Say Goodbye to the Camaro.

[grampi]

I always wanted a 1968 with a big block but would have settled for built small block.

Everything after that first gen sucked IMHO

Nah, the 6th gen Camaro is the best one ever built...a first gen would be nice with an upgraded (and updated) drive train...

 

[grampi]

Tried to get a LT-1 under 37K for a couple years but they all dissappeared. There were a batch of them a month ago build on the lots - but all optioned to high heaven with "worthless" though pricey doo-dads like stripes and red brake calipers that cost a thousand bucks.

Just give me the six speed (a CAGS elminator kit) and dual mode exhaust. and that insane 455 lb-ft of torque!

Rejoice Plenty of classic hot rods and sports cars under $30K used.

A bare bones LT1 (6th gen) was the bang for the buck king, but you had to order one, or it would come with a bunch of unnecessary bells and whistles...or you just plain couldn't find one...

 

[grampi]

The SS is a special car. We knew the axe was coming, which is why I ordered last year. Visibility issues are overblown, sports cars never have great visibility anyway. The performance is much higher than its competition. You nearly have to spend 60k (or more now) to get a GT in a TREMEC, and it still wont handle like the Camaro.

GM doesn't seem interested in building an affordable sports car anymore; they either wanna sell you a 24k made in mexico/korea crossover, 60k truck, or 100k vette or EV.

Good post. This is what most people don't realize about the 6th gen Camaros. They are bang for the buck king. I also agree about the visibility thing being blown out of proportion...

 

[4WD]

Every vehicle has an owner stigma attached. Who cares, drive what you like...

One nice Sunday a pretty old guy sees me on the 42” mower and pulls up in his C4 ragtop … beautiful car …
He was just looking for somebody to talk to - and you know what ? He was driving the “ice breaker” …
Then he wants to see the Jeep … we had a good laugh at how fancy they are since he was a VN Army vet …
Really cool guy who never met a stranger …

 

[4WD]

Good post. This is what most people don't realize about the 6th gen Camaros. They are bang for the buck king. I also agree about the visibility thing being blown out of proportion...

Easily fixed with a digital mirror …

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I keep waiting for them to make a retro Mustang II or a retro Fox Body. I am sure they will eventually..... Once the current retro 60s style grows stale.

That reminds me - the 93+ version was originally touted by Ford to look like the 1964 model. It mostly didn't, of course.

The mustang II handles MUCH better than the foxbody junk which is only good for drags with a lot of mods.

I had a King Cobra Mustang II that I had snatched up used - with a built, hot 302 and a 4 speed. Thing was a joy. Fan - tastic front suspension. That platform didn't get respect. Maybe due to the Charlie's Angels "chick car" denigration, its smaller size and also the smogged and low comp engines of the era. That was easy to fix as a second owner/hotrodder.

 

[grampi]

You're joking. Right?!

1966 Camaro, arguably one of the most beautiful designs for a muscle car.

Here is a typical (2018) Camaro. There is no resemblance whatsoever, and it looks like an Asian car. Literally looks nothing like anything that came from that era, at all. Doesn't look anything like any Camaro before. I absolutely hate the looks FYI.

Meanwhile over at Ford and Dodge, they got it right.

1960s Mustang:

There is no doubt, this is a Mustang:

Dodge did it best IMO.
1970 Challenger

2012 Challenger, is unmistakable as anything else.

If you can't see the similarities between the current gen Camaro and the first gen, you are blind...

 

[4WD]

No doubt the Challenger came closest to original by choice - but how many would consider it a drag car vs the Camaro being a track car … ?

 

[grampi]

We'll have to agree to disagree,  especially in the case of the 5th gen.

Good read here: https://www.formtrends.com/five-gm-...generations-of-the-iconic-chevrolet-camaro/5/

I agree...lead counsel is blind...

 

[grampi]

I really like what Camaro had to offer. Power, handling, STICK SHIFT! It was such breath of fresh air. And then I sit in it and I am: how is it possible to make this car with Fiat Tipo interior?
I will never understand people who signed off that performance gem and said: “yep, that interior will do it.”

Nothing wrong with the Camaro's interior. The Mustang on the other hand looks like it has almost exactly the interior of the 60s models, and is very dated looking...

 

[grampi]

Ford ruined the Mustang with the design change for 2015 models...the '14 was the last good looking year...

 

[edyvw]

Both have che

Nothing wrong with the Camaro's interior. The Mustang on the other hand looks like it has almost exactly the interior of the 60s models, and is very dated looking...

Both have cheap, low quality interior. The question is whether one is willing to live with it.

 

[grampi]

Both have che

Both have cheap, low quality interior. The question is whether one is willing to live with it.

I saw nothing bad about the Camaro's interior...granted it doesn't have leather, or any fancy looking fake wood grain panels, but I don't care about that stuff anyway. Its interior looked fine to me...the Mustang's on the other hand...

 

[edyvw]

I saw nothing bad about the Camaro's interior...granted it doesn't have leather, or any fancy looking fake wood grain panels, but I don't care about that stuff anyway. Its interior looked fine to me...the Mustang's on the other hand...

The problem with materials they use is that it won’t age well. Put on a side design, long term is questionable. My first door neighbor has one. It is in garage and yet, dashboard looks like it is spending all its time at 12,000ft exposed to the sun.
I would really like if I can get over it as these stick shift models are good proposition for me once I don’t need 4 door anymore as daily.

 

[haggler]

Both have che

Both have cheap, low quality interior. The question is whether one is willing to live with it.

Everything to a price point...I test drove a 2016 with the 2SS package at Carmax with the nicer interior bits...you could tell the interior was abused...dash piece above the glove box was cut up..... but everything else still looked ok for a 7 year old car with 50k miles. Its not a luxury car but still looks like nice on the inside with the package. Where this car shines is the performance per dollar, and I don't even have the 1LE track package. For 37k, even the base LT1 is a bargain. Before covid these were going for low 30s brand new!

My buddy had a 2006 BMW 325i brand new at the time...when we were both young. He spent every penny he saved on that car. After 3 years the buttons and dash started peeling. That's about he cheapest build quality I've ever seen.

 

[edyvw]

Everything to a price point...I test drove a 2016 with the 2SS package at Carmax with the nicer interior bits...you could tell the interior was abused...dash piece above the glove box was cut up..... but everything else still looked ok for a 7 year old car with 50k miles. Its not a luxury car but still looks like nice on the inside with the package. Where this car shines is the performance per dollar, and I don't even have the 1LE track package. For 37k, even the base LT1 is a bargain. Before covid these were going for low 30s brand new!

My buddy had a 2006 BMW 325i brand new at the time...when we were both young. He spent every penny he saved on that car. After 3 years the buttons and dash started peeling. That's about he cheapest build quality I've ever seen.

I have that E90 and all buttons are in good condition after 12 years.
Your buddy might be an issue.

 

[haggler]

I have that E90 and all buttons are in good condition after 12 years.
Your buddy might be an issue.

Cant confirm or deny. The car was parked outside but that's never happened in any car he or I owned prior to or after. One can only conclude it was that car.

 

[DGXR]

I never owned a Camaro but always appreciated the performance value. Sad to see her go... again.

 

[leadcounsel]

Whatever you might think about the design faithfulness of the latest iterations of the Camaro, it sure as hell doesn’t look “Asian” to me.

Maybe you've seen different iconic Camaros. But the Gen 5 and Gen 6 look nothing like any iconic Camaros I've ever seen. Sure you might be able to pick out tiny resemblances with a lot of creativity. But most of the lines and details are just too different. It looks more like a Honda Civic sport, than any iconic Camaro. And, again, it is why the Challenger and Mustang far outsell it. GM did a poor job.

 

[chris719]

If you think it looks more like a Civic then I’d have to disagree completely. Actually, the Camaro is one of the most recognizable American cars by non-car people in my experience.

It doesn’t sell because it’s got a questionable interior, poor visibility, iffy modern reputation, terrible interior to exterior volume ratio, etc. I don’t really think the looks are the biggest issue. Personally, I didn’t consider one because it’s absolutely massive.