How will people regard the 5th gen when the 6th gen comes out?

[Z284ever]

I was having this conversation with someone and was wondering what you guys thought?

[redfox]

The 5th gen. Camaro is a nice car and a big improvment over the style of the 4th gen. but i hope the 6th gen. is smaller and lighter.

[oklapike]

I have a great idea. Decontent it to the hilt and call it the Camaro classic.

[Dr. Show-Me]

I think the consensus opinion will be that GM built the best Camaro they could on that platform, a platform that wasn't ideal for a Camaro. Zeta will be the platform that saved the Camaro from oblivion and brought it back.
They will decide the best way to build a Camaro is on a dedicated platform, which the Alpha won't be either.
So, on balance, a very good concept with execution flawed by the wrong platform, a criticism that may apply to the next generation as well.

[Z284ever]

I have a great idea. Decontent it to the hilt and call it the Camaro classic.

Ha! Now there's an idea. LS trim, steel wheels and all, with a V8 for $25K.

[oklapike]

They will decide the best way to build a Camaro is on a dedicated platform, which the Alpha won't be either.
So, on balance, a very good concept with execution flawed by the wrong platform, a criticism that may apply to the next generation as well.

From a purely performance and engineering standpoint, I think the best idea, barring millions (or billions) of dollars to engineer an all-new dedicated platform, which I'm pretty sure GM doesn't have, would be to let Camaro share the Y platform with the Corvette. Of course, that would likely drive Camaro up in price out of the range of many people and set it in direct competition with the Corvette itself.

Ha! Now there's an idea. LS trim, steel wheels and all, with a V8 for $25K.

Kind of like the Ram 1500 Express? I could go for that.

[Dr. Show-Me]

The Road Runner epitomized that concept, the cheapest car with the biggest engine with a minimalist interior package for the lowest dollar amount. The formula has worked before and still works. It just takes the package and the business acumen.

[Z284ever]

From a purely performance and engineering standpoint, I think the best idea, barring millions (or billions) of dollars to engineer an all-new dedicated platform, which I'm pretty sure GM doesn't have, would be to let Camaro share the Y platform with the Corvette. Of course, that would likely drive Camaro up in price out of the range of many people and set it in direct competition with the Corvette itself.



Kind of like the Ram 1500 Express? I could go for that.

Y-car is not flexible enough to configure with 2+2 seating. Otherwise they might have already used it - and yes GM has tried to stretch it (and Kappa) for two more seats. No dice.

Alpha still appears to be a basis for a better Camaro than we have now though. Notwithstanding what we've reported on our recent front page Alpha story, I'm assured that GM is determined to get mass reduced by the time Alpha gets utilized for Camaro.

If the 6th gen is in fact smaller, lighter, better handling, faster, more fuel efficient, with a more owner friendly interior - I have a feeling that those owners won't be kind to the 5th gen.

[Z284ever]

The Road Runner epitomized that concept, the cheapest car with the biggest engine with a minimalist interior package for the lowest dollar amount. The formula has worked before and still works. It just takes the package and the business acumen.

Although the case would be very tough for something like that, especially with a V8 - I'd personally love it.

Actually, I sort of liked how GM cobbled together the old Bel Air concept. Doesn't get much cheaper than rebodying an entry level pick up. I remember GM had said that if the Bel Air (convertible) went into production, it could be priced starting at $19K.

[Barry Badrinath]

5th Gen will will have that "resonant echo" with Gen X'ers who had parents with classic muscle cars. Aside from being porky, they did not start out as some weak ass no power car, with paper mache construction (not harping on the 3rd Gen on purpose). I think the vert will be sought after and the ZL-1 will be collectible, especially since we will be going back to pedal power in 20 years....

If late 70's F bodies can be collectible, these certainly can too.

[Canuck]

The 5th generation will be popular at the Barrett Jackson and Mecum auctions. It will be a collectible classic car.

[Z284ever]

I'm sure that the 5th gen will end up being collectible eventually, especially the convertible and performance models. When it comes to Camaros though, it always seems like the previous gen gets no respect until 2 gens later.

What I'm saying is that by the time the 6th gen comes along, many/most 5th gens will have hit the used car market, maybe even with multiple owners. Bucks down people will be able to buy them - and yes - even drive them around with (gasp) body damage, mismatched wheels and in rattlecan primer. If history is any measure, we'll be into the 7th gen before people really start collecting 5th gens.

[Tone]

It all depends on whether the sixth gen cars are better than today's Camaro and in what way. I suspect (hope!) that the next gen will be smaller and lighter and a better all-arounder. But, it's entirely possible that, if it goes that way, it may lose some of the show-car presence of the current car. And, future regulations ... and the aging baby boomers that seem to represent the bulk of the market for high-end muscle-type cars ... may mean there is no equivalent of today's ZL1. If that's the case, today's car might be the last of the big bruisers ... sort of like the last of the big-engined Trans Ams (first, the 455s, then the Pontiac 400s). In many ways, the Firebirds that came later were better cars, but few had the immediate torque and sound of the big engine cars. Perhaps today's Camaros will be remembered that way.

[prowlerjc]

They'll be regarded the exact same way people have regarded the previous generation Camaros ever since there was a gen2 Camaro.

[demonspeed]

I think the consensus opinion will be that GM built the best Camaro they could on that platform, a platform that wasn't ideal for a Camaro. Zeta will be the platform that saved the Camaro from oblivion and brought it back.
They will decide the best way to build a Camaro is on a dedicated platform, which the Alpha won't be either.
So, on balance, a very good concept with execution flawed by the wrong platform, a criticism that may apply to the next generation as well.

This is more where my mind is at, but I'm a fan of Camaros no matter which generation. They've all had their pluses and minuses, and as much as I appreciate the 5th gen, it simply hasn't grabbed me enough to convince myself that I need it.

Of course, I'm not sure anything will pull at my heart strings like a well-kept IROC-Z.