Topic: CTC Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS

[Honda Owner]

Can't help but notice that you recently traded in your Fit for an Accord. 

I still have the Fit. I have never, for that matter, in my life ever traded a car in. An Accord is indeed longer than a Camaro, since it's mission is to be a roomy family sedan. It seems to be doing a good job that, too, at least so far.

[rrocket]

Further, I thought I saw that the 370Z sales pretty well bite, so as fine a car as the 370Z is, it is not a sales success for Nissan. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

Sales here are slow...I know when I asked my dealer, he said they were only allotted THREE for the year.  THREE cars!!!  WTF?  I'm sure if GM dealers were allotted three Camaros each, it might not be a sales success either.

Granted, the Camaro and Mustang are more of a high volume car than the 370Z.  IIRC the G37 outsold the 350Z by a large margin.

[Erik]

Can't help but notice that you recently traded in your Fit for an Accord. 

An Accord is indeed longer than a Camaro, since it's mission is to be a roomy family sedan.

And the mission of the Accord coupe would be what exactly?

[Honda Owner]

And the mission of the Accord coupe would be what exactly?

I am not sure. You'd have to ask someone who owns one. They seem to be mostly young men from what I have seen in these parts.

[Erik]

Further, I thought I saw that the 370Z sales pretty well bite, so as fine a car as the 370Z is, it is not a sales success for Nissan. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

Sales here are slow...I know when I asked my dealer, he said they were only allotted THREE for the year.  THREE cars!!!  WTF?  I'm sure if GM dealers were allotted three Camaros each, it might not be a sales success either.

Granted, the Camaro and Mustang are more of a high volume car than the 370Z.  IIRC the G37 outsold the 350Z by a large margin.

We have to keep in mind that we do not live in a time when most people WANT that level of involvement with their cars. The ultimate car of today is the most boring, pain free, automotive appliance they can buy (Corolla? Civic? Fit?). Even Honda, that used to build some of the most fun to drive, involving, sporty cars that just happened to also be compact economy cars, gave up on that years ago.

The 370Z is a precision tool for a dedicated, car loving, no compromise, performance car lover. Just not that many people around who want something like that, anymore.

[Erik]

And the mission of the Accord coupe would be what exactly?

I am not sure. You'd have to ask someone who owns one. They seem to be mostly young men from what I have seen in these parts.

Well, Honda says:

"The 2009 Accord Coupe is a high-performance machine that loves driving every bit as much as you do."

Interestingly, the significantly less powerful, V6 Honda gets equivalent gas mileage to the "20th Century" V6 Camaro.

And I forget, you can't comment on a car unless you own one, right?

[Honda Owner]

Even Honda, that used to build some of the most fun to drive, involving, sporty cars that just happened to also be compact economy cars, gave up on that years ago.

I don't know what you mean, Eric, but all my Hondas, except maybe the 2004 Civic are a real hoot to drive when you consider what their mission is. The Fit is a really fun car, reminds me of my 1992 Civic.  The Accord is great for what it is and the 7100 RPM redline cool for a sedan. Toyotas, on the other hand, are as dull as dishwater. Have you actually driven a late model Honda recently?

As for the Honda V-6, my Accord is a 4 cyl. I don't need the extra power and you can't get a manual with the V-6.

Regarding Camaro owners, I hope they have a good experience with their cars. This will help repay the "loans" GM has been given

[Erik]

Even Honda, that used to build some of the most fun to drive, involving, sporty cars that just happened to also be compact economy cars, gave up on that years ago.

I don't know what you mean, Eric, but all my Hondas, except maybe the 2004 Civic are a real hoot to drive when you consider what their mission is. The Fit is a really fun car, reminds me of my 1992 Civic.  The Accord is great for what it is and the 7100 RPM redline cool for a sedan. Toyotas, on the other hand, are as dull as dishwater. Have you actually driven a late model Honda recently?

Yup. Sure have. I had the great mis-fortune of having to go car shopping with a friend of my moms last year, so I got to drive pretty well every boring automotive appliance out there. Biggest disappointment? Honda Civic. Oh sure, it is as boringly competent as any other automotive appliance out there, but it does not hold a candle to Civics of the past in being fun to drive. It was the one car I was really looking forward to driving, and it was a crushing disappointment.

[rrocket]

Yup. Sure have. I had the great mis-fortune of having to go car shopping with a friend of my moms last year, so I got to drive pretty well every boring automotive appliance out there. Biggest disappointment? Honda Civic. Oh sure, it is as boringly competent as any other automotive appliance out there, but it does not hold a candle to Civics of the past in being fun to drive. It was the one car I was really looking forward to driving, and it was a crushing disappointment.

You're not going to try and tell us...in that same class of car..that the Cobalt was better??

[Erik]

Even Honda, that used to build some of the most fun to drive, involving, sporty cars that just happened to also be compact economy cars, gave up on that years ago.

As for the Honda V-6, my Accord is a 4 cyl. I don't need the extra power and you can't get a manual with the V-6.

Perhaps with the sedan you cannot, but the coupe is available with a 6 speed and the V6.

[Honda Owner]

Well, there are many other products that might suit you better, Eric. Good luck with you search. Perhaps there is a Camaro in your future!

[Erik]

Yup. Sure have. I had the great mis-fortune of having to go car shopping with a friend of my moms last year, so I got to drive pretty well every boring automotive appliance out there. Biggest disappointment? Honda Civic. Oh sure, it is as boringly competent as any other automotive appliance out there, but it does not hold a candle to Civics of the past in being fun to drive. It was the one car I was really looking forward to driving, and it was a crushing disappointment.

You're not going to try and tell us...in that same class of car..that the Cobalt was better??

Nope. Sure ain't and I didn't imply anything of the kind.

What I said was, compared to Hondas of the past (and therefore my expectation of what it would be) it was the biggest disappointment. Not the worst car, but the one that I expected MUCH more from.

[Erik]

Well, there are many other products that might suit you better, Eric. Good luck with you search. Perhaps there is a Camaro in your future!

Not likely, to be honest. As I have been doing my sporty car search, it has fallen farther down the list. I would have to LOVE it on a test drive (which I still can't get) to make me buy one.

[Mitlov]

And the mission of the Accord coupe would be what exactly?

I am not sure. You'd have to ask someone who owns one. They seem to be mostly young men from what I have seen in these parts.

...are they from the past decade?

[rrocket]

Well, there are many other products that might suit you better, Eric. Good luck with you search. Perhaps there is a Camaro in your future!

Not likely, to be honest. As I have been doing my sporty car search, it has fallen farther down the list. I would have to LOVE it on a test drive (which I still can't get) to make me buy one.

370Z for you!!!   

What WAS the best appliance car you tested if it wasn't the Honda?

[The Mighty Duck]

After seeing a couple ,
I really think they s%ck,they should kept it smaller like the size of '67

At least it's not a Challenger. The new Challenger is gorgeous, but it's the size of a house. The Camaro at least seems smaller (not sure where it falls in actual size).

[Jaeger]

Is there a much smaller and lighter vehicle with the power of the SS V8?

It doesn't have to have the power if it's lighter.   The 370Z is quicker to 60 and the 1/4 mile than the Camaro SS.  With 100+ fewer ponies.  The Mustang is a tenth or two slower to 60, and a about the same amount slower in the quarter.  Again...with more than 100 LESS horsepower.  Weight is an acceleration killer.

And when HO said the Camaro was "big" I assumed he meant weight...Knocking on 4000lbs is what I consider "big".  Maybe "fat" was the better word?

This is an entirely valid point completely lost on a great many people.  They get tunnel vision on the power output and never turn their minds to how much mass that power has to shove around.

Jaeger

[Jaeger]

Unfortunately, for the most part, it's a 20th century product, designed for 20th century customers.

I tend to agree with the above statement. When seen in person the Camaro is a very large car.

Another way to look at it is that the Camaro is a half-inch shorter than an Accord coupe and four inches shorter than an Accord sedan.  Can't help but notice that you recently traded in your Fit for an Accord.  Are you sure that the Camaro's size makes it a "20th century product designed for 20th century customers"?

Yet another way to look at it is that the Camaro is a half inch longer than an Altima sedan.  Oh, and all of 5 inches wider as well.  Small, it aint.

Jaeger

[airbalancer]

After seeing a couple ,
I really think they s%ck,they should kept it smaller like the size of '67

At least it's not a Challenger. The new Challenger is gorgeous, but it's the size of a house. The Camaro at least seems smaller (not sure where it falls in actual size).

I think the Challenger looks great, it reminds me of the days of going to Haverys at 401 & Jane in Toronto on a Saturday night were everyone would go with their cars

[TopGun]

The 370Z is a precision tool for a dedicated, car loving, no compromise, performance car lover. Just not that many people around who want something like that, anymore.

Well that explains the RX-8 sales.   

And I forget, you can't comment on a car unless you own one, right?

Nice one...

I think the Challenger looks great
.....

I see truck loads of the B5 Blue Challenger R/T Classics going to the States...looks great to me too.