
-styling
-handling is good for a v8 rwd car
-t-tops
-SS and WS6 package... wheels, hood and spoilers look awesome (they made the car)
-T-56
-LT1/LS1
-styling
-handling is good for a v8 rwd car
-t-tops
-SS and WS6 package... wheels, hood and spoilers look awesome (they made the car)
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,215
From: Coppell, Texas
I'll go ahead and chime in:
Powertrain: LT1/LS1 were superb. As mentioned above T56 and 4L60E were offered with any the V8's, and didn't sacrifice performance. Also, when compared to the competetion (i.e. Mustang) the 3.8 V6 w/ 200hp was a solid base engine. But the most remarkable thing about the V8's, specifically the LS1 is the fuel economy. Nearly 30mpg highway and mid 20's city for a 300hp+ performance car is incredible. Let's not forget that it's also an LEV. This is more appreciated when you look at how many 4 & 6 cylinder cars can't match those numbers.
Styling: I personally, love all of the exterior incarnations. I love the proportions on these cars even though they're interior space isn't to scale with the exterior demensions. The profile makes these cars. Very aggressive. The WS6 and SS cars are especially great. I wish the Z28 could have been further differentiated from the base car though. Integrated spoilers look great with the hatchback design. I think the designs have aged well too. I also loved the styling of the interiors of each incarnation. Shifter position is perfect (my biggest pet peeve on the Stangs). The six gauges are easy to read, and provide instant information. I've also noticed that alot of newer cars only have two or four gauges at the most. Honestly, I like to have lots of meaningful gauges rather than a light coming on to tell me something's up. If only the materials were better, the interiors would be perfect IMHO. Seating position, although hard to get into, are comfortable once you get in and let you know your in a performance car (the way it should be). I've always thought the seats were for the most part very comfortable, although once again, the materials (i.e. leather) weren't up to par. Overall, no one ever mistaked these cars for anything but a performance car.
Handling: For having a solid rear axle, these cars handle exceptionally well, and with the aftermarket alot of potential can be unlocked. SLA front suspension, regardless of what some would have you believe, is an improvement over the old McPherson strut setup.
$$$ Factor: Probably the trump card of the 4th gen F-bodies. Bang for the buck is off the charts. It still has a great ratio even to this day. Resale isn't that great, but parts are cheap, and there are huge aftermarkets avalible.
All in all, I love the 4th gens. For me, they fit like a glove. When I get in one, it's like putting on a really comfortable, perfect fitting shirt. Let's hope the 5th gen takes all of this well beyond the next level
Powertrain: LT1/LS1 were superb. As mentioned above T56 and 4L60E were offered with any the V8's, and didn't sacrifice performance. Also, when compared to the competetion (i.e. Mustang) the 3.8 V6 w/ 200hp was a solid base engine. But the most remarkable thing about the V8's, specifically the LS1 is the fuel economy. Nearly 30mpg highway and mid 20's city for a 300hp+ performance car is incredible. Let's not forget that it's also an LEV. This is more appreciated when you look at how many 4 & 6 cylinder cars can't match those numbers.
Styling: I personally, love all of the exterior incarnations. I love the proportions on these cars even though they're interior space isn't to scale with the exterior demensions. The profile makes these cars. Very aggressive. The WS6 and SS cars are especially great. I wish the Z28 could have been further differentiated from the base car though. Integrated spoilers look great with the hatchback design. I think the designs have aged well too. I also loved the styling of the interiors of each incarnation. Shifter position is perfect (my biggest pet peeve on the Stangs). The six gauges are easy to read, and provide instant information. I've also noticed that alot of newer cars only have two or four gauges at the most. Honestly, I like to have lots of meaningful gauges rather than a light coming on to tell me something's up. If only the materials were better, the interiors would be perfect IMHO. Seating position, although hard to get into, are comfortable once you get in and let you know your in a performance car (the way it should be). I've always thought the seats were for the most part very comfortable, although once again, the materials (i.e. leather) weren't up to par. Overall, no one ever mistaked these cars for anything but a performance car.
Handling: For having a solid rear axle, these cars handle exceptionally well, and with the aftermarket alot of potential can be unlocked. SLA front suspension, regardless of what some would have you believe, is an improvement over the old McPherson strut setup.
$$$ Factor: Probably the trump card of the 4th gen F-bodies. Bang for the buck is off the charts. It still has a great ratio even to this day. Resale isn't that great, but parts are cheap, and there are huge aftermarkets avalible.
All in all, I love the 4th gens. For me, they fit like a glove. When I get in one, it's like putting on a really comfortable, perfect fitting shirt. Let's hope the 5th gen takes all of this well beyond the next level
Last edited by Sixer-Bird; Apr 13, 2004 at 10:07 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,597
From: oshawa,ontario,canada
Originally posted by Z28Wilson
There were a lot of neat little features I liked. I like the slots to hold the T-tops under the hatch for clean stowage. I liked the fact that there were two glove boxes, one in the center console and a traditional one in the dash. I liked the slide-out cupholder for the passenger. I liked the fact that we finally got a modern-looking guage cluster. Good looking wheel and tire combos on the SS/WS6. Making ground FX optional (I always thought it had a cheap look both in the 3rd and 4th Gens). Firebird seats were good, the Camaro's not quite as good but I have no real complaints. I actually liked the Bose stereo system in my '94 (probably more than the Monsoon I currently have but that's another story...) And of course, the available T-tops which are carry overs from the previous car. I can add a few more later when I have time.
I purposely did not mention the powertrain.
There were a lot of neat little features I liked. I like the slots to hold the T-tops under the hatch for clean stowage. I liked the fact that there were two glove boxes, one in the center console and a traditional one in the dash. I liked the slide-out cupholder for the passenger. I liked the fact that we finally got a modern-looking guage cluster. Good looking wheel and tire combos on the SS/WS6. Making ground FX optional (I always thought it had a cheap look both in the 3rd and 4th Gens). Firebird seats were good, the Camaro's not quite as good but I have no real complaints. I actually liked the Bose stereo system in my '94 (probably more than the Monsoon I currently have but that's another story...) And of course, the available T-tops which are carry overs from the previous car. I can add a few more later when I have time.
I purposely did not mention the powertrain.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,376
From: Sarasota FL
What I like??
1) A big motor and a beefy tranny, with handling to match. Its a big car, but it fits like a glove.
2) Attitude. People see you coming in one of these, and if its white with orange stripes, they tend to get the hell outta the way
3) T-tops. Gotta have t-tops. If 5th gens don't have t-tops, I will buy a 3rd gen, not a 5th. Open-air driving to me is critical for the whole sports car experience, and convertibles look funky and have tops that wear out.
4) Interior. So many have said they do not like the interior...I LOVE my '97+ style Camaro dash and seats. My seats are nice, soft and comfy (I drove 14 hours non-stop to Bowling Green from Western MA, and did not have ONE sore muscle when I was done). I love the dash. The stereo? Eh, I fixed that one
Monsoon sucks.
5) Heritage. Its a Camaro. Bring back a 5th gen, and don't call it a Camaro, and I'll go buy a 3rd. I hope RP reads that one
For me, the fact that I was an '89 Camaro RS (former '89 Formula owner as well) owner and the fact that my father has owned at least one of all four gens led me to buy mine.
6) Hatchback. We'll get t's again my friends, I am convinced...but the hatch will be long gone...a shame...
7) Gas mileage. The power of an 8 with the MPG of a turbo 4. How can you argue with that?
My small list of gripes...
1) A floorpan straight out of 1982
2) Why did a Z28 have to look like a strippo 6? Why did a Formula not even have a Formula callout on the rear end? Why did the volume performance variants not even get different WHEELS than the 6s?
3) Gripes? What are those?
I love the 4th gens. I love the 3rd gens even more though, for what they gave the buyer. 3 distinct V8 options in the TBI/TPI years. Models that looked distinct from each other. Handling. Attitude. A base model V8. You'll notice some of the things I have listed made the 3rds popular, and were conspicuous on a 4th by their absence...I want GM to give me a performance car I can be proud of, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and is true to its heritage WITHOUT being retro.
I pray history repeats itself. If it doesn't, my next purchase will be a G92 L98 or LB9 Formula or IROC
1) A big motor and a beefy tranny, with handling to match. Its a big car, but it fits like a glove.
2) Attitude. People see you coming in one of these, and if its white with orange stripes, they tend to get the hell outta the way
3) T-tops. Gotta have t-tops. If 5th gens don't have t-tops, I will buy a 3rd gen, not a 5th. Open-air driving to me is critical for the whole sports car experience, and convertibles look funky and have tops that wear out.
4) Interior. So many have said they do not like the interior...I LOVE my '97+ style Camaro dash and seats. My seats are nice, soft and comfy (I drove 14 hours non-stop to Bowling Green from Western MA, and did not have ONE sore muscle when I was done). I love the dash. The stereo? Eh, I fixed that one
Monsoon sucks.5) Heritage. Its a Camaro. Bring back a 5th gen, and don't call it a Camaro, and I'll go buy a 3rd. I hope RP reads that one
For me, the fact that I was an '89 Camaro RS (former '89 Formula owner as well) owner and the fact that my father has owned at least one of all four gens led me to buy mine. 6) Hatchback. We'll get t's again my friends, I am convinced...but the hatch will be long gone...a shame...
7) Gas mileage. The power of an 8 with the MPG of a turbo 4. How can you argue with that?
My small list of gripes...
1) A floorpan straight out of 1982
2) Why did a Z28 have to look like a strippo 6? Why did a Formula not even have a Formula callout on the rear end? Why did the volume performance variants not even get different WHEELS than the 6s?
3) Gripes? What are those?
I love the 4th gens. I love the 3rd gens even more though, for what they gave the buyer. 3 distinct V8 options in the TBI/TPI years. Models that looked distinct from each other. Handling. Attitude. A base model V8. You'll notice some of the things I have listed made the 3rds popular, and were conspicuous on a 4th by their absence...I want GM to give me a performance car I can be proud of, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and is true to its heritage WITHOUT being retro.
I pray history repeats itself. If it doesn't, my next purchase will be a G92 L98 or LB9 Formula or IROC
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 376
From: buffalo ny
pony cars= bang for the buck... Z/28 for low-mid $20's....awsome(too bad i got a V6 )
- lets face it guys, these cars were not designed for creture comforts
....however I do like the T-tops, very tastfully designed and really make the car unique
oh and BTW- My camaro pleather seats are unbelieveable cheap looking/feeling- not very supportive, but hey, they get the job done
)- lets face it guys, these cars were not designed for creture comforts
....however I do like the T-tops, very tastfully designed and really make the car unique
oh and BTW- My camaro pleather seats are unbelieveable cheap looking/feeling- not very supportive, but hey, they get the job done