CD Article: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS V6

[CD_Editor]

         
Test Drive:


GM hit the nail squarely with the 2010 Camaro, reports Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, who finds the V6 is just fine for boulevard cruising. "It handles well, it rides smoothly, and the juice goes to the right set of wheels."
 More: View the photos | All the Test Drives

[johngenx]

having been a Camaro hot-rodder way back when, I really like this car.  The interior is such a throw-back though, I'm not sure.  Yes, it pays homage to those that came before, but I'm not going to pass judgment until I see one in person.  The exterior is superb, and the exterior mirrors alone are almost enough to buy the car!

One thing I don't like is how big and heavy they are.  The original pony car concept was to offer a smaller package with an economical driveline (original Mustang) and that evolved into a line that also offered a smallish (in their day!) car with a big engine.

[Ontariodriver]

I can't wait to see how it goes, when they are used if the Camaro resale history, is anything to go by. I'll have one on me driveway...

[Greg B.]

I saw my first one in person last week. The interior looks better in reality than it comes across in photos, but it is still somewhat spartan. The dashboard looks more "designed" in person than it looks in photos, but it suffers from being rather plain.

A friend of my brothers bought the first SS to be delivered in the province, sight unseen. The guy is well-off and really didn't mind spending what it took to get it, but now he discovers that he doesn't like how he fits in the car. Apparently the doors are too high, the side windows too small, and he can't see out of it very well.

[PJungnitsch]

One thing I don't like is how big and heavy they are.

It was mentioned somewhere that it's bit overbuilt, due to Holden having to pass the Australian NCAP tests with the Commodore.

So heavy but tough.

[Railton]

What's up with that trunk opening, looks like 1/3 of the lid covers over the hinges? Yikes!
Railton

[ovr50]

Local Chev dealer had an SS and a RS in the show room last week. I like the outside appearance (although it is largeish) but the inside is a bad hangover. Cramped feeling to me, the windows appear smallish, and the whole thing seems like such a large car with so little space inside. It will sell to Camaro-fans but may not sell so well to the general public. I would rather have the refreshed Mustang for my money.

Just an initial impression on seeing it in the "real".

[articsteve]

To get this car in suitable form it's too pricey.  Convertible will save it.

[Mitlov]

To get this car in suitable form it's too pricey. 

I think that's only true if you go into it saying "this car is only legitimate with a V8," and only consider number of cylinders instead of horsepower or character.  If you look at it without preconceptions, (1) the V6 is a great powerplant (I liked its character even without direct injection in the CTS, and DI adds like 40 horsepower), and (2) at least on paper, the Camaro V6 offers more dollar-per-dollar than the Genesis coupe V6.  Subjectively, I haven't driven either.  But the last thing I'd call the Camaro is overpriced for what it offers.

[articsteve]

I am referring to the V6.  Canadian list is $30,500. for the LT1 which is about as basic as one could stand with automatic and freight.  The console gauge cluster looks like it cost GM no more than a hundred bucks so I think they should have thrown that in stock.  I'm sure the stock radio sucks so that will alienate a certain segment .

It needs to be $26,500. CDN to swarm the populace. 

[Mitlov]

I am referring to the V6.  Canadian list is $30,500. for the LT1 which is about as basic as one could stand with automatic and freight.  The console gauge cluster looks like it cost GM no more than a hundred bucks so I think they should have thrown that in stock.  I'm sure the stock radio sucks so that will alienate a certain segment .

It needs to be $26,500. CDN to swarm the populace. 

The Camaro V6 already undercuts the Genesis Coupe V6 by $2,500.  Do you really think it should be $6,500 less than the already-cheap Genesis Coupe? 

And while it would sell wonderfully if it only cost CAN$26,500 (for a direct-injected 300 hp RWD car with a sophisticated chassis and independent rear suspension), do you really think GM would make a profit on it if they sold it at that price point?

[Jaeger]

I am referring to the V6.  Canadian list is $30,500. for the LT1 which is about as basic as one could stand with automatic and freight.  The console gauge cluster looks like it cost GM no more than a hundred bucks so I think they should have thrown that in stock.  I'm sure the stock radio sucks so that will alienate a certain segment .

It needs to be $26,500. CDN to swarm the populace. 

Where else are you going to get a 300hp V6 RWD performance coupe for that kind of money?  The Genesis Coupe is about the only other choice (and a very appealing one, IMHO).  I agree with Mitlov - it's hard to criticize the Chevy on price for performance.

I'm a domestic guy. I love the look of this car.BUT that interior I can only hope it looks a little better in person.

Regrettably, it doesn't.  It's not hard to see where cost-cutting decisions were made.

Jaeger

[johngenx]

300hp RWD car for well under $30K?  That was the whole reason for the success of the original Camaro, and why I think this one will do well enough to make some money for GM.

My Dad had a 1969 Camaro.  Why?  Because he got a whole bunch of performance for the money, and it looked cool.

[articsteve]

do you really think GM would make a profit on it if they sold it at that price point?

They better figure it out because the V6s are sitting at the dealers way to long considering it's a brand new model launched in the best month of the year. $30K plus 13% tax is a lot of green for a stripper toy.  To make them look more appealing GM seems to be shipping out the same units that was tested in this article, but those are 38K.    

The convertible will save this car from being a sales failure.  I don't see great sales for the V6 coupe past the initial introduction.  As usual it's fate will be decided by the US market.  However, currently, if retailers don't lay cash on the hood of a vehicle it's a no sale.  Consequently in the US you will soon see 0% on these cars at the very least.

[Greg B.]

do you really think GM would make a profit on it if they sold it at that price point?

They better figure it out because the V6s are sitting at the dealers way to long considering it's a brand new model launched in the best month of the year.

In the famous words of Ronald Reagan, there he goes again.... 

For god's sake, Stevie, just once will you put a cork in it? There are NONE of these on any dealer lots around here. None. Nada. As in zero. Most people haven't even seen one yet. You are making this stuff up as you go along, as you always do. The V-6s are NOT sitting on dealer lots way too long. They aren't on the lots at all. Now STFU for once!!!   

[articsteve]

They aren't on the lots at all.

Look at where you live. 

 Now STFU for once!!!

Hey haven't seen you around lately.  Did you hear that GM filed for Chapter 11? 

I'm in the centre of the universe 100 miles from the plant.    There is no rush on the V6 RS models @ $37,500 plus tax which seemed to be shipped out in mass.  Me thinks the base units have yet to be shipped.  ERROR, but hardly a surprise.

Currently there are 6 Camaros for sale in the Trader.  Here is a guy who is trying to dump his stocker and it's quite absurd. 

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=698&Region=-1&subcategory=&CAT=1&ADID=7773650&ADS=7773650%7C

 2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO , Sports/Coupe, 3240 kms, $23000, Pre-owned, Air conditioning, All equipped, AM/FM stereo, Anti-starter, Bucket seats, Cruise control, Driver air bag, Dual air bag, Fog lights, Spoiler, Here she is! 2010 Camaro SS2. 6 spd manual. 426 horse power. Orange Inferno Interior. This car is hot, not many people are lucky enough to have them, and everybody wants them. I have had this car on pre order since Nov. 2006! It came in today. I love the car and have waited on this car for a long time but supply and demand is in effect. I will let this beautiful car go for $23k. If it don't bring it, I have no problem enjoying this car for a long time. Chevrolet hit the nail on the head with this one. Drives awesome, very comfortable, lots of power, and looks simply amazing! This car h 4162344554

Of the 3 phony cars currently available I prefer the Camaro hands down, but it's pricing is completely out of sync with the economy at least in Ontario ($37,500  .  It's fate rests with the American consumer and the convertible.

[Greg B.]

Currently there are 6 Camaros for sale in the Trader.  Here is a guy who is trying to dump his stocker and it's quite absurd. 

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=698&Region=-1&subcategory=&CAT=1&ADID=7773650&ADS=7773650%7C

 2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO , Sports/Coupe, 3240 kms, $23000, Pre-owned, Air conditioning, All equipped, AM/FM stereo, Anti-starter, Bucket seats, Cruise control, Driver air bag, Dual air bag, Fog lights, Spoiler, Here she is! 2010 Camaro SS2. 6 spd manual. 426 horse power. Orange Inferno Interior. This car is hot, not many people are lucky enough to have them, and everybody wants them. I have had this car on pre order since Nov. 2006! It came in today. I love the car and have waited on this car for a long time but supply and demand is in effect. I will let this beautiful car go for $23k. If it don't bring it, I have no problem enjoying this car for a long time. Chevrolet hit the nail on the head with this one. Drives awesome, very comfortable, lots of power, and looks simply amazing! This car h 4162344554

Guess you haven't heard of the scam currently being run on Auto Trader, huh? Supposedly I can buy a 2006 Porsche for $15K too. Pretty sad (but really, not at all surprising) that you would resort to such fiction to try to make another of your ridiculous points. Once again you are grasping at straws. Go away, troll.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

but now he discovers that he doesn't like how he fits in the car. Apparently the doors are too high, the side windows too small, and he can't see out of it very well.

Your friend and ovr50 echo the reason why I believe this car will have limited appeal and sales will be on the decline faster than they otherwise would. The space and illusion of space/practicality inside this car is lacking, which is a shame because otherwise most of the other gotta-have-it competitive check boxes are ticked.

[ovr50]

Greg B - "Guess you haven't heard of the scam currently being run on Auto Trader, huh? Supposedly I can buy a 2006 Porsche for $15K too."

Interesting you mention that. I have noted the same thing going on with Auto Trader online. Low, low prices with an email address only, no other info such as name, phone, etc. It is obviously a scam of some sort, but does anyone actually know what's going on here? And, why doesn't AutoTrader put an end to it, as it would seem they have their credibility at risk with this?

 

Sorry to be slightly off topic.
 

[articsteve]

Ovr:  The Trader is in near collapse.  About 2 to 3 years ago the US based Yellow pages came into Canada and bought the owners out in all provinces.  In true US slash and burn fashion, staff was reduced by about 70%, commissions cut for the sales ppl, and most importantly a move was put on dealers to increase prices.  Hence many dealers pulled out including ourselves and pretty well everyone else on the Owen Sound strip other than occasional ads.  In addition, Craig's list and Kijji just happened to gain real traction for vehicles.

So the numbers fell thru the floor and in an effort to increase traffic they started to offer free one line, one picture ads, without supervision which has turned into a farce.   You will note that Trader.ca in Ontario no longer has the vehicle counter in the top right corner because the numbers are too pathetic.

The example I posted about the 2010 Camaro for sale in the Ontario Trader that Greg had his tantrum over is not one of those free ads.  It's a paid multi pic ad with a crazy description.