Central Illinois Auto Show Impressions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Shifty 6 · 04-04-2009, 01:36 PM

WOW!

I was able to get into the show early to spend quite a bit of time with the car without having to tick people off and feel like I'm "hogging". The car there was a Jewel Coat Red 2SS and a black 2LT. Both autos. The JCR had tan guts. BEAUTIFUL!!!! This combo looks amazing. The tan is a good color, I prefer it to be a little more khaki, but that is a preference. The first time I saw the car was in Chicago (V Red with grey stripes). I was not able to spend as much time and felt rushed. I posted some thoughts on the car then. After spending more time with the car, and taking more time to look at more details here are my thoughts.

First....I was glad to see no sunroof on this car. I confirmed my thoughts that there will be more headroom. Not a ton more but enough for me. Plus the reverse mohawk is cool.

I love the high polish wheels. (Scott did say the final color of the Midnight silver is darker than I have seen in person.)

I was able to open the truck. Small opening, but we have seen it will hold lots-o-stuff. 2 golf bags No problem. Plus the opening means the car is more solid. It closed with the precision and chunk of a fine German sedan. I closed it several times to hear it. Awesome.

This car had the cloth tan door inserts. (Scott, at least make them an option) I think there are a great addition. I would prefer the cloth because it breaks up the dash with some texture. Even in the black interior, I think the cloth looks great. The fit and finish, were.....outstanding to say the least. They were off the charts for GM and great for any car. Grand slam home run! The leather felt great. All the switch gear felt good. I changed a lot of the controls around and the temp controls and radio controls felt well engineered. They had a buttery smooth motion with the proper detent feel.

I will address something people have voiced their opinion on...visibility. First you are buying a sports car. If your priority for a car is good visibility then look at the Malibu, or Traverse, you will be ecstatic. When I first saw the car in Chicago, I thought the visibility was poor and the car would feel overwhelming. Now, I think it will be OK. I had the seat all the way down and wanted it to go lower. (I'm 6'5"). Originally I thought it would feel like sitting in a bucket trying to pear out over the top of the dash (this is the feeling in the Challenger). I do think the belt line is a tad high, but after spending more time in the car I feel it is acceptable. I think visibility is OK. Let's face it the is one huge C pillar. But learn to use mirrors, and be aware of your surroundings, you won't have a problem.

The steering wheels controls....Bravo! take a bow GM, you got it! GM is getting all the little detail stuff down now. Express up and down windows, beautiful. Steering wheel felt really good and thick in my hand. It felt like a BMW, just maybe not the same level of materials, however it is in the ball park, and for $10-20K less. Not all cars can come with Gucci leather luggage.

I feel I am very critical of cars especially interiors. I am liking the interior more and more on this car. (can-o-worms smiley) Hendricks car was not what you are getting. It is not what HE is getting. This car is the real deal, you will not be disappointed. I am starting the see what HeatheR and Number 3 are talking about.

The whole "keep the faith" thing... I must admit I have waited to see what actually happens when I hear that phrase. It has always turned out well. I have been cautious to jump on a band wagon like that. These people have proven themselves to me to not just tow the company line. I have seen the proof of what they say. I told Scott and a few other GM people at the show, be aggressive on the competition. They do NOT have anything to be shy about. Quit apologizing, you have corrected the problems. Look at Malibu, CTS, Camaro, Silverado, Acadia, G8, Solstice.... I could go on. It is a shame Wagoner got let go. GM needs car guys and it seems he was one. GM, don't be afraid to do a side by side comparison in the hands of consumers, you have a better product.

While I was looking under the back of the car, I saw a couple of Ford guys come up and look at the car....I said, "Guys you should get used to looking back here, because this is the view you'll have most of the time!" They had a comment back, all I heard was the LS3 revving.

fad1 · 04-04-2009, 01:46 PM

Somebody had to do it.

ponycrusher21 · 04-04-2009, 02:44 PM

^

StoutFiles · 04-04-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

While I was looking under the back of the car, I saw a couple of Ford guys come up and look at the car....I said, "Guys you should get used to looking back here, because this is the view you'll have most of the time!"

Stuff like that makes me not want the car; I don't want to be lumped in with a group of people who care so about the damn Mustang and racing it all the time.

*CamaroSpike23* · 04-04-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoutFiles

Stuff like that makes me not want the car; I don't want to be lumped in with a group of people who care so about the damn Mustang and racing it all the time.

some feel the same way about neons, integras, civics, preludes, and other cars

SSinferno · 04-04-2009, 03:54 PM

Here are a few pics I took today. Sorry for the blurry pics. I was suprised they left the battery connected. I turned the lights and everything on. Even met Scott today!

Silver Streak · 04-04-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoutFiles

Stuff like that makes me not want the car; I don't want to be lumped in with a group of people who care so about the damn Mustang and racing it all the time.

Touchy are we.

Great write up OP, thanks!

davidj · 04-04-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoutFiles

Stuff like that makes me not want the car; I don't want to be lumped in with a group of people who care so about the damn Mustang and racing it all the time.

If thats the way you feel, you should'nt get it.

StoutFiles · 04-04-2009, 07:59 PM

^It's something to definitely consider.

Shifty 6 · 04-05-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoutFiles

Stuff like that makes me not want the car; I don't want to be lumped in with a group of people who care so about the damn Mustang and racing it all the time.

Wow, It was a joke. They took it like a joke and what they said to me ("we have camaro in our wheel wells") was taken like a joke. It was funny because of the rivalry between ford and chevy.

Dakota Kid · 04-05-2009, 08:15 AM

I am more and more glad I chose Red Jewel Tint with Beige leather interior. Can't wait to see it.

Shifty 6 · 04-05-2009, 07:52 PM

You are going to love this color combo. This car will look more luxurious than most camaros. Congrats!

Camaro509 · 04-05-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty 6

Plus the reverse mohawk is cool.

What? I'm missing something here.

Shifty 6 · 04-06-2009, 07:21 AM

This car had no sunroof. It's the valley on the roof of the car. That's what it is called.

04-04-2009, 01:36 PM	#1
Shifty 6 Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 679	Central Illinois Auto Show Impressions WOW! I was able to get into the show early to spend quite a bit of time with the car without having to tick people off and feel like I'm "hogging". The car there was a Jewel Coat Red 2SS and a black 2LT. Both autos. The JCR had tan guts. BEAUTIFUL!!!! This combo looks amazing. The tan is a good color, I prefer it to be a little more khaki, but that is a preference. The first time I saw the car was in Chicago (V Red with grey stripes). I was not able to spend as much time and felt rushed. I posted some thoughts on the car then. After spending more time with the car, and taking more time to look at more details here are my thoughts. First....I was glad to see no sunroof on this car. I confirmed my thoughts that there will be more headroom. Not a ton more but enough for me. Plus the reverse mohawk is cool. I love the high polish wheels. (Scott did say the final color of the Midnight silver is darker than I have seen in person.) I was able to open the truck. Small opening, but we have seen it will hold lots-o-stuff. 2 golf bags No problem. Plus the opening means the car is more solid. It closed with the precision and chunk of a fine German sedan. I closed it several times to hear it. Awesome. This car had the cloth tan door inserts. (Scott, at least make them an option) I think there are a great addition. I would prefer the cloth because it breaks up the dash with some texture. Even in the black interior, I think the cloth looks great. The fit and finish, were.....outstanding to say the least. They were off the charts for GM and great for any car. Grand slam home run! The leather felt great. All the switch gear felt good. I changed a lot of the controls around and the temp controls and radio controls felt well engineered. They had a buttery smooth motion with the proper detent feel. I will address something people have voiced their opinion on...visibility. First you are buying a sports car. If your priority for a car is good visibility then look at the Malibu, or Traverse, you will be ecstatic. When I first saw the car in Chicago, I thought the visibility was poor and the car would feel overwhelming. Now, I think it will be OK. I had the seat all the way down and wanted it to go lower. (I'm 6'5"). Originally I thought it would feel like sitting in a bucket trying to pear out over the top of the dash (this is the feeling in the Challenger). I do think the belt line is a tad high, but after spending more time in the car I feel it is acceptable. I think visibility is OK. Let's face it the is one huge C pillar. But learn to use mirrors, and be aware of your surroundings, you won't have a problem. The steering wheels controls....Bravo! take a bow GM, you got it! GM is getting all the little detail stuff down now. Express up and down windows, beautiful. Steering wheel felt really good and thick in my hand. It felt like a BMW, just maybe not the same level of materials, however it is in the ball park, and for $10-20K less. Not all cars can come with Gucci leather luggage. I feel I am very critical of cars especially interiors. I am liking the interior more and more on this car. (can-o-worms smiley) Hendricks car was not what you are getting. It is not what HE is getting. This car is the real deal, you will not be disappointed. I am starting the see what HeatheR and Number 3 are talking about. The whole "keep the faith" thing... I must admit I have waited to see what actually happens when I hear that phrase. It has always turned out well. I have been cautious to jump on a band wagon like that. These people have proven themselves to me to not just tow the company line. I have seen the proof of what they say. I told Scott and a few other GM people at the show, be aggressive on the competition. They do NOT have anything to be shy about. Quit apologizing, you have corrected the problems. Look at Malibu, CTS, Camaro, Silverado, Acadia, G8, Solstice.... I could go on. It is a shame Wagoner got let go. GM needs car guys and it seems he was one. GM, don't be afraid to do a side by side comparison in the hands of consumers, you have a better product. While I was looking under the back of the car, I saw a couple of Ford guys come up and look at the car....I said, "Guys you should get used to looking back here, because this is the view you'll have most of the time!" They had a comment back, all I heard was the LS3 revving.

04-04-2009, 01:46 PM	#2
fad1 Drives: Future 5th gen Camaro Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 1,108	Somebody had to do it. __________________ Plan: Buy a Summit White Camaro right after College.

04-04-2009, 03:54 PM	#6
SSinferno Drives: 1999 WS6 - 2015 WRX Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pekin, IL Posts: 19	Here are a few pics I took today. Sorry for the blurry pics. I was suprised they left the battery connected. I turned the lights and everything on. Even met Scott today! Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Consensus Feb 6th Plus lots of other key dates	UCF w00t	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	16	01-22-2009 11:39 PM
Camaro does the Nurburgring test track in 8:20	2sharp	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	45	07-23-2008 03:17 PM
Production Camaro at which autoshow	dcamaro	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	31	02-02-2008 11:38 AM

04-04-2009, 02:44 PM	#3
ponycrusher21 Christopher Fernandez Drives: Toyota Prius Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 372	^

04-04-2009, 07:59 PM	#9
StoutFiles Drives: Black/Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 733	^It's something to definitely consider.

04-05-2009, 08:15 AM	#11
Dakota Kid Drives: 2010 2SS/RJT/L99 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,151	I am more and more glad I chose Red Jewel Tint with Beige leather interior. Can't wait to see it.

04-05-2009, 07:52 PM	#12
Shifty 6 Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 679	You are going to love this color combo. This car will look more luxurious than most camaros. Congrats!

04-06-2009, 07:21 AM	#14
Shifty 6 Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 679	This car had no sunroof. It's the valley on the roof of the car. That's what it is called.