2009-2010. Damn that sucks. And even then it might really be a Chevelle (not that this is bad, but a GTO-sized car is not a Camaro/Z28).

 

even though the GTO is shorter than the 4th gen Camaro

 

Yes. And how much heavier?

 

So guion, now you say one of Z28x's cars will probably not happen. That means either the GTO, Chevelle/Monte or Camaro will not happen. I think its safe to say GTO will happen. Now, I remember asking you awhile back if there was a reason the current MC got such a light re-skin...you said yes That led me to believe that there really COULD be 2 Chevy coupes under consideration and development. I take it this is not the case anymore?

I was really excited about the thoughts of a bigger, GTO-like Monte Carlo and a smaller Camaro. Monte deserves to be a bigger, RWD V8 Coupe again. I think the Chevelle name is asinine. To anyone under the age of 30, Chevelle has no association to it other than an old Chevy. I grew up loving MC SSs in the '80s...I really hope the big coupe is called MC.

 

GuionM, I think I have to go with Z284ever on this one. The optimistic timing you project just does not go with your original post.

Remember that you yourself have lamented GM for the sluggishness that they have in bringing a new product to market. You then say that it will be 12-18 months for them to evaluate these product plans. This brings us 1.5 years out for them to just decide what the heck they are doing. Add on the typical GM product development cycle of 3-4 years, and I have a hard time seeing anything before the end of the decade.

I like to draw a parallel between this situation and the situation with the "new" F150 Lightning. A date in the future is thrown out there, which is close enough to give some people hope, but far enough away that they can change everything before it ever comes.

In another few years, if fuel continues to rise, what is the market going to be for big, heavy RWD V8 cars that get poor fuel economy (EPA estimates non withstanding........... and the "if I'm going downhill with a tailwind in 6th gear with my Z28 I get 30mpg claims). In the real world, the people buying Mustangs get around 18mpg alot more than they get 26, just like the people buying 300C's are more likely to get 14mpg in the real world.

I think that both Ford and GM are getting very good at looking like they are going to fill customers wants (powerful cars), all the time looking at the question mark called the future with question marks in their eyes. In other words, a wait and see attitude.

Maybe I'm just being pessimistic............. but maybe I'm not.

 

My guess is the Gto is the one that will be out by 2007/2008. Rumor has it this one is further along than the others.

I would guess the chevelle is the one that won't happen. There really has been no evidence to its existance anyway.

I am guessing that the Camaro has slipped in timing due to the re-evaluation of the zeta program. I am hoping this is the case based on the fact that there has at least been some evidence that a Camaro is under developement.

It is likely that the Impala and monte carlo will run out the remainder of the decade on their current fwd W car platform.

 

Just a note......this is not just blowing smoke for us T56 guys.

I personally know NUMEROUS people with 6 speeds that easily get near or over 30 mph on the hiway...cruise control is important, but many of these reports also had the AC on.

My 1969 RS/SS Pro touring Camaro has a built 383 LT4 with a T56 and 3.73 gears and I got 25 mpg+ driving to Bowling Green and back (600++ miles) last year....averaging 65 mph.

 

wait where is 2010 coming from? i want to know, as of now, what is the year we will most likely be able to buy the F-body. i'm not talking about auto shows or anything. what year should we be able to buy them? 8 years is a long time and would make me question the whole have faith thing.
someone clear this up for me.

 

If there is one, (that is, a new RWD MC), I think that's what it will be called....Monte Carlo. But that'll be waaaaaaay down the road. Well into the next decade.

Getting back to this other three coupe business, I wouldn't be surprised if only one of those survived.

Everyone, (well everyone here anyway), keeps saying...."if they come out with a GTO/Camaro/Chevelle, I'll just see which one I like better".

So...why would GM build 3 cars just so you could compare which fascia you'll take?

And which one coupe would you build if you were GM?

Well.......

...which one has all the websites/clubs/enthusiasts/letter writing campaigns/internet buzz/vocal audience/demonstrated potential for volume/direct Ford competitor/did I forget anything?


Is it GTO?

No.

Is it Chevelle?

Certainly no.

Is it Camaro?

hmmmmmmmm...............

 

I realize that it does happen, it just isn't realistic to think that it is the norm, or that everyone gets that all the time, as most of anyones driving is in the city.

That was the point.

I have gotten over 19mpg out of my Lightning also (with the A/C on). That is outside the EPA estimates also.

 

Mark my words...

... there will be two new chevy RWD 2+2 passenger cars.

(I say passenger cars as I'm not prepared to go into the semantics of whether one or both are a coupe, sedan, etc.)

 

If GM was just starting these cars now, then yes you are right on all counts.

However we are talking about cars that have been on the radar or in the pipeline for at least 2 years already. The 1st fruits of this are scheduled to be out in about 12-18 months, roughly the length it takes to get from final approval to the market. These 1st 2 vehicles WILL be out within 2 years. Anything beyond that can still be delayed, altered, or cancelled.

Lightning probally isn't a fair comparison here. The Lightning that was to hit the market was by accounts, far heavier and fuel hungry than Ford could stomach, though it was more than SRT-10 quick.

Don't be pessimistic yet. If word on the street is correct, there's going to be a bit of shocking news soon that's likely to make you (and a whole lot of other people) feel even far worse.

But in reality I'm getting convinced this news may have a really huge benefit.

 

good as in what? are we at the point to where things are still in the air? while i know redplanet has been saying "have faith," i even put it in my sig, but what does this mean. back when we first heard about the camaro leaving we found out it would come back around 2006. that made some people mad, and other madder when it was told 2007. we were told to have faith and word was that when we would get the camaro it would be everything we ever dreamed of. but how can those claims have been made in 2001, 2002 and 2003, when in 2005 we still don't know if we'll even get a car? red has a bit to do with advertising and i've always assumed that since he was telling us this stuff on his own time, and even going out of his way on trips to different cities to have a chat with some of out member that he was saying this from a friends point of view. i'm not questioning red's motives because i know he is a great guy. but i am now wondering if he is even "in the know"

ps: i know the internet can make written statements sound as if your mad or something. just for clarification to those that read this i'm not mad, but i am growing a bit concerned.

 

This is what I was talking about in the last part of my first post in this thread. It sounds like you're setting us up for a big letdown that has a sebring silver lining. What I'm getting from your posts is that GTO may be in trouble...despite everyone and their brother saying the next two years are set in stone. It would make some sense seeing as GMNA and Holden are on the outs, but Pontiac still needs a halo car. What I'm feeling is that word is going to start flying around that the "Chevy V8 RWD coupe" has been axed...and the car I'm talking about is next gen Monte Carlo (it stays FWD?), Chevelle (rightfully stays in the history books), or Impala RWD (rightfully stays FWD). This would leave us with a 5th gen that is still up in the air as to what chassis it will use.

 

Ding,ding,ding,ding,ding..........................