Lots of speculation here......

But let's assume that you can buy a base 5th gen, at around 3,400 lbs with 240 hp, 5 or 6 speed manual, with an up to date Zeta suspension ( including IRS) and 17" wheels for .....oh say......slightly under 20K.

Sounds like a really fun and affordable package to me. Probably, handily out handle anything in it's price range...and go through the 1/4 in 15 seconds flat. In fact I'm getting alittle excited just thinking about it.....assuming that it has gorgeous sheetmetal and a nice interior, of course. I sure would take that, WAAAAAY over a Cobalt SS or Ion RL. A base Mustang would absolutely need to move up to a much more expensive 3.5L Duratec, to even be considered in the same class...but of course, there would be that strut/live axle deficiency that Mustang would be saddled with....

What say you?

 

With those specs, I'd rather it be a convertable! Still at 3400 lbs. Then yes, it would make me happy.

 

IRS and under 20K?

SRT-4 is 20,995, and that's an economy car that we consider a bargain.

I'm very skeptical of this. Would I like to see it? Of course! Will I?

 

What!? People actually want to buy a V6 Camaro

Glad to see someone post about the V6 withput bashing it. I like my V6

 

I would rather have the v8 for a muscle car but the v6 at 240 hp would be nice in an open air car at 3400lbs. Otherwise give me my v8 and ttops.

 

Of course, but it seems that 95% of the board members say screw the V6, it's a V8 or nothing at all.

 

If it only hit 15s flat in the quarter then I would say it is really crappy. The late 4th Gen V6's (2000+) can do that when equiped with G80 and GU6.

 

IMO the Dodge Neon SRT-4 is the best bang for the buck so far this decade. Even a V6 Camaro with those specs isn't going to out do it. I don't even like the SRT-4, but it's still the best one so far.

 

Safe to say that it won't be under $20,000. I would imagine closer to 22K.

HAZ-Matt, I don't believe 90+% of the buyers of a base V6 Camaro would give a hoot if the car was quicker or slower in the quarter mile than the 3800. As long as the car looked great, was very well made, and gave alot for the money.

Alot of people will be buying one as a commuter car or a 1st car. If GM has alot of good performance parts for the car in their catalouge, and isn't stingy about sharing info with the aftermarket, alot of do-it-your-selfers ("Tuners") will also flock to the car as it doesn't 'appear' as huge as the Velite.

With the current SRT-4 running at $20,000, and Mustang GTs available for just over 20 grand for the past 6 months or so, I doubt you could label Camaro the performance deal of the decade. Good value in it's own right, but not a deal of the decade.

 

Since the Camaro is usually more expensive than the M*stang, I'd say that stuff just isn't gonna happen. But for the money you should get more, and if they do add good things with only a little increase, they'll have a winner.

 

I think the V6 camaro would get ALOT of competition from the current Accord coupe . Its a pretty damn good value for what it is , especially with a 240 hp v6 with a 6 speed manual . Yea , its front wheel drive , but most in this class probably prefer it ......the V6 Camaro , I think ...will have to be perfectly executed to be a success ...jmo .

 

It's long way to go before a "deal of the decade" declaration. How about some real specs and pricing to start? Or a spy pic at least.

As others have pointed out, there is already some stiff competition in this price segment. I am also skeptical that a base Camaro will be priced aggressively enough or have the performance to compete with other "tuner-edition" versions of lesser cars (eg. SRT-4, Cobalt SS, etc.). I envision it closer inline with a base Solstice (maybe 0-60mph in 7.0 sec).

Really, think about that: will the base Camaro V6 even outperform the Cobalt SS? I'd guess 0-60mph in 6.0 to secure those bragging rights, and that's still behind the SuperNeon. Just doesn't seem likely. If so, just how fast is the V8 version? If any model receives a "value/dollar" title, I'd guess the V8 would be the one for its Corvette-esque performance for the price. And the bar for that department is already set very aggressively at $30k (Evo and STi).

 

Totally agreed. And with factory backed performance upgrades, it's a lethal package...

 

I high doubt the camaro is going to come in under $20k.... the reasoning for the ownershere saying its v8 or bust is because the 4th gen camaro was practiclly a good looking car surrounding a big powerful engine, notthing else matters. We sacrifice comfort, interior, and subpar parts (10 bolt, tranny, opti) and old designs (that hump on pass side with nothing undernearth) because the camaro looks good and goes fast, and for most new buyers, it is not a primary car.... hence why it was a pony car.

With the stiff compeition in the market segment, the Camaro HAS to nail Everything, these days anything runs as fast and there is plenty of compeition. This is not mid 90's and earlier where it was Mustang or Camaro, thats it. Right now your basic honda makes quite a bit of power and a Nissan v6 altima outruns a v6 camaro and pretty dang close to lt1 category.... Forget infinity or the new v8's.

this camaro is no longer a muscle car.....there is no need for a muscle car when there are other cars that can do the same thing better. so yeah, lets home GM nails it home this time around...Otherwise Audi, Infiniti or Chrysler will be getting my money.

 

When I said "performance buy"....I meant total performance buy....not strictly 0-60 only. Acceleration, handling, braking, ride....the whole package.

Cars like the SRT-4 will certainly out accelerate a base Camaro. If that is your only performance criterion....then the SRT-4 is the performance buy. But I'm talking about the whole driving experience here.

I'm talking about an affordable, Nurburgring tuned, rwd coupe with the dynamics of a CTS....or better. With 240 hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque.....someone was right when they posted that 15 sec flat would be a conservative 1/4 mile time. With a manual trans...let's call it a solid 14 sec car.
An uprated future Cobalt SS will probably cut a 1/4 mile time afew tenths better....but which one would be more fun to drive?

As far as under $20K...well who knows. Let's not forget...the base Mustang is the bogey here...and the '05's will go for under 19K. It's also common knowledge that the base Solstice will go for 19K....or less. Replete with it's sophisticated, alloy control arm , mini Corvette chassis, convertible top and DOHC 4 valve Ecotec, (vs Camaro's cam in block, pushrod V6)....so maybe $20k for a base Camaro is not unreasonable. Even at $22K......to me it would be a better performance buy than Cobalt SS.