G8 or Camaro?

[FRKNlo]

Im also deciding which one I would like.
My main concern is aftermarket parts availability and with the G8 being discontinued, aftermarket parts are going to be very scarce for the G8. The Camaro will have many aftermarket parts made in the years to come.
So as of now Im leaning towards the Camaro.

[theholycow]

If you live in California, you can be sure of parts availability for 10 years. It's required by law there, and probably in other states. I'd guess that as long as they're making parts for California they'll go ahead and make enough for everyone.

Also, much of what's in the G8 is also in cars like the Camaro.

[FRKNlo]

Originally Posted by theholycow

If you live in California, you can be sure of parts availability for 10 years. It's required by law there, and probably in other states. I'd guess that as long as they're making parts for California they'll go ahead and make enough for everyone.

Also, much of what's in the G8 is also in cars like the Camaro.

Thanks that info is good to know, but now Im even more confused of which to get.

Another factor I was thinking about is if you want the attention. With the camaro youll grab all the attention. I think with the G8 you wont know what it is unless you already know about it. I saw a G8 yesterday and it did not stand out in the parking lot. If you want a sleeper a G8 is for you.

[NickPic]

camaro to g8 = to apples and oranges.
do u want a 2 dr muscle car w/ no backseat room or a 4 dr family car w/ some pep in the step

[ZYAL8R]

Not knocking Pontiac at all. I saw a Fiero GT today that was cherry and I loved it.

Also "let" a G8 go around us in the interstate so he could get a good long look at the car.

But hands down IMO, the Camaro is the winner of this debate. You will have a fast car with a backseat and roomy trunk, and the people will ALL stare and even turn around to come back to just look at your ride. Everywhere we went this weekend, the people's reaction to the Camaro was unfounded. (this coming from a guy who's had some cool rides in the past).

I don't see many turning around to see a G8.

[johnh]

But hands down IMO, the Camaro is the winner of this debate. You will have a fast car with a backseat and roomy trunk, and the people will ALL stare and even turn around to come back to just look at your ride. Everywhere we went this weekend, the people's reaction to the Camaro was unfounded. (this coming from a guy who's had some cool rides in the past).

I don't see many turning around to see a G8

G8 is just as fast...
G8 has a usable backseat (Been in the Camaro, wouldn't want to try to fit a teen/adult back there...)

The Camaro will get more looks though, but I wonder when there's thousands running the streets if it still will.

[rayainsw]

“G8 is just as fast...” The numbers I have seen show the Camaro SS to be a half second or so quicker in the Quarter. That is a difference I think most people for whom acceleration is a priority [ why else buy the V8 version ? ] could discern.

I looked at the Camaro very carefully before pulling the trigger on my G8 GT last November.

I was fortunate to actually see a very early [ I think there were only a dozen or less at the time ] pilot production Camaro in person at the local dealer where my company buys their trucks. This was late last September.

At the time I was contemplating replacement of my Corvette Coupe. The Camaro would have been a bit quicker than my G8 GT – and not quite as quick as my Corvette. Most everything else about the Camaro would also have been somewhere between the Corvette & the G8 GT.

The G8 GT – a 2009 - was what I chose.

I did not choose the Camaro for the following reasons:

1 - The announced HUD [ had this in multiple cars – including previous Grand Prix and the Corvette & really wanted this ] did not make it to production for 2010.

2 – The visibility to the rear quarters [ particularly over the left shoulder for lane-change ] is as bad as the Corvette. The Camaro’s left rear quarter ‘window’ is useless for this, because of the wide pillar right behind the door.

3 – There will likely be no SS \ V8 Camaro models available for a thorough test drive until some time this Fall. I will not commit to buy a $35K+ car without driving one.

4 – Significant discounts \ rebates are unlikely on the Camaro any time soon. The current wait for an ordered SS in most places appears to be running 4 – 6 months – or more. Those with an SS in stock & available are reportedly \ typically trying for $2K to $5K over MSRP.

5 – Although the trunk’s actual capacity appears OK, the access is very restricted.

6 – The shift ‘paddles’ as implemented for the Camaro’s 6L80 automatic are not to my taste. The ones on my Corvette were fine.

7 – Though the interior I find looks better to me than pictures suggested, I still much prefer the G8 GT’s interior.

Now it certainly DOES appear that the Camaro will be around for a while – and aftermarket support, as well as parts availability seem likely to be much better for the Camaro.

Oh, well.

And I’d have really enjoyed the additional HP & TQ of the 6.2L.

Again: Oh, well.

OK – I’d have chosen the gray or gray & black interior, had that been a choice for the G8 GT.

But my black & red is OK.

Cheers,
- Ray
Very, very happy with my choice . . .

[theholycow]

Great writeup, Ray. One issue: You can rent one from Avis for a very thorough test drive.

Can you describe the shift paddle dissatisfaction?

[rayainsw]

Sure –
On the Corvette & the 2005 Grand Prix GXP I drove
for over 45,000 miles, in total, the arrangement was:

Two steering wheel paddles –
each is designed such that:

Above the steering wheel spoke
[ same idea, but closer to the wheel rim than
where the “+” and the “-” tabs
are on the Camaro steering wheel ]
these other GM cars have an extension
of the paddles that allows a ‘thumb press = upshift’.

And the same paddle extends behind the
steering wheel – along roughly
where the buttons \ switches
are on the Camaro
and each side allows ‘pull = downshift’.

I found this arrangement to be immediately intuitive.

Pull \ press \ squeeze one side = shift up
and
Pull the other side = shift down
just does not appeal to me. . .

Not wrong.

Just not for me.

BTW: If
[ as current rumors I have heard ]
there is a Callaway
version of the 2011 Camaro – and if there is an
arrangement either like these other GMs have,
or like my G8 GT currently has –
and a HUD is available –
well I will probably revisit this . . .

Just my 0.02 gallons worth . . .
- Ray
Happy for now with the G8 GT. . .

[drivingincamaro]

i bet there are some great deals on gts and gxp's


I want a gred g8 gt because i always go places with my friends and i need a big back seat to


and that I LOVE the g8 design

i love the camaros to lol