http://www.automochatter.com/forum/s...=4087#post4087


I have lots. But here are my top 3.

Size: The production car will creep up in size compared to the concept. Too bad it couldn't stay the same size or slightly smaller.

Weight: Let's face it, the Camaro is based off of the large car, (heavy), Zeta architecture. I've been told by more than one high level person, that weight targets for this car will satisfy me. I've been told by others however, that no way they'll meet those targets. We'll see, I've got my fingers crossed.

Cowl height: Zeta is a big honkin' sedan architecture - with a big honkin' cowl height. It appears that this cowl height will remain unaltered for the Camaro. Kinda sucks if you ask me. The new Hot Rod magazine has a shot of the Camaro convertible concept next to Reggie Jackson's '69 Camaro. The new one's cowl height almost makes it look like an SUV next to the '69.


Any other concerns out there?

 

That I'll have to look at the floor to see vital operating information. That the Tach and Speedo will have huge "kindergarden-numbered" gages, with too much spacing.
That I won't know where the front of the car is, visibility, blindspots.

 

Comfort for short fat people driving lol

 

Wieght I can see as a potential concern, but Scott and GM have said not to worry about it, so I'm not. Cowl height....Well, I like it like it is, but

as for size, though...where'd you get that the Camaro was going to get even bigger?!?! Everything I've read has said that it'll shrink by fractions of an inch in all directions, but...not grow! I'm not trying to start anything...but that shocked me.

As for me...I'm worried that it won't sell quite as many as GM would like...mind you, this is a very small concern, but still - if Camaro fails this time, I think it'll be for good.

 

Cost.

Weight.

Trunk?

Edit: One more ... reliability / bad reputation because of common/recurring "quirks" or "issues" (ie: window motors, glass differentials) that plagued the 4th-gens.

 

Interior: So far we have no idea what the interior will look like besides the concept but nothing with the actual radio etc. (probably for only a few more months I imagine) but my concern is that it won't be all that great and there won't be enough time for feedback to alter a bad interior (by bad I mean way too retro inspired and bad ergonomics).

Weight.. I have the same concerns as Charlie and I'm hoping it's not a heavy car but I understand the sacrifices in getting a light car in this segment but I just want something reasonable and not a tank..

Transmission: From the reviews i've read on the 08 CTS, the wek link seems to be the 6 speed which I believe will be a similar unit to the Camaro.. hopefully there is enough time to work out any bugs before the Camaro hits the road but the fact that it IS a weak link in a luxury car where image is important isn't leaving me too enthusiastic.

Final concern is that the buying public sees the camaro as a good car and sales remain steady for our beloved car.

 

The concept interior is abysmal. If the production car is similar, it will not move me to replace my GTO and i'll be waiting to see what else comes around.

 

I don't see the car growing in size.

I know weight will be higher than many will want but who would pay the price if they used more expensive materials to make it weigh less?

Interior is a question mark but with the new Vette and Malibu interiors I think we will be happy with the results.

I do have great concern on the tunk and it's opening. It may have a usable trunk but I worry the opening may render it useless because you will not be able to get anything i it. The concepts all have very small openings.

 

I am concerned about the base price for a V8 model being too high. In 2002, you could get one for $22k. '08 Mustang GT base price is $25,840. I'm hoping that the base V8 Camaro comes in under that. I think a big reason that Mustang has traditionally outsold Camaro is that Mustang has traditionally been just a little bit cheaper for a similarly-equipped car.

I'm a little bit worried about the console-mounted gauges. I think they'll annoy me, and I'm worried about them from a safety standpoint because the driver will have to look too far from the road to see them.

Finally, I am worried about practicality. With the hatchback and the folding seat on my '02, I can fit astonishing amounts of stuff in there. My wife and I can both put our bicycles in the back (front wheels removed), and there's still room for a cooler with some lunch, or whatever. If we were to take the Bonneville or the Regal, we'd have to take the front and rear wheels off both bikes to accomplish the same thing. It's things like that which make my '02 worth having -- it's powerful and fun to drive, yet it still affords enough versatility that I don't have to think about what my plans are for the day before deciding which car to take.

 

Exactly ..... since GM appears to be in better financial shape than Ford right now, I think they can "afford" to price the Camaro competitively against the Mustang. I think it should be priced slightly LESS than the Mustang, not a penny more. If people choose to buy the Mustang for reasons such as looks, features, loyalty, etc., fine ..... but a Camaro sale should NEVER be lost to a Mustang because of price .

Very true as well. I have fit a set of 4 racing wheels/tires, AND my floor jack, AND a tool kit, AND my tent, sleeping bag, duffle bag, AND my helmet all in the car, and I still had room for a passenger (although that particular weekend I headed down to the track myself ). It's amazing how much stuff fits into the 4th-gen!

 

Most major concern is interior. I do hope it ventures away from the concept's first gen lay out, and goes to a more cockpit feel. Also, quality has improved leaps and bounds, and the new Malibu has set the bar high for this car. If Chevy and GM can design an amazing interior like that for a 19k family car, I expect MUCH MUCH better then the concept's retro set up. I also expect GM's all new center stack lay out, and I would hope that they move away from the black-tie radios asap.

As a friend of mine put it, GM always seems to do great and run away with the ball, but get tackled at the 5 yard line....I worry about what is going to take it out. As far as cowl hight, I think thats something that we all have to get used too. With increased crash standards, and bigger and heavier trucks hitting the market every day, the demand for more steel vs glass will continue. I do worry a little about price points. I dont think that they should be priced LOWER then Mustang. If they can be within 1k of Mustang within a certain model range, Id be happy. I do expect them to offer MORE for the dollar. 280hp v6 vs a 265, a 6spd auto or manual no cost vs 5 spd auto/manual, IRS vs SRA, higher grade interior quality, better handling and ride, better gas milage, better saftey scores, etc. If Camaro can exceed every single aspect of Mustang and be priced within 1k of the car, I think that its up to the Chevy dealers to make the sale happen. Outside of the die-hard Mustang fan, it should be an easy sale for someone on the fence.
Lets not forget about the other competition, and where I also worry about Camaro. Camaro could focus too much on its American counterparts, and not look at what else is out there. Peope WILL compare FWD coupes vs the Camaro. People will look at the 270hp Altima Coupe and V6 Camaro. People will look at the 270hp Accord coupe vs Camaro. 350/370Z, 3 series coupe (untill a smaller Caddy coupe can come a long, this is the best comparision).
Camaro needs to elevate its image to a car for the young guy again. It needs to try and break free of its All American Muscle image some what, and attain that 20-30 something looking for a cool ride to impress the neighbors, coworkers, friends and ladies/gents. The All American Image will also be there because...its a Camaro. V8 sales have always proven to be there, and us enthuisats will pay top dollar for the craziest combo GMPD can throw in it.

You know what I worry about most? How in my mid to late 20's, am I going to find a house in NJ for a decent price range, that has a 3 car garage??!?!

 

I think the car is great as is. I have no doubt that GM do a good job of making whatever tweaks it needs to in order to make the transition from the concept to a "realistic/practical" production car.

My only REAL concern is:
DEALER MARK-UP

All that will do is **** off people like us and cause the "average" new car buyer with no brand loyalty who is shopping for an affordable "sports car" to look instead to the Mustang or Challenger.

That would be a helluva way to release the Camaro if first year sales suffered due to the GREED of dealers wouldn't it?

 

Mustang will only benifit from the major dealer mark up. Challenger will have tons of it as well, since its the first RWD coupe they made since the 70's.

 

I guess that if you're going to ignore 35 years of that being exactly the case and Mustang outselling Camaro by a huge margin, there's nothing I can do to convince you that Camaro can't be priced ANY higher than Mustang.

 

True, I should have put in there "IF" the Challenger isn't marked up as well.