Handling?
 

Any speculation on how well the new camaro is going to handle? I never had many problems with my 96 Z28 but after driving sportscars for the last 6 years im spoiled on handling and its likly to be the main factor in weather I get the camaro or not.

If its as much understeer monster at the race track as the old F-bodies I'll have to pass. I used to get around it on the street and autocross track by brake drifting but you can't do that at race speed on a track.

There has been really good reviews of the G8 handling by topgear in the form of the vxr8 and some other places so I'm hoping that the camaro comes with handling a few steps better than what has been available before. It seems that the recent independent rear cars have come with some good praise but will it hold its own on the track after suspension mods against cars like the c5 vette and 350z.

IRS will def. beat the old Camaros for handling. But what you've seen on TopGear is generally what you'll see in the Camaro - except minus a couple hundred pounds.:burnrubber:

I may have to relearn to drive camaros. However it dose look like the overhangs are much less on the new car so maybe that will go a good ways towards improving on 4th gen understeer issues. at least I will be back in somthing a little less darty. When a little sportscar lets go it can get ugly real fast. I did like the easy 2 drift setup of the old F-bodies but thats when I was 20 and I don't drive like that anymore.

I'm more interested in clipping late apexes than brake drifting into a power over exit like I used to in my z28

I'm really hoping the IRS helps this car a lot, I just hope it doesn't handle like the 06 GT I test drove, otherwise I'll have to reconsider...correct me if I'm wrong not a huge import car fan, but 350's are pretty decent handling cars are they not? if the camaro can hang with them handling wise I'll be pleased :)

350z's handle ok but the dynamics are really nice. I think I have just spoiled myself with the mazdaspeed running near race tires on the street so I will have to lowwer my standards with anything but a vette in the handling department.

The mustang GT's handle like dogs. The camaro had better be a good bit better because the stock GT stang is really bad in the handling department.

i bet they will have some kind of special option suspension like the vette has. and if you have any problems with the suspension ....remember theres always after market. you can make it however you want it to be. dont let one little thing(that can be changed) turn you off to the camaro,especially if you dont even really know anything about it yet.

Even if it has great handling, the dynamics will still be different than the little Miata. They're just on opposite ends of the performance car spectrum.

I'm used to a worn Saab with shitty suspenders. The Camaro will be heaven!

Luckly the driving dynamice of 3rd and 4th gen F-bodies are hardwired into my soul. Sit me down in a 5 speed Iroc and its like the comfort of the whomb.

Ive just gotten more picky with handling I think. My 87 handled great with polygraphite bushings and a firebird formula 350 rear swaybar from the junkyard. I have just developed a severe hatred for understeer.

I remember when I drove the mustang GT and I was like OMG this is horrible!! I don't think the 235 crap perelli's it comes with help much either. Luckly the camaro has always handled better than the mustang since the camaro is for enthusiests and the mustang is for kids and non motorheads. hopefully GM is willing to deal with a few ladys complaining about how its hard to get into and make it for the rest of us.

My guess is for autocrossing and lower speed courses, the Miata will be better. But on higher speed courses, the Camaro can use what is likely to be excellent handling along with superior power to turn the faster time, and it looks the the Zeta hardware allows for plenty of tail-out action.

whats the story with the engine placment? is it to be behind the front axle line?

I had looked at the double ball joint setup for the front. Looks heavy on the unsprung side.

I think it could be. even if it was on top of it a little, the majority of the engine would be behind the front axle line. At least how I see it.:iono:

....:help: I feel like I should know what you're talking about.;) But the fact remains that I don't.:help:

unsprung weight is in the wheels and axles, hubs, brakes. anything not held up by the springs and shocks. as i understand it

As someone who makes getting out on a road course 2-3 times a season with my 98 SS a very high priority, I was extremely pleased with the makeup of the Camaro Enthusiast Focus Group we participated in last May in Detroit. Although I can't talk about what was discussed, I can tell you that the composition of the group was made up of (what I thought) was a highly disproportionate number of road racers and autox'ers! :thumbup:

Best regardSS,

Elie