g8 handling vs camaro

[blaSSt]

Originally Posted by kevin2323

put 2k chip in the 135 and put 2k worth of mods in the camaro the 135 will be running circles around it. Sad but true.

True and the BMW owners pockets will probably be $10,000-$15,000 lighter.

Originally Posted by mega

I wont own another front wheel drive car, ever

Why? What did you own?
18 years ago I had a '90 Ply. Laser Turbo. Said then I didn't want a torque steering FWD monster again.
Jump to today and I have a Cobalt SS (looked at the mini too) It is lively and fun to drive with none of the bad characteristics I had in the Laser. I am happy with the purchase (wish I had the turbo though).

As for comparison, the Camaro will be and feel larger and heavier than the mini. The G8 might be close, hard to know until it can be driven.

Maybe one of the disciples can chime in?

[rgrizzard]

Hopefully the camaro will give better handling than a G8...
On the ohter note I understand what you are saying about a small car/mini handling better in the city. But no matter what you do the camaro, corvette and most other cars for that matter are bigger and will not give the same feel for handling in a crowded city. On a road course is a different situation altogether see Lotus Exige.

[Design1stCode2nd]

If I wanted something nimble for traffic I’d go with a Cooper S, if for some reason that wasn’t enough I’d go for a 135i coupe with the ZF auto. Or if you only need two seats a MX5 hardtop. The Camaro I think will handle great for what it is but you just can’t turn back the laws of physics. For the SS you are looking at 1,200lbs more and much greater size. BMW doesn’t use the “handle like a go cart” tag line without merit.

I hope my wife opts for a mini as a 3rd car for the family (we have a van for family chores). They are fun and frugal, I just wouldn’t want one as my sole transportation.

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by Design1stCode2nd

BMW doesn’t use the “handle like a go cart” tag line without merit.

I had a go-kart when I was maybe 12 years old. It didn't handle well at all. That was why it was fun, though...

[mega]

Originally Posted by blaSSt

Why? What did you own?

I have a mini cooper S, the turbo, and it torque steers pretty bad, all front wheel drive do it, there's just no way to send a lot of power down wheels that turn without torque steer

[rayainsw]

I have recently test driven 3 G8 GTs – and my Daily Driver ( and only vehicle ) is a current model Corvette Coupe. And my Daughter drives a 2007 MINI – that I have driven several times.

My ** GUESS ** is that the ‘feel’ of the Camaro, at least in SS \ V8 configuration, will be somewhere between the Corvette and the G8 – and not very similar at all to the MINI.

The Camaro will weigh closer to the G8 GT than the Corvette ( obviously ) but it will be somewhat shorter & I expect that the CG will be lower – with a height approx. 3 and a half inches lower than the G8. The ‘coupe’-ness, combined with the lower driving position & eye position ought to result in a somewhat more sporting ‘feel’ for the Camaro than the G8.

But I am just speculating.

- Ray
Expecting to report back after a test drive by April 2009 . . .


Length –
G8 GT: 196.1
Camaro: 190.4” approx 6” shorter than G8

Width –
G8 GT: 74.8
Camaro: 75.5

Height –
G8 GT: 57.7
Camaro: 54.2 3.5” lower than G8 –
And approx. 4” taller than my Corvette

[LSxcellent]

Originally Posted by mega

anyone know if the g8 platform is a fair representation of how a camaro will feel driving?

I prefer smaller cars, I'm driving a mini cooper S right now, and I'm in the market for a slightly larger coupe

my short list is a bmw 135i, and the camaro, similar performance numbers, the bmw is probably a little more money, and that twin turbo engine scares me, I dont think I want to own one after it's out of warranty

I'm trying to decide if the camaro will feel too large for my taste, I've driven my boss's old z06 and it did feel pretty big, and I've test driven g8's, they did not feel quite as long in the nose as the z06

it's easy to take for granted how well this mini cooper can dart through traffic

Looks like you and I are cross shopping the exact same cars here... so here is what I have learned so far.

The Camaro is a MUCH larger car than the 135i, its actually almost exactly the same size as the 645i (by Length, Width, Height, Weight). Go drive THAT car to get an idea of the overall size.

The Camaro also weighs nearly 1000lb more than the MCS (3860lbs vs 2700) and you just can't hide that amount of weight.

The G8 is kind of hard to quanitfy because its different in EVERY way... its going to handle like its 'inspiration', the BMW 545i... so go drive one of those to get an idea of what your in for.


My guess is that you (like me) are going to have to adjust to the Camaro since it is SO much bigger... but it certainly won't feeel as big as the G8.

And just for reference, the other cars I am considering:

1. Pontiac G8 GXP
2. Camaro SS
3. BMW 135i
4. BMW 335 Coupe
5. BMW 335 Sedan
6. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
7. Cadillac CTS Sedan
8. Cadillac CTS Coupe

Ultimately we'll all just have to drive it to see if it measures up.

~LSx

[mega]

I decided screw it, ordered an alpine white 135i just got off the phone with the dealer, this will be my 4th alpine white bmw, we had a e30 325i, then a e36 M3, then and now my wifes X5, and now a 135i

I'll just buy an extended warranty from warranty direct that'll bring it to 7 years 85,000 miles for most everything

[Nickdago]

Sounds like you knew what you wanted from the beginning.

[mega]

Originally Posted by Nickdago

Sounds like you knew what you wanted from the beginning.

no, if I did I would not have test drove g8's and asked on here

[mega]

oops I should also point out, these bmw dealers have to meet what I need

23k on my mini cooper s trade, and 500 over invoice

if they cant/wont do it, I will wait, if the camaro comes out and I'm not in a 135i I'll be camaro shopping I think

[Design1stCode2nd]

Mini's are in demand so i see no reason you shouldn't get 23k depending on your options of course. 135 is a very nice car, its on my list as well. Head over to 1addicts.com for lots of info.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by mega

no, if I did I would not have test drove g8's and asked on here

I agree that it sounded like you already knew, and hey, that's fine At least you won't wonder what if... Congrats' on the new ride

[mega]

Originally Posted by Design1stCode2nd

Mini's are in demand so i see no reason you shouldn't get 23k depending on your options of course. 135 is a very nice car, its on my list as well. Head over to 1addicts.com for lots of info.

first dealer offered me 17,000 on the trade, I feel insulted, kbb lists it at 23725 for excellent and 22,400 for good