Any owners drive a mountain road yet?

[stovt001]

So I'm still on the fence, even after sitting in a production car, trying to decide whether this car is just too big and heavy for me. The Camaro is so lust-worthy to me, and I want that big V8 before they possibly go extinct. When I sat in the Camaro, it seemed like a very special occasion, which you just don't get in most other modern cars. However, living in the northern Los Angeles area I just have so many fantastic mountain roads to drive, and I can't shake the feeling that the Camaro's size and weight will kill some of the fun. I drive my pretty low-performance Cobalt just wishing for a nice high-performance car, but every time I always come to the conclusion that as much as I'd like a higher performance car, I absolutely love the nimbleness a compact car gives me. It makes an otherwise boring car just a blast to zip through gaps in traffic or run through the tight turns on Glendora Mountain road. I've come up with a huge list of other cars to consider:

Mustang - good interior quality, and with the track pack is apparently more nimble. Smaller and lighter than the Camaro too. Unfortunately, its engines are underpowered, its solid rear axle would be a liability in a state that can't afford to maintain roads, and lets face it it is about as generic as a Camry.

Used BMW 135 or 335 - drives and handles great, and just about as fast as the Camaro. Plus I'd get a little bit of luxury. Both are definitely in my small car range in size and weight. However, while they're affordable to buy used, maintenance is stupid expensive. Then there is the image of the 3 series. Around here, only spoiled jerks or idiots who bankrupt themselves to make lease payments buy it, and it is also about as common as the Camry. The 135 doesn't have this stigma, but it is ugly.

Genesis Coupe - A bit smaller and much lighter, and RWD, and drives well, but still isn't quite as fast nor as efficient as I think it should be for the hardware. The design inside and out just isn't all that special. Track pack V6 almost as expensive as 1SS, but does include leather, brembos, etc.

370Z - Just as quick as the SS, handles well, and looks just as striking (though in a different way) but it is kinda pricey. It also has poor visibility and only 2 seats.

Mazdaspeed3 - wicked fast, great value - lots of features, low price, and high utility due to hatchback design, but FWD and, well, the look is hideous.

GTI - Whole is greater than the sum of its parts, just strikes that perfect balance, plus is more upscale and civilized than most hot-hatches. Interior design is gorgeous and high quality, DSG a huge plus, and the package is very compact. Still, it is underpowered and overpriced compared to rivals, especially Mazdaspeed3.

MX-5 - Comact, nimble, ultimate driver's car, but woefully underpowered and of very limited practicality.

RX-8 - Compact, nimble, also ultimate driver's car, fantastic seats in R3 model, and fairly practical for a coupe, but shockingly, shamefully underpowered, fuel inefficient, and drinks oil as fast as gas.



So what do you all think? I've been here a long time. Many of you know my passion for the Camaro and how it can go beyond the rational. Does anyone have experience driving the 2010 Camaro on a really tight, winding mountain road? Has anyone driven both the Camaro and something else on my list and can add a personal comparison?

I know much of this has been covered in the "Camaro vs..." threads, but I'm hoping for personal insights and going beyond just numbers.

Thanks!

[UCF w00t]

I can't offer insight but what would you put as your two sentence summary of the Camaro?

[stovt001]

Face stretching power, knee-buckling good looks, a sense of "special" occasion getting in, and all the right hardware -engine, brakes, and suspension are all top notch. However, it is too big, too heavy, too little visibility, and pretty bad seats.

[kdoske]

bad seats really? I thought everyone was saying how comfy they were

[mega]

fyi maint on the 135/335 is very cheap, you know how to change your own oil right?

Maint on my 2004 f150 has cost more than my bmw's have

[CanadianCamaro]

"too big, too heavy"


It's no mazda5 but you don't feel the size/weight that much unless you jump in out of a mini.

"too little visibility"

I would say that the visibility is the same as some of the others you list - or at least not significantly poorer.


"pretty bad seats"
Disagree completely. I've sat in 1/2 the cars you've listed and the Camaro's seats are the best of them all as far as I'm concerned. I could see if you're as thin as a broom handle you might like the 370 or the MX. But everyone's body is different.

[LadiesMan217]

For mountain roads...sorry guys, I gotta go with the 370Z.

*ducks*

[GatorBlue371]

M coupe

340 hp

0-60 in 4.7

This interior

[edog]

I take it on back roads quite often, but have not had the op to take it on the mountains yet. I was looking to do that today. It might rain really heavy, so I will most likely not go. Another time.

[nukemgreg]

For the money I don't think you can go wrong with a Camaro. It's weight distribution is 48/52. The V-8 has a limited slip differential. If money is no object, get a M3 or M5. But price compatability I would get a Camaro over most of the cars on your list (even the V6)

[nards444]

its only like 300lbs more than the mustang and thats the v8 model v6 is about the same weight as the v8 mustang. To be honest with you, I think america needs to buy american products right now.

[RumbleBeeSS]

I think it's fair to say that there's more nimble cars out there for mountain road driving. But as far as handling the curves, although this car feels "big," it is really fun when it comes to the twists and turns of a windy road. I've yet to take it to the mountains (maybe the Sequoias or Yosemite this weekend ) but I have had a blast on the curves heading out to Pismo Beach from the central valley. For me it's kinda like my experience with 4WD trucks, my compact pick-ups of the past were a lot more nimble than my full-size pick-ups of late, but I've placed a higher priority on the majority of my utility/driving.

Not sure how much time you'd spend in the mountains, but for me it may add up to 2% of my miles, and that's being generous. IMHO the Camaro has no equal for the 98% of my other miles. So weigh your priorities, and choose what is going to satisfy you in most situations. To quote a popular motto "no sacrifice; no victory" - Archibald Witwicky

You could always get a matching motorcycle to go with your Camaro for those mountain driving urges, nothing more nimble than a bike.

[MontyCarlo]

I'll let you know in about a month. One of the first things I plan to do with mine is drive it back to Colorado and take it up Highway 24 from Colorado Springs, then on to Cripple Creek, and back down to Denver.

[navmaxlp]

Comparatively, we don't have mountains in Maryland, just big hills.