You're reading too much into it. Some saw the cars parked ahead and off to the side, waiting for the busses. Others on the busses saw them when they pulled up behind us, then more saw them as they passed us. Not everyone on the busses saw them both at the same time. Take it as descriptive license to re-create the scene how the cars were stealthily waiting ahead, then after we went by them, they sprang out of the lot they were in to come from behind, then around the side of the busses. Scott was reporting it poetically, as he was recounting the event as soon as we arrived back at the hotel. He didn't pore over every word and proofread for anything that could be construed as hidden messages between the lines. It was in the afterglow of our excitement, so don't take it so literally. It wasn't written to incite any arguments.

(or then again, maybe there was some sedan somewhere that I missed. )

 

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro/insi...y/?id=cid00013

 

The bus also went 540° around a traffic circle, the IVER cars were off to the left as we approached, then visible from different parts of the bus as we went did the 540° then followed us to Black Lake. The IVERs went smoking by us as the road opened onto Black Lake.

Was Scott even on one of the buses or was he already at the building, cleaning the cars as he said he would?

 

Yup. But it actually feels even more restricted than other CFI's I've driven. I'm thinking that the cat is clogged.

 

Not a Camaro -- a beautiful sedan that I think may surprise some people -- and no, it's not a Chevy and no it's not RWD...........

 

I know most of you were hoping that the Disciples would be able to tell you a whole lot of stuff about the new Camaro.

As you know, they were asked to sign a confidentiality agreement -- and I think that has some of them quite nervous.

I went thru a list of things that I felt was appropriate to talk about - and a list that was definitely verboten.

A couple of them have sent me questions -- about what they can say and what they can't say -- and I've tried to guide them to the best of my ability.

Now -- all that said -- I don't mean to sound disrespectful - -but please understand that this industry is in trouble right now -- go look at sales figures and earnings --and if that doesn't wake someone up - -nothing will. We are adamant about bringing you the best Camaro possible -- but we are not going to show our hand just yet -- there are several months until the cars hit the street -- and we don't want to tip our hand.

Sorry if you can't understand that -- but hopefully you understand that there is a LOT at stake........

If you can't -- well -- sorry!

 

Now -- to the second part......

Did the Disciples make your thoughts (and theirs) known? YES -- they have been since the first trip to Milford -- we get emails from them with regularity.

Can the input from this session change the car? In some cases, yes -- in others, it would have to happen during lifecycle changes.

Were they excited about the car? Yes. Should they apologize for this or be chastised for their enthusiasm? I don't think so. Did it ever occur to some that the disciples went to Milford expecting compromises -- and found that the car offers far more than expected? Why is it that when someone says good things about the Camaro (or GM) that they're judged as 'cheerleaders?' I have to tell you -- most of the disciples are NOT BASHFUL about telling me (and the team) EXACTLY what they think.

It's almost like some wish that the Disciples would have come away mad about the car. And I guess I don't quite get that.

I think 99.9% of the people on this board want a kickass Camaro. (I'm not so sure everyone does -- ) We understand that. That's why so many details are being pored over -- and over -- and over -- and over...........

Yes - we wish we could build you a 3,200 pound Camaro that has an overall 5-star crash rating -- with 600 horsepower -- 21 million build combinations -- and bring it in at $19,995.

I also wish I were 25 again.

.......and I wish I had more money than Bill Gates.........

The reality is that we are going to bring you a car that surpasses the competition -- in many ways.....and in the final analysis -- it will be judged. All we ask is that you wait until it comes out -- drive one -- and THEN make your judgement.

 

I don't know, Cease Fire Injection cars are pretty slow.

 

Oh, laugh now CLEAN, but I'm gettin' that sucker into the 15's.

 

I think most like me are just so excited, having waited so long that we all just want to see it and take it in.
Does anyone have a date on when specs will be released? I want an official release and just be able to bench race my perfect camaro. I think I want a green manual trans one oh and a V8!

 

*sigh*.

I edited my reply, and shall wait to September to respond.

Gotta run. Have a great day.
Bob

 

That might be quite the task with those gears LOL. Can't believe it still has that original exhaust, what's the mileage?

 

Allow me Bob -

Not to say that they should have a critical eye but like any product that you are trying to perfect before going to market, it is very difficult to stay objective when you have 'already put the deposit down' in your mind.

If someone thinks they 'got it right', how do they suggest ways to improve a product? From a psychological standpoint, that's pretty difficult to convince me they can since the person has already been sold.

Stakeholders would never say that. They would say "I hope to hell we got it right" because you don't know until the public gets the product.

Speaking of the general public, it is they who will really determine the success of the car and not a bunch of enthusiasts. The 100 (realistically 50) or so on this board who will actually buy the car will not be the one's who decide the cars success.

I submit that GM would have received a more productive focus group if you also included Mustang owners and import owners into the mix as they would have given GM a perspective that was not given this past weekend.

Doug is very correct when he says that the group is made up of a lot of friendly faces. I agree that focus groups should include such people but they should not be comprised of only those people. This one was.

 

I absolutely agree seeing it in person will be great, I loved getting to see the concept coupe and convertibles and they were great experiences. Indy will be a great event and will certainly be exciting and a great chance to figure out how we want our Camaros optioned.

Also I hope no one on the board is getting their information from a dealer. when we went to check out the Tahoes this weekend for my wife (I think we are going to pick up a Blue LT3 in the next month or so) all of the salesmen had 1:18 Camaros in their offices so I mentioned something about it and the first lady told me that they were still almost 2 years a way. The salesman we worked with told me that they just had a meeting about the Camaro and they would be recieving them in September. So who needs to drive all the way to Indy

I personally hoped we could get some new info out of the experience that these ladies and gents had but if gm doesn't want them to spill the beans then I don't want them to( I guess I want GM to want them to, but I want that 20K 600hp Camaro to and the Bill Gates money even more)

I didn't mean to criticize anyones enthusiasm I just don't think it says much that they were happy ( if I told you I was happy when i got my lottery check it wouldn't really tell you how much I won would it)

I am excited about the Camaro and as I have stated many times I will be getting one as soon as the model I want is available.
If I had taken the two cents I threw in this thread and all the interest I've dumped on it I could have doubled my savings for the Camaro.
I am very happy for the disciples and even though I don't know them personally I am sure that Scott chose wisely.
I am also excited about the Indy event and hope to attend if I can get the 91 in respectable shape for the 12hr 800mile drive

edit: I'm also looking foreward to seeing this Pace car paint scheme all the disciples are raving about

 

What you arent realizing is GM DID have several other focus groups - including Mustang owners and import owners. They didnt get the full hands on treatment we did, but make no mistake their input was sought.

GM is perfectly aware the key to Camaro's success is NOT in "Camaro Nation" loving the car. It has to appeal to a much broader audience than just us to be successful.