jlbonnie2000

I am not trying to trash out the new 2010 and onward Camaro. However, like many people, I really like the (3) 2002 Camaros I still own.

What I have done to my cars.....On my V6 manual car, I added the SS spec anti-sway bars. I also added the Z28 spec tires. The suspension is nice and tight. With the 2002 Z28 road tested around .91 G's and the fact that I have the same suspension and less weight, I think my Camaro is in the .92 to .93 G rating.

The next upgrade was some very mild engine changes. I am thinking I may have added 10 Hp. I don't have a way to tell. I don't want to over-state what my Hp increase is, but I do feel there is something.

With my 5-speed Camaro (other two are auto tranny), I can get 0-60 in the upper 6-second range. I have a GPS that can calculate this rather than my watch.

So, my 2002 with some engine mods and suspension upgrades is a very significant car when running around the curvy mountain roads. By the way, my ABS is removed. ABS can really cause some braking issues when driving in the "performance mode".

What I like about my 2002 V6 Camaro. I like the hatch. I am amazed at what I can fit in the back. I also like the 25+ Mpg I get "in the city". I drive very conservative in the city.

The 2010 Camaro is a lot lower on city fuel economy and has no lift hatch. To me, this is why I like my 2002's. I feel my 2002 with upgrades has handling very close to even the 2010 SS model.

So, if I had my way, what mods would I like to have seen come from Chevy in the way of a new Camaro??

The first idea is all this weight of the 2010 gone!! I was sort of blown away when I found how much they weighed. I like the looks of the 2002 generation. I would have retained something in the way of looks as well as low weight.

I would liked to have seen Chevy add to my 2002 a similar engine they added in the Impala. That is around 240 Hp dropping to 3 cylinders on the highway. If my 2002 had 240 Hp, I believe it would have 0-60 to match any 2010 V6 PLUS, it would probably get 34 mph highway and run on 87 octane.

Add in 18 inch wheels and tires......imagine a Camaro weighing 3300 pounds, lifthatch, 34 Mpg, .95 on the skid, AND 0-60 in 5.9 seconds!! That would be my idea of a GOOD Camaro!!

Evolution223

What would be awesome is to take a 2010 v6 powertrain and put it in a 2002 body. but it would take more than that to really make the 2002 modern, the 2010 would still ride & brake better, having a better frame and suspension.

I like my 2000 okay but it certainly is not a modern refined car.

I was dissapointed that GM decided to redesign the camaro to look like the dodge charger, i wish they would have invested all that R&D into a sportier body style like the 4th gen, they did a great job redesiging the 90's corvette into what it is now, I wish they would have done the same with the camaro, keeping the basic design and just improving it.

the new camaro having a closed trunk makes the frame stronger, & reduces the trunk noise, road noise is a big minus on the 4th gens. Obvisouly GM was hoping to be a head to head competitor with the dodge charger which was a very sucessful design.