My observations after the first 3 days with this car

[plan-b]

While I'm here researching the bits that I'd like to do with this car (intake, exhaust, wiring the halos to be on full-time, etc.), I figured I'd say hi and ramble a bit.

I'm new to the Camaro but I'm not really a stranger to Chevy. I bought a brand new C6 Corvette in February 2005 and that thing was a blast to drive. After a few years with it, my boyhood dream of owning a Porsche 911 finally took over and I managed to find a killer deal on a 2004 C4S. I couldn't justify keeping both since, despite the vast differences, they both had kind of a similar purpose. A year and a half after selling the Vette, the draw of having a V8 again came back with a vengeance. Then I read that the Camaro convertible had hit dealerships and all bets were off. Last Friday, after a harrowing ordeal with my crappy dealer (a story by itself), I picked up a Victory Red SS Convertible.

A few musings after having driven it all weekend… and I mean ALL weekend.

- This car gets a LOT of attention. The bright red probably plays into it but the drop top is definitely the head turner. I had 5 people ask me about it at red lights within the first 24 hours!
- GM engineers have a right to be proud of the chassis. I've driven my share of ragtops (though this is my first time owning one) and aside from "designed-from-scratch" roadsters (Miata, S2000, Boxster), this is the best drop top platform I've driven. And it's got back seats. Score!
- The clutch take-up is a bit finicky. It feels like the pedal spring is way over eager early in the travel leading to some jerkiness. I'm sure I'll adjust to it.
- The Hurst short shifter is ridiculous. I've driven manuals exclusively for well over 2 decades and I'm missing shifts now. But still loving every minute of it. I can't wait till this shifter becomes second nature for me.
- I think the Hurst shifter became a $380 CAGS eliminator. I have yet to trigger the forced 4th gear, even in scenarios that I'm positive should have based on my experience with the Vette (though the eliminator went on that car less than 1000 miles into ownership). I haven't even seen the 1->4 light, if there is one at all.
- The steering wheel controls for the radio are all but useless on the right side. If I have to take my hand off the shifter to change stations/songs or adjust the volume, it's actually an easier reach to the radio itself. Other cars I've driven have radio controls on the left so I can adjust the radio while I'm rowing through gears. There's no reason I'd ever need to adjust the cruise control while shifting so those really should be on the right. GM obviously didn't do focus groups in this department.
- The passenger side blind spot with the top up is big enough to hide the USS Ronald Reagan in it. I'll be backing into parking spots a lot more than I already do.
- It has fewer HUD display options compared to my Vette. That's a bit disappointing, though understandable. I could swear they've improved contrast, brightness and overall visibility though.
- I get looks from Mustang drivers more than anyone else, but I kind of expected that. I've never owned a car with such a fierce rivalry with another brand & model before. This is going to be interesting.
- This car is looooong. I can just barely squeeze my motorcycle behind it in my garage whereas the Porsche & Vette left plenty of room.

And for the "this thread is worthless without pictures" crowd:

[MIT'13]

welcome aboard

[AUS10BMX]

Beautiful car! Welcome.

[Brunoz]

Nice Ride and Welcome!

[angie7]

gorgeous!!

[mikeSS]

cool man

[Revo1]

Very nice, welcome to C5!

[oldfriend]

The other problem is , it is going to rain tomorrow , hey ,it was not me that ask for it !!!

[Black Lightning]

Welcome to C5. Yeah, they get a lot of looks and comments. Almost every day I get comments from people I don't know. On the other days, it's a head nod or something like that. Enjoy!

[ArmoSS]

Very interesting...I thought I was the only one where the Skip Shift is "messed up" on. However, I have the factory Hurst Shifter as well, so I wonder if that has something to do with, because I've driven my car over 2k miles, slow acceleration through fast acceleration, and I still haven't gotten the skip shift.

And...I completely agree with you on the passenger side blind spots. Good observations overall. Welcome aboard.

[SUX2BU]

Great choice! Victory red was my second choice. Keep an eye on your top to make sure you don't get the wear marks a lot of us got.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142513

[fastball]

Great looking 'vert! And you did us enthusiasts proud rowing your own gears! The only way to drive an SS!

That red really pops!!! And the tan interior really sets it off nice!

[=Stephens=]

Nice. Now its time to start moddding it.

Stock is soooooooooooooo boring.

[AZCamaroFan]

beautiful car