Handling 4th v 5th generation

[attymf]

Well, I've had my 5th gen for a little over two weeks now. To me, it handles more like a Lexus than anything else I can think of.

Seems like my 4th gen handled better. Anyone think the same. Anyone have any numbers to compare regarding slalom and skid pad g's.

[S8ER01Z]

4th gen was just lighter... slalom on the 4th gen is a few ticks behind and skid numbers are fairly close depending on the sources. The biggest hit against the 4th gen was a rough skidpad.... on smooth skids it did really well but on a rough surface the rear would slide out if upset.

4th gen 1LE cars posted .90~.95 (depending on the year/tire options/etc)
4th gen Z28/SS cars posted .86~.88
5th gen V8 cars post .88~.90 (if I missed some higher results please correct me)

Overall it's fairly close on the 'numbers' but in the slalom there is a ~3+mph difference..which shows the 5th gen is really composed in quick transistions versus the 4th gen.

Of course if you change the stock tires off a 4th gen in favor of better rubber it throws the entire comparison out the window... tires make or break these tests.... toss the factory RSAs (245/50R16s) for stickier/wider rubber (the 2010 is packing 275/40ZR20 Pirelli P Zeros for example) and you would increase the numbers for these test. So if you're 4th gen had a tire upgrade that might explain why you would come to that conclusion.

[attymf]

thx for the info. Just feels a lot different to me.

[Paperer]

You think the 4th gen handled better? The 5th gen to me is a thousand time more responsive and handles like a dream.

[attymf]

I love the way the car rides a lot better. Its defineitly a more comfy ride especially on bad roads.

When I hit the clover leafs or windy roads I just feel like my old z28 handled better.

I wonder if the issue is that in the 5th gen I just dont feel like I am going as fast as I was in the 4th gen. Maybe I am actually going a lot faster and just dont know it.

[Paperer]

Ohh, I see what your saying. Yeah, the 4th gen is a lot lower feeling, like you're almost sitting on the floor.

[VASCAR2]

I drove a 1999 Police B4C LS1 camaro for a year and put about 50,000 miles on it mostly at highway speeds. I test drove a 5th generation 2LT RS with 19" wheels a couple of weeks ago. It seemed to me the 5th generation had a more refined ride and seemed wider. I drive a 1994 camaro 3.4 5 speed Manual and I found the 1LT/RS was easier to get into but I hit my leg on the steering wheel trying to get out. Overall I was very impressed with the 5th generation camaro and can't wait for the delivery of mine. The B4C I drove was a phenomenal car and was the best year of my police career. The B4C was the best pursuit police car ever produced up to that time. I actually got to use the B4C for what it was designed to do. I'd come out of retirement to drive a 5th generation SS because I think it will be that good of car. I think comparing the 4th generation to 5th generation is like comparing apples to oranges or revolvers to semi autos. I really liked the handling of the 5th generation but its a different car from the 4th generation with some of the same genes. I could tell its a chevy as soon as I sat in one. After hearing the salesman start the V6 I knew I was hooked. I'm buying the 5th generation to replace my daily driver my 94 camaro. I'm getting the auto V-6 because I had 33 plus years of pursuit driving and I need to slow down. Besides on a retirement income the V-6 suits my needs more. After driving a camaro like I was able to at work was like being a fighter pilot flying an F-16 to me. The 5th generation is just a newer more refined car and by this web site appeal is getting a huge loyal fan club. Thanks a lot Camaro 5 forums, your a wealth of knowledge, keep up the good work.

[S8ER01Z]

Originally Posted by VASCAR2

I drove a 1999 Police B4C LS1 camaro for a year and put about 50,000 miles on it mostly at highway speeds. I test drove a 5th generation LT 1 RS with 19" wheels a couple of weeks ago. It seemed to me the 5th generation had a more refined ride and seemed wider. I drive a 1994 camaro 3.4 5 speed Manual and I found the 1LT/RS was easier to get into but I hit my leg on the steering wheel trying to get out. Overall I was very impressed with the 5th generation camaro and can't wait for the delivery of mine. The B4C I drove was a phenomenal car and was the best year of my police career. The B4C was the best pursuit police car ever produced up to that time. I actually got to use the B4C for what it was designed to do. I'd come out of retirement to drive a 5th generation SS because I think it will be that good of car. I think comparing the 4th generation to 5th generation is like comparing apples to oranges or revolvers to semi autos. I really liked the handling of the 5th generation but its a different car from the 4th generation with some of the same genes. I could tell its a chevy as soon as I sat in one. After hearing the salesman start the V6 I knew I was hooked. I'm buying the 5th generation to replace my daily driver my 94 camaro. I'm getting the auto V-6 because I had 33 plus years of pursuit driving and I need to slow down. Besides on a retirement income the V-6 suits my needs more. After driving a camaro like I was able to at work was like being a fighter pilot flying an F-16 to me. The 5th generation is just a newer more refined car and by this web site appeal is getting a huge loyal fan club. Thanks a lot Camaro 5 forums, your a wealth of knowledge, keep up the good work.

You might be interested in knowing this but until they release a new B4C or maybe an SRT8 varient for police use the LS1 B4C of old still holds the record for fastest pursuit vehicle. That's with the 160mph speed limiter still intact!

[JTinFL]

I would like to drive the car on a nice set of coilovers. Has too much roll for me in stock form.

[JesseJames]

Sway bars on my Trans Am really had an impact for handling on that car. The ride quality on the other hand, is MUCH better in the 5th gen on imperfect roads.

[rolnslo]

In the couple of 4th gens that I drove, I always felt like they drove like they were on rails. I'd pick a direction I wanted to go and it just went there without any fuss. My 2010 feels less like that and has a smoother ride but I do wish it felt more like the 4th gen did, especially in the curves.

I guess I'd say, to me, the 4th gen was more go-cart like in it's responsiveness and driving characteristics, where as the 5th gen feels more like an all around better handling and smoother riding car, especially on roads in poor condition.

[AZCamaroFan]

Originally Posted by attymf

I love the way the car rides a lot better. Its defineitly a more comfy ride especially on bad roads.

When I hit the clover leafs or windy roads I just feel like my old z28 handled better.

I wonder if the issue is that in the 5th gen I just dont feel like I am going as fast as I was in the 4th gen. Maybe I am actually going a lot faster and just dont know it.

I felt the same way going from a 3rd gen to 4thgen. There was more body roll, and i didn't think it was as stuck as well in the corners. Then i really looked at the speed i was carrying, and finally changed my mind. I do think if you put most of these newer cars on the wheels and tires from 20 years ago you'd have a big drop in skidpad numbers.

[S8ER01Z]

Originally Posted by azfan

I felt the same way going from a 3rd gen to 4thgen. There was more body roll, and i didn't think it was as stuck as well in the corners. Then i really looked at the speed i was carrying, and finally changed my mind. I do think if you put most of these newer cars on the wheels and tires from 20 years ago you'd have a big drop in skidpad numbers.

Great point..a lot of people forget that some of the third gen cars were excellent cars in the handling department. If only they had a powerplant like the LTx or LSx to put in them at the time.

[GQ4Life]

Im like a car with a stiff suspension. I don't like any body roll..
should I start looking in to coilovers and sway bars for when I pick up camaro?