G8 or Camaro?

[rayainsw]

“G8 is just as fast...” The numbers I have seen show the Camaro SS to be a half second or so quicker in the Quarter. That is a difference I think most people for whom acceleration is a priority [ why else buy the V8 version ? ] could discern.

I looked at the Camaro very carefully before pulling the trigger on my G8 GT last November.

I was fortunate to actually see a very early [ I think there were only a dozen or less at the time ] pilot production Camaro in person at the local dealer where my company buys their trucks. This was late last September.

At the time I was contemplating replacement of my Corvette Coupe. The Camaro would have been a bit quicker than my G8 GT – and not quite as quick as my Corvette. Most everything else about the Camaro would also have been somewhere between the Corvette & the G8 GT.

The G8 GT – a 2009 - was what I chose.

I did not choose the Camaro for the following reasons:

1 - The announced HUD [ had this in multiple cars – including previous Grand Prix and the Corvette & really wanted this ] did not make it to production for 2010.

2 – The visibility to the rear quarters [ particularly over the left shoulder for lane-change ] is as bad as the Corvette. The Camaro’s left rear quarter ‘window’ is useless for this, because of the wide pillar right behind the door.

3 – There will likely be no SS \ V8 Camaro models available for a thorough test drive until some time this Fall. I will not commit to buy a $35K+ car without driving one.

4 – Significant discounts \ rebates are unlikely on the Camaro any time soon. The current wait for an ordered SS in most places appears to be running 4 – 6 months – or more. Those with an SS in stock & available are reportedly \ typically trying for $2K to $5K over MSRP.

5 – Although the trunk’s actual capacity appears OK, the access is very restricted.

6 – The shift ‘paddles’ as implemented for the Camaro’s 6L80 automatic are not to my taste. The ones on my Corvette were fine.

7 – Though the interior I find looks better to me than pictures suggested, I still much prefer the G8 GT’s interior.

Now it certainly DOES appear that the Camaro will be around for a while – and aftermarket support, as well as parts availability seem likely to be much better for the Camaro.

Oh, well.

And I’d have really enjoyed the additional HP & TQ of the 6.2L.

Again: Oh, well.

OK – I’d have chosen the gray or gray & black interior, had that been a choice for the G8 GT.

But my black & red is OK.

Cheers,
- Ray
Very, very happy with my choice . . .

[theholycow]

Great writeup, Ray. One issue: You can rent one from Avis for a very thorough test drive.

Can you describe the shift paddle dissatisfaction?

[rayainsw]

Sure –
On the Corvette & the 2005 Grand Prix GXP I drove
for over 45,000 miles, in total, the arrangement was:

Two steering wheel paddles –
each is designed such that:

Above the steering wheel spoke
[ same idea, but closer to the wheel rim than
where the “+” and the “-” tabs
are on the Camaro steering wheel ]
these other GM cars have an extension
of the paddles that allows a ‘thumb press = upshift’.

And the same paddle extends behind the
steering wheel – along roughly
where the buttons \ switches
are on the Camaro
and each side allows ‘pull = downshift’.

I found this arrangement to be immediately intuitive.

Pull \ press \ squeeze one side = shift up
and
Pull the other side = shift down
just does not appeal to me. . .

Not wrong.

Just not for me.

BTW: If
[ as current rumors I have heard ]
there is a Callaway
version of the 2011 Camaro – and if there is an
arrangement either like these other GMs have,
or like my G8 GT currently has –
and a HUD is available –
well I will probably revisit this . . .

Just my 0.02 gallons worth . . .
- Ray
Happy for now with the G8 GT. . .

[drivingincamaro]

i bet there are some great deals on gts and gxp's


I want a gred g8 gt because i always go places with my friends and i need a big back seat to


and that I LOVE the g8 design

i love the camaros to lol