I can't see myself buying it, unless it made some much higher power levels than I am expecting.

 

I could see me buying the 5.3L car with a decent down payment to keep monthly payments reasonable. Pretty much all other available options plus black exterior please. DoD too since it will be the d/d.

 

Jason, I love the scenario you are proposing but I think alot of us are confused by "midlevel" V8. I have no problem with the 5.3 being an option for the base V6 car at around $25k and then having a 425hp at $29k+.

I think alot of our fears is that the 5.3L will be the only V8 available except for the high powered V8 GT500 fighter which will be alot more than $29k. Probably closer to $40k.

I think if it came about like you proposed above it would be a great idea.

 

ME!

 

I am not sure wether to laugh or cry here. Since when is 325hp (could be a bit more then that--340hp?) in a possible 3600 lbs car underperforming??

Isn't an LT4 97 F-body a damn near tie with an LS1?
Those had only 330hp!

I am sure it could easily hang with the Mustang GT. And thats all it has to do.

Me thinks there are many people who forget how much the power has increased over the years and what we had in the past.

 

Red, I'm sure you know that all depends on pricing. Even JasonE mentioned that he's basing it on what he can afford. Sure, if you could get a 400HP model for 26k or there-abouts than that would be fine to almost everyone here.

As for me, I'm going with what I can afford. If a midrange model means "only" going with LS1 performance, than I don't think that's much of a sacrifice at all. If there's one V8 model going for 30k than you can count a lot of people out.

 

I'm beginning to feel like I'm in an argument that's occurring merely for the sake of arguing...

1) Wonderful if GM can pull off a 400hp, $28k car!! Great! I don't care!!! When the base model will have to be $21-22k in '08 dollars, give me a ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR V8 OPTION ON THE 21-22K CAR. That's a 325hp V8 for $22-23k. Any questions, or was I clear enough this time around????

2) The point of the special editions is it makes $$. If you can sell your 400hp car at $29k instead of $27k (mind you, a base V8 Mustang is STILL $2,000 less than even a $27k V8 Camaro), does that make you more money or less? End of story.

3) ONLY 325-350hp? Yeah, that isn't much in a car the weight of a G6 coupe

4) Referring to your last thread on the Grand Prix idea of mine you trashed, the GP has that level of performance AT $30,000. If a Camaro with a 5.3 had that performance AT $23,000-24,000...well, imagine the coup we'd have on our hands?

5) My one little dealership sold 2 '02 Formulas to 75 year old women. They're out there. Believe me. A 320hp V6 wouldn't have satisfied THEM, either!!!!!

Scott, this really is the wrong friggen board to ask this question...I cannot believe on a Camaro board, the idea of cheap speed at or less than a Mustang GT price is questioned. I don't want to spend $28k for a V8, Russ. Get it yet? Under $25k for a V8 Camaro WILL be feasible if the base model starts around $22k!!!!

Can I be any clearer yet????????

 

My heart and mind say LS2/3/5/7 (or whatever it's gonna be) but my pocketbook says base Camaro w/5.3 ~325 hp V8. Hell I'd even take the obselete LS1 for my base V8 Camaro cause I know the SS is gonna be ~$29k or more. I can't afford $30,000 but I can swing something around $22-25k and hopefully the 5th gen can keep from being a porker which would eliminate the need for weight reduction. If the Camaro is light enough even a 5.3L V8 will take the Mustang GT and the SS would destroy it .

 

I agreed with you the last time when you said that a v8 for 1 or 2 thousand more in a base car could be a good idea. We don't seem to have much of a discrepancy on this. My only real point was that I don't to see this v8 in a mid-trim car.

About the base Mustang GT starting at $25k. I wonder how much standard equipment you would get in a Camaro z28/SS/whatever at $28k? There are many, many more option choices for the Chevys than there are for the Fords. With the Mustang you pretty much either get deluxe or premium, with the Chevy you can obviously be much more specific.

 

Im sure you left that question open ended to provoke responce but if you could get the LS2 to pull off the same thing at or about the same price that would make for a sweet deal. My only arguement for a 5.3 was for people who couldnt afford the LS2 but wanted to get as close for their buck as possible and yes that could be me if money dictates it and the 5.3 turns out to be a good motor. LS1 would be better if needed. If you can get the LS2 close, I wouldnt think twice about the base V8!

 

I would hope GM installs the LS2 (or L76) instead of the 5.3L. We all know that there is barely any difference in fuel economy between a 5.3L and 6.0L v8. I would still be content to buy a Camaro with a 5.3L V8 but would feel mildly disappointed and short changed if it didn't arrive here with 6.0L of pure GM muscle in the base model.

Bring it on!!!

 

There's more than just fuel economy there. The 5.3 can use 87 octane while the LS2 uses 92+. That comes to over a $2.00 difference everytime you fill the gas tank. Just an estimate, but over 100,000 miles at an average of 24mpg that comes to $830. Add the fact that a lot of folks are sensitive to gas prices, and an 87 octane capable vehicle becomes an attribute.

Mid-level performance for those on a budget. If it can be done, I believe it's worth it. if the cost advantage of a mid-level V8 is enough, it will justify itself by increasing the sales base.

 

As long as the base V8 is LS-based(either a 5.3L 320-340hp or a detuned 6.0L - to around 350 hp) with AFM, and at a price that fairly affordable(base Price - around 25K), then the Camaro will sale very well.

 

I only voted for it 'cause it sounded like the best choice of the ones offered.

It honestly makes no difference to me what the 'mid-level' engine would be if there was one. Didn't they have 2 V6 options in 1996-1997? The RS package got you a lightly more powerful 3.8 V6 for those 2 years didn't it? Then they put the 3.8 V6 standard in with the '98 MY didn't they?

I just don't want to see the 'mid-level' engine become the standard Z28 engine. With the SS getting the 400hp.

I want a Z28 w/400hp if at all possible. I don't want an SS (far too common a designation with Chevy to me).

So IF a 'mid-level' engine was included in the line-up, make it an option on the base model only. Give the Z28 and SS the 400+ engine.

If for some reason I can't forsee at the time my money is tighter than I expect, I'll go with the mid-level in a base car, but I'm really hoping Z28 will be within my means. As of now, Z28 appears to be do-able as long as it's priced with the Mustang GT...

 

Nope, all '96+ V6's had the 3800.

I'm told that '95 V6's for California had it too, but I've never seen one.