67Beast

Exactly the points I should have made in my post. And as far the engine I just wanted to see how nice it would be to have an LS7 powered Camaro (nice isn't it). But the power and the engines are definitely there.

jg95z28

Where on earth did you come up with that bs?

Chris 96 WS6

Yes, and the car doesn't have to be loaded up with content either. Chevy buyers don't want all that garbage and quite honestly its never been "Camaro" to be all gadety. Not that I wouldn't mind some things being optional but especially the base cars need to be value value value. A Camaro V6 is not going to compete with a G35 for a buyer.

And the interior doesn't even have to be a knockout, just reasonably ergonomic for today's standards and not too cheap on fit & finish. I think for the price range people are going to expect cheapish materials, but as long as its relatively rattle free and ***** don't break off in your hand I think its sufficient.

guionM

I'm not going to take sides on this thread, but I'd like everyone to consider a few things:

1. This is going to have to be a "MUST DO" with the people who approve vehicles:

If you pile on IRS, tons of Camaro unique components, and little or no structural sharing, quite bluntly there will be no 5th gen Camaro: PERIOD! However, if there are ways to cut enough cost to where the car will be very low cost to manufacture, and has the potential to grow sales (not canabalize from other GM cars), it will be a car GM will trip over themselves to approve & get to market quickly.

2. The public simply doesn't care if a good, well designed RWD car has IRS or not:

Mustang sales are well above expectations. Ford expected to sell 150K Mustangs this year. Ford built in the capacity to sell 175K at Flat Rock. Ford is now bumping up production to 200K, and there's still a substantial waiting list. Sure, IRS is a glamor item to many enthusiasts, and perhaps there can be a luxury or top model that can have that. But the idea that IRS is needed to have a successful RWD car has just been obliterated.

3. Something everyone has completely missed: GM will be without an affordable performance car after the 2006 model year!

Holden will be phasing out VZ production starting in about a year. GM's contract & Monaro production are scheduled to end at the close of 2006. 2007 (2008 model year) was initially planned as the production start of GM's new Zeta based RWD sport coupes. If Zeta has been cancelled since late last year, that means any coupes planned off that structure is dead. That means GM would have no affordable coupes available from the end of next year.


Uh..I just came across a good idea from another member that would be good to post over here. It...uh...just happened to fit in with the imaginary sport bike analogy I posted some time ago. That's all.

Joe K. 96 Zeee!!

Again!

Just had to add that...hehe! I'm sure the success of the Mustang has not fallen on deaf ears at GM. Heck they've mentioned it a number of times on GM tv.

guionM

After all that's gone wrong at GM lately, and I'm still optimistic.
Wonder why?

dream '94 Z28

Wha? What channel is that?

dream '94 Z28

Yeah, I wonder....You and a certain somebody else here me thinks knows something good!

Darth Xed

I thought we deterimed quite a while ago that IRS, in and of itself, doesn't add all that much cost to a car as opposed to a solid axle... I thought that was determined to be an "old wives tale"???

0toinsanein5.4sec

Thats the typical bean counter mentality that got GM in trouble as it is. if they think that they have to make a cheap car then people will smell that and stay away. There are plenty of Mustang unique parts on the new stangs and look at how well they are doing. GM must be willing to maybe spend a little bit more money, up the price by $1000 and put out a car that is superior to the mustang in everyway. If magazines see that GM has done this and made it a cool looking car (thats how it has to look - cool. like the mustang) to get the "got to have it" rating. If GM sees that the new Camaro is the same old stuck up were not going to spend money to make a good car then ull never see the got to have it rating and thus flop.

Most people who buy these cars want a cool car. they dont care about performance but it has to look cool inside and out. Thats why the mustang is so successfull. Even the most diehard Camaro guys think the mustang looks cool and are tempted to cross the line to the dark side.

bottom line. I want an IRS. I have been waiting for years for a new camaro and will still wait (as we have to) until they get it out. but i would rather wait an extra year if itll make the difference between a good car and a great car.

Geoff Chadwick

I dont wonder why you're optimistic, I wonder what has you optimistic!

Espicially considering Red Planet posted and said he was offered to retire and decided to stay...

Chris 96 WS6

I'm fairly convinced you just took a side despite your declaration at the top of your post

jg95z28

Just as IRS is always better than a solid axle for performance handling?

Darth Xed

A fine point, but I'll argue that IRS is just about ALWAYS going to handle non-perfect roads that everyone drives on daily... we can't forget tjis is a road car first and foremost.

jg95z28

Agreed. However, as I said earlier, I'm not married to IRS if it means the difference between having a Camaro or no-Camaro.