GM almost lost one of its faithful, open letter to Chevrolet

[JJKJ]

I'm a long-time GM guy. Firebirds, Camaros, base Corvettes, Z06s, GTOs, CTS-V, Duramax pickups, Yukons, etc, etc. 20+ years of driving GM cars almost came to an end with my recent vehicle purchase. I'm writing this on a Camaro forum because it is Camaro relevant and I know GM representatives are active on this site. I write this not only on my behalf, but from the desires of a large portion of the GM muscle car market.

I started shopping for a new car seriously a few months ago. I wanted a new Camaro from the get-go. Loved the styling and of course I'm a big fan of the LS-series engines mated with a 6spd. As soon as I started reading posts, reviews, and comments, the weight and size issue became very evident. As a result of reviews I read, I went against my normal course of action and test drove a Mustang. I took both a Camaro and Mustang on extended over-night test drives. Sorry Chevy, I love the Camaro styling, but the performance edge went to Ford.

With the release of the Boss 302, Ford pushed that performance bar even higher. Please Chevy, pay attention and respond in kind. Shave a few hundred pounds off the Camaro and give us a Boss fighter! You don't even have to tweek the LS3 like Ford did with the 302 for the Boss. Give us a version with 19x9" or 18x9" light-weight wheels to shave weight and allow us to compete in SCCA F-stock autox without trying to find 20" race rubber. Leave the heavy 20" wheels on the SS street machine. Give us a Camaro with a backseat delete, not because we need one, but because it's cool as hell and Ford did it. I know you have the Corvette, but I'm talking going head-to-head with your muscle car competition. Kudos on the ZL1 as a GT500 competitor, now figure out how to give us a car that bridges the gap between the SS and the ZL1 that is aimed at putting the Boss in its place.

This story ends on a good note for GM. While waiting for a Boss 302 to come available at a reasonable price (aka not above MSRP), I found a closeout 2011 Corvette Grand Sport. I drove this car and fell in love. It is a home-run car. Please Chevy, you've seen the success of the Grand Sport, apply that same philosophy to the Camaro. Call it a Z28 or whatever you want to call it, but give us a Boss-fighter. Give us a car that BEATS the Mustang in all aspects. I know the 2012 has a revised suspension coming, but you still have the weight and size issue. I know the size issue can't be resolved until the C6, but until then focus on weight reduction and handling.

Thank you,

[shockandawe]

That's what I'm talking about!

[1o.f00t.570rk]

When the 5th Gen Camaro platform has been out as long as the S-197 and still hasn't offered anything, then you might have grounds to complain. But expecting to see this kind of stuff on the third model year into production doesn't sound reasonable - it sounds petulant.

Ford doesn't have a Corvette equivalent. The Mustang is all they have to compete with both the Camaro and Corvette, so they are definitely going to release trim packages that the Camaro can't compete with but the Corvette can, and that's not a failing of the Camaro.

[bob vogel]

Originally Posted by 1o.f00t.570rk

When the 5th Gen Camaro platform has been out as long as the S-197 and still hasn't offered anything, then you might have grounds to complain. But expecting to see this kind of stuff on the third model year into production doesn't sound reasonable - it sounds petulant.

Ford doesn't have a Corvette equivalent. The Mustang is all they have to compete with both the Camaro and Corvette, so they are definitely going to release trim packages that the Camaro can't compete with but the Corvette can, and that's not a failing of the Camaro.

+1 i'm with ya on this one.

[NicksVSix]

Originally Posted by 1o.f00t.570rk

When the 5th Gen Camaro platform has been out as long as the S-197 and still hasn't offered anything, then you might have grounds to complain. But expecting to see this kind of stuff on the third model year into production doesn't sound reasonable - it sounds petulant.

Ford doesn't have a Corvette equivalent. The Mustang is all they have to compete with both the Camaro and Corvette, so they are definitely going to release trim packages that the Camaro can't compete with but the Corvette can, and that's not a failing of the Camaro.

I couldn't care less about performance...a Mustang is still just a Mustang. Nice cars and all, but Camaros they ain't. It goes beyond performance.

[Rwarchol]

So how did GM lose one of its faithful when you bought a Corvette?

[zslewis]

Originally Posted by Rwarchol

So how did GM lose one of its faithful when you bought a Corvette?

He said almost lost...

[Kahdir]

Don't worry, a Z/28 is in the works... unless there is a name change or some disastrous issue that can't be overcome.

[full of days]

get a vette if you're looking for 302 killer from Chevy

[BilJ]

A vivid testament to the simple fact that you can not please all of the people all of the time...at least most of us are happy with our ride.

[ShnOmac]

You may want to read up on these threads.There is some good conversation going on about this very topic. Feel free to chime in!

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149090

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145572

[Cristoff]

I don't understand why some people are SO fixated on what Ford does.

I couldn't really care less if a "boss" passes my little V-6. I love my car more than any Mustang that I could ever own. I just like the car better.

If it weighed in 1500 lbs heavier and had the 0-60 times of a Corolla, I'd still like it more than a mustang.

Simply put, my "car-peen" is big enough already.

[PercyJWellingtonIII]

I like my Camaro but if Ford comes out with a better Mustang when I am in the Market I will take look. If Camaro comes back with something better I will again take another look. I have owned a Ford product in the past as was happy with it.

[JHL88]

i took home a new 5.0 for a night drove the piss out of it. nice car but i couldn't see myself trading my ss in for one