5th gen or 1st gen that is the question...

[Zieke]

Originally Posted by light-my-firebyrd

i know you are not gonna want to hear this, but if you are only 16 You DO NOT need a camaro. at that age, it's just not a smart move and your parents don't need to let you have a car like that because i can tell you..........you're lookin at a large probability of a wreck, and at such a young age, it's just too dangerous with a car of that power.

i have to disagree. your basing your opinion on biased stereotypes.
i started rebuilding my 78 when i was 14 with my dad. started driving it at 16. and drove it safer than anyone else on the road. no

as for the choice. i would go with the 1st gen.

[mws444]

As some one who owns both I can tell you it like comparing apples to oranges. The '69 is a work of art, an icon from days gone by and represents the best of the day. While I think the '10 will one day reach this status, it is new and time will tell. The new Camaro is a much more advanced as it should be. The handleing and performance is amazing and the style speaks for itself.
I am going with an Lingenfelter 650hp build, and hope it will reach the status of the old copo camaros, we'll see.

[nhra stocker]

Originally Posted by fastball

I understand that, and since I'm 32 it's probably just how I was raised. I would rather have a smooth running, tight, solid, well built 2010 SS.

And im 31 but was at my first drag race at 2 weeks old. With my dad who ran a super stock chevelle in the 70,s and 80,s. Im going to go out on a limb here and just say i think a guy should own both ! PROBLEM SOLVED !!!

[gplus]

I think people are way out of line when saying a person is to young for a Camaro.
Im 44 and my first car was a 1967 Camaro and thats why I think I still enjoy them so much. Responsibility applies to any vehicle. I have lost people in car wrecks and it does not take a fast or muscle car for that to happen.I know many kids 16 years of age that can handle the car with no problem and I also know 16 year olds that cant even handle a bicycle,you cant group them all together.
Sorry for the rant Im just glad that when I turned 16 my parents had enough faith in me to be responsible

[StangKiller-SS]

I think it depends on whether you are partial to classic cars or new age performance. I love the late 60's FBodies, and A Bodies but I'm partial to the newer performance cars due to the obvious reasons such as technology mixed with excellent performance. The first gen Camaro's are classic, they hold good value and toss on a nice set of aftermarket wheels & maybe some big tires in the back they look completely bad ass.

[DZbob]

I have owned 5 Camaros in the last 30 years. I currently own a 2010 SS/RS. They are as follows:

1967 RS
1975 LT
1994 Z-28
1969 Z-28
2010 SS/RS

As far as drive-ability the 2010 is far superior. The 69 Z was my favorite for show. It was an original DZ motor car. The 69 was allot of work, solid lifters, dual points, carburetor, no A/C, wheel hop doing a burnout etc. It had a 4:10 gear, so you drove down the highway 55 mph at 3000 rpm's. The 2010 hovers around 1800 rpms at 75. The 69 was fun going straight, is nothing like the 2010 turning or stopping. I would recommend the 2010 if you are getting a daily driver, go 1st gen if for a weekend warrior.

Just my opinion. Good luck and be safe with whatever choice you make.

[DarrenJ]

I have both,pick what you like.

[Autobot]

Nothing beats that new car smell.

[tones2SS]

Originally Posted by fastball

I understand that, and since I'm 32 it's probably just how I was raised. I would rather have a smooth running, tight, solid, well built 2010 SS.

At the time, in it's day, yes, those Camaros were great cars. Comparing them to every other 1967-1969 car on the road.

Comparing them to a 2009 or 2010 car? Not even a fair comparison - the 2010 is beyond 40 years better. With the advent of computers (not just in cars but aiding in the design of them) in the 1980s I would say even a 4th gen is exponentially better than a 1st gen.

Things like chassis dynamics, torsion, steering ratio, clutch feel, brake feel, structural rigidity, ergonomics, fuel economy, and panel/interior fitment were things not even on the minds with engineers in the 1960s, and I guarantee you were topics under very, very tight scrutiny with Ed Welburne and his team for this Camaro.

The sound of the engine is one thing, but it is far from what makes a car a car for me. Very, very low on the list. Besides, the '10 makes a good enough sound for me. It's by no means quiet as a Lexus.

I hear you fastball. I agree with you to a certain degree though. Don't forget about those pro-touring cars! They'll out perform the 2010 Camaro in a straight line or auto-x. All with A/C blasting and all the creature comforts.
(Oh,... and don't forget that kick ass sound of the engine with a wicked cam!!)

[gold5000000]

thanks for all the replys, i really have alot to think about but i think my decision is close but i still need to think but as of now i'm starting to lean toward the 5th gen, BUT am still not ready to call it

[Pauls69RSSS]

Gold,

You, ultimately, must make your own decision. I think the best answer is........
one of each!

That, of course, is for those of us who are older and can afford both.

Several on here have said that you must constantly work on the old ones. That is not normally the case. I tune mine about once a year and have no issues with it between tune-ups. It is a big block and is not quite as "streetable" as the 2010, but just as much fun to drive.

They are not the same car, in any way, shape or form. They are both a blast to drive in very different ways. Both will turn heads. True, I can jump in my '10 and drive from WA to FL in comfort, where I could not with my '69, but that is comparing apples to oranges. I drive my '69 to work or just around town and have a great time with it (nothing like the rumble of a big block!).

Also, as far as the insurance thing... You can insure any of the 'collector' cars through Grundy or Hagarty Insurance Companies for a very reasonable price (agreed upon value and limited mileage).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Paul

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by fastball

Any engineer from the mid-late 1960's couldn't dream the possibilities of car design in 2009..... they were still using slide rules, chalk board, and even simple math on paper (unless GM had some version of the ENIAC in their headquarters at the time)

It's a safe bet a 2009 Kia handles better than 90% of ANY car engineered in the 1960s.

Funny you should mention "ENIAC" -- the 1967 Camaro was the first regular production car to use extensive use of 'computers' in the development as well as in production-- (primitive as they were....)

For instance: Computers decided which springs and shocks would be used depending on engine/trans/option load.......we think that sounds funny today, but back then it was something that most people could not quite understand.......

[gold5000000]

Originally Posted by Pauls69RSSS

Gold,

You, ultimately, must make your own decision. I think the best answer is........
one of each!

Paul

i know but i want to make sure i make the right decision

[djgrind45]

looks like the 5th gen would be the the coolest choice,.... come on how long have you been waiting for it to come out?