I've always had a soft spot for the Suzuki Grand Vitara. RWD, V6 engine. $20K. What's not to like?

They upgraded from a 2.7 to a 3.2 liter engine for 2009 (a variant of the GM HFV6), gaining 45hp in the process.

So I go to suzuki.com. They have '08 and '09 specs on the website. What do you know, but the 2009 model with the extra 45hp also gains an extra 194 pounds. There is a new 4 cyl model that weighs in the same ballpark as last year's V6 and is only down 19hp.

 

i dont think that would be an accurate statement. i would expect the car to do better through some turns than just the acceleration field.

 

Just FWIW, he didn't say it could.

He said it did, once. It was a 2002 SS with all of the SLP performance options, against a base, bone-stock C5. Same driver, I think. Among numerous other differences, I think it's worth pointing out that an SS has wider front tires than a C5, which might give it a cornering advantage on certain tracks.

 

I think the Camaro had a 1LE suspension and BFG KD's and the Corvette had runflats.

 

Even so, we can basically say a 1998-2002 Camaro SS is in the same league as a C5 Corvette. Tires are always a determining factor in two cars and they are almost always different than factory (atleast after about 20,000 to 30,000 miles anyway).

So the question becomes, will a GT500 drive circles around a C5 Corvette or 1998-2002 Camaro SS?

 

are you saying the 5th gen is at the same level as the c5 and 4th gen? im not understanding why you are comparing the gt500 now to the old ls1 motored cars. to see its ability to compete against the 5th gen it would be closer to test the gt500 against the g8 gxp. nearly identical cars. just a few more lbs and a little smaller of tires on the rear (i think).

 

We have been discussing the 4th Gen Camaro versus the GT500 since guinM said the GT500 would "embarrass a 4th Gen Camaro around a track". I am not convinced that is the case.

The 5th Gen Camaro will most certainly compete with the GT500 on the track. With the possible exception of large high speed tracks where the GT500's power can really shine. I don't think anyone is really debating this.

 

While part of me would like it to be a bit lighter, I'm leaning this way. I drive a pickup, and I always feel safer driving it than I do a small car. Not because it handles well, but because of the weight. It just 'feels' solid and safer. I have a feeling that when I finally get to drive the Camaro, I'll be plenty happy about the way it drives and feels.

 

that was how this whole thing started out was the 5th gen,since thats the post were in, and the gt500. and we compared it to the g8gt and the g8 gxp.